Let’s first get one thing out of the way: solo travel in Australia is a fantastic idea. Australia is a wonderful country for solo travel as it has SO much to offer, from landscapes and culture to food and history.
Australia is a treasure trove of unforgettable opportunities for solo travelers, and it’s a frequented spot for backpackers, gap year adventurers, and first-time visitors. But what should you know before solo traveling in Australia?
I have lived in Australia on and off for many years. I started by solo traveling around the whole country, then I lived/worked in Sydney and did my farm work in Western Australia. I came back and did my second-year working holiday visa in Melbourne. I traveled more, met an Aussie boy, and have been returning and living there on and off ever since (and have visited every state/territory now)! So I would love to share some knowledge from my experiences in Australia to help yours.
You are in the right place if you want to know the best places to go and stay while solo traveling in Australia, how to get around, how to save money, how to make friends, which visa options you have, and information about safety, working, and top experiences for solo travelers.
FAQ About Solo Travel in Australia
Yes! With standard precautions and vigilance, solo travel in Australia is very safe. The crime rate in Australia is very low and the government/political system is stable. The police are friendly and trustworthy for the most part, and most communities and public transport is very safe even for a solo traveler.
First, pick a destination to start from! This will likely be Sydney or Melbourne as these are the best cities to travel from. Next, pick your accommodation (many solo travelers in Australia choose hostels to meet people). Then, figure out your itinerary and transport. Many opt for busses, rental cars, or group tours. Then, enjoy! Keep reading for more info.
This depends where you are going, but ideally the best time to solo travel in Australia is during the Aussie summer, which is about December to March. You will want to spend the hottest months farther south (think, Jan and Feb in Melbourne, Tasmania, etc) and spend the shoulder seasons farther north (think Nov-Dec or March-April in Queensland, Perth, Sydney) as they will remain warmer longer.
Where to Stay While Solo Traveling in Australia
My best tip for solo travel in Australia would be to stay in hostels! When staying at hostels, you are never truly solo because you can always meet friends who also want to explore and enjoy the country. Hostels are also the most affordable accommodation option while traveling in Australia (and many have private rooms, too)!
To meet other travelers, simply chat with people in your room or head to the common room and join group activities, and already you are solo no longer! Hostels are a uniquely social and inclusive space perfect for solo travel. I have included some top hostel recommendations for each destination below.
Best Places to Travel Solo in Australia & What to Do There
There are so many EPIC places to visit when you solo travel in Australia that it’s hard to narrow it down. Here is a brief overview of the best places to travel solo in Australia and why, and the top things to do in each place. Keep scrolling past destinations for my top tips for solo travel in Australia.
Victoria + Melbourne
Melbourne is my beloved city that I fell in love with (and also fell in love with a local)! I have spent over 2 years in and around Melbourne/Victoria and think this is the most welcoming place for a solo traveler in Australia to begin their journey. People here are a bit more open to making friends than they are in Sydney, and there are some awesome things to do in/around Melbourne:
- Great Ocean Road Trip is the number 1 thing you MUST do in Victoria (and I recommend this day tour or check out my Great Ocean Road self-drive itinerary if you rent a car)
- Other day trips from Melbourne in my post here
- Explore the city, tiny laneways, hidden bars, amazing food, coffee shops, nightlife, beaches, museums, and more! Here are the best places to visit in Melbourne organized by suburb.
Top Hostel Recommendation: Nomads St Kilda (formerly Bse Backpackers) is awesome. St Kilda is the most backpacker-y area of Melbourne with more opportunities to make friends, and you can easily tram into the city (and my friend manages it)!
New South Wales
New South Wales has some iconic destinations. Here are the best for solo travel in Australia.
