Hiya<BR><BR>I'm planning on going to Australia for about 3 months next year. However at the moment it looks like i may be going alone. I'm just wondering would you recommend travelling alone. Are hostels expensive? Where would be the best places to go. I'm thinking of Sydney, Cairns and Brisbane. Is there any "good" time of year to go weatherwise. It would be my first time travelling abroad alone. Any tips you guys have would be very much welcomed. <BR><BR>Thanks <BR>I would also like to know if i need to get a Visa and if it's difficult to do so/ (I'm Irish)

Hi Cait<BR><BR>I have never travelled as a tourist in Australia by myself but I have travelled to every state in Australia, rural and city, on business. I eat in restaurants by myself, wander around looking at the sights after work and in free time, and have always felt comfortable. One thing I do is ask the concierge or front desk where I should not walk before I set out. They have always been helpful. Australians are a friendly lot and if you will usually be able to get talking to a local at a pub or anywhere you are out. We feel an affinity to the Irish, a lot of our early (perhaps not voluntary!) settlers were Irish and we share a lot of cultural similarities so you should be made to feel very welcome. Nothing is particularly expensive in Oz, once you know where and when you can get a better idea on how much you would need to spend. The exchange rate is usually on your side.<BR><BR>As for weather, Australia is a big place and the weather varies a lot. Anywhere north of Townsville Queensland is hot, humid and unpleasant from November to the end of February. The rest of the year that part of Australia is heaven. The rest of Australia is very hot in January and February but fine the rest of the year. Some rain in winter of course but never too cold except for Tasmania.<BR><BR>As for the visa, check out the following website. I think you need one but you can read it for yourself!<BR><BR>http://www.migrationint.com.au/<BR><BR>Read Bill Brysons books on Australia, they will give you a good feel for the place and be fun at the same time.<BR><BR>Cheers<BR><BR>

Hi Lynn,<BR><BR>Thank you for taking the time to read and respond. Very much appreciated. That's certainly helpful.

Hello Cait <BR>Loads of people travel solo through Oz, but if you're staying at hostels you won't be alone for long. Australia is well set up for the independent traveller with hostels all over the place. Try www.lonelyplanet.com.au and its Thorntree for more specific info on hostel-type travel. <BR>As for weather, the best time for the tropical north is our winter, say June to September. The best times for Sydney are October to January. So maybe best to start up north around August/September and make your way down to Sydney October/November. <BR>As for other places to see, the east coast is chock full of great places to see. Maybe get yourself a good guide book and map out a rough itinerary. <BR>If you're only staying 3 months you'll only need a tourist visa. This is organised electronically by your travel agent and is free unless the agent decides to take a cut.

Thanks Matt

Hi Cait,<BR>I spent the month of July travelling around Australia alone and I must say it was the easiest place I've ever travelled alone. Like Matt said, you'll meet loads of people!<BR><BR>I had a incredibly great time and met some amazing people. You will have a brilliant time! <BR>Debbie