If you’re a wanderluster looking for your next travel destination, hoping to get your adrenaline pumping again and make some money while you’re at, the Land Down Under is calling you. Australia is one of the few bucket-list travel destinations that offer a year-long working holiday program for under 30’s, so you can work in Australia to fund your travel bug.
Spend your weekends at the Sydney opera house when you participate in a work and holiday program in Australia!
But mate, there’s a reason they call it a work and holiday visa. The Aussies know how to live life to its fullest; even the Department of Immigration encourages young visitors to explore everything this beautiful country has to offer, rather than hiding out in an office during your time abroad. The deal is: you can work for one employer for six months, and the other six months can, and should, be spent on travel.
If you only have a year (or less) to work and travel Australia, why wouldn’t you take advantage of the TRAVEL? Here’s our best advice on where to go and what to do while you work in Australia.
14 must-have travel experiences while you work in Australia
Oh, Australia, the land of sun, sea, and natural beauty! From the golden beaches and coastal breezes, to the red center, to lush rainforest, the wonderful world of Oz is every nature lover’s dream. It could take an entire lifetime to check off every item on the Aussie traveler’s bucket list, but we’ve narrowed it down for you.
The Great Barrier Reef, along with lots of other great things, awaits you in Australia.
Here are some must-have travel experiences while you work and travel Australia.
1. Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef
You can’t work and travel Australia without making time for one of the world’s greatest wonders. Off the coast of Northern Queensland, you’ll find the largest living ecosystem in the world: the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you’re an expert scuba diver or a first-timer, it’s the perfect place to explore the underwater world of living coral and colorful fish. If you’re lucky, you might even find Nemo! Head up to Cairns or the Whitsundays for a long weekend—there are plenty of tours to bring you out to the best diving spots, gear included!
2. Watch the sunrise (and set) over Uluru
It’s beautiful and it’s got a fun name. What’s not to love?
Venture into the vast, empty middle of the country, and you’ll find yourself in the Northern Territory’s “Red Centre,” home to the biggest monolith in the world. Uluru, also known as Ayer’s Rock, is one of the most sacred Australian indigenous landmarks. While it’s isolated in the middle of Australia, Uluru is worth the journey. Take four or five days to disconnect from civilization and get in touch with Australia’s native culture, whether you join a tour or rent a car to explore on your own. The best part: you can soak in the most magnificent sunrises and sunsets as the colors of the rock change with the shifting sun.
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3. Drive the Great Ocean Road
Love road trips? So do the Aussies! Australia’s major cities are vastly spread, and it can take over 10 hours just to cross state lines. Naturally, road tripping is essential if you want to explore the country to its fullest. After you work in Australia, hit the open road for one of Oz’s greatest road trips: the Great Ocean Road. Join a tour if needed, but the best way to do it is to rent a car and spend two or three days driving the 250 kilometers from Torquay to Warrnambool along the coast of Victoria. Search for koalas along Kennett River, visit the few remaining of the Twelve Apostles, spend the night in Apollo Bay, and take in those glorious ocean views.
These limestone stacks, famously named “The Twelve Apostles,” are among some of the amazing views you can see on the Great Ocean Road!
4. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge
When you arrive in Sydney Harbour—Opera House in full view, cold beer in hand, aboriginal didgeridoos echoing in the distance—it will hit you: you’re on the other side of the world. It is one of the most iconic places to visit while you work and travel Australia, but the best view is from above. Conquer your fear of heights and climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Bridge Climb tours are available on a daily basis, so you can join solo or with friends to climb 134 meters above the harbor. Your tour guide will deck you out in a blue jumpsuit and harness so you’ll be looking fine for a photo above Circular Quay.
Admire both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House when you travel abroad in Australia.
5. Camp in Tasmania
Located south of Australia’s mainland, the island-state of Tasmania is often overlooked by visitors to Australia, but it’s well worth the stop. Tasmania features some of the most untouched wilderness in the world. Pitch a tent, strap on your hiking boots, and explore stunning national parks while you work and travel Australia. In between hikes, you can sip on wine from Australia’s best vineyards, wander through fields of wild wombats, and spend your nights searching for the aurora australis, also known as the Southern Lights.
