The joys of the land down under! Few things get me as excited about traveling as the thought of hitting up Australia and New Zealand. Now this isn’t the cheapest trip that you will ever take, but I do have a few tips and tricks to lower the cost of your travel. Here is my ultimate guide to solo travel: Australia.
Be flexible
If you are dreaming of white sandy beaches, bikinis, and swimming with the sharks, then all of that can be a possibility for you. It comes with a cost though. Like most countries that start to drift away from the equator, Australia has a distinct summer and winter. If you are looking for most of the traditional, and water based, activities then you probably want to go in the summer. This means more tourist crowds and higher prices. Instead, wait for the tourist season to be over and go in winter. You can probably save yourself some money.
There is still plenty that can be accomplished in Australia’s off season. You can still take tours of the coastal areas, explore aboriginal Australia, and also enjoy their wines and fine dining. Just make sure to pack a light jacket and hit the road.
Save money with house sitting
I am a big advocated of Trusted House Sitters. I have used them about 5-6 times and it is a great way to save money on lodging costs. The goal of trusted house sitters is to pair up travelers with hosts. The hosts have homes and pets that need to be watched while the owner is on vacation or sabbatical.
Imagine finding a house sit for 2-3 weeks on the coast of Australia and all that you have to do is to watch a few cats or dogs. You also make sure that a house remains clean and safe. It is a pretty sweet gig and can sometimes also comes with a car to use. The car isn’t always guaranteed so you may want to budget for a rental or public transportation.
This tip lies in greatly with being flexible. You aren’t guaranteed every house sit that you apply for but I have found it pretty easy to snag a few. You can apply to sits that are a few months out and plan your vacation during the times that you can find free housing. Now there is a cost to applying to the program. It’s about $119 dollars but they often run sales or you can find a discount code.
Think about it this way. You can spend the money up front to join trusted house sitters and save $70 or more dollars a night by not staying in a hotel. Of course you have other options such as a hostel or maybe couch surfing but I personally prefer to have an entire house or apartment to myself. I often use the kitchen to cook meals and save money on food costs. There is also internet, air conditioning, and sometimes there is outdoor living space. The homeowners will sometimes even leave groceries. It’s a win all around.
Safety
Both Australia and New Zealand are both considered to be safe countries for women and also safe countries for solo travelers. Regardless of the fact that these are safe countries it is still important to put safety precautions into place.
My first safety tip is to always have a safety buddy that you check in with. Whether it is a mom or a friend it is important that there be an outside person that is aware of your basic schedule. If you are planning to go to a new town they should know. They should also expect to be regularly contacted and if they don’t hear from you then they can call emergency services and try to get you help.
As always you want to monitor all of your drinks and take public transportation/ a car service if you plan to stay out late or want to go out and party. There is always the risk of pickpocketing and petty theft. Don’t forget to watch out for people that want to scam tourists. While Australia and New Zealand are fairly safe you still want to make sure that you are watching your back. A solo traveler is an easy target in any country. Sometime small things like having a safety buddy can really save your life.
Weather Safety
You should know that the seasons in Australia are the opposite of North America. Their summer is December to February and their winter is June to August. If you have weather sensitivities, allergies, or anything that is weather related then plan your trip accordingly.
If you want to go swimming in Australia’s waters you should make sure that you are going when there is likely to be a lifesaver (lifeguard). The Australian tourism website states that livesavers are volunteers and most likely to be in the water from October through May. They also mark the safest areas to swim with red and yellow markers. If you are not a strong swimmer then I suggest going with some sort of guide or go during a time when safety precautions are put in place to protect you.
What can you do?
Australia is a great place for a road trip. There are 8 different states in Australia and they all have a little something to offer. Of course, you can see Sydney and all the tourist attractions that are offered but there is so much more. You can take all kinds of coastal road trips and really see the beauty of coral reefs, Australian wildlife, and experience different cultures.
Australia has many awe inspiring geographical features. There is the fiery Uluru that watches over the desert and also its little sister, Kata Tjuta. Located in the Northern Territory you will find the Devils’ Marbles. You can go hiking in Tasmania National Park. In the Western Territory you can find Waves Rock. Queensland offers Girraween National Park. Don’t forget about North Kaputar National park in New South Wales. While I have mentioned six different locations, Australia has so much more to offer.
If you are as big of a wine and craft beers fan as I am, then Australia can be the place for you. When you go to Australia you will have your pick of urban distilleries and country wineries to pick from. Australia is also beginning to invest in more eateries. Depending on your personal tastes there should be something in Australia for anyone who wants to tickle their taste buds in the land down under. That sounds dirtier than I mean it to.. Oh well!
There you have it! Some of my tips and tricks for solo travel in Australia!
I’m not a traveller at all but reading your post was completely inspiring. Could almost entice me into considering a trip there. Especially as we’re just heading into the beginning of our cold Canadian winter. Good post and quite an enjoyable read.
I’m bookmarking Trusted House Sitters. That is so cool, and I’ve been wanting to do a solo trip for a solid five years now. I wanted to do a bed and breakfast in the Redwoods for my 25th but ended up moving to Atlanta and having to cut it.