I’m back with another solo travel-focused post today. This time, we’re talking about my favourite solo travel destinations in Australia for solo weekend getaways. Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia alone.

My solo travels are not limited to overseas destinations. Yes, I’ve travelled solo across Europe and North America. But I’ve also visited many Australian cities alone as well. Don’t be daunted by solo travel in Australia, because I guarantee you can have a great time Down Under with or without a travel companion. Based on my personal experience (and wishlist), here are the best places to visit in Australia alone. Can you tell I’m a Queenslander? 😂

 

Note: Australia is a big country and most people will recommend hiring a vehicle to see all the best sights: from cute country towns to cosmopolitan cities. However, I chose these Australian solo travel destinations as you can visit them without hiring a car and still have an unforgettable vacation.

The best places to visit in Australia for solo travellers

1. Melbourne

Let’s start with my current home, Melbourne. Thanks to the immense amount of things to do and its great public transport network, I believe Melbourne is one of the best places to visit in Australia if travelling alone. However, I would recommend spending more than just a solo weekend here. Some of my favourite things to do in Melbourne include visiting St Kilda, having brunch and a browse of the boutiques in Fitzroy, spotting street art in the CBD and going for walks through the city’s many gardens. You also shouldn’t leave Melbourne without doing a trip along the Great Ocean Road. I did an organised tour a few years ago and thought it was excellent.

Where to stay in Melbourne: I have a post on where to stay in Melbourne. But my parents have stayed at the Atlantis – great location, good price and comfortable beds. I also recently stayed at Space Hotel, which has dorms and private rooms. The central hostel is fantastic and has a rooftop deck, lounge and gym. I’ll be back on return visits to Melbourne for sure.

Read more: Where to eat in Melbourne, free things to do and general things to do, where to take the best photos and other day trips to check out.

2. Magnetic Island

This may be a surprise entry, but I had to include Magnetic Island on this list of solo weekend getaways in Australia. Located a 20-minute ferry ride from my hometown, Townsville, this is where my parents live. It’s one of the best solo travel destinations in Australia because it’s made for tourists. With public buses and two great hostels located in different bays, Magnetic Island is one of the best places to visit in Australia if you’re travelling alone.

On Magnetic Island, I recommend doing the Forts Walk, seeing the sunset at Horseshoe Bay, feeding the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay and swimming at Alma Bay. You can get to Townsville by flying or taking the Greyhound bus from two other destinations on this list: Cairns and Airlie Beach. The bus even drops you directly at the ferry terminal – now that’s convenience 😉.

Where to stay on Magnetic Island: Bungalow Bay or Base are the two hostels I mentioned. Bungalow Bay is probably my favourite though, purely because it’s located in Horseshoe Bay.

Read more: Things to do on Magnetic Island, favourite photo locations and where to find koalas.

3. Sydney

Ah, Melbourne’s rival and Australia’s biggest city. Sydney is another one of Australia’s best solo travel destinations. Although I think Melbourne has more things to do, Sydney does have the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. However, I found that it takes longer to get places in Sydney when using public transport, so be prepared. You can get the bus to Bondi and do the Bondi to Bronte Walk. Then you can hop on the train to Instagram’s favourite place: The Grounds of Alexandria.

Where to stay in Sydney: Can we talk about the epic views from both Bondi Backpackers and Sydney Harbour YHA?! They’re also top-rated on Hostelworld, which is what matters most to me.

Read more: Fun things to do in Sydney

As you’ll see with these places to visit in Australia, I only recommend hostels for solo travellers. Read this post for my top hostel tips and check out this post for great ways to meet people when travelling alone.

4. Hobart

I know Hobart isn’t the first place you think of visiting on a solo weekend getaway in Australia. But if you have the time, it’s a short flight from Melbourne and a totally different city. It’s home to beautiful architecture, Australia’s most unique museum and some delicious food. I recommend visiting Mount Wellington, getting up close to Aussie animals at Bonorong Sanctuary and wandering around Salamanca.

Where to stay in Hobart: I stayed at The Pickled Frog and wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere else. They offer free day trips to MONA and Mount Wellington, and the hostel is conveniently located in the CBD.

Read more: A visit to Mount Wellington, top things to do and where to eat in Hobart.

5. Cairns

So Cairns is located a five-hour drive north of Townsville (the two cities have been frenemies forever). Thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s the fourth most-visited destination in Australia. Because it’s such a tourist hotspot, Cairns is also one of the best places to visit in Australia when travelling solo. The city centre is compact and easily walkable, and there are plenty of tours available. Top attractions near Cairns include Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Kuranda and Fitzroy Island. You could easily spend a week enjoying Cairns and its surrounds.