Sydney
Sydney is home to iconic attractions that define Australia, such as the majestic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Bondi Beach hosts some of the finest surfing experiences worldwide and is ideal for backpackers and beach time, as well as Manly Beach (where I lived when I first moved to Australia). Here are some of the best things to do in Sydney:
- Do the Harbor Bridge Climb, hit beaches like Bondi, Manly, and more, do a Sydney harbor cruise, and check out some amazing coastal walks in Sydney
- Experience the Nightlife: Sydney has great nightlife, from the bar scene to some cool clubs like S.A.S.H or The Star Casino, a luxurious 5-star hotel where many nights out in Sydney tend to end up. When you end up here, you’ll find live entertainment and Australian online pokies to enjoy while your buzz wears off 😉
Top Hostel Recommendation: the Sydney Harbor YHA is an obvious choice for a central and social hostel in Sydney where you can’t go wrong!
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is the quintessential Aussie hippie surf town with amazing views, great weather, and amazing vibes. Byron is a great place to learn to surf or scuba dive, or bse yourself for visits to surrounding hotspots like Nimbin or Springbrook National Park.
Top Hostel recommendation: Cape Byron YHA is EPIC, central, and social with a geat pool.
Queensland
Queensland is the most tropical state of Australia with the most cities and places to visit for solo travelers. Queensland has some of the best beach towns in Australia too which are perfect for solo travel. Here are the min places to know:
Cairns
Cairns is a prime spot for solo outdoorsy travelers to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in iconic spots such as the Daintree Forest and the Great Barrier Reef. Take a cruise along a river in the forest and witness nature up close – think rare birds, goannas, manta rays, and turtles – or learn to dive on the Great Barrier Reef itself.
Top Hostel recommendation: Gilligan’s is the choice for Cairns – one of the coolest hostels in Australia!
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is an iconic beach town in Queensland known for party vibes, surfing, and great views. Go to the SkyPoint Observation deck in the Q1 tower, hike at Burleigh Heads, and try cute cafes and bumping bars.
Top Hostel recommendation: BUNK Surfer’s Paradise is a Gold Coast favorite in a fantastic location!
Fraser Island / K’gari
The largest sand island in the world is full of adventures and perfect for solo travel in Australia! I recommend booking a day trip to Fraser Island (or a multi-day trip which includes accommodation) to experience the 70-mile sand beach, Lake Mckenzie, and more!
Whitsundays
The Whitsunday Islands are one of the most visited places in Australia for a reason! They are great for solo travelers because solos can join a group sailing trip through the Whitsundays for a few nights for an epic experience with new friends. It’s also great to stay in a hostel in Airlie Beach for a few days.
Western Australia + Perth
Western Australia is by far the largest state in Australia which is home to tons to do (and lots of farmland and desert too)! The West Coast is not as popular to travel as the East Coast because there’s not as much to do, but here are some top ideas:
- Explore Perth and its amazing beaches
- Head to Margaret River for great wine, and famous beach towns like Busselton and Albany
- Swim with Whale Sharks in Exmouth, explore the beaches or Broome, or the red rocky Kimberley Coast
Top Hostel recommendation: Start in Perth at Spinner’s Backpackers right in the center and meet friends to explore with!
Northern Territory: Uluru
It’s well worthwhile to make it to Australia’s ‘red center.’ From incredible historic aboriginal legends to incredible landscapes, this is the true Australia that you may have imagined before arriving! There are only a few places to stay, but my guide to Uluru accommodation will help you pick – for solo travel, the hostel and campground are the best bet.
Transport: How to Move Around When You Travel Australia Solo
It’s no secret that Australia is a MASSIVE country. So what are the best ways to get around? Here are the best ways to move around solo, or see below for group tours to join as a solo traveler.
Flights: Honestly, most people just fly between Australian cities. It’s not worth the bus journey! You will likely need to fly between places like Sydney and Melbourne, and you will DEFINITELY have to fly in/out of Perth, Uluru, and Cairns. Book Qantas or Vigin if you can afford it; Jetstar is the budget airline.
Greyhound Busses: If you are traveling up the coast, you might want to opt for a bus. Australia has greyhound busses that can take you longer distances.
Trains: Trains in Australia are more for city transport than long distance travel, but there are decent train lines in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. You can also book the famous Ghan train from Adelaide to Darwin! Learn more about train travel in Australia.
Rent a Car: For shorter journeys, the BEST way to explore Australia is definitely by having a car. It will be cheaper to share with new hostel friends.
