Canberra

If you’re planning a trip Down Under, the capital city of Australia, Canberra should be on your checklist. An impressive population of 403,468 lets Canberra take the prize of Australia’s largest city. From culture and art to adventure activities, backpackers in Canberra will be spoilt for choice with a variety of options in terms of things to do in this iconic city.

You’ll find a bunch of hostels in Canberra on offer, expect a mixture between budget and modern-chic vibes. Comparable with most modern-day hostels, you’ll find a mixture of private and dorm room options, which makes the planning of any style trip an easy one. At our Canberra hostels, you’ll be able to enjoy the pure relaxed Aussie culture.

Choosing a Canberra hostel in the city centre is a great option if you want to be close to many pubs, transports and central attractions. Plus, Canberra’s excellent public transport and bike paths allow you to explore and give you the freedom to escape the city and its hustle and bustle. Braddon is Canberra’s hippest foodie neighbourhood, that’s seen a recent influx of coffee shops, brunching spots and street food vendors make it one of the coolest destinations in the city. Coming in a close second though is Kingston – it also boasts some of the city’s best eateries, with the added bonus of a picturesque waterfront location.

For our friends out there who enjoy cultural adventures when exploring new places, Canberra is your playground. Visit the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Australian Parliament House to name a few. Those seeking a bit of adventure, perhaps a hot air balloon flight at sunrise might tickle your fancy? You might even find yourself paddle in-hand on the mirror-like waters enjoying the scenery of Lake Burley Griffin on a kayak.

Grab yourself a MyWay card or purchase single tickets every time you use public transport. Like other Australian cities, Canberra offers a free City Loop bus that departs every 10 minutes, a score for us backpackers. You will also find buses like the Tourist Loop bus that allows you to venture and explore the city’s main attractions. Another way to explore the city is via bike. You will be in a cyclist's heaven with a network of paths both throughout the city and its connecting suburbs. If you’re after more of a flexible style of travel rounding up some of your new hostel buddies and hiring a car for a day of adventuring is another great option.