Discover the best things to do in Australia solo

61. Sign up for the best art workshops and retreats

Artists' Retreat — Escape to an artists’ retreat in a suitably inspiring location.

Artists are credited with being solitary creatures, lost in their own artistic vision. But for those needing a little help finding their inner Monet, an artists’ retreat in a suitably inspiring location is just the ticket.

Artworkshops Australia conducts weekend workshops in its Byron hinterland studio, or you can indulge in one of its art retreats, painting in the likes of the Flinders Ranges, the Blue Mountains, Kakadu, the Pilbara, Fowlers Gap and Tasmania.

Art Travel Adventures’ art expeditions also allow you to immerse yourself in amazing locations – the remote East Kimberley, Lord Howe Island, the East MacDonnell Ranges and Arnhem Land – while learning from celebrated Australian artists.

62. Find a walking trail in Australia’s best national parks

Walking Trails Australia — Spend time exploring one of Australia’s many national parks.

If you are looking to clear your head and get away from it all, walking is the perfect solitary pursuit. And with a wealth of national parks at our disposal – there are over 600 national parks in Australia occupying over 28 million hectares – there’s plenty of choice of where to go.

The general rules of solo walking are to do your research to find destinations suitable for singles (remote areas should not be attempted with fewer than three people), know your strengths and limitations, let people know where you are going and when you’ll be back (consider hiring a personal locator beacon) and stick to the trails at all times. Some good starter walks include the Royal National Park Coastal Walk out of Sydney, the Great Ocean Walk in Victoria and the Six Foot Track from the Jenolan Caves to Katoomba.

63. Find a hotel with Australia’s best bathtub views

Unwind at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island.

There is no more indulgent solo pursuit than soaking in a tub, and if it comes with a stunning view (and a glass of bubbles close at hand) then all the better.

Some of the most stunningly positioned tubs can be found in South Australia, including this humdinger at the sublime Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island. Book El Questro’s Cliffside Retreat stay for its outdoor tub looking over the Kimberley landscape, spot whales from the bath in qualia’s Windward Pavilion, or head to the bush bath at Kingsford Homestea d, a working sheep station in South Australia’s Barossa region.

64. Book a cruise that caters to solo travellers

First it should be stated that there’s a big difference between cruising solo and singles’ cruises. If you are looking for a little time out on your own with endless water views rather than looking for endless love, most cruises will cater to your needs.

While most cruise companies offer discounted solo supplements, there are certain companies going that extra mile to make lone travellers welcome, including offering studio cabins priced for one (Norwegian Cruise Line , Royal Caribbean International and Holland America Line ), organised activities and shore trips that allow you to interact with other travellers, and communal dining so you don’t have to eat alone.

65. Visit a library

There is quite the groundswell of creativity going into the design and construction of libraries at the moment. Much more than just spaces in which to read, modern libraries are meeting places where people can come together to feel a sense of community (and get free wi-fi). For this reason architects and designers are conceptualising buildings that are welcoming, multi-purpose spaces where people can spend time reading, learning and socialising.

Some stand-out libraries worth going out of your way to see include Cobram Library , designed by Cohen Leigh Architects; Melton Library , Max Webber Library in Blacktown and Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, all designed by FJMT; and the award-winning Green Square Library in Sydney, designed by Stewart Hollenstein in association with Stewart Architecture.

66. Learn to surf

Surfing Schools in Australia — Experience the rush of catching your first wave.

Given our enviable access to beaches and water in Australia, and our history as a surfing early adopter (many credit Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku with introducing the sport to Australia at Freshwater on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 1915, but there are those who believe we figured it out for ourselves much earlier), learning to surf is the perfect way to spend time next to the water while getting fit and having fun.

Former world champion surfer Pam Burridge retired from the pro circuit in 1998, starting up Pam Burridge Surf Schools on the NSW South Coast. It runs regular women’s-only Surf Retreats at Mollymook Beach, including surfing lessons from the legend herself.

Alternatively there are equally picturesque places to learn to surf around the country: Surf Camp Australia hits the waves of Byron Bay on the NSW Far North Coast; Go Ride A Wave operates out of the gorgeous Great Ocean Road in Victoria; former pro surfer Cheyne Horan’s School of Surf is based on Queensland’s Gold Coast; and Margaret River Surf School conducts its lessons at Redgate Beach in WA.

67. Camping for one

Oztent’s King Single Stretcher and King Single Swag combo ($229.95 and $599 respectively) might just be the coolest camping accessory around. The giant cot and super durable cover mean you can effectively camp where you stand, all the better to enjoy the solitude of nature.

For a truly off-grid, ‘look at these views’ experience, try these: Memory Cove in Lincoln National Park, South Australia, where daily access is limited to ensure its remains pristine (you need a pass from the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre to enter); Noah Beach in Daintree National Park, Queensland, with its lush tropical landscape and abundant wildlife; and Narawntapu National Park in Tasmania , where wombats, kangaroos, wallabies and even Tassie devils are easily spotted after dark.

