Innisfail

An hour and a half south of Cairns is the town of Innisfail, all though small it offers more than many picking and packing towns. There are 4 main Hostels which all cater for travellers looking for work. There is employment offered all year round, although in the winter (still stupidly hot) it does slow down to about 3 days a week. If you want to party stay at Walkabout Hostel. If you want a great place which offers self contained accommodation from $33 per night, air-conditioned rooms, clean facilities, free use of washing machine and incredibly helpful staff go to Codge Lodge.

Stay - Codge Lodge (07) 4061 8055

Do - Pick these Bananas!

Airlie Beach

Airlie is basically Nimbin but instead of Ganja the streets are overflowing with tour operators…  you are approached at every intersection being asked if you’ve booked onto a sailing trip yet. Airlie Beach only consists of a few streets, the main high street and the esplanade. It doesn’t even have a real beach but a man made Lagoon similar to Cairns. So why the bleedin hell do tourists flock to this little town? Simple, it’s the best place to base yourself for a Whitsunday sailing tour.

There are plenty of night spots in town and heaps of places to eat and stay. If you want to party and don’t care that there are no real cooking facilities or that the cleaner seems to have died 20 years ago stay at Magnums Hostel. If you are looking for a place with a bit more character then Backpackers By the Bay is top choice, it’s a 5 minute walk from town and boast proper hammocks, they show films on a big screen every evening and have the worlds cosiest bar!

Stay - Backpackers By the Bay (07) 4946 7267

Do – Go sailing of course!

Agnes Water 1770

This little town is the northern most surfing spot in Queensland. When people ask me why they should stop in Agnes Water I struggle to convey how great the place is, there is very little here,  one pub, a few shops, a beach….urm…a national park….

But  I’ve been here 4 or 5 times and each time has been different and each time has been so good. I like the 1770 Backpackers Hostel, it’s very open and relaxed and you can scrawl a message on the kitchen walls!

While you’re here go on the Scooteroo’s tour, it’s a 3 hour bike tour of the area, the guide will find some wild Roos for you to look at and you get some wedges and see the sun set over the sea (the only place on the East Coast you get to see this).

There is actually plenty to do in the area; most people only stop off for one day so I won’t disappoint you with all the other options!

Stay – 1770 Backpackers Tel: 1800 12 1770 or if you have your own campervan and want to mix it with the bush turkeys stay at Workman’s Beach

Do – Go catch a wave in the warm water, take the Scooteroo’s tour and relax!

Bundaberg

Tonnes of travellers come to Bundy to get fruit picking and packing work so that they can extend their visa. The problem is that so many people come for work that they often find it tough to get any more than a couple of days a week. Most of the hostels in town help you find work, be warned if you call them asking if there is work they are likely to say yes just so you stay with them. You often have to give a week’s rent up front and sometimes pay them $50 for finding you work.

Childers is a similar story, both towns are good to start to job hunt, if you have your own vehicle you are free to find your own jobs and get to them yourself. There are three main hostels in town, the best one I believe is Bundaberg Backpackers Lodge opposite the bus station. Cellblock is cool as the rooms used to be prison cells, but the place is dirty and needs a bit of renovation.

Stay – Bundaberg Backpackers (07) 4152 2080

Do – Go on the Rum Factory Tour, pick fruit, get drunk with guys with mullets and Utes.