Are you a solo traveller considering a holiday to Australia? Take a look at some of our frequently asked questions to help you make the most of your time Down Under.
We recommend staying at small-scale bed and breakfasts with local hosts. Why? They will provide you with friendly Aussie hospitality. Our local hosts love to share their stories and local knowledge with you. It’s common to have dinner with your hosts. You may even be invited to an Aussie-style barbeque! It’s also common to meet other travellers in the communal kitchen areas, guest lounges or outside in the entertainment areas. If you stay at a centrally located hotel, you can easily meet and mingle with other travellers too.
We would recommend staying in mid-range bed and breakfast, starting at 100 pounds per night to high-end luxury lodges. We don’t recommend staying in hostels. We can ensure that you will always have your own private bathroom.
Yes, Australia is a safe country to drive on your own. The locals are easy-going and are generally not in a hurry on the roads, outside of the bigger cities. In the city, you do not need a car and the public transport system is of high quality. The roads in Australia are easy to and well maintained. When visiting national parks, it’s best to only drive during day time because of the possibility of wildlife crossing the road.
We believe that you should drive less and see more. Therefore, we try to keep the driving distance between your accommodations 2-4 hours. And you will be staying 2-4 nights at each accommodation. This way, you can enjoy the best of what Australia has to offer. And waste less time during your holiday on the road, driving.
The flight time to Australia is dependent on which airline you fly with. However, the average flight time to Australia is on average between 18-24 hours. And of course, it is possible to stay at a stopover location for longer too.
This depends on you. We can make it as fast as possible with a short connection in Asia or add a couple of days' stopover in a metropole like Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai. We can select the best flight times for you with only one stop on your way to Australia.
Generally, we choose to travel with Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Air New Zealand. However, we have contracts with all the major airline companies. We will ensure you fly with a suitable airline to enhance your journey.
Yes, you can. We also can arrange an Australian holiday without flights.
Our two favourite and most popular stopover destinations are Hong Kong and Singapore. This is because of the convenient location of both cities. You’re already halfway to your destination and both cities offer plenty of opportunities for exploring, sightseeing, shopping and relaxing. If you have more time, you can consider stopping over in Bali, the Cook Islands or Fiji. Each a tropical haven with friendly locals, exotic cuisine and stunning beaches.
As a tour operator, it’s only possible to book return flights on fixed dates. If you want to book an open date return flight, we recommend booking it directly with your preferred airline. Please note: You will not be able to enter Australia on a one-way ticket on a tourist visa.
We will select the best suitable flight schedule. During your stopover, we will organise a hotel stay or a day room at the airport, so you can shower, rest and relax. We will ensure that you arrive relaxed in Australia. This will all help you get used to the time difference.
It very much depends on your interests and fitness level. From authentic cultural experiences, wildlife encounters, meetings with the locals, kayaking, wine tours, cycling and sailing trips, sightseeing flights and more. Our focus is on nature conservation and small-scale locally owned companies. We can also arrange private tours if you wish. Check here for more suggestions.
Would you like more information about your journey Down Under? Ilona, a semi-local Australian is happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Get in touchYes, we have a 24/7 emergency number you can call in case of an emergency. Our local hosts are also there to assist you if you need. We work directly with all of our hosts in Australia, so if anything were to happen, we can act fast if necessary.
Yes, overall it’s a safe destination to visit. Australia has a low crime rate and generally, Australians live a safe lifestyle. And Aussies are renowned for being friendly. Of course, we still recommend using your common sense as you would if you were at home.
One of the best parts about travelling Down Under is meeting other like-minded travellers. Along the way, join an activity (or more) with a small group of travellers. Here, you can meet an international group of people from all over the world.
Yes, it’s a perfect destination for a sabbatical. It’s a perfect chance to discover Australia at a relaxed travel pace. Get away from your busy daily routine and enjoy the relaxed Aussie way of living. No worries mate!
This depends on which regions you visit in Australia and which month you travel. We know what animals you can find where and in which period of the year. So if you really want to see kangaroos, koala’s, wombat, cassowaries, emus, platypus, whales, dolphins, turtles or whale sharks, please let us know and we will try to fit it into your schedule.
You need at least three weeks in Australia to make your journey worthwhile. To visit everything you probably need a year (or 2). Most people travelling to Australia have 3-6 weeks. This allows you to get a good experience of the variety and diversity Australia has to offer.
We recommend a relaxed travel pace, instead of rushing past all the highlights and returning home exhausted. Spend 2-4 nights at each location and discover each place through the eyes of the locals.
Yes! It’s the best time to visit the Red Centre, the national parks of the Top End and the Tropical North, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The weather will be on average 25-30 degrees. Even on a good winter’s day in Sydney, it could be well above 20 degrees!
Christmas time is Australia’s peak season, Australians are enjoying their 6-week summer school holidays during this time. Seeing Santa in summer is a strange sight! It will be summer in Australia’s south and south-east coast and wet season in the North. In the south, it will be busy and more expensive than other months. It’s strongly recommended to book 9-12 months in advance if you would like to travel during this period.
If you book your holiday in advance, we can organise the best route, accommodations and activities for the best price. We will do all the work for you to create your dream holiday. If you travel on the go, you will stay at the last choice/leftover accommodations and often there is no availability.
You may also not be able to join an activity because it is full. Booking last-minute domestic flights are also generally more expensive than pre-booked flights. If you want to make the most out of your holiday, please contact us.
Because we work with small scale suppliers, they generally tend to book up very quickly. Therefore we advise booking 9 - 12 months in advance. Of course, we can still tailor a holiday 3 months before departure. But be aware that the options may be limited and ticket prices might be higher than expected.
We are experienced solo travellers ourselves. Every year we travel on our own to AUS to find new accommodations and try out tours to be able to fit the right product to the right traveller. We will tailor your trip based on our first-hand experience and your wishes. We work, you enjoy.
Yes, please take a look at our destination day page here.
Please be aware that some remote accommodations, Down Under have limited WiFi access or none at all. In some places, you may also need to pay for WiFi and internet access. This, of course, varies from accommodation to accommodation.
We can design your holiday the way you want. Whether you would like to join a small group for an activity or explore places by yourself with help from our local tips. It's your holiday. Together, we will decide how much free time you want and how many days you would like to spend with a group. We don’t offer a complete group holiday.
Yes! The locals are super friendly. Australia has a low crime rate and generally, Australians live a safe lifestyle. There are lots of other solo travellers travelling around and your local hosts will make you feel at home on the other side of the world.
Flights and activities are priced individually. Sometimes there is a small discount on accommodations when travelling alone. In general, you will need a smaller car but it will still be more expensive than travelling with two or more people
This depends on your choice of level of comfort, flights and time of travel. Please take a look at some of our suggested journeys to get an idea of the possibilities.
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.
020 36 95 95 69
