Backpacking tips Archives - Welcome to Travel

When’s The Best Time to Travel The East Coast?

Hannah Foy — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:41:44 +0000

This is one of the most common questions, and for good reason. You may think Australia is sunshine all year round – and it mostly is. BUT Australia is massive, so the weather in one part of the country can be very different to another.

First things first, what seasons does Australia have?

In the south (think Melbourne, Sydney, and up to Byron Bay) you’ll find more familiar seasons. Expect hot, sunny summers perfect for beach days, and cooler, mild winters (with no snow in sight!).

But in the north, in the city of Cairns and as far south as the town of Airlie Beach you have a tropical climate with a wet and dry season. This means humid warm weather all year round, and the chance of some strong tropical showers from November to April. But don’t worry if you have rain forecast, it normally moves on quickly and those blue skies return.

Hang on! When’s summer again?

Australia’s seasons are the opposite to the northern hemisphere so summer is from December to February and winter is June to August. But there’s no wrong time to travel, as we share below

Travelling in summer (November - February)

It’s popular for a reason and it’s hot aka why you came to Australia in the first place. Temperatures can regularly be over 30 degrees celsius (85+ Fahrenheit for our American friends) which makes beach days, sea swims and hostel pools the dream.

The cities of Melbourne and Sydney are ideal at this time, long summer evenings, morning sea swims and plenty of rooftop bars to enjoy. Then as you head further north, it gets hotter and more humid as you go – you’ll be chasing waterfalls in rainforests or jumping off a sailboat in the Whitsundays to cool down. Oh and the ice coffees are excellent too.

Top tip: Summer is the most popular time to travel so booking in advance is a must! You can secure your spot on our 30 Day East Coast tour with a $400 deposit – easy as Want to go solo? We hear you! We plan and book thousands of epic solo adventures, fill in our Build Your Own East Coast form to start planning your adventure.

Travelling in winter (June - August)

This is the quieter time to travel, with less crowds but still blue skies and sunny weather – we told you there’s no bad time to travel! It’ll be warmer in the tropics of the north, so you may decide to start in Cairns and travel south down the East Coast arriving in Sydney and Melbourne as spring and summer begin.

The biggest bonus of travelling in winter is the dry season. You can expect cloudless skies practically every day, making your camera reel the envy of your friends back home. And while it’s not as busy as summer, it’s worth keeping in mind it is the low season. Which means some tours don’t run as regularly. No fear, we’ll make sure you get to do everything on your bucket list without having to wait a week for the next Whitsundays boat.

Top tip: Bringing along a pair of jeans and hoodie is a good idea for the cooler evenings across winter (and during the days in the southern cities) but the Australian sunshine is strong so it won’t feel too cold.

Travelling in spring and autumn (March - May or September - October)

Known as the shoulder seasons, you can’t go wrong here. You get the best of both worlds, warmer than winter but not quite as busy as summer time.

Temperatures in the south will be in the low twenties celsius but in the tropics of the north you’ll be comfortable in high twenties – dreamy. This is perhaps your best time to travel if you burn easy (Ireland, we’re looking at you ).

So when should I travel?

There’s no wrong time to travel the East Coast, it depends what your preferences are. Summer brings the hotter weather and a super social scene, winter offers lower crowds, cooler weather and quieter beaches. And spring and autumn offer a bit of both!

Instead of focusing on when everyone else chooses to travel, decide when works for you. Once you hit your saving goal, get those flights booked and start your adventure. You won’t regret it.

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The post When’s The Best Time to Travel The East Coast? appeared first on Welcome to Travel.

What To Expect From Your First Night in a Hostel

Hannah Foy — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 05:24:01 +0000

It’s happening! Your first solo adventure and you realise… you’re nervous about staying in a hostel for the first time. Sleeping in a room with strangers. Will anyone like you? Will anyone chat to you? Will anyone snore ? What can you expect?

But that’s what we’re here for, as a company, we’ve spent hundreds (if not thousands) of nights in hostels combined and have all the tips to make your very first night feel like a breeze.

Step 1: Check in

This one feels easy and it should. You’ll have found your way into your hostel and simply walk up to the check in desk, easy. Just like a hotel, you’ll give your name and receive your key card (you might need to leave a key deposit, but you’ll get this back at check out). In some hostels you’ll also collect your bed sheets before you head up to your room.

