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Interested in backpacking Sydney, this blog will give you a great idea of some great activities, places to stay, and work options for longer stays. Sydney should be on the list for every backpacker interested in visiting Australia. Thousands of backpackers descend on Sydney every year and explore the wonders this city has to offer. Based on the East Coast, Sydney is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the East Coast and shows Australia in a different light than other major Australian cities like Melbourne and Brisbane.

Backpacking Sydney – What To Do While You’re Here

Sydney is a backpacker’s dream, with activities for everyone. Top of most backpackers’ lists will be the iconic buildings, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour, and The Harbour Bridge. These are must-see sites for backpackers and offer an insight into life in Sydney. The Sydney Opera House was built in 1973 and is home to numerous shows such as concerts, symphony performances, and choir performances. It is worth a visit especially if you can book a concert. The Sydney Harbour Bridge was constructed in 1932 and has been used ever since. When visiting the Harbour Bridge it is possible to take a tour and climb the bridge which is extremely exciting. For more information on this see here! It is also a great idea to explore the Harbour as well and learn more about this iconic structure.

Another option for visitors backpacking Sydney is to embrace the coastal walks available. A popular walk is from the world-famous Bondi Beach to Coogee. A 6km walk along pristine coastline showcases beautiful cliffs, rockpools, bays and beaches. There are activities to do in and out of the water, with skate parks, scuba diving, surfing and restaurants. For more information see here.

Exploring Sydney and ‘The Rocks’ is an exciting activity for backpackers. ‘The Rocks’ are the birthplace of modern Sydney and where the British Settlers first arrived. It is a historic precinct in Sydney. The Rocks are a 5-minute walk from Circular Quay train station or a 10-minute walk from Wynyard Station. There are plenty of walking tours for backpackers looking to learn about the area. There are markets every Saturday and Sunday which offer food, music and art. With a relaxed vibe through the markets, The Rocks are the place to visit to kick off your weekend! For more information see here. 

Backpacking Sydney – Where To Stay 

If you’re backpacking Sydney on a budget the ideal hostel for you is Original Backpackers Sydney. This hostel was rated the number 1 best value hostel in Sydney. Located in Kingscross, it is in a prime location for the best bars, clubs and restaurants, just a 1-minute walk from the train station. This hostel offers secure parking for your cars or camper vans for $25 a day. With free breakfast, access to free sports equipment and also help to find a job, Original Backpackers Sydney is a great spot to stay. They offer single rooms up to dorms of 10, with both mixed and female-only options. For more information see here.  

For visitors looking for a more party-based hostel, the best hotel in Sydney is Mad Monkey Bayswater. Located in Kingscross next to all the best bars, clubs and restaurants but on a nice quiet private street. The hostel hosts events every night making it one of the best social hostels available. Offering free local gym access and free yoga on the pristine rooftop, Mad Money also offers something for fitness fanatics. The hostel offers female-only and mixed dorms for up to 10 people which is ideal if travelling alone or in larger groups. For more information see here.

The Sydney Harbour YHA is another fantastic option for those backpacking Sydney. It is the only hostel located in ‘The Rocks’ making it stand out on its own. Located minutes from the Sydney Opera House, The Harbour and Harbour Bridge, the YHA is in the prime location to see Sydney’s iconic sites. Unwind after a hard day of exploring with a state-of-the-art rooftop offering panoramic views of the city. The hostel offers a games room and a grocery store onsite. They also offer help with finding jobs using their site, see here. For more information on The Sydney Harbour YHA see here. 

Looking For Work In Sydney?

For those backpacking Sydney for longer periods, finding a job might be top of your list when you arrive. Backpackers will find work available in construction. To qualify for a job in construction as a laborer for example, you must hold your white card. Another option is to get a role in a bar or restaurant, with many bars and restaurants often looking for casual workers there is plenty of work. Casual work is when workers get paid a slightly higher hourly rate in exchange for not getting paid for holidays or sick leave. These are more flexible jobs that are not full-time but can provide full-time hours. To work in a bar or restaurant it is recommended to get your RSA, see here. You may also want to complete a barista course if that is something that interests you or do both at the same time, see here.

Backpacking Sydney – A Conclusion

Backpacking Sydney is a must for all backpackers in Australia. With amazing coastal walks and iconic buildings, there is plenty to do in Sydney. Enjoy Sydney’s beautiful landscapes and iconic buildings before continuing on with your travels! For those of you who love the idea of visiting Sydney, Melbourne is another great city to visit. For more information on Melbourne see here. The West Coast of Australia also offers a different vibe for backpackers and I would recommend visiting Perth and in particular Fremantle for a look at a colonial town. For more information on Fremantle and how to see the Instagram famous Quakkas see here. 

