Travelling with friends is a lot of fun (although not always easy), but there’s something amazing about travelling on your own. You don’t have to answer to anyone and you can enjoy yourself on your own terms. It’s also a fantastic challenge – you can be super proud of yourself for getting out of your comfort zone and travelling alone.

Australia is a popular place for backpacking, especially for solo travellers, so here are the five best places to visit as a solo female traveller.

Queensland

Diving is something you are really going to want to do while in Australia, according to The Secret Traveller blog at 1Cover. Whether you’re a novice, just wanting to learn, or someone who is so experienced you’re practically a mermaid, Australia is known for its amazing places to dive. Particularly the Great Barrier Reef, which runs along the Queensland coast and has the most incredible underwater views. Be sure to go surfing on the Sunshine Coast, meet the koalas, kangaroos and turtles, and go for a hike through one of the rainforests.

Sydney

It would be silly to miss the capital off of this list, especially as there is so much to see and do, from relaxing on the world-famous Bondi Beach to climbing up the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Not to mention the Sydney Opera House! There are plenty more places to soak up culture, such as the Carriageworks and White Rabbit, or take an Indigenous walking tour through Dharawal National Park.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a really cool destination, which offers the chance to explore beautiful scenery such as the ancient fern tree gully and eucalyptus forest, Yarra Valley, and stunning beaches on which to relax. Head to Wilson Promontory to see wildlife up close and personal, and be sure to drink plenty of the local coffee and wine!

Tasmania

Tasmania seems like a whole other world, but is actually the largest island in Australia, just 150 miles south of the continent. For nature-lovers, this is a must-visit destination, as it is a World Heritage Area with national parks, reserves, and rainforests covering almost half of the island! Keep an eye out for the infamous Tasmanian devil and head to Wineglass Bay to see one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

Uluru

Ayers Rock, or Uluru, is one of the most photographed parts of Australia, and it’s easy to see why. The enormous red rock is more than 500 million years old and has incredible significance to the local Aboriginal population; you really must join one of the free guided tours around the 9km base.

There are so many amazing places to explore in Australia, once you get started, you won’t want to stop! It’s also known for being safe and friendly for solo female travel, so whether you’re travelling alone for the first time ever or have covered a lot of the planet all on your own, it’s a fantastic place to explore. All you need to do now is pack your bag, grab your camera and jump on an airplane to this amazing country.

Have you visited Australia on a solo trip? What did you think?