×

Australia🇦🇺 | citiesBendigoUnderground mine, Chinese dragon, Talking Tram, pottery kilns | things to do and best time to go

Explore BallaratExplore Gold Coast

Backpacking in Bendigo
👀 For curious travelerscity ranked #13
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

Bendigo sits on one of the richest goldfields ever worked, and you can still ride a tram through the town and then descend a mine shaft more than 60 meters underground. It’s in the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia, north-west of Melbourne. I paid about A$6.50 for a meat pie and a flat white at a bakery counter, and the pie arrived with the structural integrity of a small brick. Smart travelers eat the pie standing up, because the seats are always taken by locals who know better. It suits history fans, gold-rush nerds and budget road-trippers. Nightlife hunters and beach seekers will be bored.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Australia Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #13 city in AustraliaWhat makes this city worth visiting

Backpackers come for the gold-rush story told in real mine tunnels rather than glass cases, and for the fact that it’s easy to do properly in a day or two. The grand Victorian streetscape, with its tram line and a surprisingly strong cafe scene, is compact enough to walk, so you don’t need a car to feel like you’ve seen the place. It also has a reputation for the Chinese heritage that shaped the goldfields, something many Australian towns skip over. On a route, Bendigo works as a calm pause between Melbourne and the Murray River or the outback. Cheap hostel beds and a local art gallery with serious exhibitions are bonuses. It’s a short stop, not a month-long base, and nightlife is modest.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Central Deborah Gold Mine: The last mine to operate in the city, with tours down 61 meters on a cage lift. Best in the morning; tours run about 1.5 to 2 hours and cost roughly A$35 to 70 depending on the option.
  2. Bendigo Art Gallery: One of Australia’s strongest regional galleries, with big touring exhibitions and colonial paintings. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. General entry is often free, with ticketed shows around A$20 to 30.
  3. Sacred Heart Cathedral: The largest church outside a capital city in Australia, with a tall spire and cool interior. Allow 30 minutes. Entry is free, and mornings are quietest.
  4. Golden Dragon Museum: Home to Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon in the world, plus a classical Chinese garden next door. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Entry is about A$15 to 20.
  5. Bendigo Talking Tram: A vintage
… read more 👉
  1. Central Deborah Gold Mine: The last mine to operate in the city, with tours down 61 meters on a cage lift. Best in the morning; tours run about 1.5 to 2 hours and cost roughly A$35 to 70 depending on the option.
  2. Bendigo Art Gallery: One of Australia’s strongest regional galleries, with big touring exhibitions and colonial paintings. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. General entry is often free, with ticketed shows around A$20 to 30.
  3. Sacred Heart Cathedral: The largest church outside a capital city in Australia, with a tall spire and cool interior. Allow 30 minutes. Entry is free, and mornings are quietest.
  4. Golden Dragon Museum: Home to Sun Loong, the longest imperial dragon in the world, plus a classical Chinese garden next door. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Entry is about A$15 to 20.
  5. Bendigo Talking Tram: A vintage tram loop with commentary past mines and old buildings. The ride takes about 1 hour and costs around A$30 to 40. Good at midday when it is warm.
  6. Bendigo Pottery: Australia’s oldest working pottery, founded in the 1850s, with kilns, a shop and workshops. Allow 1 hour. Browsing is free.
  7. Rosalind Park and Poppet Head Lookout: A leafy park with fountains, a conservatory and a steel mining tower with a view over the rooftops. Allow 45 minutes. Free, best at golden hour.
Day trips from town include Castlemaine, Maldon, Kyneton, Daylesford and the Whipstick Forest.

If you only have time for one, go underground at Central Deborah Gold Mine.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Bendigo

Echuca Guided E-Bike Cycling Tour with local guide

Echuca Guided E-Bike Cycling Tour with local guide

5.0(44) 1h 30m
From €41
per personViator
Bike to Winery Tour

Bike to Winery Tour

5.0(31) 3h
From €53
per personViator
Half Day E-Bike Hire Echuca

Half Day E-Bike Hire Echuca

5.0(25) 4h
From €38
per personViator
E-Bike Hire Echuca Moama - Full Day

E-Bike Hire Echuca Moama - Full Day

5.0(9) 8h
From €47
per personViator
E-Mountain Bike Hire Echuca Moama - Full Day

E-Mountain Bike Hire Echuca Moama - Full Day

5.0(9) 8h
From €56
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsUnderstanding the local layout

