Escaping the daily routine: why Australian women choose to travel alone

There was a time when travelling solo meant you couldn't find anyone to go with.

But today, the question for a growing number of Australian women isn't who they want to invite on a holiday, but why they would want to invite anyone at all.

Driven by a craving for flexibility and a break from the daily grind, independent travel has evolved from a backup plan to the dream holiday.

For avid solo traveller Jessica Ward, who navigated New Zealand, Canada, the US, the UK and Europe by herself, downtime alone was an important way to recharge.

"I think travelling alone, it's not about avoiding other people. It's about having the freedom to do exactly what you would like to do, wherever you want to go," she said.

"If I'm really busy at work I like to take a few days off or book a weekend away just by myself, so I'm able to clear my head, slow down, recharge and make sure I don't run into burnout."

This desire to unplug was felt across the country, with data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in 2025 showing that more than a third of women frequently felt rushed or pressed for time.

Research from holiday park operator Reflections Holidays confirmed that independent travel was no longer a niche trend, it's become a lifestyle choice driven by a desire to unwind.

According to the report, 72 per cent of women chose solo travel to relax and escape their routine, while 64 per cent wanted to gain peace and clarity.

Independent travel for women was largely driven by a craving for flexibility and freedom.

Beyond setting their own schedules, female travellers were seeking mental wellness, independence and a sense of self-discovery.

This was true for Ms Ward, who liked to challenge her abilities by navigating tricky situations to build confidence.

She said the real magic of solo travel happens when you push past the comfort zone of a group safety net.

"You meet so many people when you're travelling solo and you're definitely more open to starting a conversation with strangers or going and sitting somewhere by yourself," Ms Ward said.

"I think if you're travelling with other people you don't get those sort of experiences because you rely more on the safety net of who you're with."

Newcastle Business School associate professor Tamara Young said the report challenged commonly held assumptions about solo female travellers.

"Women who travel alone are not timid, and they are not naive about risk. They assess it and go anyway, by choice rather than for lack of a companion," Professor Young said.

To feel safe, solo female travellers relied on staying in busier areas, with good lighting and visibility as well as seeking support from staff or hosts.

Solo traveller Corallee Vimpani said that safety was one of the biggest considerations.

"After living full-time in my campervan for the past four years and travelling along the east coast of Australia alone, I've learnt that feeling safe allows you to truly relax and enjoy the experience," Ms Vimpani said.

"I'm always mindful of where I stay, the environment, phone reception, how busy the area is and whether the space feels welcoming and comfortable as a solo woman," she said.

"However, I also don't like to live a life in fear. There is a balance between being safe and feeling fearful.

"Travelling solo has actually made me feel more capable, aware and confident in myself. I've learnt to trust my intuition, be prepared and stay aware of my surroundings, but I no longer travel from a place of fear."