Solo Travel Holiday Ideas

With an increasing number of solo travel holiday options emerging, Alena Duykers looks into some of the best on offer for Aussie ladies who want to go it alone.

When Sue Hile went in search of a holiday package that was exclusively for women and suited to her desire for adventure, her hunt proved difficult. Inspired by an obvious gap in the market, she decided to open her own travel company named Adventurous Women, which for the last three years has offered women with the same sense of adventure various options to explore the globe.

Specifically for solo travelers, Adventurous Women also offers a forum on their website that allows women to discuss their travel plans and find a female travel partner with similar interests. The company also gives traveler’s advice on how to get around the single supplement.

One of their best Aussie options is the ‘Adventurous Women’s Outback Adventure’. For $1099, participants can go on a nine-day camping trip from Adelaide to the Red Centre and learn about some of Australia’s most iconic attractions along the way. But this trip is not for princesses so if you’re after something a bit more easy going, there are many more options to choose from.

For women looking for luxury, there is Boutique Tours & Travel. Again a female-only travel business, they offer textile and ceramic tours, cuisine and cultural tours and other private travel options in Australia and overseas.

There are plenty of options available for women looking to travel in a female only environment.

For example, for women who are serious shoppers and want to discover some of the best shopping precincts in America, then tour company Travel Addictions is ideal.

If you’re considering travelling to a variety of different locations overseas, than other female tour companies like Sisterhood Womens Travel, Girls on Tour and Getaways for girls may be for you.

Group tours and cruises are another great option for solo travellers, with businesses such as Abercrombie & Kent catering to singles and offering solo savings. Abercrombie & Kent also guarantee to waive the single supplement fee or reduce it by as much as 75 percent, depending on the tour.

But for those on a tighter budget, consider combining voluntary work with your holiday plans.

For example, those interested in the environment and wildlife can go on a six-day camp at Camp Chivaree in Mapoon, Cape York, where volunteers help save Cape York Sea Turtles. The camp includes training on how to care for the endangered animals.

If bird-watching is of interest, Bird Tours Australia offers the ‘Eight Habitats Tour’. For $250, participants are taken to some of Australia’s most beautiful coastal rainforests and woodlands to enjoy breathtaking views in ideal bird-watching territory. If you’re interested in over night bird watching trips than visit the Bird Tours Australia website to find the tour that is suited to you.

Photography enthusiasts can embark on Australian photographic safaris and camping tours with River Deep Mountain High. Based in a variety of different locations like the Blue Mountains, the Simpson Desert, Central Australia, south-west Queensland, remote WA, the Flinders Ranges and other beautiful settings around Australia. This tour group helps participants build their skills while seeing the country.

Whatever the interest, there’s bound to be a solo travel option to suit.

DETAILS

Adventurous Women // 1300 388 419 or 0423 057 994// www.adventurouswomen.com.au

Boutique Tours & Travel // 0411 116 925 // www.boutiquetours.com.au

Travel Addictions // 0418 787 128 // www.traveladdiction.com.au

Sisterhood Womens Travel // 1300 885 255 // www.sisterhoodwomenstravel.com.au/

Girls on Tour // 0409 057 417// www.girlsontour.com.au

Getaways for girls // 0410 645282// www.getawaysforgirls.com/

Abercrombie & Kent // (03) 9536 1807 // www.akdmc.com

Cape York Turtle Rescue // 1800 032 501 // www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

River Deep Mountain High // 02 4782 6109 // www.rdmh.com.au

Bird Tours Australia // (02) 4923 6819 // www.birdingtours.com.au

Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour. — Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

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3. The city as a canvas

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art. — Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

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5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude.

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background. — Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW. — Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor. Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection. — Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra. — Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.