If your idea of hell is other people, travel in Australia has your back.
I mean, who doesn’t have a fantasy of gleefully leaving behind all electronic devices, daily schedules, traffic – and hell, why not while we are at it – all sense of time, duty and responsibility?
While it’s possible to get away from it all anywhere in Australia, your best bet, of course, is to go where people aren’t, starting with the Top End.
Northern Territory
There’s lot to choose from in the NT, but Macassan Beach is a great start for getting away from it all.
Located in East Arnhem Land, the beach’s rich red soil and rocky outcrops are a striking contrast to the stunning blue waters.
Be prepared to bring everything with you. There is literally nothing there, and it’s so remote that if something goes wrong you will have to be airlifted out.
Great for staring out to sea and contemplating your life choices.
Victoria
As a relatively crowded state as far as Australia goes, it’s hard to enjoy shunning your fellow mankind in Victoria, but the state’s far east may have you covered multiples time over.
A good start is Dargo, one of Victoria’s most remote towns. With a population of 150, it may be a bit ambitious to even call it a town, more of a gathering.
Lush surroundings, bracing walks and good fishing are Dargo’s main attractions. The pub is quite popular by middle-of-nowhere standards if you feel you must interact with humans.
Great for atmospheric walks while humming the music from Picnic at Hanging Rock. It’s not anywhere near Hanging Rock, it’s just got that vibe.
New South Wales
While everyone else is at the beach, you can head inland to the mountains.
The Blue Mountains aren’t terribly remote by Australian standards, but they do have plenty of accommodation options with no-one else around. Bliss.
You’ve got three national parks to choose from – Wollemi, Yengo and Blue Mountains – and plenty to keep you occupied as far as views and activities go, if that’s your bag.
Great for feeling smug about the rest of the country burning themselves to a crisp at the beach.
Far North Queensland
Go north, and then keep going. The climate of Far North Queensland alone will weed out fellow travellers, so you will have plenty of destinations to choose from. The tropics are hot and when they are not, they are hot and sweaty.
I always have to remind myself that travelling from Victoria to Brisbane means you are still only halfway to Port Douglas.
Once you pass Port Douglas you are essentially travelling on your wits. Even with one road closed due to flooding or rain, you may be stuck there as many of the communities are one road in/one road out arrangements.
There are loads of national parks to camp in, with your only companions the area’s enthusiastic insect population.
Great for bragging rights to say you have visited – and survived – Australia’s northernmost point.
Western Australia
Let’s face it, Western Australia is one big remote area, punctuated by the occasional town or city.
There are popular places such as Margaret River, but once again it’s a case of too many people enjoying themselves.
One population avoidance destination is Sal Salis on the famed Ningaloo Reef.
This one is a fave as it has glamping tents. I mean, getting off the grid is great, but there’s no need to be a martyr for it.
Great for whale watching, swimming with whale sharks and pretending the rest of Australia doesn’t exist.
Do you have a favourite place to get away? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: Could you retire to a cruise ship?
