The new Byron Bay
Endless stretches of deserted beaches, unspoiled bush and the warm waters of the Southern Great Barrier Reef – Lieutenant James Cook was definitely onto something in 1770, when he stepped ashore at what is now Agnes Water. Queensland's "Town of 1770" is off the beaten track but it's being hyped as the new Byron Bay. Camp at the Agnes Water Beach Caravan Park (agneswaterfirstpoint.com.au) and admire the sunset from the Tree restaurant (restaurant1770.com).Katherine Mergard runs Agnes Water tours by amphibious buggy (1770larctours.com.au)
Great Ocean Walk, Victoria, Australia
There are six eco-friendly campsites for walkers as they trek for seven days from Australia's Apollo Bay, with its fantastic youth hostel, to the 12 Apostles. Walk along pristine beaches, into valleys where dinosaurs once roamed, and up rugged cliffs for a glimpse of a passing southern right whale. Camping permits cost from £13 per tent per night, plus £3 administration fee per application (visitvictoria.com) – but you must get a permit two weeks before you set out.Roger Grant, of Geelong Otway Tourism (geelongotway.org)
Wild western Australia
Australia's windswept west coast makes for a true outback adventure. Start south of Perth at the Margaret river surfing reserve, where you can punctuate wave riding with wine-quaffing (margaretriver.com). Leaving civilisation behind, find paradise between Coral Bay and Exmouth on the Ningaloo coast. For about £322, Greyhound Australia's Pearl Diver explorer pass gives you 183 days to explore the ruggedly beautiful region from Perth to the old pearling centre of Broome (greyhound.com.au), where you can go camel riding on the beach.Lara Dunston, author of Lonely Planet's Perth & Western Australia. She's currently on a year-long global grand tour for Grantourismo: grantourismotravels.com.
East coast alternative
As the crowds cluster at the same spots on the Sydney-Cairns route, backpackers are starting to head inland and seeking out the obscure. Highlights of the alternative east coast road trip include sandboarding at the Worimi conservation lands (portstephen4wd.com.au), diving at Julian Rocks (sundive.com.au) and the Eungella national park (eungella.info). See tiny.cc/y99kb.Paul Bondsfield, Round the World Experts (roundtheworldexperts.co.uk)
Free campervanning in Australia
In 2005 my partner and I toured Australia in 4x4s and campervans of all sizes. We rarely paid for our transport – and there were times when we made money from our trips!When a vehicle has been rented in one place and dropped in another, the hire company needs someone to return the vehicle, so it will offer deals to willing drivers including free hire, free fuel and unlimited mileage. Although some relocations have tight time frames, you can choose journeys that suit you, your travel dates and direction of travel: standbyrelocations.com is a good place to start.
Alicia Broadest, traveller
The real New Zealand
New Zealand's mainstream tourist attractions are excellent but for a more authentic experience find a local marae (Maori meeting house). Ask to come in and you will be welcomed as a visitor to the country and to the marae. And make sure you try a hangi – Maori in-ground cooking – instead of a barbecue.The Coromandel, a hot-water beach on the east coast of North Island, is like nothing else: you dig a hole in the sand and bathe in the naturally hot spring water. And check out the stunning Cathedral Cove (thecoromandel.com) PB