10 Helpful Tips For Solo Travel In Australia

Travelling solo is an art that takes a bit of fine-tuning, but once you get it right, you’ll never want to stop.

Whether you’re excited or terrified by the prospect of solo travel in Australia, here are some top tips to help get you on your way.

1. Embrace the unknown

When you’re going somewhere you’ve never been before it’s comforting to have a familiar face along for the ride. But rather than worrying about going it alone, see it as a chance find out just what you’re capable of when you’re the only one in the driver’s seat.

Jurien Bay Skydive — You’ll be surprised what you can do when you travel solo. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Plan ahead but don’t panic if those plans don’t go as smoothly as you’d hoped. If the last few years have taught us anything it’s that we can’t control everything in life and flexibility is key. Stay open to where any twists and turns may take you. It may not be where you set out to go, but you could come home with even better memories and stories.

Stay open to whatever opportunities come your way. (Image: Tourism Australia)

2. Talk to strangers

Some people can happily talk to anyone, anywhere. For others conversations are things best saved for people they already know and love. Depending on the day I could be in either of these camps and can happily spend days talking to no one, or find myself chatting to strangers about anything under the sun.

When you’re travelling solo there’s a lot to be said for talking to strangers. If they’re local they can tell you more about the place you’re visiting. If they’re a fellow traveller you can swap tales and tips.

To stay on the safe side, don’t tell people you’ve just met that you’re travelling alone. A phantom partner who’s either back in the hotel room or about to meet you for dinner can help create a safety buffer until you’re confident you’re in the right kind of company.

If you’re a bit rusty on the striking-up conversations with strangers side of things try asking them questions about their favourite things to do, see and eat around town. If they like to chat you could be there for hours. And if they don’t then thank them for their short reply and let them get back to their day.

Man talking to worker on Willie Cruises serving oysters drinking a Coopers Pale Ale. — You’ll learn a lot by speaking to strangers. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Enjoy dining alone

Solomangarephobia is a fear of eating alone in public and while I’ve never known that fear I know what it’s like to feel other people looking at me when I’m dining alone, especially when I treat myself to a solo meal in a good restaurant.

If you’re worried about eating by yourself a counter seat or a seat at the bar can be a great option. I’ve had some very entertaining conversations with chefs, bar staff and fellow single diners at a counter seat.

Meal and beer at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm — Just because you’re on your own, doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a gourmet meal. (Image: Tourism Australia)

As easy as it is to disappear into your phone, force yourself to put your devices away and take in where you are. Really taste that food that you’ve never eaten before. Even if it’s an old favourite dish, you’ve never had it here so how does it compare?

If you’d rather have some kind of distraction bring a book or magazine, or take the time to write in a travel journal or catch up on postcards rather than scrolling social media.

Gourmet dishes and cocktail. — Try to embrace your solo dining experience rather than escaping into your phone. (Image: Tourism Australia)

4. Be patient

With yourself and with others. When you step out of your comfort zone you’re bound to have some frustrating moments. Whether it’s failing to immediately grasp a new public transport system or getting lost after taking a wrong turn, take a breath and reboot. Allow extra time for figuring some things out slowly and be kind to yourself when you get things wrong.

Extend the same courtesies to everyone you meet on your travels. Some things may not be done as quickly as you’re used to back home, but with so many short-staffed businesses around Australia, the people behind the counters are the ones who turned up and are doing their best.

Aerial shot of boat on beach. — Step out of your comfort zone. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Pack your hiking boots

Really get to know a special corner of Australia on two feet. You can either be inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild experience and go completely solo, or if you’re like me and want to walk the walk but not pitch your own tent you can join a guided hike.

Spicers overhead shot of a man travelling solo in Australia — The spectacular mountain view on top is worth the hike. (Image: Spicers Scenic Rim)

As a solo traveller on Spicer’s Scenic Rim Trail , I was able to hike 88km up and along Queensland’s Great Dividing Range with nothing more than a day pack. As well as having the security and safety of a guide I loved the chance to get to know fellow hikers both on the trail and over drinks and dinners every night.

female hikers traversing the Spicers Scenic Rim trail — Safely traverse the Spicers Scenic Rim trail with a hiking guide. (Image: Spicers Scenic Rim)

There are short and long walks to find around Australia including Tasmania’s Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, South Australia’s Arkaba Walk and the Northern Territory’s Larapinta Trek, and some companies offer no single supplement deals so you don’t have to pay more to go solo.

Woman with sleeping bag at the Elder Camp on the Arkaba Walk in South Australia's Flinders Ranges. — The Arkaba Walk is great for solo travellers. (Image: Wild Bush Luxury / Great Walks of Australia)

6. Join a group

If your friends and family aren’t interested in joining you on your dream trip but you’d rather not go it alone, a group holiday could be the answer. When I joined an Inspiring Journeys tour I went from an Indigenous tour of the Daintree and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to seeing Field of Light at Uluru at hiking Kings Canyon at sunrise.

