Everything you need to know

88 days explained: how to get your second-year visa

What counts as specified work, how days are counted, and how not to get caught out.

How to find farm work (and not get ripped off)

Where the jobs are, what pay to expect, and the red flags to watch for.

Harvest calendar: where the work is, month by month

A rough guide to which towns are picking what and when, so you can follow the work.

RSA, White Card and other tickets worth getting

Short courses that get you hired faster — what they’re for and what they cost.

Sydney for backpackers: stay, work and play

Where to base yourself, how to find work fast, and the best free things to do.

Melbourne for backpackers: stay, work and play

Neighbourhoods, hospo jobs, the free tram zone and day trips worth the money.

Brisbane for backpackers

A cheap, sunny base between the Gold Coast, Noosa and farm work up north.

Cairns for backpackers: reef, rainforest and work

The end of the East Coast run — and a great place to find work and sell your car.

Perth and WA for backpackers

High wages, huge distances and some of the best road trips in the country.

Darwin and the NT: work that counts, and wild country

Every NT postcode counts for specified work — here’s how to make the most of it.

Tasmania for backpackers

Fruit picking, hiking and road trips — and all of Tassie counts for your 88 days.

Byron Bay for backpackers

Surf, sunrise at the lighthouse and how to afford staying longer.

Your first week in Australia: the setup checklist

Tax file number, bank, SIM, super and somewhere to sleep — sorted in the right order.

Staying safe in Australia: sun, surf, wildlife and scams

The stuff locals know that can save your trip — or your life.

Hostels, share houses and staying longer

When to move out of the dorm, where to find a room, and how to avoid rental scams.

Getting around Australia on a budget

Buses, flights, campervans, rideshares and trains compared.

Buying a car or campervan as a backpacker

Rego, roadworthy certificates, PPSR checks and how to sell it on at the end.

Van life in Australia: free camping, costs and tips

Where you can sleep, what it really costs, and the apps everyone uses.

The East Coast: Sydney to Cairns route planner

Where to stop, how long to give it, and the cheapest ways to do the classic trip.

Tax and super for backpackers, explained simply

What you’ll pay, why you need a TFN, and how to get your super back when you leave.