Australia is re-opening its doors, and so are we! Whether you’re planning a summer Down Under, an East Coast Australia adventure, or an Aussie working holiday, we can’t be more excited to welcome you!
To get you inspired for your trip, we’ve gathered together our best and most useful tips, blogs and guides to Sydney, Byron Bay, and beyond. From things to do and must-see sites, to local hidden gems and handy traveller tips for getting around Australia, you’ll find plenty of information to help kickstart your holiday planning.
Before we get started, one of the first things you might be searching for is affordable accommodation or hostels throughout Australia. Luckily, here at Wake Up!, our award-winning properties in Sydney Central, Bondi Beach and Byron Bay have you covered when it comes to premium quality, an epic social atmosphere, and prime locations.
Contents:
- Helpful Information for Travelling To & Backpacking In Australia
- Backpacking in New South Wales
- Sydney Travel Guides & Tips
- Bondi Beach Travel Guides & Tips
- Byron Bay Travel Guides & Tips
- Backpacking in Sydney & Australia on a Budget
- Road Tripping in NSW & Australia
- Eco-Friendly Travel
Helpful Information for Travelling to & Backpacking in Australia
- Coming To Australia During Covid-19: What You Need To Know
If you’ve been itching to come to Australia, it could soon be your reality! We’ve put together a handy guide of arriving to Australia during Covid-19, including what you need to know, who can come, visa resources and more.
- Visas, Safety & Spiders: Your First Time Guide to Backpacking Australia
Overwhelmed by your to-do list and working out your Australian visa paperwork, bank cards, phone number, taxes, and insurance? Here are your pre-Australia ‘Need To Knows’
- Why Taking a Gap Year in Australia May Be The Best Thing You Do
Whether you’ve just finished school, are in the middle of your career, or simply craving a different lifestyle, a gap year could transform your life forever. Past guest and working holiday maker Janine shares her top 10 reasons why you should take a gap year.
- A Foodie’s Guide To Eating Your Way Through Australia
Check out some of the scrumptious and slightly bizarre Australian food highlights to add to your bucket list!
- 30 Fair Dinkum Aussie Slang Terms Before Heading Down Under
Aussies love to have a good ‘yarn’ (chat) and our unique way of speaking English can be quite confusing when you first arrive. To help you out, we’ve put together 30 common Australian slang terms and expressions you need to know before heading Down Under.
Backpacking in New South Wales
- Our Guide to the Great Outdoors of NSW
When it comes to natural beauty, New South Wales is a real winner. She has grand national parks, pristine beaches, the prettiest of picnic spots, underwater attractions, and so much more. Discover our guide to the great outdoors in NSW.
- The Ultimate Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip Itinerary
Aussie ocean enthusiasts and van-life lovers, Elise Wilson and Marikki Watego, give all the details about their Instagram-worthy Sydney to Byron Bay road trip.
- 6 Incredible National Parks in NSW
There are over 225 national parks in NSW. From outback walking tracks and coastal lookouts to picturesque campgrounds and beaches, here are 6 incredible national parks in NSW to get you started.. Some are an easy day trip from Sydney, while others will see you on an epic road trip
- The Best Music Festivals Around Australia
Soak up some of the absolute best local and international music, at these epic music festivals around Australia.
- Itinerary Inspo: Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip
This road trip takes you through some of the best of Australia’s East Coast, all set within NSW. From the skylines and vibrant energy of Sydney to the blissed out Byron Bay, get inspired by this Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip itinerary.
Sydney Travel Guides & Tips
- What To Do When It’s Raining In Sydney
If you find yourself caught in the rain, here are 10 fun undercover & indoor things to do in Sydney.
- A Guide Of 50 Things To Do In Sydney In Summer
Here, we roundup where to go, eat, play, stay, and the day trips to explore in Sydney. From free things to do to splurge activities, the best of both Sydney’s outdoors and indoors, market-hopping and more. Consider this your bible of 50 things to do in Sydney.
- Sydney & Beyond: A 5 Day Itinerary
A 5-day ‘City To Surf Experience’ itinerary that’ll take you from the centre of the action in Sydney to the laid back beach lifestyle of Gerroa in the NSW South Coast. Check it out here.
- How To Spend Summer In Sydney On A Shoestring Budget
We’ve wrapped up our best hacks in this curated guide to spending summer in Sydney on a budget.
- A Brunch-Lover’s Guide To Sydney
This one’s for all the breakfast and brunch lovers! Enjoy delicious coffees and even better meals with this list of cafes and restaurants serving the best brunch in Sydney.
- Where To Celebrate Mardi Gras In Sydney
Sydney comes alive for our annual Mardi Gras Festival, celebrating LGBTQI pride in a big, bright and wonderful way. We’ve wrapped up some of the best places to celebrate Mardi Gras in Sydney on a backpacker budget.
- How To Spend Christmas In Sydney On A Budget
Silly season can tend to take a chunk out of your savings and drain your bank account. Never fear! Check out these budget-friendly options when it comes to spending Christmas in Sydney.
- The Best Swimming Pools And Beaches In Inner Sydney
Our team has spilled the secrets on their favourite swimming pools and beaches to swim at in Sydney.
- The Best Coastal Walks In And Around Sydney
Past guest Helen details her favourite coastal walks in Sydney, from easy to medium to hard. Read about them here.
