If there's anywhere I'd point a first-time solo traveller, it's Australia. It's not hard to see why: golden beaches, rich rainforest, dynamic cities and arid desert all sit within the same country, no day looks quite like the last, and you're genuinely never short of other travellers to fall in with along the way.

Whether you're a seasoned solo traveller or trying it for the first time, Australia makes it easy. The distances can look daunting on a map, but between reliable public transport, a strong backpacker culture and locals who are genuinely happy to point you in the right direction, it's one of the more forgiving countries to explore on your own. Here's our honest guide to planning a solo trip down under, including a few tips I've picked up from years of sending people out there.

What's in this guide?

• Where to go
• How to get around Australia
• Enjoy local activities and excursions
• Be mindful and safe
• Pack light
• Download a few helpful apps

Where to go

Australia is made up of six states – New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania – and you can either hop between a few or spend your whole trip getting properly under the skin of one. Both approaches work; it really depends how much time you've got.

My tip: don't try to do all six states in one trip. It's a common instinct with first-timers, but you'll get far more out of picking two, maybe three regions and giving yourself proper time in each, rather than seeing a little of everywhere and not much of anywhere.

Queensland is where the surfers and beach lovers find their people. It's home to the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, adventurous Fraser Island (K'gari) and the resort town of Cairns: expect blazing sunshine, salty hair and sandy toes most days.

New South Wales is consistently our most popular choice for solo travellers, largely because it's home to Sydney. Bondi Beach and the Opera House are always full of people, and you'll have no trouble finding an Aussie barbecue or a beer on the sand with fellow travellers. Along with Queensland, this is the pairing I'd recommend to anyone new to solo travel - you're on well-trodden ground, so it's easier to meet people and find things to do, without it being any less of an adventure. 

For those chasing something wilder, the outback is where Australia really shows off. If you're a more experienced solo traveller after somewhere less obvious, Tasmania has a properly good food scene and outdoor adventure without the crowds, while South Australia pairs wildlife encounters on Kangaroo Island with the easy city pace of Adelaide.

Most of our clients end up flying between a few states rather than sticking to one, so don't be afraid to combine a couple of shorter tours to get a fuller picture of the country.

How to get around Australia

One of the real joys of a solo trip to Australia is just how easy the country is to move around in, given its size. Driving alone can feel daunting if you're not used to it, but self-drive car hire (or even a motorhome) is genuinely well set up here if you want the independence.

For anyone newer to solo travel, though, I'd start with public transport. Buses, ferries and cheap domestic flights will get you almost anywhere, and travelling this way tends to put you in the path of other solo travellers far more naturally than driving does – long-distance coaches in particular have a way of turning into conversations. It also means you can change your plans day to day depending on who you meet and what you stumble across.

If you'd rather not go it entirely alone, booking onto a short escorted tour for part of your trip is a good middle ground – there's a huge range covering every budget and interest, and it's an easy way to guarantee some social time without committing to a group for the whole holiday.

Enjoy local activities and excursions

Australia runs on an outdoor, active lifestyle, and locals and travellers alike tend to find their fun outside - surfing, diving, or eating at a food truck parked right on the beach. Signing up for a few excursions is one of the best ways to meet people and feel less alone while you're travelling solo.

Some of the ones our clients rate most highly: a proper adrenaline hit on a 4x4 drive across K'Gari's dunes, an afternoon of wine tasting in the Barossa Valley, diving on the Great Barrier Reef, the climb up Sydney Harbour Bridge, a cable car ride over the Blue Mountains, and dolphin watching at Monkey Mia. Book these ahead of time where you can - the popular ones fill up fast, especially in peak season.

Food is one of the easiest ways into a new place, and Australia's food scene is genuinely excellent. Head to Mindil Beach Sunset Market in Darwin, or Barangaroo in Sydney, and look for a restaurant with a communal table: it's a small thing, but it makes striking up conversation with strangers feel completely natural.

Be mindful and safe

Australia is, by most measures, one of the safer destinations for solo travel - low crime rates and famously friendly locals help enormously. That said, sensible caution should still be your default wherever you are. A few things I'd always suggest:

• Always stick to public places, and don’t walk alone at night
• Though much of our guide discusses making new friends whilst travelling, always stay cautious when first meeting strangers
• Keep a clear head, and stay alert at all times
• Book your flights and public transport so that you can arrive in new places at daylight
• Pre-book transfers to your hotel, and make use of hotel safes
• Try not to take too many valuables with you on your trip, and keep any valuables in your hand luggage whilst travelling
• People are less likely to pickpocket a local, or someone who looks like they know what they’re doing, so try to blend in with the locals
• Check in with loved ones back at home regularly, so someone will always know whereabouts you are.

Pack light

Part of what makes Australia so good for solo travel is how easily you can move between places - and a heavy suitcase undermines that every time. Take a decent rucksack, pack only the essentials, and plan to do laundry and pick up anything you're missing as you go. You'll thank yourself the first time you're changing hotels or hopping a domestic flight at short notice.

Download a few helpful apps

A little digital organisation goes a long way on a solo trip. TripIt is one I'd recommend: add your flights, hotels and excursions and it builds a clear itinerary you can check any time. It's also worth pinning key locations on Google Maps and downloading the relevant areas offline, so you're never caught out without signal.

Frequently asked questions

Is Australia a good destination for first-time solo travellers? Yes — its low crime rate, excellent public transport and strong backpacker and traveller culture make it one of the more forgiving places to try solo travel for the first time. Sticking to well-known regions like New South Wales and Queensland to begin with is a good way to ease in.

What's the best time of year for solo travel in Australia? It depends where you're headed, since the country spans several climate zones. Broadly, the southern states (Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia) are best visited from October to April, while the tropical north (Queensland's far north, the Northern Territory) is best in the dry season, roughly May to October.

How long should a solo trip to Australia be? Given the flight time alone, we'd recommend at least two to three weeks if you can manage it, which gives you enough time to properly settle into two or three regions rather than rushing between them.

Is it easy to meet other travellers in Australia? Very - hostels, organised excursions, communal dining spots and short escorted tours are all genuinely good ways to meet people, and Australia's backpacker infrastructure is some of the best in the world for this.

Should I book tours in advance or figure it out once I'm there? A mix works well. Book your bigger tours and popular excursions ahead of time, as these sell out in peak season, but leave some days unplanned so you can follow recommendations from people you meet along the way.