What is BackPacking? Independant travelling or Backpacking dates back many years. It is based on an ethos of self reliance and respect for the environment . Backpacking came to prominence in the early 90's as young people (in particular) became more dissolusioned and discontented with the traditional travel market and the associated sterile package deals. The traditional travel market caters almost solely for business travelers and tourists. It strongly favours the concept of mass holiday marketing and (for example) the bulk purchase of hotel rooms. The "package holiday" is the norm. It has always neglected those who wish to seek out a more involved experience
Tourist versus traveler So what is a...... Tourist Tourists fuelling the traditional vacation market are often corralled (albeit willingly) into narrow regimented experiences that offer much comfort and pampering but little in the way of challenging experiences.. Usually, tourists see only the facade of a country and its people. Often this is carried to such extremes that sometimes the tourists never actually leave the gated compound at all. They simply use the facilities within the hotel complex. Traveler Fundimentally a traveler as someone who wishes to experience, interact and contribute to their new environmnent rather than simply soak in whats given. Traveling is more flexible and is usually undertaken for longer periods. The traveler rarely stays simply in one place.Over the traveling period, he or she may experience many different and varied people, accomodation and environments. So, a backpacker may well get less pampering, but they are richly rewarded a by a wide veriety of life enhancing experiences. So, Who and What is a BackPacker? Backpackers are usually travelers rather than tourists. Although there are always exceptions. Until recently backpacking has been typified by the youthfulness of the baclpackers. Nowadays though older people, disenchanted by years of monotonous package deals are taking up the challenge and seeking more adventure and less regimentation. And Thats it If you are after ideas for a fixed no-risks always sunny holiday, you are in the wrong place, press the back button now before its too late! Otherwise have a browse. Here are images and descriptions of places travelers may wish to seek out. Try the links, there are now a number of good firms who can help take the organisational grief and suffering out of setting up a traveling scenario and most are represented here. As always, be safe, have fun and learn! Happy Traveling.  The Verdent Rolling forest in Tasmania | 
Early morning. Magnetic Island Australia 
Intrepid BackPacker in Franz Josef Glacier New Zealand 
Fraser Island Queensland Australia |