For most people New South Wales is the starting point, because nearly every flight lands in Sydney. From there the coast runs north to Byron Bay and south to Jervis Bay, with the Blue Mountains to the west. Here you'll find all 8 places with 153 checked spots, the climate, jobs and the matching road trips.
For most working holiday makers Sydney is the first stop: the most jobs in the country, surf beaches you can reach by train and hostels from about 30 AUD a night.
Newcastle is two to three hours north of Sydney, much cheaper and has some of the best city beaches on the east coast.
Coffs Harbour is Australia's most important place for the blueberry harvest and one of the most popular stops for collecting the 88 days of farm work for a second visa.
Port Macquarie is a relaxed stop on the east coast between Sydney and Byron Bay: a koala hospital, a coastal walk across several beaches and rocks painted by travellers from all over the world.
Port Stephens is about three hours north of Sydney and has one of the largest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere, a bay with a resident dolphin pod and sheltered beaches.
The Blue Mountains are about two hours west of Sydney by train and the easiest trip into nature: sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and gorges full of ferns.
Byron Bay is the best-known backpacker stop on the east coast between Sydney and Brisbane: surf spots for every level, the easternmost point of the mainland, dolphins in the bay and a green hinterland with waterfalls.
Jervis Bay is about three hours south of Sydney and is known for very white sand, clear water and dolphins that live in the bay all year round.
Side trip to the capital territory: Canberra sits in the middle of New South Wales, about three hours from Sydney.
All 153 spots at a glance: open the New South Wales map.
The coast is temperate to subtropical. In Sydney summer (December to February) usually sits around 26 degrees, in winter (June to August) it's about 17 degrees during the day. November to April is best for swimming and surfing, and further north around Byron Bay the water stays warm for longer. The Blue Mountains are much cooler and can freeze at night in winter. Summer brings bushfire warnings, so on hot days follow the advice of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Sydney is the biggest job market in the country: hospitality, bars, construction, events and casual work. It doesn't count towards the 88 days though, for that you need to head to the regions. The main harvest areas are Coffs Harbour with blueberries (August and September), Young with cherries (November and December), Batlow with apples (April) and the Riverina around Griffith with grapes, citrus and vegetables (January and July). Check the postcode with Home Affairs before you start a job.
Minimum wage, tax, your rights and the harvest calendar for all of Australia are on Working in Australia.
Yes. Most flights land here, there are plenty of hostels and jobs, and a bank account, phone plan and tax file number are sorted within the first few days. Bring enough budget though, Sydney is the most expensive city in the country.
In Coffs Harbour (blueberries), Young (cherries), Batlow (apples) and the Riverina around Griffith. Whether a job counts towards the 88 days depends on the postcode.
September to May. November to April is ideal for swimming and surfing, while winter on the coast is mild and much quieter.
Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory.
Updated October 2026. Checked against official sources. Whether a job counts towards your second visa is decided by Home Affairs alone, so check with them before you start.