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Kakadu National Park is found in the Northern Territory of Australia, and is roughly the same size as Israel, or half the size of Switzerland!
The name Kakadu comes from the mispronunciation of ‘Gagudju’ which is the name of an Aboriginal language spoken in the northern part of the Park. So here you will not only find some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, but also an array of Indigenous Australian culture dating back tens of thousands of years!
Explore monsoon forests, floodplains, native bush, crocodile infested rivers, sandstone valleys, waterfalls and lush rock pools (for cooling off in!). Kakadu is accessed through the city of Darwin, and you definitely need a four wheel drive and a sense of adventure!
I was lucky enough to experience Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks with Adventure Tours Australia, on their 3 day 4WD tour. I highly recommend taking a guided tour of the area, as much of the park is inacessible at certain times of the year and you really need a local’s advice!
The dry season is the best time to visit this natural wonder, but check with your local Backpackers World Travel consultant to see which parts of the park are open when you want to go!
The best way to see the Great Barrier Reef is up close and personal - so get in there and try snorkelling or a scuba dive!!
Day trips to the reef include snorkelling, which is a good way to familarise yourself with the water, coral and fish. But if you are feeling really adventurous, then I can highly recommend trying scuba diving! Imagine seeing ‘NEMO’, Reef Sharks and turtles up close, in their natural environment! It’s like another world.
I have just completed my 4 day Open Water PADI course in Cairns, with ‘Deep Sea Divers Den’. The first two days are all about learning the theory behind scuba - then jumping into the pool to put it into practice. Then I did the ‘liveaboard’ option, which mean’t I was spoilt - spending two days and one night out on the beautiful reef! All meals and accommodation was included, and I got to do 5 dives in total - AMAZING!!
Scuba diving isn’t for the faint hearted, in fact in Australia you must complete a full medical examination before you are allowed to enter the water. This may seem extreme, but trust me, when your sitting on the seabed 18 metres below the surface, you definitely appreciate knowing a doctor has cleared you of any potential medical problems!
I had the most amazing time diving, and can’t wait to get back out there for more. So if your heading up the east coast of Australia, book yourself in for a scuba dive - whether its an ‘introductory’ dive for the day, or a complete course - your guaranteed to have the time of your life!
Are you wanting to see the REAL Australia and get away from the crowds of the East Coast? Then why not head up to Cape York Peninsula - the northern most point of the Australian Mainland!
I’ve been lucky enough to experience this amazing journey, and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a real adventure!
All tours start in Cairns in Far North Queensland, and wind their way up through the rugged landscapes of working cattle stations, national parks and Aboriginal settlements.
It’s all done by 4WD - no buses, campervans or hire cars would survive this journey - and you camp amongst some of the most stunning landscapes you will see this side of the equator!
And forget about needing to visit any Zoo’s in Australia - if you get up to Cape York you will see Crocodiles, Kangaroos, snakes and much more all in the wild! Up close and personal!!!
Personally I loved swimming in the ancient waterfalls and rock pools, and checking out the famous termite mounds. And of course getting the obligatory photo of everyone standing at the sign saying “You are now standing on the northern most point of the Australian Continent”!!
So what are you waiting for? Get out there!!
Bree 
Are you lucky enough to be Down Under this Australia Day?!
Australia Day our national holiday celebrated every year, on January 26th. Us Aussies take this celebration very seriously - its an excuse for a long weekend and as it occurs every summer, it’s usually awesome weather too!!
So it’s time to get out in the sunshine and celebrate all things Australian!
I’m heading to ‘Wet n Wild’ - the awesome water park on the Gold Coast - sunshine, rides, water and lots of fun! Grab your ticket for any of the major theme parks from our store in Surfers Paradise - Orchid Avenue, or your transport and entry pass from our stores in Brisbane - George or Elizabeth street, CBD.
Get yourself to a unique Australian destination, like Uluru, Kakadu, or any of the beautiful beaches or tropical islands!
Here are my tips for an awesome Australia Day:
* Call all your friends ‘mate’ as much as possible.
* Eat loads of beef and/ or lamb, all cooked on the Barbeque of course.
* Play a game of beach cricket (and don’t complain when you get sand up your swimwear!)
* Go and learn some Aboriginal culture - they are the true Australians!
* Don’t forget to apply your sunscreen!
* Learn all the words to the song ‘Down Under’ by Men At Work and sing them at the top of your lungs. With your mates.
* Go to a cultural event. Like the fireworks.
Most of all, just enjoy yourselves whilst visiting our beautiful country!
Well it’s that time of year again - time to start planning your New Years Eve Party!
Sydney is always the top destination, but of course this means it gets CRAZY BUSY and prices are very expensive! If you haven’t been super organised and already booked your accommodation (like back in March!) then maybe consider going somewhere else.
There will be celebrations to bring in the New Year happening all over Australia and New Zealand. Here are some of my top destinations:
- Magnetic Island - there will be a FULL MOON Party on the beach with DJ Benny Benassi on December 31!
- Fraser Island
- Whitsundays sailing
- East Cape of New Zealand - one of the first places in the entire world to see the sunrise on January 1!
- Outback Australia - why not head to Uluru and see the start of the new year in the desert? A truly unique experience!
- Melbourne - a city just as great as Sydney, but with less crowds!
- Cairns - a backpackers paradise
- Queenstown, New Zealand - a great town with heaps of crazy activities to enjoy!