- Top Wineries To Visit In The Hunter Valley According To Your Priorities
Calling all wine lovers! Want to escape the city for the day? Here’s our guide to the beautiful Hunter Valley, just 3 hours from Sydney.
- Revive Your Insta-Feed With These 6 ‘Grammable Sydney Spots
There’s no denying Australia is as beautiful as it is diverse. Impress your friends with these 6 Insta-worthy locations in and around Sydney.
Travelling in Bondi Beach
- I Spent 3 Days In Bondi Beach And Fell In Love
Past guest Janine spent 4 weeks staying at Bondi Beach, and fell in love! If you only have a few days however, she has put together this 3-day Bondi Beach itinerary.
- Your Go-To Guide For The Best Vegan Food In Bondi Beach
Dietary-friendly food options sneak their way onto just about every menu in Bondi. Here are some of our favourite eateries for vegan options in Bondi Beach.
Byron Bay Travel Guides & Tips
- Byron Cheap Eats: Where To Eat On A Budget
Whether you’re on the hunt for lunch or dinner, take advantage of the research (and taste-testing) that we’ve done for you, and bookmark our list of cheap eats in Byron Bay.
- Byron Bay Without A Car: What To Do
No car? No worries! Our legendary team member Agustina, shares with us 11 of the best things to do in Byron Bay without a car.
- 16 Rainy Day Activities in Byron Bay
If you find yourself in Byron Bay when it’s raining, and you’re wondering what the best things are to do, then this article is for you! Our team have shared with us their 16 favourite places to go on a rainy Byron day.
- 5 Unique Outdoor Experiences & Tours In Byron Bay
Calling all fans of the great outdoors, adrenaline junkies and water rats! If you’re looking for epic things to do and unique adventure tours in Byron Bay, have a read of these five perfect experiences.
- The Best Towns To Explore On Day Trips From Byron Bay
We recommend staying a little longer in Byron Bay, so you have time to travel to the nearby beach towns and hinterland villages. Hire a car and explore these 5 day trips from Byron Bay.
- 8 Of The Best Cafes, Restaurants And Bars In Byron Bay
From breakfast and coffees through to dinner and drinks, we’ve wrapped up 8 of the best cafes, restaurants and bars you need to eat at in Byron Bay!
- Byron Bay Vegan Finds
If you commonly Google ‘vegan food near me’, then you may want to grab a bite to eat at some of our favorite vegan spots in Byron Bay.
- 6 Insta-Worthy Places To Visit In Byron Bay
The small beach town known for its relaxed hippie vibe, is also home to stunning scenery and the most Instagrammable settings. Here are 6 insta-worthy places to visit in Byron Bay.
- How To Explore Byron Bay On A Budget
Many believe Byron Bay to be an expensive destination, but with a few insider tips, you’ll find that some of the greatest things in life really are free. If you’re planning on backpacking, you might like to bookmark this list of budget-friendly Byron Bay tips.
Travelling On A Budget In Sydney & Australia
- How To Spend Summer In Sydney On A Shoestring Budget
When travelling to Sydney in summer, there are a tonne of affordable activities, cheap things to do and places to go that are budget-friendly, and will have you living it up with a killer holiday. Here are our hacks on how to spend summer in Sydney on a shoestring budget.
- How To Spend Christmas In Sydney On A Budget
The Silly Season can take a chunk out of your savings, but it doesn’t have to be that way with these hacks to budgeting during the festive season in Sydney.
- How To Explore Byron Bay On A Budget
This Aussie paradise has heaps of great free and budget-friendly options from sightseeing and events, to dining and accommodation. Check out our list of ways to explore Byron Bay on a budget.
- 5 Cheap Things To Do In Sydney
Past guest, Jess, spent quite a while in Sydney and came up with her favourite 5 budget-friendly things to do.
Road Tripping in NSW & Australia
- Melbourne To Sydney Coastal Road Trip
If you want to drive through amazing stretches of ocean, secret turquoise waters, national parks, and charming tiny towns, then this is for you! Be inspired to hit the road with this Melbourne to Sydney coastal road trip itinerary.
- Road Tripping Tips, Tricks & Advice
Elise and Marikki are ocean enthusiasts, adventure seekers and #vanlife NSW East Coast road trippers, and they let us in on their Australia road tripping tips, tricks and advice.
- The Ultimate Sydney To Byron Bay Road Trip Itinerary
Thinking of road-tripping up the East Coast of Australia but not sure where to start? This self-drive itinerary from Elise and Marikki is for you!
- Itinerary Inspo: Sydney to Byron Bay Road Trip
From the skylines and vibrant energy of Sydney to the blissed out Byron Bay, come and explore this Sydney to Byron road trip itinerary that highlights the best of what lays between these two destinations!
Eco-Friendly Travel
- 10 Tips For Eco-Conscious Travel
We caught up with Aussie road trip enthusiasts and environmental advocates, Maddy and Nate, who shared with us 10 tips for traveling more eco-friendly.
- A List Of Eco-Friendly Shops That We’re In Love With
Sydney-based journalist April shares with us the eco-friendly fashion brands she loves.
- Your Eco-Friendly Guide To Traveling The Globe Like A Boss
There are many simple actions you can take to reduce your footprint and travel in an eco-friendly fashion – here are some to get you started.