Bendigo is compact, and the gold-rush grandeur sits within a few streets, so you can cover most of it on foot without a map or much dignity lost.
  • CBD and Pall Mall: The showpiece boulevard is lined with Victorian banks, the Shamrock Hotel and the art gallery. It was built on gold money and wants you to notice. Cafés and pubs cluster here, and it is flat and walkable, so skip the car.
  • View Street: Galleries, bars and live music sit a block up the hill. Nightlife here means a few pubs and a quiet-ish Friday, not a rave, so manage expectations.
  • Golden Square: A quieter suburb southwest of the center, with cheaper motels and local bakeries. It is a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride, and the bus is smarter after a long day.
  • Quarry Hill and Central Deborah area: Old mine workings and the Central Deborah
… read more 👉
Bendigo is compact, and the gold-rush grandeur sits within a few streets, so you can cover most of it on foot without a map or much dignity lost.
  • CBD and Pall Mall: The showpiece boulevard is lined with Victorian banks, the Shamrock Hotel and the art gallery. It was built on gold money and wants you to notice. Cafés and pubs cluster here, and it is flat and walkable, so skip the car.
  • View Street: Galleries, bars and live music sit a block up the hill. Nightlife here means a few pubs and a quiet-ish Friday, not a rave, so manage expectations.
  • Golden Square: A quieter suburb southwest of the center, with cheaper motels and local bakeries. It is a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride, and the bus is smarter after a long day.
  • Quarry Hill and Central Deborah area: Old mine workings and the Central Deborah Gold Mine tour. Streets are hilly, so wear real shoes.
  • Eaglehawk: A former mining township north of the center, with a slow, local feel and cheap bakeries. Take the bus rather than walking along the busy road.

⌛️ 1 day1-day itinerary for Bendigo

Start slowly on foot, since everything central is within walking distance and the midday heat is a good excuse to duck indoors.

9:00 AM: Rosalind Park. Coffee from a nearby cafe, then climb to the Poppet Head Lookout for the rooftops of the city.

10:00 AM: Sacred Heart Cathedral. A ten-minute walk away for a quiet look at the stained glass.

11:00 AM: Central Deborah Gold Mine. Take the underground tour, which is the best way to understand the town’s wealth.

1:00 PM: Lunch on View Street. Pies, pub meals or cafes with plenty of shade.

2:30 PM: Bendigo Art Gallery. Cool, quiet rooms for the hottest part of the day.

4:00 PM: Bendigo Joss House Temple. A small 1860s Chinese temple in the suburb of North Bendigo, well off the usual route and still used by locals. A short taxi or bus ride. … read more 👉
Start slowly on foot, since everything central is within walking distance and the midday heat is a good excuse to duck indoors.

9:00 AM: Rosalind Park. Coffee from a nearby cafe, then climb to the Poppet Head Lookout for the rooftops of the city.

10:00 AM: Sacred Heart Cathedral. A ten-minute walk away for a quiet look at the stained glass.

11:00 AM: Central Deborah Gold Mine. Take the underground tour, which is the best way to understand the town’s wealth.

1:00 PM: Lunch on View Street. Pies, pub meals or cafes with plenty of shade.

2:30 PM: Bendigo Art Gallery. Cool, quiet rooms for the hottest part of the day.

4:00 PM: Bendigo Joss House Temple. A small 1860s Chinese temple in the suburb of North Bendigo, well off the usual route and still used by locals. A short taxi or bus ride.

6:00 PM: Dinner downtown. Wander back for a casual meal and a local beer.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

Autumn (March to May) is the easiest time to visit, with days around 15 to 24°C (59 to 75°F) and clear skies.
  • Summer (Dec to Feb): Hot, often 28 to 35°C (82 to 95°F) with spikes above 40°C (104°F). Daylight lasts until about 8:45pm. Prices are steady, but the summer school holidays lift beds.
  • Autumn (Mar to May): Golden leaves, mild days and the Easter Fair crowds.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): Cool, 3 to 14°C (37 to 57°F), with frosty mornings and dark by 5pm. Rooms are cheapest.
  • Spring (Sep to Nov): Wildflowers in the bush, 10 to 22°C (50 to 72°F), and some rain.
Check the Easter dates before booking, since beds fill fast.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutAustralia Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Australia
The digital guide (414 pages) contains:
✅ 143 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 14, 21 & 30-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ Local customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The CBD around Pall Mall and View Street is the best base for budget beds, with hostels, pubs with rooms and motels within a few blocks of the train station. Bendigo has a small hostel scene, so dorm beds are limited and sell out on Easter and festival weekends. Book early for those dates. The center is calm at night and well lit, though View Street pubs get loud on Fridays and Saturdays, so ask for a room away from the street. Walking distance to V/Line and city buses saves money. Golden Square is quieter and a bit cheaper for motels, but it adds a bus ride to everything else. If you have a car, … read more 👉
The CBD around Pall Mall and View Street is the best base for budget beds, with hostels, pubs with rooms and motels within a few blocks of the train station. Bendigo has a small hostel scene, so dorm beds are limited and sell out on Easter and festival weekends. Book early for those dates. The center is calm at night and well lit, though View Street pubs get loud on Fridays and Saturdays, so ask for a room away from the street. Walking distance to V/Line and city buses saves money. Golden Square is quieter and a bit cheaper for motels, but it adds a bus ride to everything else. If you have a car, caravan parks on the outskirts offer cabins and tent sites for less than a central bed.
Best hostels in Bendigo