68. Book a writing retreat

In the lush Gold Coast Hinterland, surrounded by Lamington National Park, the Rainforest Writing Retreat at O’Reilly’s is one of the most immersive writers’ retreats in the country, designed to coax words and ideas out of novices and experienced wordsmiths alike. Gaining insight from bestselling authors, the two-day retreat works on developing writing skills and storytelling techniques, and offers guidance in publishing, marketing strategies, and networking. But it also leaves ample time to be inspired by the picture-perfect surroundings, with rainforest walks, night tours and plenty of wildlife to spot.

69. Pamper yourself

Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel is the perfect place to pamper yourself.

Setting off on a solo adventure is the perfect excuse to look deep within yourself to find inner harmony – or just get a really good massage. Victoria’s spa country is anchored by the pretty heritage towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, with their gracious accommodation and plentiful spa experiences.

Treat yourself to a rejuvenating mineral soak at Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa and stay the night in one of the futuristically stylish Hepburn Springs Escape Villas, indulge in the charm of Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel ) or book the rustically chic White House in Daylesford and explore at your leisure.

70. Take a road trip in a caravan around Australia

Caravan travel — Experience the freedom of travelling in a caravan on the wide open roads of Australia.

Pack the essentials, stock up on snacks, borrow a stack of books from the library and hit the road to relive the halcyon days of the caravan vacation at these holiday park hotspots.

• First Sun Holiday Park in Byron Bay for the absolute beach frontage, and its strolling distance to chi-chi cafes, bars and shopping.

• Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort Camping for the dolphins, of course.

• Lake Argyle Resort, Kununurra , for the remote beauty of the Kimberley.

• Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef.

• Batchelor Holiday Park for its proximity to Litchfield National Park’s stunning waterfalls.

• Phillip Island Caravan Park for the penguins!

• Sea Vu Caravan Park , Robe, for the Limestone Coast landscape and uninterrupted water views.

Abandoned mills and forgotten paper plants are finding second lives – and helping redefine a city long underestimated.

Just 15 years ago, Federal Mills was a very different place. Once among the most significant industrial sites in Victoria, the historic woollen mill was one of a dozen that operated in Geelong at the industry’s peak in the mid-20th century, helping the city earn its title as ‘wool centre of the world’. But by the 1960s global competition and the rise of synthetic fabrics led to the slow decline of the industry, and Federal Mills finally shuttered its doors in 2001. Within a few years, the abandoned North Geelong grounds had become makeshift pastoral land, with cows and goats grazing among the overgrown grass between the empty red-brick warehouses. It was a forgotten pocket of the city, all but two klicks from the bustle of the CBD.

Geelong cellar door wine bar — Geelong has shed its industrial identity to become an innovative urban hub with reimagined heritage spaces. (Image: Ash Hughes)

Federal Mills: from forgotten factory to creative precinct

Today, the century-old complex stands reborn. The distinctive sawtooth-roof buildings have been sensitively restored. An old silo is splashed with a bright floral mural, landscapers have transformed the grounds, and the precinct is once again alive with activity. More than 1000 people work across 50-plus businesses here. It’s so busy, in fact, that on a sunny Thursday morning in the thick of winter, it’s hard to find a car park. The high ceilings, open-plan design, and large multi-paned windows – revolutionary features for factories of their time – have again become a drawcard.

Paddock Bakery andPatisserie — Paddock Bakery and Patisserie is housed within the historic wool factory. (Image: Gallant Lee)

At Paddock , one of the precinct’s newer tenants, weaving looms and dye vats have been replaced by a wood-fired brick oven and heavy-duty mixers. Open since April 2024, the bakery looks right at home here; the building’s industrial shell is softened by ivy climbing its steel frames, and sunlight streams through the tall windows. Outside, among the white cedar trees, families at picnic benches linger over dippy eggs and bagels, while white-collar workers pass in and out, single-origin coffee and crème brûlée doughnuts in hand.

Geelong: Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design

Paddock Bakery can be found at Federal Mills. (Image: Gallant Lee)

“A lot of people are now seeing the merit of investing in Geelong,” says Paul Traynor, the head of Hamilton Hospitality Group, which redeveloped Federal Mills. A city once shunned as Sleepy Hollow, and spurned for its industrial, working-class roots and ‘rust belt’ image, Geelong has long since reclaimed its ‘Pivot City’ title, having reinvented itself as an affordable, lifestyle-driven satellite city, and a post-COVID migration hotspot.

And the numbers stand testament to the change. In March 2025, and for the first time in its history, Greater Geelong became Australia’s most popular regional town for internal migration, overtaking Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Current forecasts suggest Geelong will continue to outpace many other Australian cities and towns, with jobs growing at double the rate of the population.

Tourism is booming, too. The 2023-24 financial year was Geelong and The Bellarine region’s busiest on record, with 6.4 million visitors making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country. It’s not hard to see why: beyond the city’s prime positioning at the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road, Geelong’s tenacity and cultural ambition stands out.

As Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design, Geelong is swiftly shaking off its industrial past to become a model for urban renewal, innovation, sustainability and creative communities. The signs are everywhere, from the revitalisation of the city’s waterfront, and the landmark design of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Arts Centre, to the growing network of local designers, architects and artists, and the burgeoning roster of festivals and events. That’s not even mentioning the adaptive reuse of storied old industrial buildings – from Federal Mills, to Little Creatures’ brewery ‘village’ housed within a 1920s textile mill – or the city’s flourishing food and wine scene.

