Scheduled (but not booked) to Oz in early July. 5 days in Port Douglas/4 days Brisbane. I must admit that i am getting cold feet mainly due to going solo. Have any here done Australia alone? What to expect?

If you're staying in hostels during your stay, expect to meet a lot of other travelers. You can be as connected or alone as you wish to be.

If you want to ease into it and have a guaranteed way to meet other travelers, consider a small group trip, but I doubt you'd need it. What do you want to see/do during your stay?

If I book the trip the accomodations are set (hotels and not hostels). I am also set for several tours: Reef, Rainforest, Cooktown and Whale Watching. I'm just somewhat of a shy person and am afraid I would get very lonely.

Staying in hotels over hostels (even if you got a private room) will isolate you somewhat. But if you're going on group tours you'll have a common event to encourage interaction. In my experience it's fairly common to hang out, grab some food/drink with other members of a group event after the tour is done.

I have done lots of travelling by myself including Aus, what i find is that you have to make more effort to meet people than if you go with some one, but then having made that effort feeling really empowered and adventurous!
Its a slight shame you have to go to hotels as it is very easy indeed to meet other travellers in the hostels as a lot of others are by themselves also and in the same boat. If your hotels are small they would be friendlier than big hotel chains.
Also, the Aussies in general are a very friendly nation and will have no problem in chatting with you.
Also if you are doing tours chat to people on them - you never know who you could end up with for a drink afterwards and dont be afraid to make the suggestion - someone has too and they could be shy too.
If you have activities lined up everyday you wont get lonely.

Goodluck, I think you would enjoy it and it help with your shyness.

In April I spent a bit of time solo in Australia, in Brisbane and nearby on the coast. It seemed to me like you almost had to work to be lonely. One night I walked into a pub and within 30 minutes had a beer in my hand and lots of new friends who were telling me about their visits to the US and giving me a tutorial on the rules of Australian Football. Australians in general, are very friendly and there are also plenty of foreigners,especially working in the tourism industry, who know how it feels to not know anyone there. They'll help you out with suggestions of where to go, what to do, where to meet new people.

I met people in the hostel when I was there but honestly made better connections outside of the hostel. Nothing against the people in the hostel that's just how it worked out for me. In a place like Australia I don't think you need to worry too much about being alone. However, I think that due to the 'big city' nature of Brisbane, its a bit harder to meet new people than a smaller town. Just like everywhere else people in cities are more occupied with their daily lives, hustle and bustle, etc.

Ooh, you'll have an awesome time! I'm jealous!

Well for better or for worse, the trip is booked. I now have a nervous sick feeling in the pit of my stomach knowing that it'll just be me. Thanks for the encouragements.

I hope that sick feeling turns to excitement soon, mate I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time and be sure to come back and tell us how it went.

You'll be fin Barban. We Aussies are a friendly bunch and the East Coast is one of the most popular backpacker routes. One thing I would recommend though, four nights in Brissie is an awful long time for what the city has to offer, you'd be better spending those four nights on the Gold Coast, or have two nights at Noosa and two nights at Surfers. (Gold Coast)
Cheers.

It's actually 3 nights in Bris. Why does Bris. not have much to offer?

I'm from Brisbane and while I agree it's not as much of a tourist hub as Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, I think you'd be able to find enough to occupy you for 3 days. It also depends on what you want to get out of it.

If you like beaches then taking the train or bus to the Gold or Sunshine Coasts is easily done (Sunshine is better, IMO). If you like wildlife a trip to Australia Zoo & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary are well worth it.

As far as Brisbane itself, this site has some great suggestions and a 'must see' guide. Brisbane may not have the iconic landmarks like the Opera House but does have it's own charm. With a small amount of time in the country you don't want to spend most of it rushing around to get to different places (since the distances are often significant).

I know that one day in Brisbane will be occupied on a whale watching tour and I would like to go to Australia Zoo. So I am hoping to be pretty occupied in the day and then maybe hit up a pub or something at night. Where are the cool places for a 35-40 y/o?

If you're staying in the downtown area, there's a few places that are pretty cool. The Queen Street (pedestrian) Mall and surrounding streets have plenty of bars and pubs to choose from and the casino is right there too if you fancy a flutter (bet).

Just outside of downtown you have Fortitude Valley & West End, which have tons of bars, restaurants and cafes. The Valley has a history of having a bad reputation, but the area has been cleaned up and unless you plan on staying out til the early hours you won't find anything to even remotely worry about.

If you like cocktails, the Bowery Bar is excellent.

Watt at the Powerhouse (which is worth a visit on its own) is pretty cool with a great view of the river.

If beer is more your taste, try the [urlhttp://www.belgianbeercafebrussels.com.au/]Belgian Beer Cafe[/url] (with clams!)

Story Bridge Hotel is also a classic venue.

I appreciate all your help. I'm not as apprehensive now as I was before. This is the trip of a lifetime and right now I have the time and means to do it--so I'm glad that I'm going.

Whistler wrote: One thing I would recommend though, four nights in Brissie is an awful long time for what the city has to offer, (Gold Coast)
Cheers.

I beg to differ! There is heaps to see and do in Brisbane. The Gold Coast and (to a lesser degree Sunshine Coast) is the place to go for glitz and everything over the top (a combination Hollywood & Miami). Brisbane on the other hand is home to the alternative Arts scene (art, theatre, fashion), Lang Park and a beautiful river.

Bar Ban - let me know when you are getting into Brisbane so that we can arrange to meet up. After a day seeing whales and then a day up at Australia Zoo you will only have one day left.
Brisbane is the River city so the most scenic way to get around is on the Ferry (very cheap and lots to see). I think we also need to take you up to Mount Coot-tha. If there is time, do a short bush walk. Pubs and bars are in good supply.
Let me know if you would like to meet up. If it is a weekend day then I can put aside the whole day.

Any which way - ENJOY!!