A solo female traveler's guide to Australia

Solo female travel in Australia

Australia, solo female travel, and pet sitting go together like shrimp, kangabangers, and a Christmas BBQ on the beach! What are we talking about? The Land Down Under is a place with huge adventuring opportunities for solo female travelers. This fast sub-continent dwarfs Europe in terms of size, but with a population of only 24 million there is a lot of space to roam.

We want to talk about the best places to travel solo in Australia, deduce what the best Australian city to visit is, and debunk any bug-phobic stereotypes. Despite its vast size, we’ll pack in as much as possible to prepare and plan for solo travel in Australia.

Best time to visit Australia

Because of the size of Australia, you can visit the country any time of year to catch your preferred weather. If you’re a heat lover, you’ll have no problem visiting the north of the country during any season. Similarly, the rest of Australia in summertime can be very hot, but it’s also when most locals are on holiday, so there is often a boom in tourism at this time.

Winter in the south can be very rainy and stormy, however Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane stay consistently warm and sunny whilst hosting fewer visitors. Otherwise, spring and autumn are an overall good time to travel in Australia. The sun isn’t as harsh, tourism isn’t at its peak, and you’re more likely to see more lush natural areas. 

Must-see places and things to do in Australia

Sydney and Melbourne

As two of the largest cities in the country, these are arguably the best places to travel solo in Australia. Sydney is perhaps known best for its iconic monuments such as The Sydney Opera House and The Sydney Harbour Bridge, making it a hot destination for those hoping to snap some postcard pictures. It’s also a bustling metropolis with a plethora of places to hang out and points of culture to wander around. And, of course, you have the famous Bondi Beach!

Melbourne has been voted the world’s most livable city several times in the last two decades. Not only is it considered one of the most dog-friendly cities on the planet (a big green flag in our books), but it’s rich in diversity, culture, art, history, shopping, eating out, and, well, living in! If you’re planning to travel around Australia, Melbourne is a great start and end point due to its excellent airport, train, coach, and boat connections. Plus, just outside of the city, there are several kangaroo and koala sanctuaries open to the public.

The Blue Mountains

Did you you can ski and snowboard in Australia? Yep, you can! Despite the popular images of dry bushland and red sandy deserts, The Blue Mountains in New South Wales (a few hour's drive north from Sydney) are situated in the beautiful Blue Mountain National Park. Whilst the summertime offers endless scenic routes for hiking and camping, the winter months are the place to be if you love winter sports. Fun fact - there is more annual snowfall in The Blue Mountains than in The Alps!

Western Australia 

Whilst much of Western Australia is uninhabited due to its harsh terrain and mining sites, the west coast in and around Perth is certainly worth a visit. As well as being one of the most dog-friendly destinations on the sub-continent, it has a lovely combination of fast-paced city life with a more laid-back country feel. The suburbs feel more like clustered villages, the weather is consistently warm and sunny all year round, and the scenery is stunning.

The East Coast

Well, there’s a whole lot of East Coast in Australia, so we’ll narrow it down for you. The next major city north of Sydney is Brisbane - this is a perfect place to start your East Coast adventure if you’re looking to travel in Australia or along its eastern coastline. Otherwise, Brisbane is a pretty cool city, in itself! Modern, high-tech, and bursting with life, you can easily spend your travels tucked up in this buzzing city.

If you head further north, you’ll soon reach the famous Gold Coast. Named for the glorious color of its sandy beaches, this area is a global hotspot for surfers and watersport enthusiasts. 

The Daintree Forest National Park

Quoted to be the world’s oldest rainforest, this national park sweeps across the north-east of Australia and meets the Pacific with white sandy beaches. If you’re keen to see some infamous Aussie wildlife, you’ll be sure to spot at least a koala or two here. Similarly, the nation’s prehistoric wonder, the cassowary, is an incredible six-foot flightless bird that looks like it stepped out of a Jurassic Park set. 

Because some of the terrains are tricky to cross, the rivers teeming with saltwater crocodiles, and many a tricky path to cross, guided tours are offered across the whole Queensland state. Although some companies offer private tours, finding a small or close-knit group tour is a great way to share the sightless with other nature lovers.

Alice Springs

Slap bang in the middle of Australia, Alice Springs is possibly the most visually recognized part of the country. A desert of deep red sand and rock, dotted about with hopelessly cute red kangaroos and breathtaking sunsets. Uluru, the huge red rock in the center of Alice Springs is worth the tip in itself. Although tourists can no longer walk up it, it’s still a fantastic place to take in a solo traveler in Australia. 

Tasmania

This rugged island off the south coast of Australia is known for its areas of outstanding natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, unique wildlife (home to the Tasmanian Devil and Platypuses), and a capital city bursting with culture and an excellent art scene. As main cities go, Hobart doesn’t quite compare in size to Sydney or Melbourne. However, despite its smaller population, you can still find a wide range of foods and places to visit.

You can either catch a one-hour direct flight to Tasmania and Hobart for around $60 AUS ($40 US, £31, or 36€) or if you have 10 hours to spare, you can hitch a ride on an overnight boat for around the same price! The boat leaves from just outside of Melbourne, in a town called Gippsland, but it’ll take right to Hobart’s main dock.

Getting around Australia

As we mentioned earlier, Australia is huge. Although it’s technically not as large as the US - including Alaska, the US is 9.834 million km², without Alaska, the US is 8.111 million km², whilst Australia is 7.688 million km² - it is much bigger than the whole of Europe. Because of this, domestic flights are cheap and very regular. To fly from north to south takes around 3 to 4 hours, whilst east to west is closer to 6 hours of flight time.

