The solo traveler’s guide to Australia

The country’s markets are home to everything from vintage finds and handmade goods to freshly baked pastries, and exploring them is one of the top local travel tips for Australia. Markets in larger cities, like the South Melbourne Market and The Rocks Markets in Sydney, aren’t your typical mazes of fruit and vegetable stalls. Some of the bazaars sprawl across multiple acres or along a beachside promenade and host everything from yoga and Pilates to live music.

From snorkeling above the Great Barrier Reef to swimming with sea lions and surfing world-renowned waves, the country’s beaches and islands offer some of the top things to do in Australia. “My favorite place was Cairns because of the Great Barrier Reef,” said traveler Jennifer after her Highlights of Australia: The Great Barrier Reef to Sydney tour. “I went scuba diving and saw the amazing life under the sea.”

During your free time in Sydney on our Australia for Solo Travelers: Melbourne, Queensland Coast & Sydney tour, be sure to explore the Sydney Fish Market. There, you can indulge in a smorgasbord of fresh seafood, like prawns and oysters, and thank us later. Beyond the country’s seafood, you’ll find a familiar Australian staple at cafes and restaurants across the country: smashed avocado on toast (often mixed with feta or drizzled with olive oil and sea salt). A few other dishes to keep an eye out for: meat pies, Vietnamese-inspired salt-and-pepper squid, and lamington—a chocolate-coated, coconut-sprinkled square of sponge cake that’s the unofficial national cake.

You don’t have to venture into the Outback to experience Australia’s jaw-dropping nature. On our Australia for Solo Travelers tour, for example, we’ll whisk you to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. This archipelago of 74 islands is surrounded by stunningly aquamarine waters that meet swirling white sands of beaches, like Whitehaven. Keep an eye out for the local marine life, like manta rays (if you’re lucky, you’ll see one leap into the air!), turtles, and humpback whales.

Want another local travel tip for Australia? Add the Tasmania extension to the Australia for Solo Travelers tour and try to catch a natural light show in the sky—the Aurora Australis, or southern lights.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Bondi Beach, Barangaroo—solo travel in Sydney is full of wow-worthy landmarks and neighborhoods that are perfect for all types of travelers. On our Australia for Solo Travelers: Melbourne, Queensland Coast & Sydney tour, your Tour Director will help you get a feel for the city’s rich history, culture, and beloved landmarks. The following day, either explore on your own or add the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Walk & Lunch excursion and immerse yourself in the unique landscape of bushland, sandstone, and Aboriginal heritage.

See more of what Sydney has to offer ➝

The constant buzz and bustle in Melbourne ensures solo travelers never feel alone. Known for its booming restaurant and bar scene, world-class art and culture, and resident penguins by the beach, it’s no wonder that the easy-to-navigate city is a can’t-miss spot on Australia tours for singles. Whether you’re a foodie, an art-lover, or a sun-worshipper, solo travel in Melbourne is a must—and on our Australia for Solo Travelers: Melbourne, Queensland Coast & Sydney tour, you’ll get to spend two nights in the vibrant city.

Deciding between Melbourne and Sydney? See which Australian city is right for you ➝

These are always one of our top packing musts, no matter where you’re going. Remember that when you’re on your Australia Solo Tour, you’re going to be walking sidewalks one day, and across beaches the next. You’ll need shoes that can grip slippery cobblestone and that won’t fill with sand, either. If you’re headed to an island on the Great Barrier Reef, consider water shoes to protect your feet when you wade into the ocean.

Due to its proximity to the equator, the sun is stronger Down Under, so pack accordingly. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen. One local travel tip for Australia is to wear a ubiquitous rash guard, or “rashies,” on the beach. You’ll see plenty of Australians wearing them, too. While the tops (which are sometimes long-sleeved and sometimes capped) protect from abrasions (or rashes) from the hazards of water sports, they also offer high UV protection. Buy one before your solo travel in Australia, or snag one when you’re there for a useful souvenir to bring home.

Another way to eat meat and pastry? Why not! One of our local travel tips for Australia is to try the sausage rolls, which are made of meat and veggies rolled in buttery pastry. Often served with tomato sauce (similar, but not the same as American ketchup) for dipping, think of sausage rolls as the Australian answer to American hot dogs.

This popular fish is usually prepared grilled or crisped, but can be made in various ways—and we recommend trying them all on your Australia solo tour. It’s often served with lemon, dill, capers, and cream sauce. Go ahead, eat your heart out.

Ready for dessert? Try this meringue-based cake that’s topped with fruit and whipped cream. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, this treat is especially common in beach towns as it’s served chilled, making it a sweet and tasty way to cool down.