The rise of a food and wine destination

Restaurant 1915 is housed within a restored former boiler house. (Image: Harry Pope/Two Palms)

Traynor credits now-closed local restaurant Igni, which opened in 2016, as the turning point for Geelong’s hospo industry. “[Aaron Turner, Igni’s chef-patron] was probably the first guy, with all due respect, to raise the bar food-wise for Geelong,” he says. “People now treat it really seriously, and there’s clearly a market for it.” While Igni is gone, Turner now helms a string of other notable Geelong venues, including The Hot Chicken Project and Tacos y Liquor, all within the buzzy, street art-speckled laneways of the CBD’s Little Malop Street Precinct. Many others have also popped up in Igni’s wake, including Federal Mills’ own restaurant, 1915 . Housed within the cavernous boiler house, 1915’s interior is dramatic: soaring, vaulted ceilings with timber beams, exposed brick, a huge arched window. The share plates echo the space’s bold character, playing with contrast and texture, with dishes such as a compressed watermelon tataki, the sweet, juicy squares tempered by salty strands of fried leeks, and charred, smoky snow peas dusted with saganaki on a nutty bed of romesco.

The Woolstore , one of The Hamilton Group’s most recent hospo projects, opened in February. It occupies a century-old riverside warehouse and exudes a more sultry, fine dining ambience. Much like Federal Mills, the blueprint was to preserve the original brickwork, tallowwood flooring and nods to the building’s former life. That same careful consideration extends to the well-versed, affable waitstaff as well as the kitchen. Head chef Eli Grubb is turning out an eclectic mix of ambitious and indulgent mod Oz dishes that deliver: strikingly tender skewers of chicken tsukune, infused with hints of smoke from the parrilla grill, and glazed with a moreish, sweet gochujang ‘jam’; nduja arancini fragrant with hints of aniseed and the earthy lick of sunny saffron aioli; and golden squares of potato pavé, adorned with tiny turrets of crème fraîche, crisp-fried saltbush leaves, and Avruga caviar, to name but a few stand-out dishes.

Woolstore menu — Woolstore’s menu is designed for sharing.

Breathing new life into historic spaces

On the city’s fringe, hidden down a winding side road with little fanfare, lies a long-dormant site that’s being gently revived. Built from locally quarried bluestone and brick, and dating back to the 1870s, the complex of original tin-roofed mill buildings is lush with greenery and backs onto the Barwon River and Buckley Falls; the audible rush of water provides a soothing soundtrack. Fyansford Paper Mill is one of few complexes of its time to survive intact. It feels steeped in history and spellbindingly rustic.

“We were looking for an old industrial place that had some charm and romance to it,” explains Sam Vogel, the owner, director and winemaker at Provenance Wines which moved here in 2018. When he first viewed the building with his former co-owner, it was in such a state of disrepair that the tradie tenant occupying the space had built a shed within it to escape the leaking roof and freezing winter temperatures. “To say it was run down would be an understatement,” he notes. “There was ivy growing through the place; the windows were all smashed. It was a classic Grand Designs project.”

Provenance Wines moved to Fyansford Paper Mill in 2018. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

The team has since invested more than a million dollars into their new home. Where paper processing machinery once sat, wine barrels are now stacked. Vaulted cathedral ceilings are strung with festoon lights, and hidden in plain sight lies a shadowy mural by local street artist de rigueur Rone – one of only three permanent works by the artist.

While the award-winning, cool-climate pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay naturally remain a key draw at Provenance, the winery’s restaurant is a destination in itself. Impressed already by whipsmart service, I devour one of the most cleverly curated and faultlessly executed degustations I’ve had in some time. It’s all prepared in a kitchen that is proudly zero-waste, and committed to providing seasonal, ethical and locally sourced meat and produce under head chef Nate McIver. Think free-range venison served rare with a syrupy red wine jus and a half-moon of neon-orange kosho, shokupan with a deeply savoury duck fat jus (a modern Japanese take on bread and drippings), and a golden potato cake adorned with a colourful confetti of dehydrated nasturtiums and tomato powder, and planted atop a sea urchin emulsion.

handcrafted pieces — Bell’s handcrafted functional pieces on display.

The complex is home to a coterie of independent businesses, including a gallery, a jeweller, and its latest tenant, ceramicist Elizabeth Bell, drawn here by the building’s “soul”. “There’s so much potential for these buildings to have new life breathed into them,” says Bell, whose studio is housed within the old pump room. “Even people in Geelong don’t know we’re here,” she says. “It’s definitely a destination, but I like that. It has a really calming atmosphere.”

A Melbourne transplant, Bell now feels at home in Geelong, which offers something Melbourne didn’t. “If this business was in Melbourne I don’t think it would’ve been as successful,” she notes. “It’s very collaborative in Geelong, and I don’t think you get that as much in Melbourne; you’re a bit more in it for yourself. Here it’s about community over competition.”

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