Unforgettable solo travel experiences in Queensland

From sunrise surf sessions to sunset cocktails, the Goldie is a solo traveller’s playground. Base yourself in buzzing Burleigh, beachy Coolangatta or backpacker-central Surfers Paradise, and soak up the coast’s easygoing energy.

Best things to do:

• Learn to surf like a local
• Chase waterfalls and treetop thrills at Lamington National Park
• Kick back at Tallebudgera Creek
• Sample a paddle at Balter Brewery
• Inject some art into your trip and time your visit for BLEACH* or SWELL Sculpture Festival

Why solo travellers love it: The vibe is friendly, the beaches are endless, and there’s always someone keen for a surf, skate or schooner.

Get more inspo in our solo travel guide.

Lady Elliot Island: Go off-grid for good vibes

No WiFi. No worries. Just turtles, reef, and manta rays for company. This eco-friendly Southern Great Barrier Reef gem is the place to unplug and reconnect with nature – and yourself.

Best things to do:

• Snorkel with turtles and rays and reef teeming with marine life
• Learn to scuba dive at the PADI centre
• Join a reef walk with marine biologists
• Wake early for a front-row seat to turtle hatchings (Jan–Mar)

Here's what 48 hours on Lady Elliot Island looks like. 

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef: Double the world wonders

Two World Heritage-listed wonders in one place? Only in Queensland.

If you’re travelling solo, Cairns rolls out the welcome mat. Not only is it the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest rainforest, but it also has a lively solo travel scene. Hostels, reef boats and day tours are full of fellow adventurers from around the world.

Best things to do:

• Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns

• Explore the local markets then bar-hop along the Esplanade

• Wander with Kuku Yalanji guides at Mossman Gorge

• Chase waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands (tours make it easy!)

• Head north to Cape Tribulation, where you can sleep metres from the sand at Cape Trib Beach House. 

Splurge on: A thrilling adventure like bungy jumping, canyoning or whitewater rafting - Cairns is our adventure capital, after all. 

Brisbane: Big city buzz meets island chill

Not many capital cities offer island-hopping by day and pumping rooftop bars by night. But then again, not many cities quite are like Brisbane.

Best things to do:

• Climb the Story Bridge for skyline views
• Island-hop to Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) to snorkel wrecks, sandboard and swim on one of the world's largest sand islands
• Mosey through the groundbreaking exhibits at QAGOMA
• Hit rooftop bars for sunset drinks

Why solo travellers love it: It’s safe, social, and seriously easy to get around. Plus there's loads of accommodation whether you're looking for hostels or five-star luxe.

Use this guide for solo travel in Brisbane.

The Whitsundays: Sail into solo paradise

Google ‘paradise’ and you’ll find directions to The Whitsundays. This region is solo-travel goals for powder-white beaches, turquoise water and a yacht with your name on it. 

Airlie Beach is a perfect base, being a hotspot for dining, bars and accommodation from lively backpacker hostels to indulgent waterfront hotels.

Best things to do:

• Jet to the famous sands of Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet with Ocean Rafting, with time to snorkel secluded Reef locations
• Paddle through the archipelago on a kayak adventure
• Make lifelong friends on a multi-day sailing experience
• Discover hidden waterfalls among an oasis at Conway National Park
• Sleep under the stars in the middle of the Reef

Here's how to have the perfect solo break in The Whitsundays. 

Mackay: Wildlife wake-up calls and waterfall wanders

Looking for that pinch-me moment? Head to Cape Hillsborough, where wallabies and kangaroos share your sunrise. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter that you can simply rock up for, or enhance with a ranger-guided tour.

Best things to do:

• Meet kangaroos on the beach at dawn
• Spot shy platypus in the wild at Eungella National Park
• Swim under waterfalls in Finch Hatton Gorge

Why it’s a solo favourite: Laidback and low-key, Mackay is the place for nature lovers who like it real and rugged.

Outback Queensland: Dig into deep time and big skies

Think the Outback's too remote for solo travel? Think again. Fly into Queensland's red centre for easy arrival, or hit the open road if you’re keen on car karaoke and soul-searching horizons. Either way, you’re in for something special.

Winton's Australian Age of Dinosaurs offers an eight-day, fully hosted fossil dig that’s tailor-made for adventurous solo travellers. You’ll:

• Spend five to six days digging for real dinosaur fossils with expert guidance
• Prep fossils in the lab for future museum display
• Bond with other diggers over hearty, home-cooked meals and Outback sunrises
• Tour the museum and key sites on the Dinosaur Trail

Why it’s great for solo travellers: You’ll walk in a stranger and leave part of a prehistoric family. It’s catered, accommodated, and brimming with shared discoveries.

Townsville: Art, reef and island time

Tropical vibes with a twist. Townsville is home to underwater galleries, sun-drenched hikes, and a ferry ride to Magnetic Island where barefoot bars and koala-filled trails await.

Best things to do:

• Dive Townsville's unique Museum of Underwater Art or world-class shipwrecks
• Soak up sunset from The Strand for beach views and beers
• Swim, snorkel and explore Magnetic Island
• Join a guided e-bike tour through Paluma's Wet Tropics rainforest, stopping for waterfall swims

Tip: Social solo travellers will love being part of the scene at Nomads Magnetic Island or Rambutan in the city. 

Sunshine Coast: beach living made easy

Chase flavours, find your zen, and explore from beach to bush. The Sunshine Coast is equal parts laidback and lively – perfect for solo exploring.

Best things to do:

• Dine, drink and shop on Hastings Street in Noosa
• Spend a day making new friends at Australia Zoo
• Hike the Glass House Mountains or Noosa National Park
• Paddle through the rare Noosa Everglades on a kayak tour - then spend the night in nature at Kangarooms
• Escape to the hinterland for wineries and markets - jump on a tour for the best

Why solo travellers love it: It’s easy to meet people at hostels and beach bars, or disappear into the hills when you need some solo headspace.

Guide to solo travel on the Sunshine Coast

K'gari: Go remote, not alone