Buy a Car/Van and Sell it at the End: Lots of travelers purchase vans/cars in Sydney/Melbourne and drive them up to Cairns (or vice versa) and sell them at the end. This is easier for long term/distance travel to have much more freedom at a better price.
Rideshare: Rideshare/carpooling is not as massive in Australia as it is in Europe, but it exists! Check out Coseats to join or post rides.
Group Tours: Th most painless way to travel Australia solo is by booking a group tour, which is what I did. See below.
Booking Group Tours to Travel Australia
When traveling solo in Australia, you will more than likely join group tours multiple times. Group tours allow you to meet people and simplify costs and travel.
You will likely book group trips to places like the Whitsundays, Great Barrier reef sailing, wine tasting, day trips, and more, and you will probably want to join groups for things like walking tours, surfing lessons, and yoga classes. But you can make planning even easier on yourself by booking a multi-destination group tour.
When I first arrived in Australia, I booked a 28-day Topdeck tour that went from Melborne to Adelaide and Uluru, over to Cairns and down to Sydney. It was the most EPIC way to see more of the country than many locals, and leave the planning to the experts while enjoying myself and making friends + memories.
The exact tour I did is not available anymore, but this tour with well-liked Globus is the most similar available currently.
Top Tips for Solo Travel in Australia
Here are the final tips to have the BEST experience solo traveling in Australia.
Consider a Working Visa to Work + Fund Your Trip!
Australia is one of the most popular countries for many young people from around the word to live and work in for a year or two. Australia offers the amazing working holiday visa to people under 30-35 to live and work in the country for a year with the opportunity to extend.
If you have time and are in the right age group, working in Australia is a great way to make a lot of money fast. Wages here are some of the highest in the world, and working is a great way to make friends, too. Learn more about moving to Australia on a WHV in my guide here.
If you want to have your hand held a bit more, check out this amazing company called Global Work & Travel. They help you apply for your visa, get transport to the country, and help you with your phone plan, bank account, housing, and even job interviews. They have built-in social events with a group of people who move at the same time. They are awesome!
Make Sure You Have a Visa in General
Even if you don’t opt for a working visa, you will at least need a tourist visa – likely the ETA ( which is good for 3 months at a time).
Everyone arriving must ensure that they are carrying a valid visa before entering Australia. Applications for this visa should be lodged in your country of origin. Alongside this, it is essential to have the financial and medical resources to gain entry and suitable travel insurance coverage throughout the journey.
Choosing the right kind of Australian tourist visa requires consideration of factors including the length of stay, passport country, age of traveler, and potential desire to work during the trip. Each has an effect on which visa is best suited to ensure the most enjoyable experience for all visitors:
- Visitor visa (600): Allows tourism visits to Australia for up to three months in duration or up to 12 months in certain instances. The visa is available to persons of any nationality.
- Working Holiday Visa (417): Enables individuals aged 18 to 35 to spend up to 12 months in the Land Down Under while participating in seasonal employment opportunities to help fund your exploration. However, certain nationality restrictions must be taken into consideration before applying.
- Electronic Travel Authority visa (601): This visa is designed exclusively for travelers from select nations and grants them access to multiple trips to Australia within a period of one year, each of which can last up to three months.
Stay in Hostels
As I mentioned, the best way to not feel alone when traveling solo is by staying in hostels. It’s so natural to meet people in hostels and you’ll leave with tons of new friends.
Go with the Flow – Leave Room for Flexibility!
One of the most important things to remember when traveling solo is that the unexpected can – and will – happen (in great ways and some not so much)! Always be flexible when traveling solo and leave your options open for interesting opportunities to arise.
Don’t be Afraid to Eat Solo + Chase Specials
Don’t be afraid to eat alone in Australia! It’s not strange (I do it ALL the time to this day) and is a great way to become comfortable being alone. Many hostels also have cafes that are very solo traveler-friendly.
Australia is full of weekly specials if you are on a budget. Pubs often have a deal each day of the week, such as an affordable chicken parma + drink or a hamburger, so many sure to check up on these.
For a truly social experience, you can try communal tables in restaurants or bustling food markets like Mindil Beach Sunset Market in Darwin, Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, or Adelaide Central Market.