Best quality hotels in Australia

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get from A to B

A single Bendigo bus fare costs about A$3 to 5 (US$2 to 3.50), paid with a myki card bought at a retailer or tapped as a day cap. Cash is not accepted on board, which surprises people holding perfectly good coins. The center is flat and walkable, while buses are fine on weekdays and thin out on weekends.
  • Walking: Free and the fastest way around the CBD, since sights sit within 1 to 2 km of each other. Sunday shade is rare, so carry water.
  • Local buses: Run roughly 6am to 7pm on weekdays, with fewer services at weekends and little after dark. Use them for Golden Square and Eaglehawk, and check the timetable before heading out.
  • Trams: The Bendigo Tramways vintage trolley loop costs about A$20 to 30 (US$13 to 20) and includes a talking tour. It is a novelty with commentary, not transit.
  • V/Line train
… read more 👉
A single Bendigo bus fare costs about A$3 to 5 (US$2 to 3.50), paid with a myki card bought at a retailer or tapped as a day cap. Cash is not accepted on board, which surprises people holding perfectly good coins. The center is flat and walkable, while buses are fine on weekdays and thin out on weekends.
  • Walking: Free and the fastest way around the CBD, since sights sit within 1 to 2 km of each other. Sunday shade is rare, so carry water.
  • Local buses: Run roughly 6am to 7pm on weekdays, with fewer services at weekends and little after dark. Use them for Golden Square and Eaglehawk, and check the timetable before heading out.
  • Trams: The Bendigo Tramways vintage trolley loop costs about A$20 to 30 (US$13 to 20) and includes a talking tour. It is a novelty with commentary, not transit.
  • V/Line train and coach: Melbourne to Bendigo takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs about A$12 to 20 (US$8 to 13) with a myki. Trains are the smarter choice over driving into Melbourne.
  • Bike: Flat streets and a few bike paths suit short rides. Rentals are limited, so bring your own if you plan to ride.

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Bendigo

Budget about US$85 a day for backpacking in Bendigo, based on a high-season dorm bed. Prices are in Australian dollars at the till, shown here in US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)US$30 to 42Dorm beds are limited, so book ahead for school holidays and event weekends. Budget motels are the fallback.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)US$24 to 33Winter is quieter and rates soften, though you may still pay weekend premiums.
MealsUS$22 to 35Bakery pies and café breakfasts run US$6 to 12. Pub mains cost US$15 to 22. Groceries cut costs.
Local transportUS$2 to 5Buses cover the center and suburbs, and most of the CBD is walkable.
City transport passUS$3 to 5 (daily cap)A myki card is needed for buses and the Bendigo trams, with a capped daily fare.
Basic activities/entry
… read more 👉
Budget about US$85 a day for backpacking in Bendigo, based on a high-season dorm bed. Prices are in Australian dollars at the till, shown here in US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodation (high season)US$30 to 42Dorm beds are limited, so book ahead for school holidays and event weekends. Budget motels are the fallback.
Dorm accommodation (off-season)US$24 to 33Winter is quieter and rates soften, though you may still pay weekend premiums.
MealsUS$22 to 35Bakery pies and café breakfasts run US$6 to 12. Pub mains cost US$15 to 22. Groceries cut costs.
Local transportUS$2 to 5Buses cover the center and suburbs, and most of the CBD is walkable.
City transport passUS$3 to 5 (daily cap)A myki card is needed for buses and the Bendigo trams, with a capped daily fare.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$0 to 15Bendigo Art Gallery is often free outside special exhibitions, and the Golden Dragon Museum charges a modest entry fee. Parks and the Rosalind Park lookout cost nothing.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Coffee, laundry and a drink or two.
Total Daily BudgetUS$85 (high season)Per person, per day, in high season.
To save money, shop at the supermarkets in the CBD and cook in the hostel kitchen, then spend what you save on a mine tour.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

