Single Minded - Travel ideas for the single traveller

If you want to travel footloose and fancy free, and wouldn’t mind meeting other people travelling footloose and fancy freer, David Whitley done the research for you. The rest is in your hands . . .

Party then relax in Byron Bay

The local council in Byron Bay is probably the most fiercely protectionist in the country, banning pretty much any development as they try to stop a mass migration to Australia’s most easterly town. In fact, it’s a wonder that colour TV was begrudgingly allowed to slip through the net.

Despite all efforts though, Byron is a closet party town. It’s far less in-your-face than the Gold Coast, but the likes of Cheeky Monkey’s (115 Jonson Street, [02] 6685 5886), Cocomangas (32 Jonson Street, [02] 6685 8493) and La La Land (6 Lawson Street, [02] 6680 7070) are always full of people drinking and dancing. Often on tables.

If you’re after somewhere for a blow-out with a group of mates, but without being swathed in neon, there are few better places. Paradoxically, Byron is also very chilled out. Hippies roam the town like stray dogs telling people they’re beautiful, and the beaches are fabulous. For those considering heading up alone, it’s also a major stop-off on the backpacker circuit, which means that at any one time there’ll be thousands of people travelling independently who are fairly open to meeting someone new.

Take the ultimate road trip across the Nullarbor

The advantage of travelling without a family or partner in tow is that you can take on the areas of the country that are as appetising to them as a pickled herring, custard and chilli powder sandwich. The Nullarbor Plain, which covers much of the way from Port Augusta in South Australia to Perth in WA, is definitely one of those places. To some it’s awesome, mind-stretching, peaceful solitude; to others it’s abject purgatorial tedium. Either way it’s one of the ultimate road trips, whether as a bonding experience with whomever you can trick into coming along, or as a solo excursion to clear the head.

There are two routes available: the more scenic is along the south coast, where there are a fair few coastal towns to stop at; the more adventurous is straight through the plain, where it’s just spinifex and the occasional roadhouse until you get to the frontier WA mining town of Kalgoorlie.

One option is the Indian Pacific train (13 21 47 or www.trainways.com.au), on which you’ll at least come into contact with other humans. It takes 38.5 hours from Adelaide to Perth and costs from $309. To get the real deal, though, you need to drive it – in which case you’ll need plenty of time, plenty of fuel, plenty of water and more than one CD. The Nullarbor is one place you do not want to get stranded, especially with The Eagles on a constant loop.

Join the masses in Sydney

While many of Sydney’s attractions are rather overrated for the single traveller, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better city over Christmas and New Year. For a start, it has become a focal point for travelling orphans from across the globe on Christmas Day. Overstretched surf rescue teams (hundreds had to be pulled from the sea on December 25, 2003) have seen alcohol bans brought in on Bondi, Coogee and Manly beaches, but a we’re-going-to-have-fun-family-or-no-family atmosphere still prevails. As for the New Year’s Eve festivities, you’ll probably be sharing the harbour with more than a million others, so it’s a case of picking your spot; many are family-orientated, but some are less so. Embarkation Park in Potts Point is an excellent example – it has great views, live music and you can bring alcohol in.

Head to the Red Centre

The major sting of travelling alone – especially on an extended trip – is paying double price for accommodation. For a ten-day trip from Melbourne to central Australia and back, the price can get prohibitively expensive unless you rope someone else into sharing a room. However, some companies do cater for the singles market, and as long as you’re prepared to share a twin room with a stranger of the same gender, you’ll be able to get underway without needing to bother the bank manager. Solo Traveller ([03] 9859 9521 or www.solotraveller.com.au ) is running a week-and-a-half’s jaunt to Uluru, taking in the likes of King’s Canyon, opal cutting in Coober Pedy, and wino heaven in the Barossa Valley on the way. It leaves on December 28 and costs $909pp.

Spend Christmas in Tasmania

If you’re looking for a more upmarket tour for single travellers, then Single Travel Connections ([08] 8293 6988 or www.singlestravel.com.au ) is running a nine-day trip to Tassie from Melbourne. With guaranteed single rooms, luxury transport and quality meals that could sink many a sturdy ship, this isn’t the adventurous, stripped-back option. However, it does include many of Tasmania’s highlights, including Lake St Clair National Park, the penguin colony at Bicheno and the world’s longest single-span chairlift at Cataract Gorge. It’s pricey at $3285, and it can certainly be done cheaper independently. However, company is guaranteed.

Go on a surf camp

At least 80 percent of people have an image of surfers as no-good lazy wasters, happy to spend their days frolicking around in the ocean at taxpayers’ expense. The other 20 percent have actually tried it and are either doing it or are deeply envious of those who can. A few days off from work during the festive period offers the perfect chance to join that minority – although the whole long-blond-hair, excessively-slow-drawl-and-thongs thing is strictly optional. Surfing lessons can be taken all over the country – try Surfing Australia ([02] 6674 9888 or www.surfingaustralia.com ) to find a local surf school. However, to make a proper holiday of it, get some serious practice in, meet new people and see some virtually untouched coastline at the same time, going to camp for a couple of days is far more satisfactory.

