36 days in Australia Itinerary

Queensland’s biggest town and state capital, Brisbane has an attractive, manicured image based around its riverside aesthetic as well as the contrast between its high-rise center and extensive urban greenery.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Brisbane: FloCryo (in Bokarina), Mooloolaba (Mooloolaba Beach & Boat Tours & Water Sports) and Cocorico Hand-Made Chocolate (in Flaxton). Spend the 9th (Sun) exploring the fascinating underwater world at Sea World Theme Park. There's much more to do: walk around South Bank Parklands, admire the natural beauty at Roma Street Parkland, look for all kinds of wild species at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and take some stellar pictures from Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout.

To see ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Brisbane travel itinerary planner.

Canberra to Brisbane is an approximately 3.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Canberra in April, expect Brisbane to be somewhat warmer, temps between 30°C and 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Mon) so you can catch the flight 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.

Explore Cairns' surroundings by going to Port Douglas (Four Mile Beach, Coffee Works Port Douglas, &more), Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery (in Mossman) and Wangetti (Hartley's Crocodile Adventures & Rex Lookout). And it doesn't end there: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, stroll through Esplanade Boardwalk, kick back and relax at Trinity Beach, and brush up on your military savvy at The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum.

For traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Cairns travel route builder website.

You can fly from Brisbane to Cairns in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In April, Cairns is somewhat warmer than Brisbane - with highs of 34°C and lows of 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Mon) so you can fly to Melbourne.

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

Get out of town with these interesting Melbourne side-trips: Werribee (K Road Cliffs & Werribee Open Range Zoo), The Great Ocean Road (in Torquay) and Ballarat (Ballarat Botanical Gardens & Sovereign Hill). Dedicate the 21st (Fri) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. On the 22nd (Sat), spend a fun day on foot with Walking tours. The adventure continues: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, steep yourself in history at Old Melbourne Gaol, tour the pleasant surroundings at Royal Exhibition Building, and don't miss a visit to Block Arcade.

To see photos, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, read Melbourne trip itinerary planner.

You can fly from Cairns to Melbourne in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. While traveling from Cairns, expect slightly colder days and much colder nights in Melbourne, ranging from highs of 23°C to lows of 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Tue) so you can fly to Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park.

A holiday in Cradle Mountain-Lake St.

On the 26th (Wed), take in the dramatic scenery at Pencil Pine Falls and Knyvet Falls, trek along Marion's Lookout Walk, and then explore the activities along Lake St. Clair. Here are some ideas for day two: surround yourself with nature on Cradle Mountain Canyons, contemplate the waterfront views at Dove Lake Circuit, and then identify plant and animal life at Devils @ Cradle.

For reviews, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park trip maker app.

You can fly from Melbourne to Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) to allow enough time to take a bus to Strahan.

Combine breathtaking nature and genuine hospitality, wrap it up in small-town scenery, and you get Strahan, Tasmania.

Start off your visit on the 28th (Fri): take in the dramatic scenery at Hogarth Falls, examine the collection at Morrisons Huon Pine Sawmill, and then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To see other places to visit, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Strahan trip itinerary maker tool.

You can take a bus from Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park to Strahan in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Fri) so you can go by car to Launceston.

Lying in the Tamar Valley and surrounded by forested hills, the grid-patterned city of Launceston boasts shaded avenues, vibrant street life, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Explore Launceston's surroundings by going to Swinging Gate Vineyard (in Sidmouth), Low Head Penguin Tours (in Low Head) and Platypus House (in Beauty Point). And it doesn't end there: identify plant and animal life at Cataract Gorge Reserve, stroll around City Park, deepen your appreciation for local ecosystems through Luxury Golf & Scenic Tours Tasmania, and learn about winemaking at Grey Sands Vineyard.

To see more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Launceston trip planner.

Traveling by car from Strahan to Launceston takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In April, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 7°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Coles Bay.

Overlooking one of Tasmania's most scenic strips of coastline and serving as the gateway to Freycinet National Park, Coles Bay is home to just 500 permanent residents.

On the 2nd (Tue), explore the striking landscape of Freycinet National Park. Here are some ideas for day two: see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, trek along Wineglass Bay Lookout, and then don't miss a visit to Mt Amos Climb.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Coles Bay road trip planning tool.

Traveling by car from Launceston to Coles Bay takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Wed) early enough to go by car to Hobart.

Snaking up the side of a rounded, tree-dotted hill, Hobart sits between Tasmania’s sprawling mountains and the vast estuary of the River Derwent.

On the 7th (Sun), give your taste buds a day to remember with a local gastronomic tour. And it doesn't end there: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Wellington, contemplate the long history of Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, make a trip to Handmark Galleries, and shop like a local with Salamanca Market.

To see photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Hobart online visit planner.

Getting from Coles Bay to Hobart by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of taxi and bus. May in Hobart sees daily highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sun) so you can drive to Eaglehawk Neck.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Mon): get to know the fascinating history of Port Arthur Historic Site, get engrossed in the history at The Parsonage, and then get up close to creatures of the deep with Wild Ocean Tasmania. Keep things going the next day: trek along Three Capes Track and then steep yourself in history at Australian Convict Sites.

To see other places to visit, ratings, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Eaglehawk Neck tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Hobart to Eaglehawk Neck takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In May in Eaglehawk Neck, expect temperatures between 17°C during the day and 7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly back home.