Best of Australia in 2+ Weeks (ITINERARY)
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With only two weeks to cover an entire continent, planning a trip to Australia can seem like a daunting task for a first time visitor. This guide will layout some of the must visit sites in Australia and the best ways to access them. I spent around a month taking in the natural beauty of the land down under, so I’ll share some of my favorite spots along the way.
What to know about Australia
You’ll need a visa to visit Australia. The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) application process is easily navigated on their app with only a fee of 20 AUD, and is valid for up to three months at a time, as often as you wish, during a 12 month period. You can find more information on their government website to pick a visa that fits your needs. Plan ahead to secure your visa as the approval process can take a few days.
The currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar. Nearly everywhere paying by card is accepted, so be sure to take a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. Tap to pay is widely used and typically expected.
Tipping is not a part of the culture. At many restaurants you place your own order online or service is very limited.
While there are a lot poisonous animals in Australia, there is nothing to be afraid of while in the cities. Be cautious while on trails, but otherwise don’t expect spiders and snakes to be at every turn.
Transportation is convenient in Melbourne and Sydney with a system of trams and trains. Cairns uses a bus system. Ayer’s Rock is pretty much limited to tourist shuttles. There are vast distances between each major city so this guide suggests flying to each new destination to save hours of driving and its associated costs.
Days 1-3 Sydney
International Arrival Hub
Must Visit: Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains
Activities: Walking tour, Museums, Surfing, Hiking
Paris has the Eiffel Towel, Rome has the colosseum, and Sydney has it’s Opera House! It’s hard to miss this stunning monument and symbol of Australia, but that’s just one of the many points of interest around Australia’s largest city.
Day 1 Sydney
Most international arrivals first arrive to Australia via Sydney, and this is a great place to start. My favorite thing to do when I first arrive to a city is join a free walking tour. A walking tour in Sydney is the perfect way to get the ‘lay of the land’ and useful recommendations for the rest of the trip. It ends with a great view of the harbor and the opera house, which truly makes you feel like you’ve arrived in Australia. Remember to take a look at what’s on at the opera house to see if a performance lines up with the dates of your stay.
From that point you can enjoy a variety of free museums. I went to the Rocks Discovery Museum which offered some interesting history about the area. There is also the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Sydney Museum (pre-book tickets), and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The Royal Botanic Garden is also worth visit. It’s free to stroll around the park and is right by the opera house. Choose whatever suits your fancy to push through the jet lag.
Stay in the CBD (central business district) of Sydney. I enjoyed my stay at the Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbor. An unusual perk was the arrival room. Since I arrived in the morning from my flight, my room wasn’t ready yet. However, they do have a private shower room they can give you access to to freshen up while you wait. I gladly took a shower after my long flight from Bali, and by the time I finished my hotel room ready. Another strong option for a hotel in Sydney is the Intercontinental Sydney, which boasts stunning harbor views and a great location near the circular quay.
Day 4-7 Ayer’s Rock
The Red Center
Must Visit: Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon
Activities: Hiking, Stargazing
Stay: Lost Camel
Australia is well known for its unusual rock formations in the Red Center. Here you’ll do lots of hiking to see Australia’s most famous natural monuments from every angle and at special moments like sunrise and sunset.
Day 4 Ayer’s Rock Resort
Fly out to Ayer’s Rock, which the ideal location from which to explore Uluru. Ayer’s Rock Resort is operated by the indigenous people of that area. It is the only option for accommodations and food, but they do a nice job with both. They also operate tours, like this one I took which was a special way to view this art installation. I would only recommend scheduling an evening activity for your first day in the outback in case there are any flight delays.
I stayed at the Lost Camel, which despite mixed reviews, I thought was a very pleasant stay. Rooms were well appointed and customer service was very attentive to holding luggage and arranging the airport shuttles. It is very close to the small shops and pickup point for activities which makes it very convenient. Any place you choose to stay in Ayer’s Rock is only a short walk to everything, here's an article that details all of them. The only location that was a bit far was the Outback Hotel, but the outdoor eating area was nicely set up there.
