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All backpackers coming to Australia do so for three main reasons - to work (and make money), to have a good time while doing it, and to travel around this fascinating country. Before you go travelling it's good to do a small bit of planning to make sure everything runs smoothly. You don't want to plan out every day, but it is good to have a rough idea of where you want to go and what route you are going to take.

Here are a few tips which might make travelling around Oz a little bit easier:

1. First of all plan your route. See exactly how much money and time you have for your trip. If you are travelling either of the coasts, decide whether you are going to go north or south, ie, if you are travelling the east coast plan out if you are going to travel north from Sydney to Cairns, or vice versa.

2. Budget for your trip. Remember that as well as paying for transport, food, accommodation and, ahem, drink, you will also be going on different 3 day/2 night trips and doing numerous activities.

3. If you are travelling by bus, always book your seat one day in advance. There is nothing worse than having something planned the following day at your next destination and then finding out you can't get there because the bus is booked out.

4. Do your homework on hostels. It's always nice to know that the hostel you are about to sleep in the next day is clean with good facilities.

5. Buy a VIP/Nomads/YHA card before you go travelling. Nearly all hostels in Australia will give you $1-$2 dollar discount per night if you present it when paying. There are other things you can save on too. See details in your guidebook when you buy one.

6. Decide what you want to pack. If you are returning to the same place you departed from, leave some stuff there. If not, try and ship stuff home as you won't need to bring everything with you. And do remember it isn't sunny all the time so bring a jumper.