Make sure you ask where to find the kitchen and what social events are on that evening. You can also ask for tips of things to do, places to eat and more. The reception staff know the area the best, so make sure you use their knowledge!

Top tip: In Australia, dorm rooms beds are nearly always allocated on a first come basis, so for your best chance of snatching a bottom bunk, aim to arrive as close to check in time as possible.

Step 2: Say hello to your room mates

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This is the easiest way to make friends straight away. As soon as you get into your room, say hello to anyone who’s there, introduce yourself and ask what they’re up to, where they’re from (you get the idea…). You may get invited to head down to the hostel bar with them or head out and explore. Or you may just say a friendly hello. You’ll be surprised at how pretty much everyone you’ll meet in a hostel are in the exact same position are you, feeling the exact same emotions as you and probably also want to make friends, just like you too!

Once you’ve said hey , it’s time to claim your bed, just take any bed that’s obviously free (and it will be obvious!). Pop your things on your bed, put your valuables in your locker and you’re good to go!

Top tip: Don’t forget to bring your own padlock (a few in different sizes are the best option) so you can store your valuables in the lockers.

Step 3: Join the social activities

Hostels are all about meeting fellow travellers so make the most of the social activities on offer – these could be guided walks, market trips, bingo nights, quiz nights and more!

So join in! Start by saying hello and introducing yourself, you’ll soon find a group you get along with and you’ll spend the activity getting to know each other.

There will be different activities on different days of the week, so check by reception to see what these are, the more you join the more friends you’ll make.

No activities on tonight? No fear, this is what the hostel bar is for. This is the place to make new friends. Grab a drink then choose and table and start chatting away. You’ll find a group in no time.

Yes it’ll feel awkward the first time you join a group or start chatting to someone by themselves. But everyone is the same situation. And most people are waiting for someone else to make the first move… so this is your time to shine.

Step 4: The essentials: cooking, showering and eating

After getting to know some people, you’re going to want to start using the hostel facilities and getting into a routine. Pop out to do a quick food shop and then make your way to the kitchen.

You’ll normally find massive fridges where you can put all your fresh produce – make sure you label these very clearly. It’s easiest to keep all your fridge food in a bag and tag the bag instead of each individual item. You’ll find tags, pens and instructions in the kitchen – usually you write your name, room number and check out date.

When it comes to cooking, you’ll find everything you need (sometimes with a bit of searching) from pots and pans, to plates and cutlery. They’ll be multiple stove tops and sinks, so claim a free spot and get cooking .

The biggest rule in a hostel kitchen? Clean up after yourself! That means washing up straight away and keeping the space clean and tidy for the next person. If you leave your olive oil out, it becomes a free for all for whoever’s cooking next. So this is your warning!

After some grub, head on back to the bar area for any evening events or to simply find a new friend to chat to. Most bars have happy hours and it’d be rude not to take advantage of them. You are on holiday after all…

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You’ll also be wondering, how do the bathrooms work?

Your hostel will either have ensuite dorm rooms or shared bathrooms.

The ensuite is fairly self-explanatory, you’ll have a bathroom attached to your dorm room for everyone in your dorm to use. This can sometimes mean waiting a bit in the morning while someone’s in the shower but gives you the luxury of a bathroom attached to your room.

Shared bathrooms are normally gendered and available on each floor. You’ll find separate shower and toilet cubicles and a big row of sinks. Easy as . Bring along your wash bag and take it back to your room afterwards, if you leave anything in the bathroom it’s fair game and it might not be there tomorrow…

And sleeping?

Once it gets past 11pm make sure you’re considerate to anyone in your dorm who’s already asleep so don’t put on the main light or watch videos on your phone on full volume. That’s one way to make enemies really quickly. Use your torch and your headphones. Simple.

Then make yourself comfy, grab your eye mask and earplugs and settle down to your first night.

Top tip: Be considerate to other travellers, tidy up after yourself, keep noise to a minimum late at night and early morning. Especially don’t be packing at 5am with the main light on! An easy rule is to behave how you’d like others to behave.

Step 5: Check out

You’ve done it, your first hostel stay! From now on every hostel will feel like a breeze. Check out is normally at 10am – but double check with your hostel reception. Depending on the hostel, you might need to strip your bed and bring your sheets down to reception too. So give yourself time to do that before 10am comes around. If you’ve paid a key deposit, make sure to claim that back when you hand in your room key to reception!

