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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!
 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
Sydney is the largest city in Australia and a great place to live and work in, or just visit for a few days. There’s heaps of stuff to do, so why not check out some of my suggestions:
BONDI is the world famous beach where it’s cool to just to be ’seen’! Get down to the beach early to avoid the crowds, or take a walk around the headlands for stunning views.
Get up close and personal with Australian animals and aquatic life. Sydney has some of the best zoos and aquariums – have you ever wanted to dive with sharks? Oceanworld offers you the opportunity of a lifetime. You get up close and personal with HUGE sharks, giant stingrays, sea turtles, wobbegong sharks and a vast array of marine life. Or why not try something a little tamer – visit the Sydney Aquarium, or get your photo taken with a Koala or Kangaroo at Wildlife World.
Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most recognisable images of Sydney, why not see it up close with a Bridge Climb, or take a Cruise around our famous Harbour.
Sydney Tower takes you to the highest point above the city for a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of our beautiful harbour city. You’ll be amazed by Sydney’s best views! Plus your ticket to the top includes OzTrek, the largest simulated ride in the southern hemisphere, for a thrilling virtual adventure across Australia. For the adventurous – head up to the top of the tower for Skywalk – a unique high-altitude outdoor walk at 260 metres above the city.
For the best accommodation in Sydney, make sure you get yourself a bed at the BASE Hostel, located on Kent Street. They have various styles of rooms, from standard dorms to private doubles – even a girls only level – ‘The Sanctuary’ - for a bit more comfort!
To get some local advice or book any of these fantastic tours, visit the Base Travel store at Kent Street, or any of the Backpackers World Travel Stores, located throughout Sydney city, Coogee and Bondi Beaches.
Hi! My name’s Bree and I grew up in sunny Cairns so I thought I’d share my tips for what to do in this tropical city!
Go check out the Night Markets on the Esplanade and have a laze around the lagoon (all free!). Cairns city doesn’t actually have a beach, but you can jump on a local bus and head to the northern suburbs, to check out all the gorgeous beaches such as Palm Cove.
Everyone knows Cairns as the ‘gateway to the great barrier reef’, so it’s the best place to get out for a day trip on one of the world’s seven wonders! All day trips include snorkelling, but I definitely recommend trying a scuba dive - I’ve done two ‘introductory’ dives, which is where they give you all your lessons and instructions, before a guide takes you down for about 40 minutes at a time. What an experience! Nothing else compares.
Cairns is also famous for the rainforest - world heritage listed! Take the ‘Skyrail’ gondola up over the tree canopy and into the village of Kuranda, or go all the way and head to Cape Tribulation for the best experience of all.
Cairns has some of the best nightlife - Gillian’s Backpackers goes off! Or why not fulfil the backpacker tradition and dance on the tables at the Woolshed!
Visit the gang at Backpackers World Travel, shop 4, 9-13 Shields Street (in the mall in Cairns) if you need any more advice or help with booking tours!
Are you in Brisbane for a few days and looking for something to do?
There are some great ‘winter’ specials on at the moment, for example:
2 Day/1 Night Rainforest Jungle Camp for only $199 - all inclusive!
2 Day/1 Night Rainforest Jungle Camp for only $199 PLUS FREE ENTRY into the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary + the XXXX Ale House!
2 Day/1 Night Rainforest Jungle Camp + 1 Day Moreton Island Tour for only $299 - all inclusive!
There are heaps of things to do in and around the river city, so come in to Backpackers World Travel at George or Elizabeth Street, and have a chat to the locals - myself or one of our friendly consultants! Cheers, Bree
One of the main highlights of the East Coast of Australia is the world’s largest sand island - Fraser Island, just north of Brisbane.
It’s such a unique place - tropical rainforest grows amongst sand dunes and crystal clear freshwater lakes, and local Dingo’s roam the island with their pups!
I was lucky enough to join the ‘Cool Dingo’ three day tour, which combines adventurous exploring during the day, with partying at the Cool Dingo bar at night! We stayed at the gorgeous rainforest lodges, part of the Kingfisher Bay Resort. All meals and activities are included, and its a very convenient way to see this fantastic spot.
If your on more of a budget, then why not try the self-drive camping option? If your over 21 with a full drivers licence, you can have a go at ‘bush-bashing’ - driving a 4WD around the island. Don’t worry if your under 21 though - you can still join these trips! (just sit in the back and relax with a beer!) You’ll be supplied with all your camping gear, maps and safety tips to help you enjoy three days in paradise.
Most Fraser Island trips start from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach, but if you are desperately short on time, then there are a couple of guided tours that start from Brisbane.
Come in a visit one of our Brisbane stores - George Street or Elizabeth Street, the city - to get your Fraser Island trip planned!
Cheers, Bree
Bree: the Maxi Skipper! Maxi Sailing the Whitsunday Islands
I’ve just come back to reality after sailing around the stunning Whitsundays on an awesome Maxi Yacht!!There are lots of different styles of boats to choose from for your Whitsunday Sailing experience, but I found a maxi to be a fantastic option!
My boat was called ‘The Card’, and she’s a gorgeous 83 foot Maxi, which sails for three full days and two nights. The great thing about maxi yachts is that they combine relaxation, activities such as snorkelling, diving and bushwalking on the islands, along with the true sailing experience! When the weather is right (which it always is in Queensland!) you too can become a member of the maxi yacht crew - get in there and hoist those sails!!!
So if your looking for a bit more adventure with your sailing trip, get yourself on a maxi yacht and see what the Whitsundays are all about!
Cheers, Bree
Sailing in the Whitsundays we also stopped at Whitehaven Beach - rated in the top ten beaches in the world
70% of the earth is water, and I’ve sailed on the best water ways in this
world! Get up to the Whitsundays, this is THE most perfect time to get up
there! It is paradise on earth, I can vouch for that. Choose from a 2, 3 or
4 day sail trip. My advice would be: go for as long as you can, you will
never experience anything like it again in the world!Rachel, BWT travel consultant
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