[elsbels1979]

Today i took the first steps to travelling around Australia for 3 months!!!! Im a bit scared and i am planning to go alone!!
Just wondered if anyone can offer any advice or information that could be useful!!!!
Any info one what kind of budget i should be aiming for?!?!?!

[uktrail]

Are you including Tasmania? I have relatives there so I'm biased, but the climate is very comfortable most of the year, there's some wonderful scenery, and it's much more compact than the mainland. Some travellers spend a month there travelling solo, if your time is tighter then go for a week and take one of the backpacker tours. If you go there independently, I can recommend some hostels.

[skate1968]

Welcome to the forums, els!

I don't know anything about Australia. But i do know that people generally can help you better if you tell them what country you're leaving from. For example someone from Quebec might have more to consider than someone from New Zealand.

[elsbels1979]

leaving Britain 1st november, plan to return end of January........destination Oz and NZ.....any other recomendations???

[uktrail]

Most of the people you meet around the hostels and backpacker circuits in Australia will be English, closely followed by Dutch. Australians dont often backpack around Australia. Tasmania is a bit different, as quite a few Australians travel there, and also English people who have settled in Australia. In NZ, I think by far the predominant backpacking nation is the Australians. Anyway, travelling is pretty easy; dont go for a Greyhound pass, but make use of trains (there's some discount tickets for membership of YHA etc), backpacker tours (which go to the places you would want to go to), or combine with other backpackers to deliver a car to another city for a nominal price, or to travel across the desert (oh perhaps not, summer is not a good time for that). Have a good time!

[elsbels1979]

Cheers for that!! It handy that the dutch are there, as i am half dutch, and have spent a lot of time there so that would be cool!!!
Its great to get info off people who have done it.....since announcing my plans so many people have told me about people they know that i can stay with which is really cool!!!!!
Ho wlong where you traveling for ??

[Preston_Jim]

Hi els, Im travelling to Oz at a similar time for a bit longer. Heve you got a planned route at all in australia? Id recommend starting in Melborne or Sidney and then working your way up the gold coast to Cairns.

Budget wise backpacking travel guides recommend a shoe-string budget of between £15 and £19 a day and about £25 a day in the larger cities. So for three months if your not planning to work i wouldn't recommend going over with less than about £1700 preferably over £2200 to cover extra travel and partying expenses.
Ive got 2 sisters and a brother in oz and ive been over twice before so although i don't know everything im likely to know stightly more than the average backpacker so if you have any more questions dont hesitate to message me.
Jim

[elsbels1979]

Ah, thanks for that, that is really nice of you!! Yeah i was planning to start in Melborne as i have family there, then work my way up.....my aunt has an apartment by the barrier reef...so bit of diving to be done there!! I was thinking maybe doing the gold coast first then work my way inland....then nip over to NZ!!
Bit mad all this......planning it has made it all seem very real all of a sudden! and i am a bit scared!!!!!
Nice to know there are people who can give some good advice!!!
Els xxx

[nomadmania]

Hi,
I went to Oz last year by myself. I was there for 3 months which really was not a lot of time, I wish I could have stayed longer! But I packed a lot into that time frame! In the 3 months I was there, I probably spent about 5 days by myself! I met so many people and there will be a lot of people there in your position. It's easy...technically you can fly into the country without a plan. The environment is very friendly especially amongst backpackers. Do go to the Outback!! I cannot express enough how going there will be what distinguishes your trip as Magnificant. I took an organized tour on Adventure Tours and it was great! There were about 16 other people from all over the world, many that are traveling by themselves, we bonded deeply. That was a year ago and we are all still in touch. May possiblely plan a reunion trip together in another country as we travelled so well together! the price is very reasonable for what it includes and I still stayed in my budget. I was nervous going over by myself but within a couple of days I got the backpackers groove...there are many backpackers happy to offer help, advice and the do's and don'ts. I did WWOOFING which is willing workers on organic farms. www.wwoof.org I worked in exchange for room and board. It worked out great. If you want to take a trip to the Atherton Tablelands go and WWOOF for Nick and Gina at Nick's Restaurant. They are wonderful! And you'll eat amazing food every night with them. The room they put you in is "rustic" but very livable and lots of fun. They made sure that I saw all the sights in the area. Just gorgeous country. (It's north west? of Cairns) Great way to save money and have a nice stay. Have a super trip and safe travels!