If you’re not heading off straight away, you’ll be able to leave your bag in the luggage storage room – so you’re free to explore until it’s time to leave.

Top tip: Don’t forget to collect your food from the kitchen too! Anything left after your check out date will be thrown away – either bring it with you or add to the free shelf for others to use.

The post What To Expect From Your First Night in a Hostel appeared first on Welcome to Travel.

7 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Backpacking Australia

Hannah Foy — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 10:36:12 +0000

As travel experts there’s a lot of things we’ve learnt while backpacking around Australia – some the hard way. Here’s everything we wish we’d known…

1. I wish I'd known I wouldn’t see spiders everywhere

Okay this one is self explanatory. We wish we weren’t worried about snakes and spiders when we first arrived. You’re going to see them much less than you think. And practically never in the big cities and towns on the East Coast.

So we’re telling you now, you don’t need to check the toilets for spiders in your hostel in Melbourne. But it’s not the worst idea when you’re camping on the remote sand island of K’Gari.

You’ll most likely see a gigantic spider in the rainforests – where they belong! And if you see a snake, they’re more scared of you than you are of it. So leave in a calm, cool manner and give them plenty of space and you’ll be fine.

2. I wish I’d known I’d make friends

Making friends is probably your number one worry. And it’s a fair one. But trust us here. You’ll make friends so easily when travelling! Everyone is in the same position, eager to meet new people and make memories. You’ll have a new BFF before you know it.

And if you’re worried about striking up a conversation on day one, joining a group tour is a great way to ease into backpacking. Our Welcome Tours are the perfect introduction to Australia, you’ll have a ready-made group of mates and a guide to show you around. Plus, we help with all your Australia admin and show you a great time.

Make new friends on our Welcome Tours

A week to explore the city with a new group of mates

WHY WELCOME TOURS ARE AWESOME

3. I wish I’d got travel insurance

We get it. You think it won’t happen to you. But if Covid showed us one thing… it’s that we never know what can happen.

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, you’d rather spend your money on other things. But if things go wrong, you’ll be so grateful you have it.

We have a few travel insurance recommendations from whole year policies to paying monthly – you’ll find the travel insurance for you.

4. I wish I’d brought a travel card

When you first arrive you’re going to need a way to buy things, you might arrive with some dollars in cash or a credit card without any foreign translation fees. But in the time between us helping you set up your bank account and your first pay check landing – you’re going to need some funds – and a way to get them.

This is what travel cards are all about. You can move money really easily from your home bank account and have dollars at your finger tips in seconds. They’re normally also the best value when it comes to the associated fees of moving your hard earned savings to your new Australian bank account. And we know as backpackers that every dollar counts!

We like to recommend Wise, but there are plenty of others too. And it’s best to get this set up before you fly so you can pass all the security checks and be ready to go.

5. I wish I’d known I could bring a suitcase

If we had a dollar for every time we get asked ‘suitcase or backpack’ – we’d have a lot of dollars. It’s a good question and one you want to get right.

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If you’re only travelling around Australia and especially travelling on the East Coast you’ll be absolutely fine with a suitcase. You don’t need to spend your money on a backpack to be a backpacker. Instead if you have a soft shell suitcase (easier for storing under bunk beds) that’ll be fine! Then you can spend the money you would have spent on a backpack on a surf lesson . Now that sounds like a better idea to me.

However, if you’re planning on travelling around South East Asia while you’re on this side of the world, this is where the backpack is the clear winner. With less pavements, more potholes and just a much busier environment, a suitcase is just a lot more hassle.

Otherwise use what you have, and pack as light as you can – you’ll thank your past self.

Not sure where to start with your packing list? We have the perfect packing guide for you!

6. I wish I’d known people dressed up

Okay, this is a specific one. But one we got from our lovely community. As you travel up the East Coast and especially in the cities of Melbourne and Sydney you’ll realise people have packed to go out out. You don’t need much, but a cute top for girls and shirt or plain t-shirt for guys will see you through.

The rest of the time? Anything goes… and in Byron Bay shoes are even optional.

7. I wish I’d gone sooner

Taking the leap of faith to move half way around the world is hard! We know that. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.

And we hear again and again that that our travellers wish they’d come sooner

So take the leap, make those memories and live your best life.

We can’t wait to make your dream a reality.

Have a few questions about travelling Australia that need answering? Send them over to us below and one of our team members will get back to you

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