City in Victoria, Australia
Melbourne for solo travelers
Is Melbourne good for solo travel?
Australia's coffee, art and live-music capital, with trams, laneways and a big student and working-holiday scene. Cheaper than Sydney, but the weather swings through four seasons in a day.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Late-night transport and nightlife precautions apply; use a rideshare rather than walking from quiet stations. |
How to meet people in Melbourne
Hostels in St Kilda and the CBD, free walking tours, Meetup and language-exchange groups, run clubs along the Yarra, comedy nights and coworking events.
Good things to do alone
- Hunt street art in Hosier Lane and Fitzroy
- Try a coffee crawl through the laneways
- Ride the free City Circle tram
- Browse Queen Victoria Market early
- Catch live music in Collingwood or Northcote
Where to stay in Melbourne
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| CBD and Southbank | Short stays, trams and laneways; convenient but busy |
| Fitzroy–Collingwood | Cafés, bars, live music and street art |
| St Kilda | Beach, backpackers and a relaxed coastal feel |
| Carlton–Brunswick | Students, Italian food, cheaper shared houses |
| South Yarra–Prahran | Upscale, restaurants and good tram links |
Solo travel across Australia
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Melbourne | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Byron Bay | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Bondi Beach | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Brisbane | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Perth | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Cairns | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Adelaide | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Hobart | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Noosa | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Blue Mountains | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sunshine Coast | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Great Ocean Road | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| K'gari | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Port Douglas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fremantle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Newcastle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Launceston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Manly | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Magnetic Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Uluru | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Darwin | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Canberra | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Margaret River | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Broome | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Melbourne good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Australia's coffee, art and live-music capital, with trams, laneways and a big student and working-holiday scene.
How do you meet people in Melbourne?
Hostels in St Kilda and the CBD, free walking tours, Meetup and language-exchange groups, run clubs along the Yarra, comedy nights and coworking events. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Melbourne?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Melbourne safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Late-night transport and nightlife precautions apply; use a rideshare rather than walking from quiet stations.
More about Melbourne
Going to Melbourne solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Melbourne meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.