Kings Canyon photography at Inspiring Journeys — Kings Canyon is a true spectacle you don’t want to miss. (Image: Inspiring Journeys)

As well as handing over all of the logistics to the experts, you’ll get the chance to share the trip with other travellers. Companies will often know the best things to do in any location and have tickets to events or experiences that can sell out in advance.

Uluru lit up during Field of Light. — Companies will know the best things to do in any location. (Image: Tourism Australia)

With tours tailored to different kinds of travelling styles as well as destinations, you may even meet some like-minded travel friends for future adventures.

Indigenous tour in the Daintree Rainforest — Tours are tailored to different kinds of travelling styles. (Image: Walkabout Cultural Adventures)

7. Set sail

Another way to go it alone without really going it alone. I’ve enjoyed cabins for one on boats and ships that have had anywhere from 10 to 4,000 passengers. Sailing solo gives you a chance to be as social or as quiet as you like and at meals there’s almost always a table where you can join other people or you can simply request to dine alone.

Cruise ship in Sydney Harbour — Cruising is a good way to meet other people while travelling. (Image: Tourism Australia)

As with group tours you don’t have to worry about orchestrating any plans, and on a ship you don’t have to keep packing and unpacking your bags either. On a tour around Tasmania’s wild coast with Coral Expeditions I was able to see wilderness spots I couldn’t have reached by car and after sharing travel tales over meals I could retire to my cabin alone.

exploring the crystal blue waters — Australia’s powdery white beaches have sparkling emerald blue waters. (Image: Coral Expeditions)

Coral Expeditions are among the cruise companies that offer to match single guests with people of the same gender to avoid single supplements, and also have a Standby Singles offer where you could get a cabin to yourself with no single supplement depending on availability.

Woman taking selfie on ship deck. — Look around for a cruise line that doesn’t charge more for singles. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Some cruise lines including Cunard and Celebrity Cruises also have solo staterooms built for one but as single cabins and fares are limited it’s best to book well ahead.

Ships docked in Melbourne — Some cruise lines have solo staterooms. (Image: Tourism Australia)

8. Be beach smart

Australian beaches are pretty sweet places to get away from it all and while most people can be trusted unfortunately there are times when you shouldn’t just put your valuables in your shoes when you go for a dip. Well, that’s unless they’re a pair of reef or waterproof shoes with pockets. Then you’re good to go.

Person sitting on beach in Pelorus Island Beach Cave. — Beaching solo is great fun, just make sure you do it safely. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Some beaches have lockers but when they don’t you’re best off leaving valuables either in the hotel safe or hidden in the car if you’re between rooms on a road trip. A waterproof phone pouch can fit your phone, room card and a little cash when you go for a swim, or you can also buy a small portable safe to attach to a table or umbrella.

If you decide to bury your things in the sand make sure you’re subtle about it and use a zip-lock bag. And if there’s a lifeguard on duty get a spot in front of them as most thieves will avoid areas where they think someone is watching.

woman travelling alone in Australia and walking alone on sandy beach — Hear the soft sounds of the waves caressing the shore.

9. Stay safe

Even though Australia is a pretty safe country to travel around it’s still a good idea to do some simple things to help make your solo trip a safe one.

Pop a rubber doorstop in your bag for those times when your hotel room doesn’t have a deadbolt or security latch. They’re small and light and can stop an intruder in their tracks.

I like to tell empty hotel rooms that I’ll see them soon and then say I’m back when I open the door so that it looks like I’m not alone. Asking for two keys at check-in if there’s anyone else around is also a good idea.

Resist sharing where you are on social media until you’ve checked out. I once shared a drink with two influencers who discovered to their horror that the champagne that was sent to their room wasn’t from hotel management but from a man who liked their latest Instagram story a bit too much.

And while smart international readers will already have this covered a tip for our fellow Australians. While you may only think about travel insurance when you’re heading overseas it can come in very handy in your own country too. Domestic travel insurance policies can kick in when you’re anywhere between 50 and 250km from home and depending on the policy could cover you for delays and cancellations and lost or damaged belongings.

woman after checking in her hotel while travelling solo in Australia — Make sure you feel comfy and secure in your hotel room.

10. Have fun

And finally, in a world where so many of our decisions involve friends, family and work enjoy every moment of a trip that’s all about you.

Solo travel allows you to choose everything you do from the places you go and the things you see to what time you want to have breakfast in the morning and go to bed at night. And if you decide at the last minute to turn that 7 am breakfast into an 11 am brunch, that’s okay too.

Woman is swimming at Eco Beach swimming pool. — Solo travel allows you to go at your own pace. (Image: Tourism Australia)

It’s self-indulgent in the best of possible ways, and as well as discovering new things in new places, you may find that you learn a lot about yourself on the way too.