If you’re prepared to really get deep down and dirty with Mama Nature on the west coast, sleeping in a swag under the stars, try The Wedge Island Surf Company ([08] 9336 6773 or www.wedgeislandsurfco.com.au). Their two-day surfari to excellent beginners’ breaks 90 minutes north of Perth costs from $179. Another option is a five-day Sydney to Byron Bay (and back) surfing expedition. Waves Surf School (1800 851 101 or www.wavessurfschool.com.au ) does one for $479.

There’s no better place to unwind than the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges – a leafy and idyllic region shrouded in mist, fern-filled gullies and a peaceful atmosphere.

Wrapped in the crisp mountain air, ancient ferns and ethereally verdant landscapes of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges , you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in another world (or at least another part of the planet).

But this gorgeous pocket is under an hour from Melbourne, a mix of top-notch food and wine, boutique stays and forested scenery that make for an easy weekend away or even a midweek escape. In fact, visiting during the week can offer a deeply relaxing experience, with fewer crowds and more space to linger.

If you’re keen to unwind, here’s how to spend your time in this idyllic neck of the woods.

Where to eat

From farm gates to cosy eateries, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges house a plethora of places to feast. Start your day with a leisurely brunch and coffee at Ripe . This local hangout combines warm hospitality and hearty cafe fare against a backdrop of the hills’ iconic tree-fern canopies. It’s also nestled in the heart of Sassafras, the quaint village that best captures the Dandenong Ranges’ old-world charm.

Next, take yourself on a gastronomic adventure. Visit Yarra Valley Dairy , a regional favourite doing handmade cheeses, or Cherry Hill Orchards , where in summer you can pick your own cherries and enjoy them in the farm’s picturesque grounds. Treat yourself to a tasting at one of the Yarra Valley’s renowned wineries to finish – Rochford , Re’em and De Bortoli are standout picks for a sample of the region’s signature drops.

By night, book a table at either Citrine in the mountain town of Olinda or restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley. Both do elevated seasonal fare paired with excellent drinks.

And if you’re simply in the mood for a tipple, you’re spoiled for choice. The Alpine Hotel in riverside Warburton is a historic and character-filled spot pouring pints and locally made drinks, while Four Pillars is a must for gin lovers. The distillery’s award-winning spirits are famed nationwide, but here you can try them right from the source.

Things to do outdoors

two people walking through Dandenong Ranges National Park — Wander the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

A motley patchwork of misty rainforest, rugged bushscapes and beautifully tended gardens, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are some of Melbourne’s most scenic pockets. No visit to the region would be complete without a wander through its lush surrounds, either by bike or on foot.

The Ngurrak Barring trail stretches 39 kilometres through the Dandenong Ranges, connecting the towns and fern-filled forests that make the hills so unique. Along the way, be immersed in thought-provoking art installations and cultural stories, sharing a different perspective of this ancient landscape.

While in the area, wander through Cloudehill Garden & Nursery and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens , situated in Olinda. The cooler climate, rich volcanic soil and consistent rainfall offer both gardens ideal conditions for vivid and vibrant flora.

Over in the Yarra Valley, the 40-kilometre Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is a flat and family-friendly path perfect for leisurely bike rides and longer walks. It takes you through vine-lined scenery and towns like Seville and Wandin. Biking enthusiasts should head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, a network of 160 kilometres of trails that traverse through untamed terrain.

For a more laidback outing, Alowyn Gardens encompasses seven acres of themed gardens perfect for a meandering stroll. The nearly 100-metre-long wisteria archway that connects different garden zones is a highlight – especially in October, when the lilac blossoms are in spectacular bloom.

The arts and culture scene

Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges are havens for arts and culture thanks to their inspiring landscapes and thriving creative community. Naturally, a slower escape should include a visit to some of the region’s best studios and galleries.

The TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville showcases modern and contemporary Australian art, with both a permanent collection and a rotating display of thoughtful exhibitions. The building and grounds are well worth exploring: a striking architectural landmark amid landscaped lawns and open-air sculptures overlooking the Yarra Valley.

Delve into the area’s rich history at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum , a treasure trove of more than 13,000 unique pieces. See everything from Indigenous artefacts to archival photographs and historical objects that tell the region’s story.

On your way back to the city, stop by the leafy enclave of Eltham to discover Montsalvat . This five-acre artistic playground is Australia’s oldest continuous art community, combining galleries, Gothic-style buildings and expansive heritage gardens.

Stay at a local retreat

Re’em yarra valley accommodation — Re’em is an ideal pick for an indulgent stay.

No matter your style, and no matter your budget, you’ll find a suitable spot in the region to rest your head. If the weather is warm and the sky is clear, set up a tent at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park or Pine Hill Cabin & Caravan Park. The former has secluded camping spots surrounded by tranquil bushland and local wildlife, along with glamping pods and cabins. The latter has powered and unpowered sites suitable for all kinds of campers, and is pet-friendly if you’re travelling with your four-legged friend.

Or, book yourself into the RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort – a sprawling retreat complete with stylish rooms and luxe amenities that invite you to unwind. Relax at the day spa, tee off at the 18-hole golf course, or recharge with a round of tennis or a few laps in the pool.

And if you’re after something truly indulgent, Re’em is an ideal pick. A boutique collection of just 16, the luxuriously appointed rooms feature plush linens, high-end amenities and oversized baths with panoramic views across the estate. A gourmet breakfast showcasing gorgeous local produce is also included.

Start planning your reset getaway at visityarravalley.com.au.

Single Minded – Travel ideas for the single traveller