I'm an American who took a solo trip to Australia. I felt lonely and got food poisoning — but I'd still do it again

• I was hesitant to travel solo, but I tried it for the first time in Australia.
• I was worried I'd feel lonely, but meeting other travelers and going on group excursions helped.
• Not everything went smoothly, and I'd avoid big hostels, but I'd still plan another solo trip.

Many travelers rave about the freedom of solo travel, but I always thought I'd feel lonely without my friends and family.

Yet when a friend and I booked a dreamy, 10-night cruise to the South Pacific from Sydney, I knew I wanted to explore more of Australia before our ship set sail.

Work commitments prevented my friend from arriving early, so I hesitantly planned a seven-day trip around the country by myself. I didn't want to waste any time, even if it meant traveling alone.

Not everything went smoothly, but I still loved the freedom of traveling by myself — and I learned a few valuable lessons on my first solo trip that I'll use on my next one.

I'm glad I planned activities to meet other travelers

My biggest concern during my solo trip was feeling lonely. To combat this, I researched ways to connect with other travelers.

In Queensland, I booked a two-night scuba-diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef.

Not only was it a fantastic way to discover the world's largest reef system, but I also met dozens of other travelers on board the small boat. With shared meals and group dives, it was impossible to feel lonely.

Later in my trip, however, I missed having company while exploring Sydney for two days.

I regretted not planning another group activity, such as a walking tour or bar crawl, so that I could meet other travelers and locals.

Food poisoning was not part of the plan

I spent weeks planning my solo adventure, but a sudden case of food poisoning threw a wrench in my plans.

Halfway through my trip, I felt lightheaded on a flight to Australia's Outback. Out of nowhere, I was struck with food poisoning on the plane … while in the middle seat.

I was grateful for seatmates, as they expressed genuine concern for my well-being and even offered to give me a ride to my accommodation. This made me feel less alone in such a vulnerable situation.

Nonetheless, getting sick on a solo trip was stressful. I missed having my support system nearby to help.

I'm fortunate that I didn't need to seek further medical care, but this was also a great reminder to always purchase travel insurance before leaving home.

I saved money by booking a 20-person dorm room — it was a mistake

When I travel with friends and family, we split accommodations among the group. However, as a solo traveler, I was responsible for these costs myself — and they quickly added up.

Australia's Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, for example, offers limited accommodation options. Most nearby hotels charge around $300 per night. So, during my visit, I booked a bed in a $25 hostel dorm room to save money.

Despite the substantial savings, I regretted my decision almost immediately. My bunkmates were nothing but friendly, but I missed having my own private space to unwind.

Hostels can be a great place to meet other travelers, but I'll stick to paying more for private rooms next time.

Despite a few setbacks, I loved the freedom of traveling by myself

Not everything went perfectly on my first solo trip. I occasionally felt lonely, and getting food poisoning was far from glamorous.

Even with these drawbacks, my week of solo traveling in Australia exceeded my expectations. I cycled around the Australian Outback, scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, and took in spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.

If anything, this trip gave me the push I needed to try something new. I still love traveling with friends and family, but I realize now that I don't need to wait for others to explore the world.

Now, I won't hesitate to book another solo trip in the future, and I'll take my lessons learned in Australia to make the next one even better.