Bendigo works well as a base because trains and coaches reach several towns and the bush is short drive away.Castlemaine and Mount Alexander: Art galleries, the Botanical Gardens and historic streets in a gold town 40 minutes by V/Line train. A day costs about A$10 to 30 (US$7 to 20) plus coffee. Go in autumn for the leaves, and check the last train back.
Maldon: A preserved gold town with stone cottages, Beehive Chimney and old mine ruins, about 50 minutes by car or coach connections. Budget A$25 to 40 (US$17 to 27). Weekends are busy, so visit midweek, and first-timers often forget there is no direct public transport.
Kyneton: Bluestone streets, bakeries and a relaxed market town about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car, or by train via V/Line connections. Plan A$20 to 40 (US$13 to 27). Best in … read more 👉
Bendigo works well as a base because trains and coaches reach several towns and the bush is short drive away.Castlemaine and Mount Alexander: Art galleries, the Botanical Gardens and historic streets in a gold town 40 minutes by V/Line train. A day costs about A$10 to 30 (US$7 to 20) plus coffee. Go in autumn for the leaves, and check the last train back.
Maldon: A preserved gold town with stone cottages, Beehive Chimney and old mine ruins, about 50 minutes by car or coach connections. Budget A$25 to 40 (US$17 to 27). Weekends are busy, so visit midweek, and first-timers often forget there is no direct public transport.
Kyneton: Bluestone streets, bakeries and a relaxed market town about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car, or by train via V/Line connections. Plan A$20 to 40 (US$13 to 27). Best in spring and autumn, when it is dry and cool.
Whipstick Forest: Eucalypt tracks, wildflowers in spring and old mining shafts about 20 minutes north by car. Free entry. Bring water and a map, since signal is patchy.

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Bendigo’s food scene leans on its Chinese-Australian heritage, and Chinese restaurants around the CBD are the place to try it. The city is also known for the Bendigo Pottery region and cool-climate Heathcote shiraz, easy to try at cellar doors and pubs. Look for bakeries with meat pies and sausage rolls for a cheap lunch around A$5 to 8 (US$3.50 to 5.50). The Bendigo Farmers Market runs on the fourth Saturday of the month, with local produce, cheese and coffee. Pubs on Pall Mall and View Street serve hearty mains and local craft beer, a decent value if you eat early. Laneway cafés around the CBD pour strong flat whites. Expect most kitchens to close around 8:30pm or 9pm.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Bendigo

Bendigo is a calm, safe city, and most trouble comes from weekend nights on View Street and Hargreaves Street, where pub crowds get rowdy after midnight. Walk in groups after 11pm or book a taxi or rideshare, which cost roughly A$10 to 20 (US$7 to 13) for short trips. Solo travelers will find the center well lit and quiet. Leave nothing visible in parked cars, a common petty-theft target across regional Victoria. Summer heat and bushfire days matter more than crime, so check the VicEmergency app, carry water and avoid hiking on total fire ban days. Kangaroos and wildlife on country roads at dusk are a driving hazard.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two days is enough for the main sights in Bendigo, and three lets you add a day trip to Castlemaine or Maldon. Day one covers Pall Mall, the art gallery and the Central Deborah Gold Mine tour. Day two suits the Golden Dragon Museum, the Joss House Temple and a vintage tram ride.
Yes, Bendigo is safe for solo backpackers, with a calm, well-lit center and very little violent crime. Friday and Saturday nights get loud around View Street, so take a rideshare (about A$10 to 20) after 11pm. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.
Bendigo is known for its gold-rush history, Victorian architecture and the Bendigo Art Gallery, which hosts big touring exhibitions. The Central Deborah Gold Mine goes 61 meters underground, and the Golden Dragon Museum reflects the city’s Chinese heritage. It sits about 1.5 to 2 hours from Melbourne by train.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Australian cities near Bendigo

Explore more nearby:

  • Ballarat—Sovereign Hill, gold panning, Eureka story, Lake Wendouree loop| 97 km away
  • Melbourne—Graffiti laneways, free trams, Queen Vic Market, St Kilda pier| 132 km away
  • Geelong—Painted bollards, Eastern Beach baths, wool museum, Corio Bay pier| 155 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Australia including Bendigo and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all cities

Or checkout all Australia has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Australia
Country photo of Australia
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Give Bendigo one night and two half-days, and you’ll see the mine, the gallery and the Chinese heritage without rushing. Any longer only makes sense if you’re using it as a base for the surrounding goldfields towns. I would book the mine tour ahead and skip the tram unless it’s raining.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story