With an increasing number of solo travel holiday options emerging, Alena Duykers looks into some of the best on offer for Aussie ladies who want to go it alone.

When Sue Hile went in search of a holiday package that was exclusively for women and suited to her desire for adventure, her hunt proved difficult. Inspired by an obvious gap in the market, she decided to open her own travel company named Adventurous Women, which for the last three years has offered women with the same sense of adventure various options to explore the globe.

Specifically for solo travelers, Adventurous Women also offers a forum on their website that allows women to discuss their travel plans and find a female travel partner with similar interests. The company also gives traveler’s advice on how to get around the single supplement.

One of their best Aussie options is the ‘Adventurous Women’s Outback Adventure’. For $1099, participants can go on a nine-day camping trip from Adelaide to the Red Centre and learn about some of Australia’s most iconic attractions along the way. But this trip is not for princesses so if you’re after something a bit more easy going, there are many more options to choose from.

For women looking for luxury, there is Boutique Tours & Travel. Again a female-only travel business, they offer textile and ceramic tours, cuisine and cultural tours and other private travel options in Australia and overseas.

There are plenty of options available for women looking to travel in a female only environment.

For example, for women who are serious shoppers and want to discover some of the best shopping precincts in America, then tour company Travel Addictions is ideal.

If you’re considering travelling to a variety of different locations overseas, than other female tour companies like Sisterhood Womens Travel, Girls on Tour and Getaways for girls may be for you.

Group tours and cruises are another great option for solo travellers, with businesses such as Abercrombie & Kent catering to singles and offering solo savings. Abercrombie & Kent also guarantee to waive the single supplement fee or reduce it by as much as 75 percent, depending on the tour.

But for those on a tighter budget, consider combining voluntary work with your holiday plans.

For example, those interested in the environment and wildlife can go on a six-day camp at Camp Chivaree in Mapoon, Cape York, where volunteers help save Cape York Sea Turtles. The camp includes training on how to care for the endangered animals.

If bird-watching is of interest, Bird Tours Australia offers the ‘Eight Habitats Tour’. For $250, participants are taken to some of Australia’s most beautiful coastal rainforests and woodlands to enjoy breathtaking views in ideal bird-watching territory. If you’re interested in over night bird watching trips than visit the Bird Tours Australia website to find the tour that is suited to you.

Photography enthusiasts can embark on Australian photographic safaris and camping tours with River Deep Mountain High. Based in a variety of different locations like the Blue Mountains, the Simpson Desert, Central Australia, south-west Queensland, remote WA, the Flinders Ranges and other beautiful settings around Australia. This tour group helps participants build their skills while seeing the country.

Whatever the interest, there’s bound to be a solo travel option to suit.

DETAILS

Adventurous Women // 1300 388 419 or 0423 057 994// www.adventurouswomen.com.au

Boutique Tours & Travel // 0411 116 925 // www.boutiquetours.com.au

Travel Addictions // 0418 787 128 // www.traveladdiction.com.au

Sisterhood Womens Travel // 1300 885 255 // www.sisterhoodwomenstravel.com.au/

Girls on Tour // 0409 057 417// www.girlsontour.com.au

Getaways for girls // 0410 645282// www.getawaysforgirls.com/

Abercrombie & Kent //  (03) 9536 1807 // www.akdmc.com

Cape York Turtle Rescue // 1800 032 501 // www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

River Deep Mountain High // 02 4782 6109 // www.rdmh.com.au

Bird Tours Australia // (02) 4923 6819 // www.birdingtours.com.au