16 days in Australia Itinerary

A city of towering skyscrapers, sandy beaches, and tree-lined streets, Gold Coast has an unpretentious air complemented by a citywide focus on sports and the arts.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Wed): tour the pleasant surroundings at Burleigh Head National Park, enjoy the sand and surf at Coolangatta Beach, and then stroll through Burleigh Heads Beach. Keep things going the next day: tour the pleasant surroundings at Kurrawa Beach, then browse the different shops at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Kirra Beach.

For where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Gold Coast itinerary builder.

Brisbane to Gold Coast is an approximately 1-hour car ride. You can also take a train; or take a bus. In June, daily temperatures in Gold Coast can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Thu) early enough to 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.

Visit The Rocks and St. Mary's Cathedral for their historical value. Get in touch with nature at Blue Mountains and Dolphin & Whale Watching. Venture out of the city with trips to Wentworth Falls Lookout (in Wentworth Falls) and Bridal Veil Falls (in Katoomba). There's still lots to do: stop by Australian Opal Cutters and Pearl Divers, take in the views from Sydney Harbour Bridge, get to know the fascinating history of Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay Walk, and catch a live performance at Sydney Opera House.

To see other places to visit, photos, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Sydney trip maker tool.

Traveling by flight from Gold Coast to Sydney takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In June, plan for daily highs up to 21°C, and evening lows to 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Mon) so you can travel to Melbourne.

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

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Spas and South Melbourne Market. Do your shopping at The Mill Markets and Collins St/Swanston St. Take a break from Melbourne with a short trip to Ballarat Botanical Gardens in Ballarat, about 1h 40 min away. And it doesn't end there: take a stroll around Federation Square, take a stroll through Degraves Street, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, and take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

For other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Melbourne trip itinerary planning app.

Getting from Sydney to Melbourne by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Traveling from Sydney in June, things will get slightly colder in Melbourne: highs are around 16°C and lows about 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu) early enough to travel to Port Douglas.

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

Start off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports, then stop by With Sugar, then look for all kinds of wild species at Mossman Gorge Centre, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas. On the next day, browse the exhibits of Ngarru Gallery, learn about winemaking at Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and finally explore the gorgeous colors at Agincourt Reef.

To find out how to plan a trip to Port Douglas, use our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by flight from Melbourne to Port Douglas takes 7.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. In July, Port Douglas is warmer than Melbourne - with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sat) to allow time to drive 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.

Escape the urban bustle at Palm Cove Beach and Nature & Wildlife Tours. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Dolphin & Whale Watching and Trinity Beach. Step out of Cairns with an excursion to Annie's at the Beach in Palm Cove--about 32 minutes away. There's much more to do: skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, take in the dramatic scenery at Crystal Cascades, and admire the natural beauty at Botanical Gardens.

To see reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Cairns road trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Port Douglas to Cairns takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in July, and nighttime lows around 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Airlie Beach.

Very much a town with an emphasis on the tropical lifestyle, Airlie Beach offers exotic surroundings with palm trees and charming, sandy beaches.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports and then take in the pleasant sights at Bicentennial Walkway. On the 9th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, then kick back and relax at Airlie Beach Lagoon, and then take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour.

To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Airlie Beach trip planner.

Getting from Cairns to Airlie Beach by combination of flight and ferry takes about 5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Cairns in July, plan for slightly colder days in Airlie Beach, with highs around 24°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.