Australia is Backpacker heaven. Young independent travelers find Australia’s welcoming locals, easy-going atmosphere and “no-worries”attitude refreshing and relatively hassle-free. An added bonus for some is Australia’s reciprocal membership in the working holiday maker (WHM) scheme, allowing backpackers and other young holidaymakers meeting the visa criteria to top up their funds during their holiday by working in some of the most spectacular settings in the world.

Not all backpackerswant or need to work whilst on holiday. Some save up their money beforehand and spend their holiday time travelling, partying, meeting locals, getting to know the country and having a good time.

Australia offers established touring routes and plenty of lesser-known, off-the-beaten track alternatives. The best known mainstream route is the East Coast Trail, stretching between Melbourne and Cairns. It canbe taken in the either direction and it includes some of Australia’s greatest attractions as well as cosmopolitan Melbourne and scintillating Sydney.

The East Coast route begins at the adventure hub of Cairns, gateway to the Daintree rainforest and Great Barrier Reef. The trail runs through Townsville and the fabulous Whitsunday Coast, fringed with Coral reefs and dotted with islands; it traverses the Capricorn Coast, through Rockhampton with its Japanese Gardens , Hervey Bay, the Gold Coast (perfect surf, giant themes parks and great nightlife) and Queensland’s exciting capital, Brisbane. Crossing into New South Wales, the East Coast route passes through Coffs Harbour (whitewater rafting on the Nymboida River), Port Stephens and the nearby Great Lakes district, Hunter Valley wine country, Sydney (no shortage of activities there!) and the llawarra coast with it’s string of little seaside villages.

Byron Bay, a hip, alternative town located on Australia’s most easterly point, offers great surfing and relaxed lifestyle. It attract backpackers from around the world, providing excellent backpacker lodges and top-ranking guestwalks, houses. Attractions include three gorgeous beaches, rainforest, local Rocks and you may come face to face with wobbegong and grey- nurse sharks, or loggerhead turtles and manta rays.

You can make yur own excursions on the way, heading from the coast to idyllic little towns like Bellingen with its green valley or the rich Gold Coast hinterland, fronted by the Glasshouse Mountains. Take in outback experiences in Queensland or Inland New South Wales or head from Sydney to Canberra and spend a bit of time exploring Australia’s graceful capital before crossing back towards the Coast again.

Backpackers on a 12 months visa have plenty of time to do this and to explore other routes – less travelled but just as rewarding- as well Tasmania, Australia’s southern island state is a perfect example, with magnificient scenery, glass clear lakes, and unspoiled tracts of superb, cool climate forest.

Article written by Le Sel et Le Poivre, read the original article at Article Base

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Set against a back-drop of warm weather year-round and spectacular beaches, Byron Bay is an inviting venue that promises a laid-back lifestyle. Why, you can even go native and be part of a teeming “alternative” community whose ranks are constantly being bolstered by an increasing number of writers, artists and filmmakers.

Byron Bay is nestled at the North Coast of New South Wales in Australia. It boasts of four main beaches. Byron Main, the most popular of the four, is perfect for surfing newcomers because of its smaller swell that usually breaks close to the shore. It has non-stop breaks and is great for swimming.

The Pass is the next most popular beach in Byron Bay just south of Byron Main. It is a favorite of long boarders who comb the beach in droves during summer.

Watego Beach is hidden from view and, as such, is ideal for surfers who want to avoid the crowds. The challenges it offers are more difficult for surfers, which is why the most advanced surfers prefer Watego Beach.

Finally, there is also Tallow’s Beach, the most isolated of Byron Bay’s four beaches. Most tourists have not discovered it yet especially since it is only visible from Byron Bay’s headland. It is rare to find outsiders wandering around Tallow’s Beach but the locals just love it.

Aside from surfing, Byron Bay is also a great scuba diving venue and one of these rare places where you can sit back and occasionally catch a whale or two passing by. At night, dolphins come out to play and it is not unusual to see these friendly creatures swimming side by side with people.

There’s also an excellent fine dining restaurant on Byron Bay called Fins which offers succulent seafood and an impressive wine list. Fins is one of Australia’s best restaurants.

Fine Dining at Fins Restaurant

Fins Restaurant offers fresh local seafood spiced with local herbs and supplemented by an attractive wine list. The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide has awarded FINS with two chef’s hats every year since 1998. Fins also received a Restaurant and Catering Award of Excellence as “Best Seafood Restaurant All Regional NSW” in 2005 as well as the award for “Best Seafood Restaurant in Australia” in 2004.

Article written by Kadence Buchanan, read the original article at Article Base

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“Good faciliest for young families and the service from the staff was great.”

