THE SOLO TRAVELLER
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Perspectives
Melbourne, Australia. Photographer: Ed Jackson | iStock.
The Queen of the last-minute getaway
By Tamarra McNaught
I’ve always been what I jokingly refer to as the “Queen of the last-minute getaway”! Not the overly planned, spreadsheet-driven kind, but the instinctive kind. The moment where life feels just a little too loud, and instead of overthinking it, I simply go.
Perhaps it stems from being an only child. Independence wasn’t something I had to learn – it was simply how I operated. Waiting for someone else to align their schedule has never quite made sense to me. If I need a reset, I create one, and over time I’ve come to understand that a solo weekend away isn’t indulgent, it’s essential.
The idea of a ‘perfect weekend away’ isn’t about distance or extravagance. It’s about how it makes you feel – and not just while you’re there but when you return. The success of a solo weekend isn’t measured by how much I do, it’s how I come back – clearer, lighter, and more decisive. That shift doesn’t require a passport. Sometimes, it’s simply about stepping out of your everyday environment and allowing space for perspective to return.
“Sometimes, it’s simply about stepping out of your everyday environment and allowing space for perspective to return.”
One of my most memorable solo resets didn’t involve leaving my hometown at all. During Melbourne Fashion Festival, in the middle of an incredibly full schedule, what was meant to be a one-night stay quickly evolved into something more. I extended it, and this time, on my own. I checked into Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, and everything shifted. There’s something undeniably luxurious about staying in your own city but removing yourself from your usual routine. Room service instead of rushing. A concierge instead of logistics. A day spa, a pool, and a gym – all within reach, without the weight of everyday life.
Tamarra photographed by Anastassia Stroinova (left); and image courtesy Lanson Place Parliament Gardens.
Even more than that, it was the perspective. Living Bayside, I often exist within my own familiar rhythm. But that staycation had me exploring Fitzroy, a completely different energy. Edgier, more eclectic, creatively charged. As a fashion stylist, it was an absolute treat. From independent boutiques and emerging designers to vintage and pre-loved treasures, Fitzroy is a playground of discovery. It’s where high-end ateliers sit comfortably alongside streetwear, and where you can just as easily walk out with a statement piece as you can a perfectly worn-in vintage find. And then there’s the food! A long dinner at Marion Wine Bar, a glass of something fabulous in hand, no schedule, no urgency – just presence. That’s the magic.
“… no schedule, no urgency – just presence. That’s the magic.”
What transforms a weekend away from ‘time off’ into a true reset is intention. I have a few non-negotiables, including switching off ‘notifications’, unpacking immediately and starting with a walk or a long lunch. Small rituals, but they signal that I’ve stepped out of everyday life and into something more considered. From there, everything softens. Time stretches and decisions become clearer.
One of my favourite travel habits, whether I’m in Melbourne, Noosa (a long-time favourite I’ve returned to more than twenty times), or overseas, is to get lost. Not accidentally – on purpose. No strict plans. No pressure to “see everything”. Just instinct. Some of the best moments come from the in-between … a café you didn’t plan to visit, a conversation you didn’t expect, a street you turned down simply because it felt right.
There is a certain elegance to travelling alone that is often misunderstood. It’s not lonely, it’s liberating. You move entirely on your own terms. You wake when you want, linger when something feels right, and leave when it doesn’t. And perhaps most importantly, you become more open. To people. To experiences. To yourself. Some of my clearest decisions have been made on solo weekends away because there’s something about removing noise that brings everything into focus.
“Some of my clearest decisions have been made on solo weekends away because there’s something about removing noise that brings everything into focus.”
During extended periods of travelling through Europe, there was a freedom in being able to jump on a train or a flight at a moment’s notice. Australia is different because we’re not as close to everything. But what we do have (often just an hour away), can feel entirely removed from everyday life. And that’s something I’ve come to appreciate more and more.
If there’s one other thing I would absolutely recommend, it’s this: don’t wait! Don’t wait for the perfect timing, the perfect plan, or the perfect company – just go. Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is step away even briefly and return with a clearer sense of self.
Snapshot: My Perfect Solo Weekend
Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, Australia. Photographer: FiledIMAGE on iStock.
Where? A Melbourne staycation at Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, with time spent exploring Fitzroy and its incredible mix of fashion, food and culture.
For how long? At least two nights. Ideally three, if I can stretch it.
A must-do? Room service, a long walk, and a beautiful meal (Marion Wine Bar is a standout).
The perfect detour? Getting lost in Fitzroy and discovering new designers, vintage stores, and unexpected little gems.
Top tip? Book it before you overthink it and give yourself options. Whether you’re heading down for coffee in your robe or stepping out in something fabulous, the magic is in having the freedom to follow your mood.
Tamarra McNaught is an award-winning fashion and celebrity stylist.
You can connect with Tamarra via her website TITO STYLE here https://www.titostyle.com/ and on Instagram here.