12 days in Melbourne, Sydney & Cairns Itinerary

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Melbourne is known for museums, shopping, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, admire all the interesting features of Fitzroy Gardens, see the interesting displays at Melbourne Museum, and learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Melbourne Zoo.

For other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Melbourne road trip site.

Hua Hin, Thailand to Melbourne is an approximately 17-hour combination of taxi, train, and flight. You can also fly. The time zone difference moving from Indochina Time (ICT) to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) is 3 hours. Expect colder temperatures when traveling from Hua Hin in April; daily highs in Melbourne reach 23°C and lows reach 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can travel to Sydney.

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Sydney is known for nightlife, beaches, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: catch a live performance at Sydney Opera House, take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, enjoy the sand and surf at Bondi Beach, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Manly Beach.

For photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, refer to the Sydney online road trip planner.

You can fly from Melbourne to Sydney in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Melbourne in April, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Sydney, with lows around 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) so you can travel to Cairns.

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Wed): get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Cairns Aquarium, identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Esplanade Boardwalk. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 16th (Thu): identify plant and animal life at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures and then look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas.

To find maps, photos, and other tourist information, use the Cairns online visit planner.

Getting from Sydney to Cairns by flight takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in April; daily highs in Cairns reach 34°C and lows reach 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) so you can travel back home.