Guest rating: 4.4/5 – Thomas Salter

“A beautiful place to stay but restaurant on premises pretty ordinary.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Geoffrey Tremelling

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“The cottage and our hosts exceeded our expectations in every way! The outlook from the balcony is stunning with its mixture of rolling hills and rainforest. The cottage has everything you need, is presented beautifully and it is completely private, except for the occasional cows as they wander by in the next paddock. We had planned to go into Byron most days but instead just could not drag ourselves away from the cottage and the serine environment. We definitely will be returning to this beautiful cottage.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Stuart, NSW – October 09

“A truly beautiful place which exudes TLC, peace & serenity. Terry has stayed at exotic resorts all over the world, but nothing as relaxing or as comfortable as this. It lacks for nothing. A perfect place for R&R. We enjoyed the total ambit of experiences – beautiful sunny days, refreshment of cool wine in the spa,, warmth of the fire on a chilly night, serendipity of rain on the roof, fragrance of the gardens, shadows over hills & clouds in the valley. Our hosts were warm & unobtrusive. What more can we ask”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Terry, QUEENSLAND – March 08

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“This was a Beautiful cottage with lovely views and fantastic hosts. Very comfortable and peaceful. We had a very relaxing stay”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Heidi, QUEENSLAND – December 07

“We spent 5 glorius nights at Calurla Cottage and would thoroughly recommend it to all and sundry. It was very clean, homely and comfortable with particular attention to detail providing DVD’s and magazines. The breakfast food provided was also to be commended. “

Guest rating: 5/5 – Graham, QLD – December 06

“We had the best time, its sooo relaxing and their dogs are awesome. If you want to go to Nimbin and have an unforgettable time, go to Calurla Chalets, 5 stars!”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Andrew, QLD – July 06

“Calurla Chatels were a beautiful place to spend the weekend. We brought our dog who had a wonderful time. The loft chalet was magical. Everything was peaceful, romantic and serene.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Natalie, QLD – April 06

“A wonderful place to relax and get away from all your hassles. Magnificent scenery, beautiful accommodation and wonderful hosts. Perfect.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Jason, NSW – January 06

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“The Cabin was meticulously clean! Very comfy and Pip our pup was warmly welcomed by the resident West Highland Terrier “Zoey” (she is gorgeous). Value was extremely good and our overall experience was a stress free beautiful couple of days surrounded by views to die for!!! ps the best swimming pool Ive been in.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Bruce, QLD – March 09

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“Outstanding! Fabulous accomodation and terrific service. Overall experience one of the best relaxing retreats ever.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Justus, QLD – May 09

“Wollumbin Palms Retreat is the most amazingly unique accomodation we have ever stayed in! The service is brilliant (and was much needed and appreciated at the time as we were surrounded by flooding rivers and couldn’t leave the property!) The owners extra time and thought into helping make our break as comfortable as possible was much appreciated. They went to their utmost to make our break as wonderful as possible given the severe weather conditions. The property itself is exquisite, as is the accomodation lodges, and we don’t think you will find a place anywhere on earth as beautiful and unique.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Susan , QLD – January 08

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“The weekend we had at lennox was amazing; outstanding serivce,value and atmoshwere led to an unforgetable experience”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Penelope, QLD – September 08

“Sorry this is late- we went in January! Talk about a delayed reaction! It was outstanding! The service was wonderful,the accommodation serene and like a sanctuary; the food was five star (we couldn’t eat it all but it was excellent); we adopted the family dog (Tilly) & became friends with the owners. It was the best place for a couple to have a relaxing holiday!”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Meg, Q’LD – January 07

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“Brilliant location, restaurants in every direction. Beach right across road. Very spacious unit, very clean. No dining suite, but breakfast bar with six stools, fully equipped kitchen/laundry (no pegs) all quality appliances. Spa was out of order. Pool very clean. No curtains in lounge area for privacy. Fairly basic furniture, bed OK, thin pillows (take your own).”

Guest rating: 4.8/5 – Chris Cooper

“The wine glasses and microwave were dirty. We had no ’starter pack’ but this was remedied. The layout of the room was excellent – lovely breezes. Right in the heart of Kingscliffe and very close to the beautiful beach.”

Guest rating: 3.6/5 – JAMES RYAN

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“We found our stay to be perfect for our 25th wedding anniversery except the spa was part of the pool and a little chilly”

Guest rating: 4.6/5 – Frank White

“We were very impressed by Mantra on Salt. It was definitely value for money, and the staff were very obliging and friendly, we had a great time, and will look first at Mantra appts. next time we book a holiday or weekend away. Thank you very much.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Margaret Agnew

“Extremely pleased with value for money and was impressed with what room we received. We certainly would return.”

Guest rating: 5/5 – Maree Gregg

“The Mantra was beautiful, the facilities were amazing, staff friendly & well presented, helpful etc. great location, right on the beach, plenty of places/tracks for walking & we even saw whales!!!”

Guest rating: 4.8/5 – Joanne Piccoli

“We booked a room using the last minute rates. We didn’t expect the best room however the room was noisy and the bed was very uncomfortable. We have stayed at other hotels using last minute rates and the rooms have been a lot nicer. We will not return the Mantra based on this experience.”

Guest rating: 3.2/5 – Chrissy Wregg

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