14 days in Sydney, Cairns & Melbourne Itinerary

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.

Visit Bondi Beach and Clovelly Beach for some beach relaxation. ATTY Gallery and Australian National Maritime Museum will appeal to museum buffs. There's much more to do: see a show at Sydney Opera House, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, hike along Bondi to Coogee Walk, and visit Darling Harbour.

To find more things to do, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Sydney day trip planning tool.

Seattle, USA to Sydney is an approximately 21-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Seattle to Sydney is 18 hours. Prepare for much hotter weather when traveling from Seattle in December: high temperatures in Sydney hover around 81°F and lows are around 65°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Thu) to allow enough time to 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.

Museum-lovers will get to explore The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum and Underart Gallery. Get outdoors at Nature & Wildlife Tours and Esplanade Boardwalk. When in Cairns, make a side trip to see Palm Cove Beach in Palm Cove, approximately Palm Cove away. There's lots more to do: get interesting insight from Tours, admire the landmark architecture of Freshwater Station, sample the tasty concoctions at Blue Sky Brewery, and explore the galleries of Bones and Jones.

To see reviews, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Cairns attractions site.

You can fly from Sydney to Cairns in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. In December, Cairns is a bit warmer than Sydney - with highs of 88°F and lows of 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Sun) to allow time to travel to Melbourne.

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

Let the collections at Melbourne Museum and Federation Square capture your imagination. Immigration Museum and Old Melbourne Gaol are good opportunities to explore the local culture. There's still lots to do: enjoy the sand and surf at St. Kilda Beach, stop by Haigh's Chocolates Collins Street, take in panoramic vistas at Eureka Skydeck, and pick up some local products at Queen Victoria Market.

To find traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Melbourne trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Melbourne takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Cairns in December, things will get slightly colder in Melbourne: highs are around 78°F and lows about 54°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Thu) early enough to travel back home.