Huge thanks to Frankie for organising what turned out to be one of those events that reminds us why this community exists. With 50 women rolling in (some arriving early for a full nine days), Standown Park became a temporary village of caravans, campervans, and connection.
The Queensland heat in February is no joke, so it’s no surprise that the pool became everyone’s favourite hangout spot. Before the official event even kicked off, early arrivals were already testing the water temperature and settling into camp mode. Throughout the week, the pool was where you’d find women cooling off, chatting, and making new friends – sometimes all at once.
Thursday saw the first major outing with a car-pooling effort into Gympie. The group hit Surface Hill restaurant for lunch before exploring the local shops – there’s something brilliant about a convoy of Rolling Solo women on a mission.
Friday night brought everyone together for a proper communal roast dinner – because nothing brings people together quite like good food and conversation as the sun goes down. The camp kitchen became the social hub throughout the week, the kind of place where you’d always find someone to chat with or join for a cuppa.
Saturday ramped things up with a bus ride to Rainbow Beach, giving everyone a chance to explore one of Queensland’s stunning coastal spots without worrying about the driving. That evening, back at the camp kitchen, the legendary Left, Right, Centre dice game had everyone trying their luck and filling the air with laughter.
Between the organised activities, there was plenty of time for what makes these longer events special: the lovely walks through the surrounding area, the long talks over coffee or wine, the spontaneous laughter that erupts when women are relaxed and comfortable, and those new friendships that form when you’ve got days rather than hours to connect. Five days gives you time to move beyond small talk and into real conversations, to go from strangers to mates.
“I arrived with some uncertainty and feeling if not for me, there’s always the exit option. Exiting was last thing on my mind as day after day I met more interesting and friendly women. We shared stories, laughs, games, and outings. There was quiet alone time when needed, shared time when wanted, and peaceful surroundings throughout.”
— Fran
That’s the Rolling Solo magic right there – showing up uncertain and leaving as a “Happy Roller” with too many new faces to name but knowing you’ll recognise them all next time.
Five days, 50 women, one pool, countless stories, and a whole lot of connection. Thanks Frankie for bringing it all together, and thanks to every woman who made Standown Park the success it was.
A note about event sizes: Standown Park has become one of our iconic gatherings, which is why you see 50 women turning up year after year. But don’t let the numbers put you off if you’re more comfortable in smaller groups. Rolling Solo runs around 90 events annually across Australia, and they come in all sizes – from intimate gatherings of 5-10 women to mid-sized meetups of 15-20, right through to these larger iconic events. There’s always a mix to choose from, so whether you thrive in a crowd or prefer quieter connections, you’ll find events that suit your style. The beauty of Rolling Solo is that you can pick and choose – start small, work your way up, or stick with what feels right for you.
Here’s to the next gathering.