Don’t fancy flying? Well, there’s nothing more Australian than hitting the open road! Road-tripping is a brilliant way to take in the vast and varied landscape, with each major city being connected along well-cared-for and regulated highways. Be sure to equip yourself with decent travel insurance, kangaroos and wombats have a habit of trying to hitchhike along some of the quieter stretches.

If flying and driving are neither your cup of Oz tea nor your other options are to go by train or bus. Whilst the latter is significantly cheaper, traveling through the outback by train is a remarkable and often overlooked experience.

Finally, public transport in all the main cities is notoriously very reliable, cheap, and efficient. It’s a good idea to set yourself up with a city travel pass if you’re planning to stay in town for a week or so.

Weather in Australia

The very north and center of the country are consistently very hot and dry all year round, which is what you would expect from a desert! 

The rest of the country can be brutally hot in summer too, with temperatures soaring to around 100°F / 38°C throughout the three months. Because of the heat and lack of rain, bushfires are quite common in some areas of Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales.

Winter time only brings snow to, The Blue Mountain, but nearby in Sydney, the weather is still relatively warm at around 71°F / 22°C, but expect a lot more rain. Speaking of rain, in the tropical northeast of Australia, winter brings about the rainy season with torrential downpours and electric storms.

Accommodation for solo female travelers in Australia

Aussies do love to travel (all the better for us pet sitters) but being part of a local community is equally as important to Australian culture as exploring. What better way to live like a local than to house sit! Stay in a real home that is part of the community with a new, adorable pet friend by your side.

If you’re unable to find any sits whilst you’re down under, Australia is famed for its amazing and abundant hostels. Most offer all-female dorms and rooms, as well as designated gender bathrooms. Guesthouses and communes are perhaps the next best thing to pet-sitting if you’re looking for an authentic Aussie experience. Otherwise, all the large cities have hundreds of hotels in central locals across the country.

Is Australia safe for women and solo female travelers?

Because of Australia’s size, it’s difficult to summarize how safe the country is when its surface area is that of a continent. However, according to the Solo Female Traveler Safety Index and Global Peace Index, Australia sits as one of the top 25 safest and most stable countries on the planet.

The main cities of Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne can be host to petty crimes like pickpocketing, but this is still very low when compared to places like London or New York. Regardless of where you are, stick to our set of safety rules, trust your instincts, and never put yourself into a risky situation, such as walking alone at night.

Meeting people and connecting with locals

There are so many ways to meet people in Australia, it’s unlikely you’ll leave without any new friends. Firstly, the local Aussies are a talkative bunch who love to introduce travelers to the Oz way of life. If you’re in the mood for conversation, you can strike up a chinwag in almost any public situation. 

For those seeking solo travel in Australia alongside other travel enthusiasts, there’s an abundance of guesthouses, communes, hostels, and travel meetup spots that welcome everyone. Otherwise, any sort of group tour is a surefire way to make new buddies.

Tips from a local

• You’ll rarely encounter a poisonous spider or snake, especially if you’re in a city or town. The wildlife can put some people off traveling to Australia, but unless you venture into the outback and countryside, you’ll see more parrots than pests.
• Take the time to learn about the native history and culture. The Aboriginals are a vital part of the Australian culture, so make sure you learn more from these locals.
• Make sure you always have sunscreen on you! Even if your skin is relatively resistant to sunburn, the rays down under are exceptionally strong, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
• Most Aussies tend to use naughty words quite liberally and as a term of affection. If you’re offended by rude language and swearing, be sure to let your Australian companions know before carrying on with the conversation.
• Similarly, the Aussie sense of humor can seem quite harsh to those unfamiliar with it. Instead of expressing endearment through words of joy or love, most choose to make fun of or tease one another.
• If you’re a caffeine consumer, you gotta try the coffee! The Aussies are very proud of their Go Juice, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia for solo female pet sitters

The Land of Oz ain’t short on wildlife, that’s for sure! Pet-wise, the Aussie people are avid animal lovers. Whilst cats and dogs are just as popular as they are in the US and UK, many locals often decide to share their homes with more exotic, native creatures like cockatoos, parrots, and songbirds. Bonding with a new pooch pal or feline friend can be a great way to integrate yourself into Aussie life and make you feel more at home.

Things to do with dogs in Australia

Well, there’s a lot of lands and a lot of coastlines in Australia, which makes it paw-fect for dog walks and hikes. Name a terrain and Australia will have it! Pups of all shapes and sizes have their pick or paw-plodding areas.

Eating out with a new-hound homie is also not an issue. Austalia is incredibly dog-friendly, so it’s difficult to find somewhere that won’t allow your new pooch pal inside. Similarly, many museums and attractions allow pups in too!

Dog-friendly bars and restaurants in Australia

They’re everywhere! Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, are pup palaces all over the sub-continent. As mentioned above, Melbourne and Perth are especially pro-pooch, with almost every pub, bar, eatery, restaurant, and attraction allowing dogs in. 

House and pet sits

Keen to head down under and experience the life of an Aussie? Awesome, mate! Well, we aren’t short of pet sits across the country, that’s for sure. If you fancy some city sit, check out what’s available in both Sydney and Melbourne - take a look at what’s available in southern Victoria in and around Melbourne, whilst these Sydney sits are aimed at apartment admirers or beach lovers.