I'm thinking about signing up for an Intrepid trip to Australia and was wondering if anyone has taken a trip with this company and might be willing to share their experience. I'm a 37-year old single woman from the U.S.--fairly active, interested in food, wine, culture, the arts. I'd prefer not to "rough it" but wouldn't mind a few days of moderate accomodations. Would appreciate hearing about this company or any others that run trips in Australia. Also, if you've been to Sydney and/or Melbourne as a single woman, how was it?

Thanks!

I've done four trips with them - Beijing to Islamabad, Laos, Cambodia and Lombok. Great itineraries and prices, variable guides and accomodations. You can read my trip reports on the first three at www.wilhelmswords.com. There's also a trip report on the Asia board from massagediva who went to India with them, and you could look at http://www.bootsnall.com/travelogues/marie/index.shtml

I (older single woman) spent four or five days in Sydney a couple of years back and thought it was fine. I wasn't out really late at night, though.

I have not used Intrepid however I have been to Australia...although not by myself. Before you dismiss my comments, I'd like to mention that although I was in Sydney with my husband, I paid alot of attention to how I felt as a woman there. It's like being in San Francisco as far as threatening is concerned. I felt totally fine (keeping my usual smarts about me at all times of course but I do that no matter what). It's a very cosmopolitan place and I am certain you would have no trouble there. I know I wouldn't hestitate for a second if I was to go there alone. Having the tour group helps wiht the transfers and all but you don't need them.

I wish I could give you advice about Melbourne too but the last time I was there, I was 12.

i haven't taken a trip with intrepid. i instead went to australia as a single woman in her mid 30's alone. i might have roughed a little with staying in hostels and camping out at night during my tour to uluru, kings canyon and alice springs. australia is one of the safest places i've ever been to as a single woman. i even walked late at night in sydney. i had no problems. sydney is a great city and i can recommend a good chinese restaurant. melbourne was the most multiethnic and had the best food in australia. australia is such a great place to visit that you can easily travel on one's own without any problems. the natives are real friendly and i had no problems meeting people when i was there.

I live in Australia and have done 2 trips with Intrepid and have another 2 booked - so obviously like their style. As a tour group they give plenty of guidance and organised time but also plenty of "you" time. We found ourselves, on the wrong side of 40, to be nearly the oldest in both trips but this wasn't any problem. You shouldn't have any problems in either Sydney or Melbourne travelling on your own (with the normal care factor that not all are honest). Enjoy Ann