Car dricing along dirt road in Broome — Be self-indulgent, you deserve it. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Just over an hour from Melbourne, spectacular walking and hiking trails encompass ancient landscapes, forested ridgelines and volcanic peaks.

Just a short drive from the city, the urban sprawl gives way to rolling hills, mineral springs, and lush forests that will have you feeling like you’re in the bucolic countryside of France. Encompassing Daylesford , the Macedon Ranges, Castlemaine and the Central Goldfields, this pocket of Victoria is a region where nature, art, and wellness intertwine. Heritage towns hum with creativity, good food and wine, and welcoming locals. While Daylesford hikes, and those nearby, offer the chance to take a pause and reconnect with nature.

1. Hanging Rock Summit Walk

Etched into folklore, few places in Australia carry as much mystique as Hanging Rock. Rising dramatically from the plains near Woodend, this volcanic mamelon offers a beautiful nature walk. The walk begins at a gentle pace, weaving through shaded woodland before it gets a little steeper as the path starts to climb and twist to the summit. From here, you’ll have views that stretch across the Macedon Ranges. The walk is roughly 1.8 kilometres return, but the real reward lies in standing among the weathered boulders, feeling the age and energy of the earth beneath your feet.

2. Macedon Ranges Walking Trail

Macedon Ranges Walking Trail camel's hump lookout — Walk to Camel’s Hump. (Image: Clair Derwort)

The Macedon Ranges Walking Trail traverses around 19 kilometres of forest and mountain landscapes. The full trail is a six-hour circuit, with most of the walk being a grade three; however, you don’t have to tackle it all at once. There are shorter walks that will take you through the tall mountain ash forests, to tranquil picnic areas, and sweeping views from Camels Hump and the Memorial Cross. The best times of year to head out are autumn, when the mountain turns into a tapestry of crimson and gold, and spring, when wildflowers brighten the trail.

3. Mount Alexander Traverse

Towering above the goldfields near Castlemaine, Mount Alexander is a granite giant that offers some great bushwalking trails. The Mount Alexander Traverse winds along the mountain’s rocky spine through dry eucalypt forest that opens up in sections to reveal beautiful panoramas across Loddon Valley and all the way to the distant Grampians. Once a site of ancient volcanic activity (and later a gathering place for the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the mountain’s granite tors are now quiet and create a beautiful, serene atmosphere for a moment of reflection while walking.

4. Murmuring Walk

Murmuring Walk daylesford hikes — Circle the picturesque Sanatorium Lake.

Located an easy drive from Daylesford, Murmuring Walk offers something a little different. Circling Sanatorium Lake, this free audio-guided walk aims to immerse you in the rhythms of Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country by blending the sounds of nature with a multi-layered soundtrack. There are two routes to explore while you listen: a shorter loop around the lake itself and a longer circuit that extends deeper into the woodland.

5. La Gerche Forest Walk

Located in Creswick, the La Gerche Forest Walk honours the legacy of John La Gerche, a 19th-century forester who championed the regeneration of the then gold-rush-ravaged land. Today, over 100 years later, his replanting efforts have grown into a living cathedral of towering pines, oaks, and native gums. As you meander along the 2.2-kilometre circuit, you’ll find interpretive panels along the way that help tell the story of La Gerche’s vision, so you can learn as you wander.

6. Sailors Falls Loop

Just outside Daylesford, Sailors Falls tumbles through a fern-lined gorge, fed by mineral springs. Thought to be named after the sailors who jumped ship to seek gold in the area during the 1850s gold rush, the loop walk begins at the car park and descends through a cool, shaded gully to the base of the falls. From here, you’ll make the climb back via the mineral springs. It’s a short but enchanting walk – about 1.5 kilometres in total, so make a day of it by packing a picnic to sit by the springs; you’ll feel worlds away from the city.

7. Paddys Ranges Loop Walk

Further north, the Paddys Ranges State Park loop reveals a different side of Victoria’s Heartland – dry forest, golden light and hints of a gold-rush past. This protected reserve is a stronghold of box-ironbark woodland, providing vital refuge for endangered species. In spring, the forest floor is awash with the colour of over 230 species of wildflowers, so a springtime walk is a must-do. As you walk the 4.5-kilometre loop trail, keep an eye out for remnants of old mine shafts and rusted relics from the prospectors who once sought their fortunes here.

8. Mount Franklin Summit Walk

An extinct volcano turned picnic ground, Mount Franklin (known as Lalgambook to the Dja Dja Wurrung people) is one of the region’s quiet marvels. The summit walk follows a narrow, winding path through native forest to the crater’s rim, where you’ll get glimpses of farmland and forest below. It’s a moderate climb – just over an hour return, so it can easily be done if you’re camping in the surrounding reserve for a weekend nature retreat.

The trails of Victoria’s Heartland offer a chance to reconnect with the landscape, local history and yourself. Start planning your next adventure at daylesfordmacedonlife.com.au.

10 helpful tips for travelling solo in Australia