10 Mistakes Backpackers Make In Australia

Backpacking Australia can be a breeze, but it’s still easy to make some common mistakes! While there is no right or wrong way to backpack Australia, there are ways to enhance your experience Down Under. You don’t want to miss out on any incredible opportunities to engage with the landscape and culture of this amazing country! 

So do a little research, have a rough idea of your plans and itineraries, and check out our list of the top 10 mistakes backpackers make in Australia. A little preparation goes a long way for a trip abroad, and we want you to have the best possible experience. Hopefully, this list will inspire you to make the most of your time in Australia, so you’ll walk away with no regrets and memories to last a lifetime. 

Top 10 Mistakes Backpackers Make in Australia

Whether you’re spending a year or more here on a Working Holiday Visa, or you’re just doing a leisurely backpacking trip for a few weeks, here are some common mistakes to avoid. Note that some of these will only apply to those on a Working Holiday, as this is one of the most popular ways to backpack Australia. 

1. Putting too much emphasis on work

For those on a Working Holiday, you’ll want to find a balance between working and holidaying. This sounds obvious, but far too many backpackers get swept up in the grind. The pay in Australia is excellent, there are lots of jobs available, and the work culture itself can actually be fun!

But you don’t want to finish your year in Australia and realise you never took any time off. There are so many epic adventures to be had in Australia, and a few weekends off here and there isn’t very much time to see it all.

Definitely work hard and save money, but make sure you take a few weeks off to fully embrace the holiday aspect of your Working Holiday.

2. Not taking sun protection seriously

The sun in Australia is very strong. Don’t underestimate it!

First-time travellers to Australia may think they’ll be fine with a light SPF on a hot, sunny day at Bondi Beach. But after a few swims or surfing sessions, you’ll be burnt to a crisp. 

Even in winter, or in cooler climates around Australia, it’s so important to prioritise sun protection. That means reapplying reef-safe sunscreen throughout the day and wearing a hat, sunglasses, or sun-protective clothing. Australians love spending time outside, enjoying the beautiful weather and landscape. But you’ll never find them skipping the sun protection!

3. Staying in the city the whole time

Australia’s major cities make the perfect first stops for a backpacking trip. Places like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, and Perth have lots of international flights and an abundance of amenities for travellers. They are also a great place to find jobs if you’re on a Working Holiday. 

So get to know Australia’s cities, and use them as a base for your trip. But many backpackers say their favourite experiences happen outside the cities. From cross-country road trips, to national park adventures, to exploring charming small towns, much of Australia’s authentic culture and untouched nature lies outside the cities.

Either rent a car, book some tours, or take day trips so you can seek out the magic of rural Australia. 

4. Not learning about ocean safety

Australia is known for its glorious beaches. From the busy waves of the Gold Coast to the secret coastal gems around the country, there is no shortage of gorgeous places to swim, sunbathe, surf, snorkel, and relax. A common mistake that backpackers make in Australia is just diving into the ocean anywhere, anytime, without heeding safety recommendations. 

The ocean is beautiful, but it’s also wild and can be unpredictable. Heed the local advice and learn some basic ocean safety rules so you can prevent any accidents.

At patrolled beaches, always swim between the red and yellow flags. If you’re at an unpatrolled beach, avoid swimming alone or in choppy waters. Learn how to spot a rip current, and be extra cautious if you’re not a confident swimmer. Australians are well-versed in ocean safety, and backpackers should brush up on their knowledge as well!

5. Leaving your 88 days of regional work too late

If you’re on a Working Holiday Visa, you can do 88 days of regional work and apply for a Second Year Working Holiday Visa. A common mistake that backpackers make is leaving their 88 days of regional work until the very end of their First Year WHV. To complete all the regional work requirements, you have to do at least 88 days and your job has to be in a specific industry and postcode. Farm work jobs are usually plentiful, but sometimes the job search can take longer than anticipated. 

If you wait until the last few months of your visa to find a job, you’ll be scrambling to find work in time. This creates unnecessary stress, and you risk not having enough time to complete your 88 days.

Take some initiative, plan in advance, and complete your 88 days as early as possible so you can just relax and enjoy Australia when it’s finished!

6. Not doing their regional work properly

Another easy way to mess up your regional work is not following all of the rules. From taking a job in a non-valid postcode, to working in the wrong industry, to not getting valid payslips, backpackers often are too laid-back about their regional work. 

To ensure you are qualified to get your next Working Holiday Visa, you should be meticulous about meeting all the requirements.

It’s not the responsibility of your employer to make sure all your paperwork is perfect, it’s on you! So take the time to research the visa requirements and complete your regional work properly. This will give you a much better chance of being approved for a Second or Third Year WHV!

7. Underestimating the size of Australia

Some backpackers come to Australia with unrealistic expectations about how much they can see in their allotted time frame. But Australia is massive! It’s the sixth largest country in the world, with vast deserts, towering mountains, ancient rainforests, pristine beaches, unique islands, and countless cities and towns scattered across its landmass. 

Don’t expect to see the whole country in just a few weeks! And don’t underestimate the travel times between destinations. Rushing around from place to place isn’t the best way to experience Australia, so plan your trip in a logical way that fits into your time frame.

Our itinerary planner is handy for mapping out your Australia trip, or you can chat with a local expert about the best places to go during your holiday!

8. Fearing the wildlife too much

One of the most common stereotypes about Australia is that everything here can kill you. People actually say that they will never visit Australia because of the deadly snakes and spiders. While Australia does have some poisonous creatures, they are much less of a threat than most people think. Most wildlife in Australia actually needs to fear humans more than we need to fear them!

Just research the places that you’re visiting and practice basic safety precautions if necessary.

If there is actually a risk of wildlife in a certain area, there will be signs in place to notify tourists. For example, beaches in Tropical North Queensland will have a warning sign if there is a risk of crocodiles near the shoreline. But you don’t have to worry about crocodiles while you sunbathe on every beach around the country. And if you’re trekking through remote forests, maybe learn about which spiders or snakes are actually poisonous, but don’t fear for your life on every bushwalk you take.  

9. Being reckless with spending money

Every trip to Australia requires a bit of money saved so you can dine out, book amazing tours and activities, and get some souvenirs. Even if you're just on a two-week backpacking trip, it's a good idea to have some decent savings to support your adventures. If you're on a Working Holiday, you'll have to prove you have at least $5,000 AUD in savings to support you during your year Down Under. 

Lots of backpackers can get swept up in the excitement and blow their budget too quickly. Dining out, drinking cocktails, and partying are usually the biggest culprits when it comes to spending money in Australia.

So as a backpacker, by all means let loose and enjoy the indulgence of travelling, but try to be mindful of your spending. Balance your expensive nights out with some more frugal nights of home cooking. This will help your travel budget last longer. 

10. Only interacting with other travellers

Lastly, a very common mistake backpackers make in Australia is only spending time with other backpackers! Don’t miss the opportunity to meet some local Aussies and learn about their culture and lifestyle.

While working the backpacker circuit and staying in hostels, it’s easy to just bond with your fellow travellers and stay in that little bubble. It’s amazing to have other international friends while you’re abroad, but don’t let this hold you back from meeting some locals. 

Whether you take a job at a local pub, chat to some people at your local gym, or even strike up a conversation with a local tour operator on your excursion, Australians are almost always up for a good chat. This is where you’ll get the best exposure to the iconic Aussie slang, and where you’ll find those special local recommendations about where to visit in Australia. 

Check out our most popular travel tips, try our handy itinerary planner, or live chat with a member of our team to plan the perfect Australian backpacking trip!