Where to stay in Cairns: I’ve stayed at Gilligan’s before for a friend’s 21st and it’s a total party hostel (there’s an onsite nightclub). If that’s not your style these days (I feel you), check out Traveller’s Oasis.

Read more: All the things to do in Cairns and you must do a Fitzroy Island day trip.

6. Adelaide

I did a solo weekend getaway to Adelaide in South Australia in 2018. It was my first time in the city and I really enjoyed my long weekend. I found there were plenty of things to do, the people were very friendly and the public transport network was great. Any city with cheap public buses to the airport is a winner in my book. Don’t miss visiting Glenelg Beach at sunset, checking out the free museums and art galleries, and heading to Hahndorf for lunch.

Where to stay in Adelaide: I stayed at the Adelaide Central YHA in a female dorm room and would stay there again.

Read more: My Adelaide weekend guide includes all the good stuff.

If you’re wondering what to pack, here’s a comprehensive list of my travel essentials

7. Brisbane

Brisbane was my home from 2012 to 2013 – before I ran away to Vancouver. I used to visit the city all the time when I lived in Townsville and have returned a few times in recent years. Although there are things to keep you occupied within the city over a weekend, the reason Brisbane makes this list of places to visit in Australia alone is that it’s sandwiched between the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Although it’s easier to drive to these locations, catching the train from Brisbane to both coasts is possible. Use Brisbane as a base and do a beach-hopping day trip to either coast (although I’ll always be partial to the Sunny Coast).

Where to stay in Brisbane: I’ve stayed at Brisbane City YHA, Breeze Lodge and the ibis. I’d go with the YHA for price and location.

Read more: My ultimate Brisbane guide and snapshots from a weekend in Brisbane.

8. Perth

Fun fact: I was born in Perth. My family lived in WA (with a brief stint in NSW) until I was nine, which is when we moved to Queensland. We’d regularly return to Perth to visit my grandparents, but I haven’t been back since 2012. Nonetheless, if you find yourself across the country in Western Australia, Perth is worth a visit. If you’re based on the East Coast though, Perth is a bit far to go for a solo weekend getaway. While in Perth, I recommend checking out King’s Park, beach-hopping, doing a day trip to Rottnest Island or Margaret River, and visiting Fremantle as well.

Where to stay in Perth: The reviews for this place are something else.

9. Whitsundays

When I was a kid, I totally took for granted the fact we got to spend our school holidays in the Whitsundays on a couple of occasions. It’s hands down one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia – whether you’re travelling alone or not. Thankfully, you can easily get from Whitsunday Coast Airport to Airlie Beach via a shuttle, and then from there, the 74 Whitsunday Islands are your oyster. Do a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, spend the day lazing by the Airlie Beach Lagoon (where I got majorly sunburnt one Christmas Eve) or head to Hamilton Island for the weekend. You won’t regret visiting the Whitsundays.

Where to stay in Airlie Beach: Magnums is located in the heart of Airlie Beach, where everything is within walking distance.

Read more: The best places to visit in Queensland to see the Great Barrier Reef.

If you’re looking for more than just places to visit in Australia alone, check out my similar USA guide and my favourite solo travel destinations around the world.

10. Byron Bay

Finally, Byron Bay in Northern New South Wales is the one destination on this list of the best places to visit in Australia alone that I still haven’t visited. I know, I know. But, I plan on heading there for a solo weekend getaway, eventually. Like the Whitsundays, you can easily get a shuttle from Ballina Byron Airport to Byron Bay. Once in town, I’ve heard you can see a lot on foot. I think I’d spend my time in Byron Bay alternating between relaxing at the beach and eating delicious food.

Where to stay in Byron Bay: As you can see from this post, I’m partial to a YHA because they always serve me well. There’s Byron Bay YHA, but Wake Up! Byron Bay also has stellar reviews. OMG, I want to go!

Hopefully one of these places to visit in Australia suits you and your solo weekend getaway needs.

Did any of these Australian solo travel destinations surprise you? No matter how long you visit Australia or where you go, I think you’re guaranteed to want to return for more. If there are other Aussie blog posts you’d like to see on Hayley on Holiday, please let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram.

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P.S. Do you sea (😉) a theme in these photos? It was unintentional, but apparently, I’m a sucker for a good Aussie beach.