Backpacking & Student Info

Backpacking is all about being in charge of your own adventure.

In South Australia, you can do just that. And on our main Australian website, you can use some of the best online tools available to build your itinerary.

It's easy to get around South Australia and you won't find yourself battling crowds of tourists. This is where you can get off the beaten track and discover the adventure, wildlife and fun that make up the best backpacking holiday. And if you run out of money, South Australia is a great place to top up your money.
In our capital city, Adelaide, you'll find plenty of nightclubs within walking distance of each other. And you can join the crowds at events like the Tour Down Under, Fringe Festival and Clipsal 500.

There's friendly budget accommodation - award-winning backpacker hostels right in the heart of the city and seaside caravan parks where there are cheap and cheerful lodgings by the ocean.

And there's the food of the world at the Adelaide Central Market, free daytime buses driving around the Adelaide city centre, plus two-hour free bike hire, and lots of beautiful parks and beaches to relax in.

In regional South Australia there's adventure aplenty. Try our surfing beaches, swim with sea-lions and dolphins, explore the Outback or learn more about great Australian wine at our many cellar doors.

Download Lonely Planet guide
Lonely Planet has published a handy pocket-sized guide to authentic Australia highlighting top backpacking experiences in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Download a copy of Authentic Journeys.

General Backpacker Information
The South Australian Backpacker Industry Association provide information on great hostels, tours, assistance for finding work and much more.

Regional Express (REX) has an International Backpackers Airpass with unlimited travel for either one or two months.

Short Language Courses
Please visit the Study Adelaide website for information about language courses.

Working and Volunteering Holidays
Popular work for backpackers includes fruit picking in the Riverland, pruning vines in the Adelaide Hills and pouring beers in Adelaide. There are dozens of ways you can work your way around the state. Most hostels in Adelaide have notice boards displaying jobs and will offer some assistance but travellers must be prepared to do most of the leg-work themselves.

Working Holiday Visa
Under Australia's working holiday program, visitors aged 18-30 (from eligible countries) can supplement their travel funds through temporary employment. Further details are at The Department of Immigration website.

Other working opportunities include:

Harvest Trail
Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
Nature Volunteers

Permanent Visa Options
For information on how to make South Australia more than just a holiday destination, visit the South Australia Government "Make the Move" website.