For travellers interested in backpacking Noosa this blog will give you an idea of what to expect. Located in Northern Queensland, in The Sunshine Coast, Noosa is a backpackers’ paradise. A small seaside town offering natural beauty almost beyond comprehension. Ideal for backpackers who are looking for a relaxed vibe or an action-packed trip Noosa offers a variety of activities. 

Backpacking Noosa – Best activities

A great option for anyone backpacking Noosa is the Everglades tour. The Everglades are found in Noosa’s National Park which is home to over 44% of Australia’s bird species. They are however known for the spectacular reflections seen in the water. Caused by pure freshwater pulses of the Cooloola Sandmass, which filter through a natural tea tree-infused ecosystem. The tour lasts four and a half hours and allows guests to experience the untouched beauty of Australia’s Everglades. This is a must-see for any visitor to Noosa and is truly a spectacle to behold. To learn more see here. 

Backpackers visiting Noosa have the option to kayak or stand-up paddleboard with dolphins. Growing up in London I never thought I’d get close to seeing dolphins but Australia’s arguably one of the best places to see them! A short trip by 4WD up to Double Island Point allows visitors to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. A day with a guided kayak tour is an option for backpackers looking to get up close and personal with these majestic animals. For more information on these tours click here. 

For backpackers looking to enjoy Noosa without travelling out of town, the farmers market is a great option. Open on Sunday the Noosa Farmers Market offers a great variety of local produce from local fruit and vegetables to local seafood. Visitors will be left in awe by the smells emanating from the market. For the best experience, it is recommended to get there as close to opening time at 6am as possible. For a closer look at the market see here. 

Where to Stay while in Noosa

When backpacking Noosa, there are some great options depending on the vibe you want for your stay. Nomads Noosa is a great option for any backpacker. Located in Noosa Junction next to the shops and restaurants, Main Beach and the National Park are within 800m. Along with its prime location, the hostel also offers a volleyball court for visitors looking to make friends and have fun! There is a resident bar which is open 7 nights a week for guests and locals, hosting activities every night. Depending on visitors’ needs there are dorms available with up to 16 beds and smaller rooms for those looking for a bit more privacy. For more information see here. 

Another option for backpackers in Noosa is to stay at Flashpackers Noosa. Located next to Sunshine Beach and the National Park the location for visitors is ideal. As a hostel voted in the top 3 hostels in Australia in 2019 the hostel is of the highest pedigree. With free surfboard hire, guests can hire a surfboard and spend the day on the beach enjoying the waves. Flashpackers offers dorms with up to 10 beds for larger groups but also smaller rooms depending on guests’ requests. For more information see here.

Backpacking Noosa is an option for any traveller and another option for accommodation is Dolphin Beach House. Located even closer to Sunshine Beach, Dolphin Beach House offers a prime location with free surfboard and paddleboard hire. They also offer free yoga classes for guests looking to find inner peace or just have a good stretch after a big night out! The hostel offers plenty of activities for its guests. With rooms with up to 5 beds, this hostel offers a bit more privacy than the other options but is ideal for smaller groups. For more information see here. 

Backpacking Noosa – Work Options

For backpackers looking to stay longer in Noosa, there are plenty of options for work. An option for backpackers is to get a role in construction. For backpackers looking for a role in construction, a white card is required. For those looking to be able to earn more, getting your Working at Heights ticket is also an option. Backpackers can earn a minimum of $30 an hour and have plenty of time to explore the local area.  See here for more information on required work tickets.

Another option for backpackers is to get a role in a bar or cafe. A role in a bar will require an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate) which can be acquired by completing a course see here. A great option for outgoing backpackers, bartending is a great way to interact with locals and learn more about the area. With roles in a casual capacity offering backpackers the opportunity to earn $30 an hour the pay rates are attractive.

Another option for backpackers is to get a role as a lifeguard. Life in a beachside town requires lifeguards, especially in Australia. Backpackers can get a role as a lifeguard once they have completed their lifeguard qualification which can be attained in Noosa. This is ideal for backpackers looking to do something a bit different from bartending or construction. Spend your day on the beach keeping an eye on beachgoers in this idyllic town. For more information see here.

Backpacking Noosa – Conclusion

Backpacking Noosa is a great option for everyone exploring Australia. With options for backpackers looking for a relaxed time in town to backpackers looking for a more eventful trip, Noosa offers it all. Backpackers who are interested in visiting Noosa may also be interested in seeing Melbourne whilst on the East Coast for a view of bigger cities in Australia. For a sneak peek of what backpacking in Melbourne is like see here.

