Bus Travel Is Best Way in Australia

Backpackers will discover that bus travel is ideal in Australia because about 20 different types of tickets are offered. Although tickets can be purchased abroad, they are about 20% cheaper if bought in the United States.

The recent merger of Pioneer and Greyhound, two of the largest Australian bus firms, has resulted in Australian Coachlines.

One of its most popular routes is the east coast, from Cairns south to Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide.

Three Aussie Explorer passes, called “Sunseekers,” cover this area, allowing six months to complete a journey. The Sydney version is sold internationally for about $110, the Melbourne version is about $177, and the Adelaide version goes for $200.

Cairns, the most northern large city on the east coast of Australia, is a popular gateway for flights from the United States.

There are no sandy beaches in the city itself (they are a 20-minute drive away), but numerous backpacker accommodation services compete for business by offering low-cost lodgings and various excursions. These excursions include trips to the Great Barrier Reef, a rain forest and the Tully River for rafting.

Eighty-seven miles south of Cairns at Mission Beach is one of the country’s most unusual youth hostels.

The Bingil Bay Treehouse Hostel provides lodging for up to 44 travelers for $8.65 per person, per night. It’s in 84 acres of tropical rain forest, and has a view of the Pacific Ocean. Courtesy bus transport to the hostel is available from Mission Beach.

Another 14 miles south is Townsville, a launching point for an eight-mile ferry ride to Magnetic Island, where there are several cheap accommodations, popular beaches and hiking trails.

Continuing south there’s Arlie Beach, a popular area for divers and a base for those going to the Whitsunday Islands.

Getting off the bus here, however, can be a little unnerving. The competition between budget accommodation services is fierce. I’ve seen different hostel representatives physically fight over passenger luggage in order to get customers for their establishments.

Other good stops for backpackers heading along this route include:

--Rockhampton, where transportation goes to Great Keppel Island. It’s nine miles offshore, offers beautiful beaches, camping and a hostel, plus a resort geared to travelers 18 to 35 years.

--Byron Bay, one of the country’s premier beach resorts, is known for its water sports and for being the home of Australian actor Paul Hogan. It’s also a good place from which to watch dolphins and whales pass on their annual migration.

--Coffs Harbour has 15 beaches, offering surfing, snorkeling, diving and white-water rafting.

The Australian Tourist Commission gives out free copies of “Destination Australia,” a planning manual that includes listings of budget accommodations in Australia. Copies and more information are available from the Australian Tourist Commission, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1200, Los Angeles 90067, (213) 552-1988.

A network of 89 independent budget accommodations in Australia, Backpackers Resorts Australia, produces a free brochure listing locations (and affiliated services in New Zealand and Fiji).

Free copies are available through Australian Tourist Commission offices, or you can order a guide for about $4.25 from Backpackers Resorts of Australia, P.O. Box 1000, Byron Bay NSW, Australia 2481.