Day 5 Uluru and Kata Tjuta
The main obstacle in Ayer’s Rock can be getting to the actual sites you are interested in seeing. That is all taken care of on this hop on hop off tour that I did to hike around Uluru and see Kata Tjuta at sunrise. While I am not a morning person, it is definitely worth the early wake up call for sunrise. You can see both Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the viewing point you are taken to. Then hike Kata Tjuta. The Walpa Gorge walk (2.6 km, 1 hour) is very easy and it is not hot since it is early in the day and there are high winds that blow through the rock formations. The Valley of the Winds walk (5.4 km return, 2.5 hours) is more difficult (category 4), but you can also cut it shorter by only going up to the Karu lookout (2.2 km return, 1 hour).
Take the bus back to your resort, have lunch, and refresh in the pool for a midday break. Then, hop back on to head to Uluru. Walking around the base of Uluru is pretty straightforward, but very interesting as there are many different rock formations up close. At this point there were a few flies but it was not awful as it can be some times of the year. You can stay out till sunset or head back to the resort for dinner. There is also a small grocery store on site if you’d like to make your own meal or buy a remade salad/wrap to save on the expensive dining costs in this area.
Day 6 Day Tour to King’s Canyon
The landscapes at King’s Canyon national park are a very different experience from the formations around Uluru-Kata Tjuta. Take a group tour to keep transportation simple and have the benefit of a guide to keep you safe and teach you about the area. Keep an eye out during the long journey there by coach for wild camels and emus. There is a stop for an included breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs, bread, tomatoes, and other standard sides. Espresso coffee drinks are not included, but there is a barista there where you can purchase them, just be sure to head over there first to beat the line.
I did the Rim walk (6 km, 3-4 hours, grade 4) and really enjoyed it. While the walk starts with around 500 steps to climb, after that it is not too difficult and has amazing views. Safety precautions include bringing 2L of water, staying away from the edge of the cliff, and starting the walk before 11 am.
Day 7 Indigenous Activities and Fly to Cairns
There are various activities around the resort so take advantage of those until your flight. I attended a talk on the native plants for food usage, a painting craft activity, and didgeridoo lessons. I had lunch at Mangata Bistro, which has kangaroo kebobs should you like to be adventurous and a 2 or 3 course fixe price menu option to mind the budget.
Then take your flight out to Cairns for a completely different setting. Arriving in Cairns can be a shock compared to the arid landscape near Ayer’s Rock. There’s the expansive beach, palm tree lined shops, and Asian night markets. Spend your evening exploring Cairns and stop in at Miss Chief Bar & Eatery for Asian fusion dishes or Katchup Bar & Restaurant for an authentic Thai meal (grab a good drink at either!).
Day 8-12 Cairns
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
Must Visit: The Reef, Daintree Rainforest
Activities: Aquarium, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Beach
Stay: I later learned where I was staying, The Pacific Hotel, is where many were being quarantined during Covid, so it’s history may not have been ideal but it’s location was!
In Port Douglas: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Douglas- a great stay, I booked through airbnb for a few more room amenities at a lower price.
Day 8 Cairns Aquarium
The aquarium here is not just for kids. The Cairns Aquarium is beautifully organized, with exhibits specific to what you’ll see in the various bodies of water around Australia. Take note of the different fish and turtles, as you’ll soon be seeing them in their natural habitat on your snorkel excursion.
Look for local events. I was there during the Cairns festival so there were free musical performances and other events going on all around town. The Cairns Botanic Gardens also hosts the Tanks Markets on the last Sunday of every month from April to November. There are craft stalls, food vendors and musicians at this free seasonal event.
Day 9 Great Barrier Reef Tour
Take a snorkel tour to the GBR (Great Barrier Reef) or choose a live aboard to stay on for several days of diving. I had a fantastic time with Reef Encounters. The food was excellent, rooms were clean, the equipment was good, schedule was ideal for fitting in as many dives as possible, and the customer service was great when I went over to their office with a possible difficulty. The boat location changes every day so you have the opportunity to see several dive sites and even night dive. The snorkeling was also great in the spots we were at. Volunteer your time to work on the boat to stay longer for free and get a few more dives in.
Day 10 GBR or Fitzroy Island or Kuranda
This will either be your second day on the live aboard or you can take the ferry boat out to Fitzroy Island for some beach time.
One of the top activities in Cairns is the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail. Take a cable car over a waterfall and through the rainforest to arrive at Kuranda Village. The village hosts numerous activities such as rainforest walks, riverboat tours, koala encounters, and a butterfly sanctuary. Spend a few hours here and then return via scenic train. This activity was undergoing maintenance during my visit to Cairns, but seems like a great full day experience.
