TRAVELLING ALONE-AS A WOMAN...
 

I am planning a trip to Australia soon. I am wondering how the situation is for women travelling alone. What about the famou "outback"? Please let me know what your experiences were, and whether you would recommend a couple of weeks in Australia; let's say in comparison to the relative safety in a Northern European country...Thank you for your input.

I would say enjoy yourself downunder. They sure are fun, comparable to Italians. Substitute beer for wine, and be cautious. Good luck. berta

I spent 3 months traveling alone in Austraila. Not knowing anyone (or much about where I was) was intimidating at first, but after the first day I felt right at home. You need to be careful, but the people were more than friendly (and helpful). I used Fodors as a guide, but the best info comes from talking to other travelers.(and there are a lot of them). The Lonley Planet was another very good guide for traveling alone. I also bought 5 one way (inland) tickets on Quantas(they have to be purchased before you leave the US)for about $525, you dont have to know dates of travel just destinations. It was a very safe way to see a lot of really great places. Good luck, I envy you.

I lived in the Australian outback for two years in a place called Alice Springs. I HIGHLY recommend spending some time there. I have travelled all over the world, and have found no place else in which I'd rather travel alone. Aussie's are friendly, outgoing, and they like Americans. To give you just one example of why I recommend the place, I was standing outside a restaurant in Perth one evening, reading the menu and trying to decide if I wanted to go in and eat alone. A woman came up to me and asked whether I was alone. I told her I was, so she invited me in to have dinner with her and her family. It turned out to be a delightful evening. Go and have a great time. No worries (as the Aussies say).

I spent 6 weeks last winter traveling alone along the east coast of Austraila (I am a 26 year old female), and I loved it. Never once did I feel afraid, or that myself or my belongings were in danger. The people there were so friendly and helpful. So I say have fun, be as careful as you would anywhere else, and go! The Lonely Planet book also helped alot. <BR>