Solo Traveller Destinations
NSW has plenty of destinations that work well solo, from walkable coastal towns to compact CBDs with easy train access from Sydney.
Your guide to the best destinations for solo travellers
Travelling alone means picking a destination differently. The best solo escapes have a walkable centre so you’re not reliant on a car, casual dining where eating solo doesn’t feel out of place, and enough to do that you can fill a weekend at your own pace. We’ve looked for towns with hotel or boutique accommodation rather than just holiday houses, and activities, walks, beaches, galleries and markets that work well whether you’re with someone or travelling solo.
Next Escape is your guide to real places and real experiences, with practical, independent travel advice based on first-hand visits: the places we’ve explored, the restaurants we’ve eaten at and the walks we’ve done. This page may contain affiliate links; if you book or buy through them, Next Escape may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Terrigal Travel Guide
With a walkable centre and plenty to do, Terrigal makes an excellent destination to explore solo.
Newcastle Travel Guide
Restaurants, cafes, shops and beaches to explore.
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Bermagui
Drive time from Sydney: Around 5 and a half hours
Bermagui is compact and walkable enough to explore solo, from the coastal walks to beach and ocean pool swims.
GET THE GUIDE →: Bermagui
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Berry
Drive time from Sydney: 2 hours
Berry's Queen Street is compact and easy to explore solo, with boutiques, cafes and lunch spots all within a short walk of each other. It suits a solo traveller who wants a relaxed pace, good coffee and the option of a quiet countryside drive without needing to plan around anyone else.
GET THE GUIDE →: Berry
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Kiama
Drive time from Sydney: 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours
Kiama is one of the easiest NSW towns to visit solo: less than 2 hours driving or a direct train from Central Station, a walkable town centre and hotel options like The Sebel and Nova Kiama. The 20 km coastal walk can be done in sections at your own pace, and the wide choice of dining options makes solo meals easy.
GET THE GUIDE →: Kiama
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Narooma
Drive time from Sydney: Around 4.5 to 5 hours
Narooma is a quieter beach town on the NSW South Coast with an excellent food scene, worth the extra drive time if you want a slower solo trip. Bar Rock Lookout and Australia Rock are an easy solo walk, and a Barunguba Montague Island tour is a straightforward solo activity to book. A car is needed to make the most of it, including the drive to Central Tilba.
GET THE GUIDE →: Narooma
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Newcastle
Drive time from Sydney: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Newcastle works particularly well for solo travellers: a little over 2 hours drive or direct train from Sydney, a compact and walkable CBD, and the long coastal walk from Nobbys to Merewether that you can do in one go or in sections. Darby Street's cafes and casual dining make eating alone easy, and hotels like the QT put you within walking distance of most of the city.
GET THE GUIDE →: Newcastle
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Terrigal
Drive time from Sydney: 1.5 hours
Terrigal is easy to explore alone, with most cafes and restaurants within walking distance of the beach and a good range of hotel accommodation, including the Crowne Plaza. The Skillion headland walk is a great morning outing, and casual dining spots like Four Hands makes eating alone easy.
GET THE GUIDE →: Terrigal