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6. 4W drive through Fraser Island
Can’t get enough camping? You won’t want to miss Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island located off the coast of Queensland. There are no roads on Fraser Island, so half the adventure is getting around. While it’s possible to rent your own four-wheel drive, it can be difficult for inexperienced drivers to navigate the dunes without getting stuck. Instead, join one of the many tour companies that organize trips out to the island for two or three days. Your group will cruise down sandy beaches spotted with wild dingoes, visit freshwater lakes and champagne pools, and set up camp under an unreal night sky untainted by light pollution
Work and travel Australia
7. Surf in Byron Bay
If you’re planning to work in Australia, you’ve probably day dreamed about long beach days, bronzed skin, and salty hair. It’s true, Australia’s coasts boast some of the most pristine beaches in the world. Whether you’re an experienced surfer or just want to check another item off your Aussie bucket list, head to Byron Bay for every surfer’s paradise. This tiny town is nestled on the coast of northern New South Wales, featuring a chill vibe and killer waves. Ditch your shoes, throw on your swimmers, and dive headfirst into sparkling water. Rent a board for the day, or join a week-long surf camp.
8. Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
The Ningaloo Reef, located in Western Australia, is arguably better than the Great Barrier Reef. While the GBR is iconic, it’s also sadly dying. Ningaloo, on the other hand remains untouched. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the only reefs that lies so close to the beach, so you can grab your own snorkel gear, or rent some nearby, and walk straight into the water. What makes it even more unforgettable? It’s one of the only places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks, the largest fish on earth!
We bet you can’t guess which one of the fish here is the whale shark! ;)
9. Sleep on a boat in the Whitsundays
There’s nothing like waking up in the morning with a dip in the cool ocean water, soaking in the warm Aussie sun all day, and falling asleep to the gentle rock of waves. If you’re planning to hit the Great Barrier Reef while you work and travel Australia, take advantage of the overnight boat tours around the Whitsunday islands off the coast of Queensland for a unique travel experience. Spend one, two, or three nights on a boat, island hopping, searching for sea turtles by day and stargazing by night. It’s the perfect holiday and you’re bound to leave with new best friends!
10. Lounge on Australia’s most Australian beach
With most of the main cities scattered along the east coast, most won’t make it to Western Australia. Don’t be one of those people! At some point while you work in Australia, road trip with new mates along the coast of Western Australia and make a stop at Lucky Bay, just east of Esperance. With sand as fine and white as snow and clear turquoise water, Lucky Bay is comparable to the famous Whitehaven Beach, minus the tourists. Take a picnic and your sunnies for a day in paradise. The only ones you’ll have to share the beach with are the resident kangaroos.
Take a break from your adventures to lounge on the beach at Lucky Bay.
11. Visit Karijini National Park
Another popular stop on the typical WA Perth-to-Broome road trip is Karijini National Park. The park contains Western Australia’s three highest mountain peaks, along with some of oldest banded rocks in the world. It is a hiker’s dream come true, with excellent trails and stunning watering holes hidden throughout. Stop for a few days while you work and travel Australia for trekking, and keep an eye out for kangaroos and rock wallabies lurking in the cliffs.
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12. Ride camels on Cable Beach
End your journey on the WA trail with a camel ride on Cable Beach. While it’s a bit touristy, there is nothing like watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean as you stroll along the shoreline atop these magnificent creatures. Join one of the many hour-long tours that depart from Broome on a daily basis, and soak in those incredible views. It’ll be quite a story to tell your friends and family after you finish your work in Australia.
Yes, it really looks like that!
13. Conquer the Ol’ Telly Track
If you’re an adventure seeker and four-wheel-drive enthusiast, consider going off the beaten path… literally! The Old Telegraph Track is what’s left of the original telegraph track in the 1880’s, running north from Cairns to the tip of North Queensland on the Cape York Peninsula. It’s the ultimate road trip during the dry season in Australia, with river crossings and muddy, sandy, rocky roads. The drive will feel like a roller coaster as you navigate unsteady terrain and drive neck deep through water. The journey is not for the faint of heart, but the adventure and stunning scenery will definitely be memorable.
14. Discover nearby islands in the Pacific
After finishing your work in Australia, consider checking out nearby countries. Cheap flights are available to neighboring islands, and backpacker tour agencies in Australia can help you plan your trip, whether you want to go solo or join a tour. Spend a week exploring even more beautiful beaches in Fiji and Bali, or step into Middle Earth for stunning mountainous views and more outdoor adventure in New Zealand. You’re already on the other side of the world, so why not?
Spend your hard-earned Aussie dollars on unforgettable adventures!
This could be you during your work and holiday program in the great Down Under!
No one works abroad to save money—the whole point is to earn more so you can see more! After all, you have your whole life ahead of you to build up your savings. Take advantage of the opportunity to work and travel Australia by seizing every opportunity and adventure abroad.
Don’t hide behind your desk. Instead, grab your sunnies and thongs, book a plane ticket or rent a car, and embrace that good ol’ Aussie sunshine. Check off the obvious bucket list items, but don’t be afraid to branch out into unknown territory to experience Oz to its fullest. Put the TRAVEL in work and travel Australia, and spend those hard-earned colorful dollars on an adventure of a lifetime!
