Where are the best places to visit and things to do when in Australia?

Question

What are the best things to do and places to visit when in Australia for a gap year without having to spend too much money?

Answer 1

I spent a month in Australia and here are the highlights of my trip:

-See the sydney opera house/bridge (duh)

-Surf lessons in Byron Bay - Awesome!!!

      Byron bay is world famous for the best beginner waves.

-Zorbing in Byron Bay - Fun. but overly expensive IMO

-Manly Beach Food and Wine Festival (just outside of sydney). Lots of people, beautiful beach, great wine and music. Very relaxed atmosphere. At the very least, just take the ferry to Manly beach as its only $6 but gives you a better view of the opera house and sydney harbour than most of the tour boats!!

-Fraser Island, must see! beautiful island made of 99% silica sand with a rainforest on it. Only two resorts on the island (not too expensive either) theres lots of wildlife and the most beautiful beaches around.

-Whitsunday Islands - take a tour boat from Cairns to see them. they're straight out of movies like pirates of the carribean. Beautiful!

- Take trains! OZ has a great train system going everywhere. they're comfortable and cheap and lets you see the country.

- See a AFL or Rugby game and stock up on the local beer

- Do some extreme sports! Not cheap, but once in a lifetime. OZ is the extreme sport capital of the world.

-White Water Rafting on the Tully River, just south of Cairns. Fantastic experience. Very exciting.

-Rappelling or "absailing" the blue mountains, 2 hours west of sydney. Loads of fun!

-Try a Kebab from Bay Kebabs in Byron Bay, I promise you it'll be the most delicious thing you've ever had.

Things I didnt do and why:

Ayurs Rock - its in the middle of nowhere and at the end of the day theres not a whole lot to do there considering the effort it takes to get there

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb - very expensive considering all the other extreme sports you could do for the same price.

I'm jealous you get to spend a full year there! Enjoy yourself!!

Answer 2

Take the Oz Experience bus as you'll meet loads of other gap year students and stay in remote places for very little money ...

Also be sure to do alot of walking / surfing / outdoor activites and enjoy the outdoor ozzy lifestyle