Weighing up whether to book a women-only tour or simply travel solo? Here is an honest comparison of what each actually gives you, and what separates a good women-only tour company from the rest.
2026-07-30
What solo travel gives you, and where it runs out Travelling solo has a real appeal. You set the pace, change plans on a whim, and answer to no one. For a weekend away or a familiar city, that freedom is hard to beat. It gets harder on longer, more remote trips: booking accommodation alone, working out transport in unfamiliar places, and eating dinner by yourself most nights of a two week trip. None of that is dangerous, exactly. It is just tiring in a way that adds up. What changes when you travel with a small group of women A women-only tour removes most of that admin without removing the sense of adventure. Someone else has already worked out the logistics, booked the right beds, and knows which lookout is worth the extra ten minutes. You still get the wild coastline or the quiet vineyard, but you get it alongside other women who also chose to be there rather than a random mix of strangers on a bus. Small group tours for women, capped at 8 to 10 travellers rather than 40, mean you are never just a name on a manifest. So, is a women-only tour worth it? For most of the women who join us, yes, and often more than they expected. The value is not just in the itinerary. It is in not having to explain yourself, in having someone notice if you go quiet, and in the ease of travelling with people who understand exactly why you booked this instead of a family holiday or a big coach tour. Read more about why we built Once Were Wild this way . What to look for in a women-only tour company Not every women-only tour is built the same. Before you book, it is worth asking a few direct questions: how small is the group, really? Who is actually hosting the trip, and have they done it before? Is the itinerary paced for rest as well as sightseeing, or is it a coach tour with a different name? The small group tours for women across Australia we run are hosted by the same two women every time, capped low on purpose, and built around slow travel rather than a checklist. Still deciding? Get in touch and tell us where you are thinking of going. We are always happy to talk it through before you book, solo trip or otherwise.