The Biggest Lessons from a Year of Solo Backpacking in Australia

A year ago, I packed my bags and set off for Australia, unsure of what lay ahead but eager to embrace whatever came my way. I spent months coaching tennis on the west coast, soaking in the rugged beauty of the Indian Ocean and immersing myself in a new way of life. Then, I set out on a journey across the Nullarbor Plain, through the heart of the Outback, and along the stunning east coast. It was an adventure filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. More than anything, it was a journey of self-discovery. Here are the biggest lessons I learned along the way.

1. This Too Shall Pass

Whether it was the exhaustion of a long travel day, the sting of loneliness, or the stress of figuring out my next move, I learned that everything is temporary. The tough moments—getting stuck in the middle of nowhere, dealing with travel mishaps, or feeling homesick—always passed. And so did the perfect sunsets, the spontaneous road trip friendships, and the thrill of discovering a new place. Learning to appreciate each moment for what it is—good or bad—became a game-changer.

One evening on the west coast, I sat on the beach watching one of the most breathtaking sunsets I had ever seen. The sky was painted in deep oranges, purples, and pinks, the waves gently rolling in as the sun dipped below the horizon. I wanted to freeze that moment, to hold onto its beauty forever. But within minutes, the colors faded, the sky darkened, and just like that, the moment was gone. It was a reminder that nothing lasts forever—not the difficult times, but also not the perfect ones. Instead of clinging to them, I learned to fully embrace and appreciate them while they were happening, knowing that each moment—good or bad—was just another part of the journey.

Reflecting on a beautiful WA sunset

2. Embrace the Fear

Fear showed up in many forms. Fear of the unknown, fear of being alone, fear of making the wrong choices. But time and time again, I found that stepping into that fear was where the magic happened. Moments of fear often lead to the best moments, the ones that stick with you forever and change your perspective on life. Saying yes to things (that scared me)—like camping in the Outback, swimming with sharks, or trusting strangers—led to some of my most rewarding experiences. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones, and solo travel forces you to face that head-on.

Skydiving felt like pure freedom—standing at the edge of an open plane, and then suddenly being weightless, floating above the world with nothing but air rushing past. It was a feeling like nothing I've ever felt before. The free fall from 15,000 ft. was pure bliss! Swimming with sharks, something that once terrified me, became a moment of peace and connection with nature as I watched these powerful apex predators move effortlessly through the water. Camping in the Outback was another lesson in embracing the unknown—falling asleep under a sky so full of stars it felt infinite, reminding me of how small I was in the grand scheme of the universe. These moments of fear transformed into moments of clarity, showing me that the most incredible experiences often lie just beyond our comfort zones.

Under a beautiful starry sky

3. Be Alone and Don’t Be Afraid to Reinvent Yourself (Maybe More Than Once)

Solo backpacking gives you the rare opportunity to sit with yourself—without the noise of familiarity, expectations, or social roles. I had time to reflect, to question, and to reinvent who I was and who I wanted to be. I wasn’t just a tennis coach, a traveler, or an adventurer. I could be all of those things and more. Travel has a way of peeling back layers and showing you parts of yourself you didn’t know existed. It’s okay to change. In fact, it’s necessary.

4. Be Present and Watch

Australia’s landscapes demand attention. The vastness of the Nullarbor, the red dirt roads of the Outback, the golden beaches of the east and west coast—each place had its own rhythm, its own beauty. I learned to slow down, to watch, and to take it all in. Whether it was observing locals in a small town with a coffee, witnessing the way the colors changed at sunset, or simply sitting in silence by the ocean, being present made everything richer.

One of the most special moments of my trip was one morning in Noosa when I went to watch the sunrise over a quiet lake. The sky slowly changed from deep purple to shades of pink and gold, and as I stood there taking it all in, I saw kangaroos hopping over the water. It was a surreal, almost dreamlike moment—a reminder of how much beauty exists when you simply slow down and watch. It was in moments like these that I truly understood the power of being present. Travel isn’t just about checking places off a list; it’s about feeling deeply connected to the world around you.

The Noosa Kangaroo hopping across the water

5. BE YOURSELF

When you travel alone, there’s no one to impress. No expectations to meet. You just get to be you—fully, unapologetically. And the people who cross your path? They see you for who you are in that moment, not for who you were or who you’re supposed to be. I learned to own my quirks, to trust my instincts, and to be confident in my own skin. It was one of the most freeing lessons of all.

I met so many different kinds of people on the road—some who I clicked with instantly, others who challenged my perspectives. The best part? I never felt the need to be anything but myself. I didn’t have to play a role or fit into anyone’s expectations. I could just be, and that was enough. The people who are meant to find you will find you, and the right connections happen when you’re being your authentic self.

Solo traveling is also asking complete strangers to take silly photos of you in public places!

Final Thoughts

Solo backpacking isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about discovering new parts of yourself. My year in Australia was filled with unforgettable experiences, but the biggest adventure was the internal one. If you’re thinking about setting off on your own journey, my advice is simple: do it. Embrace the uncertainty, lean into the discomfort, and trust that you’ll find your way. Because you will. And you’ll come back changed in ways you never expected.