Top 10 Australian holiday spots for singles

If you’re living the single life, why not round up the girls and take a little trip this summer?

Whether you’re craving a beachside, wine-and-cheese, or active holiday, Australia has a hot spot or hidden gem that will be exactly what you’re looking for. Here are our top picks for destinations around the country that are perfect for single girls — or a whole flock of them!

If you want to shop…

When it comes to shopping, Melbourne just can’t be beaten. With its great selection of cute boutiques, popular chain stores and factory outlets, it caters to all budgets and tastes and, quite frankly, is a shopper’s heaven. Exploring the little laneways around the city and the busy shopping strips (like Chapel Street) is half the fun, as Melbourne has a certain charm that other capital cities don’t seem to have. It’s also got a fabulous café culture and nightlife, so there are plenty of options if you’re keen for a good feed or a great night out.

From its massive department stores in the CBD and chic beachwear shops in Bondi, to grungy stores in Newtown and high-end designers in Paddington, Sydney has something to satisfy all — and we mean all — shoppers. The best way to explore Sydney’s shopping scene is to pick the area that suits your tastes most and start from there. For instance, if you want labels, head to the boutique-lined streets of Woollahra and Paddington; and if you want to score some bargains, visit outlets like Birkenhead Point.

If you want to relax…

If you want nothing more than to relax, unwind, and go to the beach, book yourself a trip to Byron Bay. It’s the bohemian capital of the country, where everyone is chilled out and set on enjoying life. People who live in bustling cities flock to Byron Bay throughout the year to escape — and there’s no better time than summer. If you really want to treat yourself, head to the Gaia Retreat and Spa for a day or two and indulge in a range of treatments from massages to mud wraps and yoga classes.

A short two-hour drive from Adelaide, Kangaroo Island is quickly becoming one of the state’s ultimate holiday hot spots. If relaxing and rejuvenating is what you have in mind for your girls weekend or solo trip, definitely consider this place. It’s isolated but beautiful, with quiet red roads, pristine beaches, untouched sand dunes and stunning scenery. If morning walks, long afternoons on the beach and tons of fresh produce appeal to you, Kangaroo Island is a great choice.

If you want a healthy holiday…

Depending on who you speak to, Margaret River is known for two things: its wine and its amazing health retreats. There’s just something about the lush greenery and stunning coastline that makes this the perfect place to take some “me time”, get your health back on track and enjoy yourself along the way. While the standard of the retreats are pretty high, you can’t go wrong by checking into the Honey Eater Ridge or Empire Spa Retreat.

It may be the tiny island right at the bottom of Australia, but Tasmania is making serious waves in the travel industry, mostly because of its range of health retreats, adventure tours and wine regions. As it’s a little isolated and a lot less populated than other areas, it’s got the makings of a great health escape. The Harmony Hill Wellness Retreat, for example, is just a hop, skip and a jump from Hobart and offers relaxation, detoxification and weight loss programs.

If you want to party…

It’s the party town where anything goes, so if you’re looking to hit the dancefloor over summer, you can’t go past the Gold Coast. Skip Surfer’s Paradise (and the hordes of tourists) and instead, stay at one of the nearby neighbourhoods such as Broadbeach or Mermaid Beach. Whether you want to dance away to house music or chill at a cocktail bar, there are plenty of spots to suit every possible taste. All you need is the girls. And it’s not all about the pulsing nightlife: The Gold Coast has picturesque beaches and great shopping malls, too.

If you want to wine and dine…

If you’re partial to a glass of red and some top-notch cheese, the Barossa Valley is an excellent place to visit over summer. One of the best wine regions in the country — which is a pretty big call — this area specialises in full-bodied red wines (like Shiraz). It also has amazing scenery and, as clichéd as it sounds, you can expect rolling green hills, acres of vineyards and cottages dotting the landscape. Besides wine tasting, the Barossa Valley also boasts great restaurants and boutique stores.

If Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are more your style, the Yarra Valley may be just the ticket. While it’s not as charming as its South Australian counterpart, it does have a lot more to offer in terms of tours and activities. It also specialises in quite a few varieties of wines, so all of your girlfriends’ palates will be satisfied. As a major bonus, the region is located just outside of Melbourne, so it’s very convenient if you’re in the mood for a spot of shopping or a night out away from the vineyards.

If you want adventure…

Located halfway between Thredbo and Jindabyne on the fringes of Kosciusko National Park, Lake Crackenback is an adult’s playground. With so much open space at its disposal, the place is almost run off adrenalin alone. If you want to stay active or get your heart pumping on your holiday, this huge resort has plenty to keep you busy. Some of the activities on offer include mountain biking, alpine walks, kayaking and swimming. Of course, you’re also free to take a break from exploring the area — and your endurance limits — and just relax.

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