31 days in Melbourne & Port Douglas Itinerary

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

Explore hidden gems such as St. Patrick's Cathedral and Eastern Beach Reserve. Take a break from the city and head to Brighton Beach and Hanging Rock Reserve. Venture out of the city with trips to RAAF Museum (in Point Cook), The Carousel (in Geelong) and Kevin Hoffman Walk (in Lara). Spend the 9th (Fri) exploring nature at Dandenong Ranges National Park. There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of St Paul's Cathedral, see the interesting displays at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, take a stroll through Degraves Street, and identify plant and animal life at Phillip Island Wildlife Park.

To find ratings, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Melbourne online travel route planner.

Use the Route module to see travel options from your home to Melbourne. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in October, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) so you can 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.

Take a break from the city and head to Safaris and Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours. Discover out-of-the-way places like Australian Butterfly Sanctuary and Trinity Beach. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Port Douglas: Palm Cove Beach (in Palm Cove), Golden Drop Mango Winery (in Biboohra) and Mareeba (Mareeba Golf Club, Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Centre, &more). Spend the 28th (Wed) exploring nature at Daintree National Park. On the 21st (Wed), give your taste buds a day to remember with Brett's Outback Tasting Adventures. There's lots more to do: explore the gorgeous colors at Opal Reef, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, see the world from above with GBR Helicopters -Tours, and get great views at Flagstaff Hill Lookout.

For photos, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Port Douglas trip planning tool.

Fly from Melbourne to Port Douglas in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. When traveling from Melbourne in October, plan for a bit warmer days and warmer nights in Port Douglas: temperatures range from 34°C by day to 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel back home.