Solo travel is the best way to discover yourself. You can break out of your cocoon, figure out who you are without peer or family influence, and determine what you genuinely enjoy. And what better place to do this than Australia, which offers abundant adventure options?
But before you start packing your sunscreen and camera, ensure your passport is valid for travel. It should have at least six months of validity and be in good condition. If not, worry not! With expedited passport services, you can renew it or get a new passport in days. Let’s review some tips to help you make the most of your trip:
Best Solo Travel Tips
The best thing about traveling solo is that you make all the decisions. You don’t need to take anyone shopping or hike a mountain if you don’t enjoy it. But while having complete itinerary control is fantastic, it comes with a lot of responsibility. The following tips can help you navigate doing this in Australia:
- Be Spontaneous
Often, people draw up an itinerary showing how they will use all their time. But doing this has two disadvantages. The first is that some activities might not be possible. For example, you may plan to visit a memorial site only to find it under restoration. What then? And the second downside is that it leaves little room for adventure. What if someone invites you to a party or a hangout? Leave some room to account for these surprises and experiences, and you will enjoy Australia more easily.
- Embrace Conversations
Traveling alone does not mean you cannot talk to people. If anything, now is the best time to get to know other people. They don’t know anything about you and will not have any expectations like your friends. Who knows? You might make a long-term friend or get some handy travel tips. But to be safe, do not share too much information, and do not let people know you are solo.
- Don’t Miss the Great Spots
Australia is so big that covering it would take months, if not years. So, how can you tick off the best places in one trip? Easy! Focus on the big ones, then do the other things. On this note, be sure to visit the following:
- Sydney for landmarks like the Opera House,
- Melbourne for its culture and food, and
- Queensland for its beautiful natural attractions.
Then you can add more stops.
- Try Hostel Living
Most people gravitate towards hotels and apartments when traveling. But have you ever tried hostels? They have many perks. First, they are affordable, which helps you save money, which you can use on day trips. Secondly, they are great places to meet fellow travelers. And third, they are run by people who can offer tips on how best to tour Australia. Are you rethinking that hotel booking now?
- Don’t Skip Fine Dining
Sitting alone in restaurants under candlelight does not appeal to many travelers. Some feel odd, others feel isolated, and others have not tried it. But guess what? Eating out in a fine dining setting is a great way to enjoy Australia. You will love just how lovely the food presentations are. You might strike up a conversation with the chef or other solo guests. If eating alone feels too vulnerable, you can carry a book and peruse it as you eat. But don’t get lost in your phone.
- Save on Transport Costs
Commutes often cost an arm and a leg in most countries. But here is how you can save:
- Hire a car and use it to drive across the country. If you’d like to live in the car., consider a campervan And if you will be in Australia for a long time, consider buying a car you can resell at the end of your stay.
- Fly between states. It is much more convenient than driving if you will return to the original state quickly.
You can also connect between cities using buses which are affordable.
- Learn Something New
Visiting a new country alone is an excellent opportunity to expand your skill set. How about taking a class? It can be a scuba diving class, yoga lessons, painting, or anything that speaks to your passion. You will forever remember Australia as the place you gained this knowledge. How cool is that!
- Take it Easy
Traveling alone, while fun, can be frustrating. After all, you will have many things to figure out. And when one thing does not work out as planned, you might feel frustrated to the point of lashing out. But instead of giving in to the dark side, be kind to yourself and others. You can always ask for help from people you trust or alter your itinerary to fit the changing circumstances.
- Join Group Tours
Exploring the landscapes in Australia is an incredible experience. You will see views you never thought could exist. But there is a caveat. While you can tour cities and enjoy dinners and parks alone, traveling to remote areas alone is challenging and unsafe. The best approach is to join a group activity where someone will have the logistics down to an art. It’s also a fun way to meet new people.
- Stay Safe
You probably thought that this would be the first point. But since Australia is one of the safest countries, it suffices that this would be the closing argument. You can keep safe by doing the following:
- Be wary of your surroundings,
- Avoid remote areas when alone,
- Do not travel to deserted places at night,
- Do not leave your items unguarded,
- Make copies of your passport and visa,
- Leave your passport in a safe when leaving your room, and
- Alert your loved ones of your location each time you move.
Also, don’t share too many details with strangers, especially regarding your solo travel status.
Here’s another tip – have fun! After all, that’s the premise of your trip. Don’t let the planning and anxiety supersede the main goal.
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