Solo Backpacking Adventure Along Australia's Coast

1. Melbourne - Where City Buzz Meets Coastal Bliss

My first stop was Melbourne. I spent five days exploring the upbeat city life, attending the amazing Australian Open, spending an afternoon at Queen Victoria Market, zooming through St. Kilda on a Lime scooter and leaning into my foodie side. I highly recommend Chin Chin, the food was fantastic!

The train system in Melbourne was easy to navigate and affordable. I ventured on a few day trips with new friends to Brighton Beach to check out the Brighton Bathing Boxes and also hopped on a train to Hampton Pier for a scenic coastal hike from Sandringham Jetty to Ricketts Point. Both of these day trips are highly accessible from the city center.

2. Tasmania - Hobart and Bruny Island Adventures

After five days in Melbourne, I flew into Hobart, Tasmania and checked into my Hostel. Over the next few days, I explored the botanical gardens, hiked Mount Wellington, saw a Tasmanian Devil and visited MONA to see some modern and contemporary artwork.

New friends at the hostel told me about their plans to head to Bruny Island the next day. There was a spot in their rented car, so I jumped at the opportunity. Bruny Island was breathtaking. Our main activity for the day was a boat ride with Bruny Island Cruises. As we set out on the water, dolphins swam close to the boat to greet us. After the cruise, we ate local fish and chips and explored The Neck and Truganini Lookout. Bruny Island is a must-see spot for anyone planning a trip to Tasmania!

3. Sydney - Nostalgia and Coastal Exploration

Next, I was off to Sydney! I stayed with close friends in Kirribilli for a week. We covered a lot of ground, utilizing the ferry system for transportation, which I highly recommend! We walked from Bronte to Bondi, wandered through Taronga Zoo, spent the afternoons at Manly Beach and Balmoral and sailed through Sydney Harbour. Sydney hosted countless cappuccinos and shopping sprees. I loved it there, and it reminded me of my hometown in Newport, RI. For anyone looking to visit one of the most iconic cities in Australia, Sydney should be at the top of the list.

4. Cairns - Diving new Depths and Rainforest expeditions

Many travelers stay in Cairns or Port Douglas when planning to visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, both are great Northern Queensland gems! I had booked a dive trip from Cairns onboard a sailboat called the Rumrunner. Upon arrival to the Dive Boat I met my fellow divers and our spirited
captain. The boat left the harbor, and we arrived at our first dive site a few hours later. We geared up, had a quick refresher and hopped in! Diving in the deep, diverse and colorful Great Barrier Reef was unlike anything I have ever experienced. We logged five dives during this trip, including a night dive!

The next day, we returned to shore with our new friends and checked into our Hostel, where we danced the night away. Early the following day, we took a tour through the Daintree Rainforest, one of the oldest rainforests in the world! It was a day filled with crocodiles, cassowaries and some of the most enormous spiders I have ever seen.

5. Airlie Beach - Sailing the Whitsundays

After a wonderful stay in Cairns, I hopped on the Greyhound Bus and headed towards Airlie Beach! On the bus, I met many more solo travelers starting their adventures down the coast.

Airlie Beach was adorable, a beachy town with amazing vibes, nightlife and countless backpackers. The boat on which I cruised the Whitsundays was called The Matador. We did some snorkeling and visited the famous Whitehaven beach. Once we returned, I went on an incredible hike to the top of the Honeyeater lookout. There was such a beautiful view from the top. I highly recommend Cafe One 3 on your way down from the hike, it is a delicious local spot!

6. Noosa Heads - Surf towns and Fraser Island

My next stop was Noosa Heads! A cute little surf town, Noosa National Park has some of the most spectacular hikes I have ever been on. My favorite one was the “Coastal Walk.”

While in Noosa, I set up a Fraser Island Day tour. Fraser Island (K’gari) is a world heritage site known to be the largest sand island in the world. It has both a rainforest and freshwater dune lakes to explore. We traveled along the beach, spotting dingoes (a local island dog), and then went to Lake McKenzie for a swim. Many travelers spend the night on the Fraser Island Campsite which is an incredible and unique experience to check out!

7. Byron Bay - Surfing, Sunsets and Lighthouse Hikes

Next up, Byron Bay! I fell in love with Byron Bay’s laid-back atmosphere. On my first day there, I took a surfing lesson with Mojosurf and had a little R&R. Combi, an organic restaurant near my accommodation while in town, quickly became my favorite spot for a morning smoothie.

There is a fantastic lighthouse hike called Cape Byron. I met up with some friends I had made along the way, and we grabbed a couple of beers before hitting the trail. Once at the top, we watched the sunset over the coast. Byron Bay was incredibly hip, beautiful and fun.

8. Perth - Familiar Faces and Quokka Selfies

My final stop on my Australian adventure was Perth, where I visited some distant relatives. Perth was so different from anywhere I had seen in Australia thus far. The highlight of my trip to Perth was visiting Rottnest Island, a protected nature reserve. While there, I got a rare opportunity to take a selfie with a quokka, a tiny wallaby with very small features. I also got to swim in the turquoise-blue water of the Indian Ocean for the first time. The ferry I took out of Fremantle was easy and convenient, and there was a bike rental shop right off the boat. Fremantle is also great to explore, with a unique history, museums and festivals.

Australia, what a fantastic journey! I am confident I will return, for there is so much left to explore in this beautiful country. I am eager to assist with any questions and offer guidance to travelers planning their trip to Australia. Whether it’s a solo backpacking expedition, an adventurous family vacation or a luxury honeymoon, don’t hesitate to reach out!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Australia. In need of further inspiration? Check out Rebecca Dangler’s guide, A First Timer’s Guide to Sydney, Australia.