This shouldn’t come as a surprise: Australia is a huge country. After all, it’s the only nation in the world that takes up a whole continent. When planning your backpacking trip in Oz, you need to take this into account. Wherever your itinerary takes you, there are varying options for transportation. From journeys down the East Coast to expeditions into the heart of the Outback, choosing the right method of getting there (and back) can make or break your trip. Here are some of the ways to get around Australia, with appropriate itineraries.

Car: One popular transportation alternative is the purchase of a used car. There is an entire market for travelers to choose from, with backpackers departing Australia selling in major cities like Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne. This is really only a viable option if you plan on using the vehicle for at least a few months, because registration and insurance fees are relatively high. Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before buying, especially for an older car.

Bus: Greyhound Australia frequently runs great deals that attract many backpackers. One example is the All Australian Explorer Pass, which allows the purchaser to travel through the entire country over the course of an entire year. Hop on and hop off at your leisure, spending as much or as little time as you want in each destination. Other passes are available as well along the East Coast, as well as the interior.

Plane: If you’re on a tight schedule, flying is probably your best bet for getting around Australia. There’s simply no other way to see different parts of the country as efficiently. For example, a bus ride from Cairns to Sydney would take over two days (and that’s without stopping in all of the wonderful places along the way). A flight, on the other hand, takes just over three hours. Consider purchasing a flight for the way up, and then bussing the way back down.

Rail: Travel by train isn’t as popular as it once was, but for some people, it’s the only way to go. Perhaps the most popular route is the Indian Pacific, which travels from Sydney through Adelaide to Perth over the course of three nights. Regarded as one of the premier journeys by train in the world, it doesn’t come cheap; expect to pay upwards of 1,000 dollars per ticket, and even more for a sleeper car.

Camper Van: The classic image of seven dudes piling out of a camper van is one that’s synonymous with the Australian backpacking experience. A self-contained camper van can save you money by offering accommodation, transportation, and cooking space in one compact package, but you better be very good friends with your fellow travelers. After a month or two cooped up inside, you’re likely to have a whole new perspective.

Backpacking in Australia is bound to be an adventure no matter how you get around. Research each of the options listed above, and make a decision based on your budget, needs, and timeframe. For more information, read up on our Backpack Australia Guides

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