Bonus Day Option:
Atherton Tablelands Tour from Cairns for a food tour or waterfall swimming
Day 11 Daintree Rainforest
Take a tour or rent a car to explore one of the oldest rainforests in the world. This is also the only place where two natural world heritage sites meet, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. First stop is Mossman Gorge to walk the paths through the forest and take a swim at the waterfall. There are various places to stop along the way for more hikes as detailed in this article.
Drive further into the rainforest to do the river crossing ferry and continue as far as Cape Tribulation for amazing views.
Stay the night near Port Douglas at the Ramada Resort to maximize your time in this world heritage site
Let someone else take the wheel by joining one of these top rated tours:
Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation Full Day Tour
Total Daintree Experience Tour from Port Douglas
Day 12 Travel Day
Fly out of Cairns to Melbourne or one of the bonus destinations listed below to add on to your Australia trip.
Bonus destinations:
Gold Coast- Surfer’s Paradise, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Byron Bay
Brisbane- Australia Zoo
Whitsundays- Voted most beautiful beaches
Melbourne
One of the top most livable cities in the world with a vibrant art scene.
Must Visit: Great Ocean Road, City Center
Activities: Museums, Surfing, Winery Tour, Hiking
Stay: ibis Melbourne Central, Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins, Adelphi hotel, Adina Apartment Hotel Southbank, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Intercontinental Melbourne
Melbourne is well connected to the rest of the world to make for a fairly direct return home. Trams are free within a certain area in the center of Melbourne so try to stay at a hotel near one of those stops.
Day 12 Torquay
If you arrive early enough to Melbourne then rent a car directly from the airport and drive out towards the Great Ocean Road.
Head to Torquay to watch or join the surfers! Stop at Anglesea Golf Club to see the kangaroos roaming freely and Kennet River Nature Walk if time allows to get a glimpse at the koalas.
Stay the next two nights in Apollo Bay. Do dinner at Apollo Bay Distillery, and don’t miss the gin tasting flight.
Day 13 Great Ocean Road
Start your day in Apollo Bay right with brekkie at Icaro Cafe. Have a nutritious avocado toast or a smoothie bowl. It’s about 1.5 hr to reach the Twelve Apostles, a stunning cliffside area with towers of rock soaring over the sea. This one of the many beautiful rock formations you’ll find along the Great Ocean Road. We also stopped at Loch Ard Gorge, The Arch, The Grotto, and London Bridge.
Day 14 Wine and Waterfalls
Time to chase waterfalls at the Great Otway National Park. Some easy to reach spots are Hopetoun Falls and Triplet Falls.
After all that driving and hiking, you deserve some time to unwind. Jack Rabbit Vineyard is the perfect place to do that. I highly suggest the mixed tasting flight and the mussels. Soak up the sun on their patio overlooking the ocean and vineyards.
Return the car and start your stay in Melbourne.
Bonus Day:
Keep the car to visit the Bathing Boxes, Peninsula Hot Springs, and see the the Philip Island Penguins come up onto the beach in the evening.
Day 15 Melbourne
Melbourne is a vibrant city with many different neighborhoods, so take the time to explore them. I highly recommend this free walking tour to give you an idea of how this Australian city developed. Then have lunch at one of the many restaurants you’ll see in the arcades. We really liked Degraves St for it’s many local options, and chose to eat at Metro burgers and finish off with gelato at Pidapipo. Spend the rest of the day shopping and strolling around Melbourne or visit one of the many museums. The National Gallery of Victoria is impressive and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image had some interesting exhibits as well.
Day 16 South Melbourne
Choose to stay near the center of the city to see the Botanic Gardens Victoria and Queen Victoria Market (Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday).
Or spend the day closer to the beach by heading south. The neighborhood of St Kilda has Luna Park (amusement park), the St Kilda Esplanade Market (Sundays), a botanical garden, and the South Melbourne Market.
Day 17 Departure
Your time in Australia has come to an end, but there’s still the entire western side of Australia left to explore for your next trip!
This article covered the vast amount of activities that are available to do near Sydney, Ayer’s Rock, Cairns, and Melbourne. There are even a few bonus options to switch out cities based on your interests or extend your trip.
Whether you came to Australia to dive the Great Barrier Reef, see the Sydney Opera House, or watch the sunrise over Uluru, you’ll see that there’s so much more to Australia than that!