How to Meet People When Traveling Australia Solo
Going solo when traveling can open up vast opportunities to get out of your comfort zone. Widen your horizon by connecting with new people in more ways than just one – whether it’s partaking in exciting experiences like climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 4-wheel driving on Fraser Island, and even indulging in a wine-tasting tour at the Barossa Valley.
Talk to strangers – you never know who could be a new friend. This is true especially in hostels, where everyone is open to meeting new people who want to explore. Joining a group tour as I mentioned above is also one of the best ways to meet people.
If you are staying in one place, try joining meetup events, sports teams, or even pub crawls to get yourself out there. There are now ‘friend’ options on many dating apps such as Bumble BFF.
With that being said, exploring some of Australia’s natural landscapes, such as Uluru at sunset and the twists and turns of the Great Ocean Road, provides the perfect excuse to venture out alone. Solo travel definitely allows for some much-needed self-reflection, creating an opportunity to discover something new about yourself. So don’t miss out on solo time, too.
Safety Tips for Solo Travel in Australia
As I already mentioned, Asutralia is a very safe country to travel. But here are a few things to think about:
- Not all places have wifi, especially in the more remote areas and islands (or it will cost money). It’s getting better, but Australia’s broadband is at lest a decade behind! Check for wifi in places you stay beforehand.
- Be sun safe! It’s true what they say – the ozone layer is actually thinner down under, and the sun is a LOT stronger than you may be used to, especially in summer. Lather sunscreen on, and don’t forget hats, glasses, and sun protection.
- Be vigilant – use precautions that you would use anywhere else! Travel in the daytime when you can, make sure someone always knows where you are, and have copies of your documents on hand just in case.
Travel Insurance
Make sure you have travel insurance ALWAYS when traveling – Australia included. I use Heymondo, check out our review and discount link here.
Experience Aboriginal History
Make sure to learn about the rich aboriginal history when you come to Australia. Although there’s an awful and turbulent history with colonization, the Aboriginal culture is being preserved now in many ways and there are a lot of places you can experience it firsthand. Some of the best places are Uluru, the Grampians, and more.
Beware of Aussie Budget Airlines
Qantas and Virgin are the best airlines, but more pricey. Cheaper carriers like Jetstar will always weight your bags (even your carry-on) so make sure to be aware.
Prepare for jet lag, too, as most people travel far to get here!
Mindset Tips – Learn to Appreciate Being on Your Own
Although you get used to making friends quite fast while solo traveling, don’t lose thought of why you went solo in the first place. Use this amazing time to learn to love being alone and doing everything yourself. Step outside your comfort zone and push some boundaries, as it will help you learn more about yourself along the way.
Best Experiences for Solo Travelers in Australia
There are too many experiences to count! I have mentioned many above in the ‘best destinations for solo travel in Australia’ section, but here are a few important ones to get to if you can:
- Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb
- Great Ocean Road Trip (Melbourne)
- Sunrise at Uluru
- Road trip the East Coast
- Surfing Lessons (Manly, Byron Bay, Bondi, or others)
- Boat Trip or Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef
Solo Travel in Australia Itinerary
Many people do a loop (ish) of Australia, but the best first time option would be to road trip the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns and then visit Uluru and Melbourne. This Australia solo travel itinerary is a great point to start!
What to Pack for Solo Travel in Australia
Here are some things you can’t forget when solo traveling in Australia:
- Sun protection (hats, glasses, sunscreen)
- Warm weather clothes (some places get cold, like Melbourne ‘the city of 4 seasons in one day”)
- Umbrella and rain shell – it does rain!
- Hiking shoes or athletic shoes for the outdoors
- Sandals and comfy shoes like Birkenstocks
- Cameras to document your adventures
- Tripod to take content of yourself when alone
- Smartphone and laptop/iPad if needed
- Australian SIM card (Telstra and Optus are the biggest providers)
- Toiletries and meds you need
- Enough money to last your trip (they might as at immigration)
- and more!
I hope this guide has helped you plan for solo travel in Australia. Feel free to DM me on Instagram if you have any questions about your trip!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.