Australia attracts thousands of backpackers every year, and approximately three-quarters of them are young people entering the country on a working holiday visa. Aged 18 to 31, they come from various nations around the world, but most commonly from Western Europe and Northern America, where the Australian icons of sand, surf and sun remain a strong drawcard. Add to this the allure of far-off lands, traditionally positive cultural stereotypes and the promise of adventure, casual work and Australia becomes a bucket list travel destination.
The Summer Bay effect
According to Tourism Australia figures, the UK has long been the leader in the volume of backpacking visitors to Australia, with popular culture being a key factor in choice of destination. The UK is a major audience of Australian television, particularly reality TV programmes and most notably, soap operas, which seem to have some sway with young people keen to sink their toes into the beach life.
The strongest element, however, is word of mouth. Australia and the UK have many links, both being part of the Commonwealth and having high numbers of expats from one place to the other. Many young people in the UK have friends or family who have already visited Australia for an extended period, or who have settled in Australia permanently. The UK and Australia have reciprocal health care systems and visa agreements, and with much of the UK having tepid summers and long winters, Australia becomes a pleasing prospect that has just the right mix of familiar and foreign aspects.
BBQ culture better than würst for some
Following closely behind the UK, Germany has the second highest rate of people heading off to work their way around Australia. Tourism surveys show that adventure, wildlife and learning new things make Australia a real travel goal for Germans with wanderlust. The vastness of Australia makes a big change from continental Europe, and offers a lot in terms of novel experiences, particularly in the outback.
Choosing and (fruit) picking
Australia is also a strong favourite for backpackers from other European nations, especially France, Italy, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium. The strong Aussie dollar can make Australia an expensive place to visit, but with the working visa allowing backpackers to fund their adventures in local currency, and a surplus of seasonal employment such as fruit picking, choosing Australia for a working holiday is a viable option.
School’s out, time to party
Taking a gap year has become increasingly popular over the last couple of decades, with students looking to explore abroad before entering or continuing higher education. For many such young people from Canada and the United States, Australia has enough similarities to make it accessible while still providing a new and exciting experience. For those Americans looking to party, Australia also holds the enticement of a lower legal drinking age.
Keeping close to home
While the proximity of Australia to New Zealand make it less of a once in a lifetime ‘destination’ it’s an option for backpacking for some who don’t want to venture too far afield.
Australia is a huge island and greatly diverse, so it’s no wonder many young people want to set off exploring.
Top 15 Countries of Origin*
* Information based on number of job applications per country via Backpacker Job Board
| 1 | United Kingdom | 29.13% |
| 2 | Germany | 20.76% |
| 3 | France | 7.76% |
| 4 | Italy | 4.49% |
| 5 | Canada | 4.32% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 3.01% |
| 7 | Ireland | 2.51% |
| 9 | United States | 2.51% |
| 10 | Belgium | 1.75% |
| 11 | Sweden | 1.61% |
| 12 | Taiwan | 1.40% |
| 13 | China | 1.27% |
| 14 | Japan | 1.15% |
| 15 | Finland | 1.10% |
Further Reading
