Still on the fence about finding a travel companion? Whether you’re planning a gap year, a weekend getaway, or an epic cross-country road trip, travelling with a buddy can completely transform the experience. Here’s why pairing up might be the smartest travel decision you make this year — and how WanderBuddies was built to make it happen.
WanderBuddies was born from a simple but powerful belief: the best travel experiences are the ones you share.
Our founder saw first-hand how solo travellers often missed out — not because they lacked courage, but because they lacked a like-minded companion to share the journey with. Someone to split the campervan rental with. Someone to marvel at the sunrise over Uluru with. Someone to laugh with over a bad hostel experience that later becomes the best story of the trip.
That’s why WanderBuddies exists: to connect like-minded travellers from around the world so they can explore together, share costs, and create memories that last a lifetime. Through our platform, you can match with travel buddies based on your destination, dates, travel style, budget, and interests — and once you’ve found your match, you can customise your travel packages and book everything you need right here on our website.
From tours and activities to campervan rentals, bus passes, and accommodation — all with awesome exclusive discounts. It’s your one-stop travel platform, designed around the idea that travel is better (and more affordable) when you do it together.
From busy train stations in Melbourne to remote hiking trails in Tasmania, having someone by your side significantly reduces risk. Two sets of eyes watching bags at the airport. Two brains navigating unfamiliar streets. Someone who’ll notice if something doesn’t feel right — and who’ll be right there with you to figure it out.
This is especially important when travelling in remote parts of Australia, where phone signal can be patchy and the nearest town might be hours away. A travel buddy isn’t just company — they’re your safety net.
Imagine getting sick in a foreign city, or losing your wallet on a ferry to K’gari (Fraser Island). If you’re solo, you’re on your own. But with a buddy, you’ve got someone to help you find a doctor, lend you cash, or simply keep you calm while you sort things out. A travel buddy means you’re never truly stranded.
Solo travellers — particularly women — often report feeling more vulnerable in unfamiliar environments. A travel buddy provides an immediate buffer and peace of mind, whether you’re navigating nightlife in Sydney or camping in the outback. There’s genuine comfort in knowing someone has your back.
Let’s be honest: travel isn’t cheap. But splitting costs with a buddy can slash your expenses dramatically. Here’s where the savings really add up:
The money you save by sharing costs with a travel buddy could mean an extra week on the road, an upgrade to a better tour, or that scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef you thought was out of budget. Travelling with a buddy doesn’t just save money — it unlocks experiences you couldn’t afford alone.
And here’s the best part: once you’ve matched with your travel buddy through WanderBuddies, you can customise your travel packages together and book tours, activities, campervan rentals, bus passes, accommodation, and more — all through our website with exclusive discounts. We’ve partnered with trusted operators across Australia and beyond to give you the best deals available.
That sunrise over the Twelve Apostles. The pod of dolphins that swam alongside your kayak in Byron Bay. The time you both got lost on a bushwalk and ended up finding a hidden waterfall. These moments become stories you’ll tell for years — but only if someone was there to share them with you.
Research actually backs this up: shared experiences are remembered more vividly and rated as more enjoyable than solo ones. When you travel with a buddy, the highs are higher and even the lows become funny stories.
Would you have signed up for that bungee jump in Cairns on your own? Probably not. But your travel buddy dares you, and suddenly you’re screaming off a platform with the rainforest below you — and it becomes the highlight of your trip.
A good travel buddy encourages you to try things you’d normally skip: new foods, spontaneous detours, that weird-looking local festival. They bring out the adventurous side of you.
Meals can be the loneliest part of solo travel. But with a buddy, every dinner becomes a social event. You can order two dishes and share. You can discover a hidden laneway restaurant together. You can cook a feast in your campervan kitchen and eat under the stars. Food is always better with company.
Travel is full of unexpected moments — missed buses, language mix-ups, questionable accommodation. With a buddy, these frustrations turn into the funniest memories. Inside jokes from the road are some of the strongest bonds you can form.
One of the most magical things about travelling with a buddy you’ve met through WanderBuddies is that they could be from anywhere. You might match with a German backpacker who shares your love of surfing, a Canadian photographer heading to the same national parks, or a fellow Aussie who’s always wanted to road-trip the Great Ocean Road but never had anyone to go with.
WanderBuddies brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries who share one thing in common: a love of travel and a desire to experience it with someone by their side. Many of our users have formed lifelong friendships — and some have even found their other half through the platform.
Once you’ve matched with your travel buddy, the adventure is just beginning. WanderBuddies isn’t just a matching platform — it’s a complete travel booking platform where you can:
Everything is designed to make planning and booking seamless, so you spend less time organising and more time exploring.
We’re not here to knock solo travel. It can be incredibly rewarding. But the truth is, many travellers — especially first-timers, budget travellers, or those visiting a new country — find that having a companion makes the experience richer, safer, and more affordable.
If you’ve ever thought “I’d love to do that trip, but I don’t have anyone to go with,” then WanderBuddies is exactly what you’ve been looking for. You don’t need to know someone already. You just need to be open to meeting someone new.
WanderBuddies matches you with like-minded travellers based on your destination, dates, travel style, budget, and interests. Create your free profile, browse potential matches, and start planning your next adventure — with a friend by your side.
Because the best adventures aren’t just about the places you go. They’re about the people you share them with.
