Worth Two in the Bush – Making the Most of Australia’s Amazing Outback
Though most visitors to Australia simply stick with Sydney and Melbourne, an increasing amount of tourists are heading beyond the city and into the bush. With sights such as Uluru, more commonly known as Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu National Park, you could spend a life time exploring this sun-burnt nation’s natural assets. So if you are heading down under for an extended period, check out these ways to make the most of your stay.
Go Anywhere, Any Time
Backpacking the Australia's Outback
Get to Know the Locals
Local knowledge is key for getting the best out of Australia and avoiding many of the pitfalls tourists and travellers encounter. Want to swim in the Outback? Consult locals to find out if that alluring lake is infested with crocodiles first. Need to find the cheapest transport to Darwin? Local bartenders and landlords will probably know the answer. Aboriginal guides and agricultural workers are also good sources of information before heading out into the wilderness and can take you to many of the finest natural wonders and ensure you don’t get lost or dehydrated.
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Many people are also attracted to a spell in the Australian Outback because it can help extend their stay down under. People who spend 3 months of their working holiday visa in certain designated areas doing seasonal work in the bush are able to apply for an extra year’s residency in Australia. So going fruit picking up in Queensland, mining in Broome or kangaroo herding in Alice Springs is a popular way for people on their gap year in Australia to stay there even longer.
Don’t be Fussy
Long stays in Australia can drain your bank account in a matter of weeks, so whenever you have to splash the cash, make sure to go for the cheapest option. Whether picking local dives over Michelin starred restaurants, or down and dirty hostels over plush hotels, you will find that, not only do you save money, but you end up meeting far more interesting people. And sometimes, particularly in the more barren corners of the Outback, you don’t really have much choice – it’s either a night in a shared dorm on rickety old bunk beds, or you are sleeping outdoors with the scorpions and snakes. It’s your call.
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