Australia Travel Guide

Geraldton in Western Australia is also known as ‘Sun City’ and is a world-renowned windsurfing destination. It’s also a top surfing and fishing spot. The diving off the coast near the Abroholos Islands is world-class and can be compared to the Great Barrier Reef. The Abroholos is a complex system of islands, reefs and lagoons lying near the shelf-edge off the mid-west coast. This is a graveyard for many early sailing ships, including the Batavia. Tours of the Abroholos are available by boat or air. Bookings can be made through Geraldton Greenough Tourist Bureau, but must be made well in advance as they are very popular.

Take in all that Geraldton has to offer from the comfort of your room at Foreshore Backpackers YHA. This hostel has recently been converted and offers spacious rooms and great facilities. After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to head off to the sights. It’s a great spot for a weekend away.

Getting There: Greyhound coach services operate daily. Alternatively, hire a car through YHA Travel in Perth from just $25 per day. Geraldton is 4 1/2 hours’ drive north of Perth.

Bookings: Foreshore Backpackers, 172 Marine Terrace, Geraldton, WA. Phone: (08) 9921 3275, fax: (08) 9921 3233

Accommodation: From $13 per night

Tags: beach

My favourite YHA is located at the Traveller’s Lodge in Ballina, Northern New South Wales. Beth and Ian are your very welcoming and helpful hosts. My family and I have enjoyed this YHA so often that Beth and Ian refer to our favourite room as the ‘Kerr suite’!

Last Christmas, Ballina YHA was the site of the reunion of my family with people coming from Darwin, Sydney and Canberra. Beth and Ian, in their usual thoughtful and caring fashion organised a Christmas BBQ and fishing for the hostellers.

Ballina is a great location from which to explore the surrounding countryside with Byron Bay, Lismore and other towns only a short drive (or bus trip) away. With its great beaches (borrow boogie boards from the hostel), friendly atmosphere and proximity to some beautiful rainforest and wilderness areas, Ballina is lovely spot to enjoy a holiday in summer or winter. It offers something for everyone and I hope to be back there soon.

Tags: hostel

Picture an island with a white coral beach, shaded by rainforest, where a clear-azure ocean reflects a blue sky. No rushing, no urgency, no deadlines, just the quiet, peaceful calm only a tropical island paradise can offer.

You’ll find it at Fitzroy Island. Just 45 minutes from Cairns in far north Queensland, most of the island is national park. The fringing reef and coral beaches are also protected as part of the Cairns Marine Park.

Visitors to the island can go sea-kayaking, snorkelling, diving, swimming and hiking, but many come just to relax in the peaceful, casual atmosphere. It is the perfect place to recharge your batteries after partying on the Queensland mainland. YHA members can stay in the Resort’s Beach Bunkhouses for the unbelievable price of $16 per person. The Bunkhouses sleep four people and each room has lockable storage space. YHA members also receive substantial discounts on the resort’s twin and double rooms. Whilst there is the usual self-catering kitchen, guests are also welcome to dine in style at the resort’s restaurant. Phone (07) 4051 9588 for more information and bookings.

Tags: beach

Feeling beached out and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the east coast backpacker track? Then beautiful Bellingen is the place for you. Situated halfway between Sydney and Brisbane and just 12km from the Pacific Highway, beautiful Bellingen on the river is surrounded by breathtaking mountains and forests.

Chill-out options? Sipping smoothies in the town’s cafes, swinging in a hammock at the hostel with a good book, feeding the kookaburras or strolling through lush subtropical rainforest in the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park.

Canoeing is a great way to meet the river’s resident platypus, or take a refreshing wallow yourself in the crystal-clear swimming holes of Never Never Creek.

Action seekers can raft one of Australia’s most scenic grade 4 rivers, horseride through the forest, learn Aboriginal dancing and spear throwing or go mountain-bike-riding to the Promised Land.

Bellingen YHA Backpackers is a perfect place to catch your breath. The huge balcony overlooks a rainforest island of jacaranda trees that come alive at dusk with the stirrings of flying foxes. For info and bookings call (02) 6655 1116.

Tags: forest, mountains