Get out of town!

Within Australian culture there are few rites of passage which retain a sense of the heroic. Aussies who are not fond of kicking balls between posts and rolling around in a muddy tangle of testosterone and short-shorts often make do with hazy recollections of coming-of-age ceremonies such as Schoolies or O-Week.

These events traditionally involve both domestic travel (to the Gold Coast, the Uni town of choice, or just between pubs) and imbibing copious amounts of mind-altering substances. In short, Australian rites of passage tend to entail whipping out the beer goggles in an unfamiliar locale.  Done on a grand scale, this is often referred to as ‘backpacking’.

While most backpackers will knock back a few beers along the way, backpacking is also about getting to know yourself and the world. Whether you’re thinking of buying a round-the-world ticket or exploring your own backyard, here’s our top five reasons why backpacking is a must for adventurous Aussies of all ages.

1.      There’s more to the world than the town or city in which you grew up. From the outrageous opulence of Las Vegas and the colourful markets of  Morocco, to our own Dreamtime landscapes, there’s a whole world waiting. So get amongst it!

2.      Backpacking is an awesome way to meet fellow adventurers. Whether you’re after peeps for a party or life changing conversations about international politics, a good hostel can deliver it all. You’ll meet people you’ll never forget, and chances are you’ll end up with a world wide web of friends to crash with.

3.      Getting to know our neighbours is not only heaps of fun, it can also help you get down to business. Travelling through South East Asia might help you identify a once-in-a-lifetime entrepreneurial opportunity, or discover a passion for international development. You might even find your calling as a tour guide here in Oz. Travel is a great way to figure out what floats your boat!

4.      Despite the urban legends, backpacking is a relatively safe way of getting your kicks. Keep an eye on the government’s ‘smart traveller’ website when planning your itinerary, get comprehensive travel insurance and read up on local dos and don’ts. That done, you can let your hair down and maybe even discovery the sexy dance floor senorita / senor you never knew you were. 
 

5.      Travelling abroad can help you appreciate what a sweet deal you have at home. Australia might be geographically isolated, but winter here lasts for a maximum of three months, we have a truly multicultural culinary tradition and heaps of fresh produce, and our beaches are second to none. Sometimes seeing the world is the best way to actually see home. Backpacking holidays often mark a point of transition: between high school and uni, uni and fulltime work, an unsatisfying job and a new, exciting career.

       >>> So allow yourself an Aussie rite of passage.

               >>> Wander worldwide.

                       >>> Drive a combie to Cairns.

       Take time out to get to know the world: you just might get to know yourself in the process.