Alone in the Smoke, How the Blue Mountains Taught me to Travel Solo
Regardless of how many solo holidays you've been on, the first is always the most memorable. Although often filled with mistakes, your first adventure alone is life-changing. For The Lost Bilby, a summer holiday to the Blue Mountains in 2019 was the first adventure that taught me a lesson or two. These are the challenges I faced, and how you can avoid them during your next solo escape.
Dealing With Bad Weather
.With Australia’s unpredictable weather, there's no knowing whether the sun will shine regardless of the forecast. During my holiday, bushfires raged through New South Wales during what is now known as the 2019-2020 Australian Black SummerInstead of admiring breathtaking scenery, I watched helicopters waterbomb a smokey landscape from the safety of the Three Sisters Lookout.
As these fires claimed lives and decimated homes, most tourist attractions and walking tracks were closed. As a nature-lover who planned their holiday around hiking and mountain views, I had to re-plan my itinerary, forcing me to enjoy the simple aspects of the Blue Mountains.
Although Leura Cascades and Blackheath's Covetts Leap Lookout did re-open, easy walks I highly recommend, I learnt the art of visiting attractions typically not included on my bucket list. As you don't have a travel partner to consult about a plan B, your problem-solving skills are often tested as a solo traveller.
Your future adventure likely won't involve dodging bushfires, but ensure you choose a few plan B activities for your itinerary if the weather goes wrong. Although I'm guilty of booking non-refundable stays for budgeting reasons, paying extra for free cancellation ensures you can easily change plans if something drastic happens.
2. Struggling to Find YOUR Travel Style
Travel is expensive, so there is always a chance you may never revisit a destination. With this in mind, you may cram a million attractions into one day out of fear of missing out. After years of following family through Asia or weekend surf trips, I also spent my holidays rushing from one attraction to another until my Blue Mountains trip.
In addition to dodging bushfires, I sprained my ankle after leaving the hotel to rush to a hike I had heard re-opened. Fast-paced travel might work for you, but this incident made me realise I needed to slow down and discover my travel style.
Discovering how YOU like to travel can take time, especially if you have spent most holidays following a group. You can read all the travel guides you like, but the best way to figure this out is by embarking on a few adventures. Like me, you'll make a few mistakes along the way, but keep an open mind and learn the art of travelling your way soon enough.
3. Choosing the Wrong Accommodation
Finding the right hotel is hard, especially in a place as beautiful as the Blue Mountains. You'll likely focus on the hotel with the best view instead of checking the little things. I struggled with this until I found a cute Airbnb cottage in Leura, a town I recommend visiting while staying in the Blue Mountains.
Despite being advertised as within walking distance of Leura's CBD, upon arrival, I discovered the property was a 30-minute drive from shops and eateries. With no footpath or public transport connecting me to the CBD, I cancelled my stay. With help from family and a long search online over coffee at Laura Deli, I eventually found a new hotel.
After a few strong but kind words to Airbnb's customer service team and my host, I received a full refund for the cottage. Showing that sometimes you have to put your shyness aside to get justice. Checking a hotel's location yourself is always best rather than relying on the property owner's word. You can do this by using Rome2Rio or Google Maps to see how far the main attractions are from the hotel. For Leura, you could look at the distance between Josophens Fine Chocolate, a delicious and central chocolate shop in Leura, and accommodation.
I also read Tripadvisor reviews for each hotel I'm considering to see what like-minded travellers say. If your room is wrong, don't hesitate to contact your host or reception. Their job is to accommodate you, after all. The small things make a solo holiday successful, so don't be afraid to ask for a change.
4 Being Nervous About Travelling Solo
Travelling solo for the first time is daunting, and nervousness is normal. Despite having embarked on a few short solo weekends to Brisbane, the Blue Mountains was my first big solo holiday that involved navigating multiple destinations. I didn't admit it, but I was worried about travelling through New South Wales via public transport alone, believing I would miss the bus to Katoomba and be left stranded.
Despite arriving in the Blue Mountains smoothly, even while leaving the previous town in flames, my anxiousness almost made me change travel plans. However, succeeding in this journey taught me to trust myself and not overthink problems that haven't happened yet. I wouldn't have gained the confidence to book future holidays without this faithful bus ride.
Being nervous to go it alone isn't always a bad thing; you just need to take a leap of faith to build your confidence. However, booking a short and simple holiday close to home could be a good first step for those concerned about travelling alone. For some reason, I always make friends more easily while travelling alone than in a group, so you're never truly alone. These days, any issues that arise can generally be fixed over coffee and time with Mr. Google.
5. Having too Many Bags and not Enough Hands on Day Trips
Taking the wrong bag can become stressful on day trips without someone to help you carry everything. I learnt this the hard way after breaking my iPad in Katoomba. This happened because I wanted to use a bag that matched my outfit instead of a bag that fitted my devices, and dropped my iPad while leaving a cafe.
. So, finding a bag that can fit everything you need for the day is essential. Using a backpack may seem like a fashion compromise, but TK Max often sells stylish and practical backpacks. Using clips outside of bags is also great for water bottles or selfie sticks. The less you have to carry, the fewer items that will get lost or broken..
Choosing the right outfit can also make a difference here. A denim skirt with pockets can store your phone, allowing easy access when taking a quick photo. Regardless of whether you are hiking Wentworth Falls or strolling through Katoomba's antique stores, having less in your hands will make a difference.
Dealing with problems is unavoidable while travelling, and there's always the chance you might book the wrong hotel or injure yourself. I was particularly unlucky during my Blue Mountains trip. However, your mistakes generally lead to better things, making them the moments you remember the most.
