Best Solo Travel Destinations from the Gold Coast: Imagine, if you stumbled upon an abandoned ‘Magic Bus’ just like Christopher McCandless did in the movie ‘Into The Wild’. Would you stop for a moment, and explore its interiors or would you just pass by it? Well, if you travel solo, you will at least ponder about it – how did the bus end up there? And where did it come from? Many such things intrigue our thoughts, especially when we travel solo.
The best part about travelling solo is that you can make your own decisions and take any road that you want. However, if you are an international student you also have to think about your budget and safety when travelling alone. In this blog, we aim to list 5 amazing solo travel destinations for students living in the Gold Coast that are affordable and safe to travel to. So, buckle up your seat belts and get ready for your next solo trip adventure!
| Solo Travel Destination | Location | Distance From the Gold Coast |
| Brisbane | Queensland, Australia | One-hour drive |
| Byron Bay | New South Wales 2481, Australia | One-hour drive |
| Lockyer Valley | Lockyer Valley, Queensland, Australia | Three-hour drive |
| North Stradbroke Island | Queensland 4183, Australia | Two and a half-hour drive |
| Rainbow Beach | Queensland 4581, Australia | Three and a half-hour drive |
This Blog Includes:
1. Brisbane
Embed from Getty ImagesBrisbane is located only an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast and serves as the best solo travel destination due to its proximity. The city is safe for solo travellers and has diverse tourist attractions. Some of the incredible places to visit in Brisbane include the Wheel of Brisbane, the Nepalese Peace Pagoda, and the beautiful City Botanic Gardens. Brisbane is a well-connected city and travelling to its different parts is easy thanks to its public transport facilities that stretch to every corner of the city.
Distance From Places of Interest
| Place | ETA |
| Coffee Anthology | 9 minutes drive |
| South Bank Parklands | 6 minutes walk |
| The Skyneedle | 4 minutes drive |
How To Reach
Also Read: If you are travelling to Brisbane, then you must be interested to read: 7 Interesting Facts About Brisbane That You Might Not Know
2. Byron Bay
Embed from Getty ImagesByron Bay is another feasible solo travel destination from the Gold Coast due to its proximity. Located only an hour’s drive from Gold Coast, Byron Bay has beautiful, serene beaches which are good for both relaxation and sunbathing as well as adventure sports like kayaking and paddling. This place is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in Australia for students due to its connectivity and decent accommodation prices. Students can take guided tours here of Watego Beach and Cape Byron. There are also several boutique shops and cafes in Byron Bay’s CBD, so you can stop by here to buy some beautiful souvenirs while returning to the Gold Coast.
Distance From Places of Interest
| Place | ETA |
| Azure Bar & Grill | 8 minutes drive |
| Miss Margarita | 4 minutes walk |
| Chihuahua Taqueria | 2 minutes drive |
How To Reach
3. Lockyer Valley
Embed from Getty ImagesLockyer Valley is located around 101.3 miles from Gold Coast and it will take you around a 3-hour drive to reach here. Renowned for its fertile farming areas, the place produces high-quality wines and it would be a crime to visit this place and not see its world-famous wine-producing areas. Apart from fertile lands, the place also has beautiful wildlife including black-breasted buttonquail and brush-tailed rock-wallaby. A trip to Lockyer Valley wouldn’t be complete without visiting the ‘Floating Cafe’ which serves delicious coffee and cakes. Plan a trip to this destination and when you visit also try to find out why it is called ‘Lockyer Valley’.
Distance From Places of Interest
| Place | ETA |
| Oh Sushi | 15 minutes drive |
| Natural Noodle Gatton | 15 minutes drive |
| Rosie’s Chicken | 14 minutes drive |
How To Reach
4. North Stradbroke Island
Embed from Getty ImagesTaking a solo trip to North Stradbroke Island or ‘Straddie’ (as called by locals) is an option worth considering as the destination is very affordable and close to the Gold Coast. Students can plan a trip here when they get a short vacation or break from college. The locals of the place are very warm and affectionate people; the place is also home to a considerable indigenous population of Quandamooka people. Straddie is packed with some beautiful destinations and is one of the best places to see humpback whales. You will also see a lot of kangaroos here just enjoying in a group!
What to pack: Exploring North Stradbroke Island will require a lot of walking, so make sure you pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. Along with this, pack suitable clothing items for the number of days you plan to stay here. Don’t forget to keep your student ID card as carrying it might make you eligible for discounts at some eating spots
Author’s Tip: Straddie is very close to Brisbane City (only 34 miles). So, you can also go to Straddie from Brisbane, and this way you can cover two solo travel destinations. It’ll also be better if you plan your trip keeping in mind your vacation period, as it’ll take you around 5 days to cover both these places.
Distance From Places of Interest
| Place | ETA |
| CJs Cafe and Pizza | 24 minutes drive |
| Manta Ray Bistro | 41 minutes drive |
| Fins N Fries | 42 minutes drive |
How To Reach
Also Read: If you are an international student living in Australia, then you must read: 7 Things That You Should Never Say To An Australian
5. Rainbow Beach
Embed from Getty ImagesDeriving its name from the colourful red and yellow sand cliffs, Rainbow Beach is another favourite pick among students for a solo trip. The place is about 178 miles from Gold Coast and it’ll take you around 3 hours to get here by car. Even a day’s trip is enough to cover the place, however, if you don’t want to feel tired by the end of your trip, you can plan a 2-day trip to this beach. Some of the top attractions here include Fraser Island, Noosa Everglades, Lake Cootharaba, and the Double Island Point.
Distance From Places of Interest
| Place | ETA |
| Rainbow Beach Pizza | 7 minutes walk |
| Quay Carlo Rainbow Beach | 6 minutes drive |
| Maheno’s | 2 minutes drive |
How To Reach
FAQs
Brisbane, Byron Bay, and Rainbow Beach are some of the most famous solo travel destinations from the Gold Coast.
Yes, Australia is one of the safest countries in the world to travel alone.
As Gold Coast is close to several solo trip destinations, 3-5 days are enough for a solo trip. Plan a trip keeping in mind the vacation period of your college. You can pick a destination depending on its proximity to the Gold Coast and the number of days you have.
This blog was all about some safe and affordable solo travel destinations from the Gold Coast. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118.
| Related Blogs |
| Sun, Sand, and Adventure: 7 Top Places To Visit in Gold Coast |
| Top 5 Weekend Getaways From Gold Coast |
| Solo Travel Destinations For Students in Australia |
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