So think of trying somewhere different for your New Years Eve celebrations, and make it a truly unique experience whilst you’re Down Under!
Remember this is a very busy time of year, so you will always need to book in advance. Visit your local Backpackers World Travel store to get further advice!
Cheers, Bree
 Milla Milla Falls - Atherton Tablelands
I just came back from a fun-filled week in Cairns. There is so much to see and do! Everyone is really friendly and there is a real relaxed atmoshphere.
Whilst I was there I did a day cruise of the Great Barrier Reef with ‘Passions of Paradise’ which was great because they take you to an island called ‘Michaelmas Cay’ which has beautiful white sand and blue water and best of all the coral and fish you see near the island are amazing!
The Atherton Tablelands is another great place to go. ‘On the Wallaby’ have a great day tour which takes you to beautiful waterfalls and rainforest. We even saw Tree Kangaroos and Casowary birds.
Cairns is an awesome place to go!
Jacqui
If you’re ever in Melbourne, then I highly recommend you take a trip down to the world famous Great Ocean Road! It’s one of the best coastal drives you’ll ever experience, filled with breathtaking views, an abundance of native wildlife, stunning rock formations, and awesome surf beaches!
I was lucky enough to experience Adventure Tours Australia 3 day trip from Adelaide to Melbourne. We started off hiking in the Grampians National Park, where the trek up to the Pinnacles was tough, but worth it! Then we headed into Victoria, and to the Otway National Park, which is ancient lush rainforest. I recommend doing the ‘Otway Treetop Walk’ where you walk out on suspended walkways and bridges over the top of the tree canopies. Amazing!
Then it was time to head down to the coast, for the Great Ocean Road. I chose to take a helicopter flight over the most famous landscapes - the 12 Apostles. WOW.
But be warned, the weather down in this part of Australia can be temperamental, so take plenty of warm clothes and a wind/rainproof jacket. And of course your camera! Your photos of the 12 Apostles will be brilliant - its impossible to take a bad photo of these stunning rock formations.
So if your heading down to this part of Australia, its easy to take in all these sights - there are day tours from Melbourne, 3 day tours like the one I experienced, and Adventure Tours Australia are also starting a 2 day tour for those short on time!
Contact Backpackers World Travel for more information or advice!
Cheers, Bree
If your looking for an easy day trip out of Melbourne, then why not check out the World Famous Penguin Parade on Phillip Island?!
I was lucky enough to spend the day with Autopia Tours, enjoying spectacular scenery and the opportunity to observe and interact with a wide array of native Australian wildife!
We headed out of Melbourne around lunchtime, down the coast to the Maru wildlife sanctuary. There we were able to cuddle baby wombats, hand feed kangaroos and wallabies, view Tasmanian Devils, Koalas, Dingos and plenty more! There are some fanastic photo opportunities, and its great to see the conservation efforts first hand.
Then it was time to cross over to Phillip Island, famous not only for the little penguins that come to shore every night, but also for the annual motorcycle grand prix race! (That always gets the guys interested!)
We spent some time visiting different parts of this gorgeous island, where the beaches are simply stunning (some of the best surf in the country!). Around sunset we headed down to the beach, to prepare for the penguin parade. There was time to experience the visitor centre to learn about these gorgeous animals, before the light faded, and the little penguins started to make their way up the beach. They come ashore every single evening, to nest in the sand dunes. Visitors aren’t able to touch or photograph the penguins, as they are wild and human interaction could seriously harm them. But its an amazing experience to view!
After a great pizza dinner, we headed back to Melbourne. A great day, and an easy trip if your looking for something to do around the city.
Visit Backpackers World Travel in Melbourne if you need any further advice or want to book one of these great trips!
Cheers, Bree
Alice Springs and its surroundings is commonly known as the heart of Australia. Not only is it the very centre of this enormous and beautiful country, it is also one of the most spectacular places in this country. From the impressive red rock Uluru to the stunning beauty of Kings Canyon. It is impressive! Apart from giving you great photo oportunities and an amazing experience, you also have great chances of learning LOTS from the guides about aboriginal culture, the creation of this land and the many different animals the region is lucky to accommodate. When you get the chance to go - TAKE IT!!!
Theresa Engberg
BWT, Brisbane
 PUB in Alice, Northern Territory
In May-June this year I had the good fortune of spending two months living, working and playing in the NT whilst working in our branch in Alice Springs. As soon as I arrived I felt right at home with the small town vibe, country-style living, 4WD’s, utes, red dirt, dust, 31 degree heat and flies!
My passion for The Alice and surrounds continued to grow as I constantly found myself high atop a moutain range gazing out at the arid vastness of the semi-desert region with seemingly endless blue skies with some of the friendliest folk I’ve ever encountered.
Whilst I saw and did alot in two months, the highlight would undoubtedly be the weekend spent hiking Mount Zeil, the highest mountain in the NT and the highest point west of the Great Dividing Range. In a hired 4WD from a local operator we ventured north west of Alice along the infamous Tanami Track. Cooking equipment and a borrowed swag were easy to come by when the expedition party consists of four tour guides, two ex guides and myself (aka the blow-in!) The night was spent bush camping under the stars in the Aussie outback. After a solid nine hours hiking with an hour’s reprieve for lunch, we had successfully scaled Zeil, hiking an estimated 18-21 k’s!
What a wonderful experience living in The Alice - a remote, rugged outpost that is the heart of Central Australia!
Julie Salway
BWT, Cairns QLD
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