Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime? Take this classic backpacker trail through Asia and Australia. Choose to either just travel (option 1), or to add on a working holiday in Aus for up to 12 months (option 2).
- Option 1 – Travel only: Vietnam – Thailand – Bali – East Coast Australia
- Option 2 – Travel & Work: Vietnam – Thailand – Bali – East Coast Australia – Melbourne + working holiday
The trip is totally flexible, so if you want to add in or take out any destinations, speak to your travel adviser and we can help you tailor your trip.
Vietnam Experience (12 days)
Your incredible adventure begins in Hanoi, where you’ll take a rickshaw tour, and experience the rich culture of the capital, before making your way to the legendary Ha Long Bay. Spend two nights floating on emerald green waters, taking in breath-taking scenery and staying a night on your own private island! Back on dry land, make tracks for Ninh Binh for rural bike rides through rice paddies, riverboat trips and the jaw-dropping Dragon Mountain Viewpoint. Next up it’s the ancient town of Hoi An, where you can explore the lantern-lit streets, try your hand at crab-fishing and take a Vietnamese cooking class. Then take the short flight to the charmingly chaotic Ho Chi Minh City for amazing street-food, epic nightlife, and access to the tranquil Mekong Delta. See the floating markets and soak up the watery life of the Delta, before heading back to HCMC. Learn all about the Vietnam War and the strength of the Vietnamese people at the unforgettable Cu Chi Tunnels, before one last night in the city. Then make tracks for Thailand!
Thailand Express (14 days)
Sawadee-ka – you’re on Thai time now! Our first stop is Bangkok, where we’ll tour the city’s waterways by longtail, see golden temples and enjoy wild nights on neon lit Khao San Road. Then it’s an overnight train south to the pristine rainforests and shimmering lakes of Khao Sok National Park, where we’ll spend a night in traditional floating bungalows. Next, we’ll head for the famous party island of Koh Phangan, where we’ll be staying on Bottle Beach – arguably the most beautiful on the island. We’ll learn Muay Thai and take an incredible snorkelling trip while we’re here, before hopping on to lovely Koh Tao. We’ve got plenty of time to chillax on the paradise beaches here, as well as a boat trip to Koh Nang Yuan. Then it’s Koh Phi Phi – a gorgeous tropical island and another Thai party heavyweight. Hike to the best viewpoints, take a boat trip to Monkey Beach and the Viking Caves, and party like tomorrow doesn’t exist. Our last destination is lively Phuket, where you can grab some souvenirs and top up your tan, before packing your bags for Bali.
Bali Beaches (13 days)
Meet the rest of your group in lively Canggu, where we’ll spend two days chilling on the beach, visiting the unforgettable Uluwatu Temple, and taking a surf lesson with some local pros. Then we’ll head inland to Bali’s cultural heart – Ubud, stopping at Tanah Lot Temple and Monkey Forest on the way. We’ll get to know Ubud’s colourful markets and hip café culture, as well as visiting a coffee plantation, enjoying lunch with views of an active volcano, taking a stroll through the famous rice terraces, taking a dip in Tegenungan Waterfall, and visiting a local school. We’ll take the boat to gorgeous Gili Trawangan next, where we’ll explore this car-free paradise by bicycle, dance on the sands at a beach party, take a cooking class and swim with hundreds of colourful reef fish on a snorkelling day trip. Then it’s on to Lombok, where we’ll stay on lively Kuta Beach. We’ll meet a Sasak tribe, join a yoga class, do some beach hopping, and take another surf lesson. Our last stop is laid-back Lovina, back on Bali. We’ll take an early morning dolphin cruise, hit the best snorkelling spots, and visit some hot springs and waterfalls, before journeying back to Kuta and getting ready for the next stage of this amazing adventure – Australia!
Australia East Coast Experience (6 weeks)
Kick off with seven days in stunning Sydney. Take a catamaran cruise round the harbour, spend two days on gorgeous Bondi Beach, enjoy a bar crawl round the best of the city’s nightspots, walk along the coast to Coogee and spend a day in the beautiful Blue Mountains. Then head up the coast to the hippy town of Byron Bay, where you can relax on the stunning beach, learn to surf like the locals, and have a mouth-watering cheese and wine night. Next up it’s the lively beachside city of Surfers Paradise (which more than lives up to its name), before two days in Brisbane, where we’ll take a guided tour, before leaving you to explore the vibrant city at your own pace. Leave the city behind and continue on to the lush green forests and white sands of Noosa, then have a night in Rainbow Beach, and an unforgettable dolphin encounter, before we take the ferry across to K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). Spend two nights scaling dunes, cruising around in a 4×4, swimming in freshwater lakes and camping out on K’gari. Then head back to the mainland for a couple of nights in the chilled-out Town of 1770. The next few days are pretty special as we set sail for a two-night trip to the Whitsunday Islands. Think turquoise waters, dazzling white sands, and the best snorkelling you’ve ever seen. Then have a night partying in Airlie Beach, before losing yourself amongst the wildlife and beautiful landscapes of Magnetic Island. Our last few days are in the epic backpacker city of Cairns, where we’ll visit the Atherton Tablelands, swim in waterfalls and take a snorkelling trip at none other than the Great Barrier Reef – what a way to round off this stage of the trip! If you took option 1, it’s time to head home. If you went for option 2, you’ve got Melbourne and a working holiday to look forward to!
Melbourne Work and Fun (8 days plus up to 12 months)
Spend a week in magical Melbourne before you prepare to fly solo, with a working holiday. Spend the first three days getting to know the city, with a walking tour, dinner on the banks of the Yarra River, and a food tour of Melbourne’s amazing eateries. On days four to five, take some time out of city life and head to beautiful Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, to try the local wines, see the penguins, take a surf lesson and meet some of Australia’s most iconic animals. On day 6 it’s back to Melbourne, where we’ll explore the funky beach suburb of St Kilda, before spending day 7 getting the low-down on living and working in Aus. You’ll get a tax file number, an Aussie bank account, a SIM card and a hostel membership, as well as a one-on-one session with one of our knowledgeable travel guides so you can tailor your plans, then we’ll take you on a bar crawl. On day 8, we’ll say farewell with a rooftop barbecue and a few beers, before you head off to start your new life Down Under.
You’re not on your own after the first week is over though. You’ll have access to our jobs database for 12 months, plus a Facebook group that connects you with potential employers and a WhatApp group that will help you stay in touch with your new friends from your week in Melbourne.
Want to add other destinations?
If you want to add in other destinations to your itinerary such as Fiji or New Zealand then let us know! We have picked some of our top trips for this itinerary however we can add or remove trips so you can design your perfect itinerary. Contact us for more info!
https://www.realgap.co.uk/asia-australia-gap-year
