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.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.