Backpacking Melbourne is a must for any backpacker visiting Australia. Known as the backpacker hub of Australia, every backpacker should visit Melbourne on their Australia loop. The coastal capital of the state of Victoria is the city most backpackers fall in love with the most on their travels. With a vibrant music scene, bustling nightlife, and chilled vibe there is something that everyone backpacking Melbourne falls in love with. Crowned for seven years running as ‘The world’s most liveable city’ everyone should experience Melbourne living for a while.

Backpacking Melbourne – What’s on offer?

For those who are thinking about backpacking Melbourne, there is nothing better than exploring Melbourne’s Laneways. By staying off Main Street and exploring the alleyways around Melbourne visitors find walls covered in street art, quirky bars, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and more. Melbourne is known for its famous laneways and the best way to explore them is to dive straight in. Laneway tours are available for those who want a more structured idea of what the city has to offer, although backpackers can spend hours exploring the laneways on top of a guided tour. For more information on tours see here.

The bustling live music scene is something every person visiting Melbourne should embrace. With live shows available almost every night of the week, you don’t have to look far to find a bar with a musician playing. From bars to basements, Melbournes music scene will have something for all music lovers. For the most up-to-date listings see here.

Backpacking Melbourne wouldn’t be complete without seeing some of Melbournes’ most iconic sites. From The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), to taking a trip on the city circle tram to see the city, there is something for all. Taking the city tram is an enjoyable experience and gives a true view of Melbourne living. The tram which is free to ride is a historic part of Melbourne and shows views of central Melbourne and the docklands as well as the famous Queen Victoria Markets. The markets have been running since 1878 and are now National Heritage listed, they are the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. For any backpacker, these markets are a must-see.

Backpacking Melbourne – Where to lay your head!

For those backpacking Melbourne, a great hostel is a must and there are plenty of options! Arguably the best option overall for those backpacking Melbourne is Nomads (Base) Hostel in St Kilda. Located a two-minute walk from the beach, and a 15-minute drive from Federation Square you are in a great location. With activities on offer such as Inappropriate Bingo to jelly wrestling and comedy nights, there is always something going on for those staying. With options up to a bed in a 10-bed dorm there are options for all types of backpackers. For more information on Nomads see here.

Another option for those backpacking Melbourne is The Mansion. Located in East Melbourne next to Fitzroy, the Mansion is a great option for backpackers looking to explore Melbourne. Freshly redecorated following a time closed during Covid, The Mansion offers a great option for female-only travellers. With female-only rooms offered, swipe cards are supplied for extra safety. With options for couples up to groups of 12 there are a variety of options for backpackers looking to stay here.

For the backpackers who love to party The Nunnery is a great option. Located in a prime spot between Fitzroy and the City the hostel is in a great spot for music lovers. With events such as yoga, bar crawls, and trivia/ comedy nights, there is something for all staying at the Nunnery. The bar crawls offer free entry into all bars, deals on drinks and beer pong, a favourite for many backpackers. With single rooms up to 12-bed dorms, there are options for solo backpackers looking to keep to themselves or groups of backpackers to stay together. The Nunnery does also offer a guest house separate from the main building, this is ideal for families who are backpacking in Melbourne or in groups. For more information see here.

Backpacking Melbourne – Job Opportunities

For those backpacking Melbourne who require work whilst travelling there are plenty of opportunities. Fruit picking is available outside of Melbourne with options throughout the state of Victoria. An option for those looking to complete their 88 days of farm work is to head to Mornington Peninsula which is just an hour south of Melbourne. With work available throughout the year backpackers will thrive here. For more information see here. 

Another option for backpackers is to get a job in one of the many bars or restaurants in Melbourne. These roles often require an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate) which can be obtained here. The work can pay from $30.10 an hour if backpackers remain in a casual role which means they are not entitled to sick leave or annual leave. This is often ideal for many backpackers who want to work as much as possible for shorter periods. 

A job in construction is also a common role for those backpacking Melbourne. Although more physically demanding the roles are very rewarding as you can see your results. A white card is required to work on construction sites which can be obtained here. Days on a construction site start early but often run for 8 hours which means work is usually completed by 4pm leaving the late afternoon and evening for backpackers to continue exploring this amazing city.

Backpacking Melbourne – Conclusion

For anyone backpacking in Australia, backpacking Melbourne is a must. From historical markets to famous cricket grounds Melbourne has something for everyone. The bustling nightlife and live music scene mean there is always an option for visitors to keep busy. The beautiful surroundings mean that a day trip out of the city is a great option. For backpackers who love Melbourne and the East Coast, a trip to Western Australia is a must, visit Fremantle in Perth for a Western Australian equivalent to the bustling Melbourne. For more information see here.