TRAVELLING SOLO
Updated: Sep 30
The past couple of years I’ve been travelling solo and let me tell you it has ups and downs, I mean you’d think to would just be all beer and skittles, but there are a few guidelines even I go by after lapping around Australia several times.
Here’s just a few of my daily routines and expectations that allow me to travel and explore safely, even in the realms of isolation and remote areas. But travelling solo isn’t about being alone, it’s about the freedom to discover who you are when no one is watching. In a world full of compromises, solo travel is the ultimate act of independence.
Checking road conditions Taking it easy with breaks Riverside camp
MY TOP FIVE TIPS WHEN TRAVELLING SOLO
1. Safety.
Combining a 4WD journey with solo camping gives you unmatched access to Australia’s most pristine wilderness, but it also means you are entirely responsible for your own security and survival. When camping solo, your campsite selection is your first line of defence. I aim to arrive at a destination well before dusk to set up camp in daylight, allowing to scan the area for hazards.
Like be wary of large over hanging branches that have the potential to drop at any time, try not to camp in river beds, even if they are dry as you never know what is happening upstream. In northern Australia, always camp at least 50 metres away from the water’s edge to remain safe from crocodiles. But one of the most important rules I go by, if it doesn’t feel right, move on, trust your gut instinct.
1. Comfortable where you travel.
I’m always aware of the different areas when travelling solo, such as, if I head up to Cape York I’ll prepare myself for the warmer weather conditions etc. Same as if I head south into the cooler climates, do a little research online and get a gauge for temperature, the type of 4wding you may be doing and even different campsites, wether they could be near water or out in the open areas.
If you head into the more remote and isolated areas like I do, know that there will be no phone service possibly for days and more likely that not, no social contact for any help. Know your limitations to the areas that you may head into. You might be happier to head across the desert on a 4wd tag a long before attempting a remote solo trip. Some people can do it, and others aren’t comfortable alone.
Read warning signs Remote scenery Be comfy with these signs
1. Vehicle prep.
Now this one is a big for me as vehicle preparation is the ultimate insurance policy for a solo traveller. When you are travelling alone, your vehicle is not just transport, it’s your lifeline, shelter, and safety net. Without a passenger to help problem-solve, ensure your 4x4 is mechanically flawless before turning the key is non-negotiable. A thorough pre-trip inspection forms the bedrock of your preparation and always schedule a major service with a mechanic who understands long-distance or off-road travel.
Prioritise checking the entire cooling system, brakes, suspension and battery health. Get your mechanic to also check belts and hoses, these should be replaced if they show the slightest sign of wear. I always start my big trips with new tyres and carry a good tyre repair kit, pressure gauge and a quality air compressor. Beyond standard mechanics, a solo traveller must curate a tailored self-sufficiency kit. This includes a comprehensive toolkit, basic spare parts like fuses, extra fluids (oil, coolant, and brake fluid), and quality vehicle recovery gear such as traction boards and a sturdy shovel.
But the most important tip here is know how to fix simple things like your 4wd’s fan belt or even how to change your tyre, I’ve seen plenty of times when these basic things seem to hard for solo travellers. Finally, smart weight distribution transforms how your vehicle handles. Pack heavy items like water jerry cans and recovery gear, low and toward the centre of the vehicle to maintain a low centre of gravity, know where all your gear is and try not to over pack. Securing everything tightly prevents dangerous projectiles in a sudden stop.
2. Managing the "Solo Tax" and Mental Fatigue
These are two of the biggest, least-talked-about challenges of long-term solo travel, as when you travel alone, you don’t just bear the full financial burden but you also shoulder the entire cognitive load of the journey. The solo tax, refers to the financial penalty of travelling alone where most travel infrastructure is built for couples or groups. As a solo traveller, you pay 100% of the cost for campsites, vehicle fuel, park passes and accommodation, without a partner to split the bill.
To manage this tax, you must be strategic. Opt for unpowered site fees or free camping when safe, use fuel-tracker apps like Fuel Map Australia to find the cheapest fuel and cook your own meals more often than buying takeaway. Sometimes you’ll come down with mental fatigue (or decision fatigue) which is the emotional exhaustion that comes from being the sole director of your trip.
Enjoying sunset 4wd water crossing Remote camp
When you are alone, you must make every single decision like, Where will I sleep tonight? Is this track safe? Do I have enough water? Is that noise in the engine normal?. Over time, this constant vigilance drains your energy, leading to burnout, anxiety, or mistakes. To combat this, I’ve found the best way is to deliberately slow down.
Establish a predictable routine, like waking up, packing camp and driving to the same times each day—to reduce the number of micro-decisions you have to make. Build days into your itinerary where you stay in a caravan park and do absolutely nothing. Most importantly, listen to your mind and if you feel overwhelmed it’s a sign to stop driving and rest.
3. Personal Safety.
Travelling solo is one of the most liberating and transformative experiences a person can undertake but there’s always personal safety to consider. I carry a good quality first aid kit and have completed a basic course on how to treat simple injuries on me or anyone else I come across in pain. When I head on any 4wd trip I carry a Zoleo emergency device that gives my location out to family so they can track anytime, even when I haven’t got phone service.
There are other PLB’s on the market as well as Starlink and some of the new age mobile phones, all have the right connections to help if you get out of dire straits. Consider your sleeping setup too. I used to be a swag guy but having a RTT gets you away from any nasties on the ground, it can be easier to spot danger being higher too.
Other things to consider include, keep personal items hidden when away from your 4wd, buy quality gear and know how to use it, even right down to keeping your setup clean and tidy, go through the car wash when you can, secure food in hard-sided containers to avoid attracting ants, rodents and even dingoes.
Decent gear Sturdy boxes
Lock up at night and ensure your keys, torch, and satellite communication device are in the same spot every night so you can locate them instantly in an emergency. Finally, human connection is a vital safety tool. Look around when you pull up at a camp and scope who’s there, you’ll soon get a feeling what’s right and wrong. Finally, use apps to find highly rated, populated campsites if you want the comfort of numbers, or notify the local park rangers when heading into remote National Parks.
Now this run down is my go to guide when travelling, and by following a few simple traits like respecting the bush, keeping it cleaner than before, checking road conditions and don’t drive on closed roads, watching for any fire warnings, you control the layout of your immediate surroundings and minimise risks before they happen. Keeping your camp footprint secure, and maintaining a strict check-in schedule with someone back home, solo camping becomes a profoundly rewarding adventure.
Remote road Very dangerous Remote warning area
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