When we traveled to Australia, I booked nearly everything myself, but came across a travel agent at a festival and they hooked me up with some great tips and side excursions. I would recommend trying one after you have a pretty good idea what you want, so they don't take a commission on your entire trip or simply book you a standard "American tourist" vacation - unless you like to travel like that. I like to get well off the tourist road, and get into the real culture of where I'm at.