Australia in 7-10 days
Australia is a great destination for any type of traveler with any travel style, budget and schedule. It can be difficult to decide what to include in your trip with so many amazing nature, culture and history destinations and experiences to choose from. Below are sample itineraries to better see what a trip to Australia could look like depending on the length of your trip.
Australia in 7-10 Days
Australia is an enormous country, with many of the top attractions situated along the coastline, making it impossible to see everything in one week or even two. But the classics are absolutely feasible - you may even catch a glimpse of a Koala!
Day 1, Sydney: Sydney Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Circular Queue, Luna Park, Botanical Gardens, Harbor boat tour, Blue Mountains.
Day 2-4, Queensland: Visit the famed Great Barrier Reef, and picturesque Cannes, for snorkeling and fun ocean sports.
OR
Day 2-4, Alice Springs: Watch the sunrise over Uluru, learn from local Aboriginal guides about the land through their ancient legends. Watch kangaroos in their natural habitat and appreciate the outbacks beauty.
Day 5-7, Melbourne: Explore the “world’s most livable city” fro Southbank and Federation Sq., to winetasting in Yarra Valley, and funky St. Kilda beach. Hit the coastal highway known as the Great Ocean Road for spectacular views and hidden gems.
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Australia in 2 Weeks
2 Weeks in Oz gives you ample time to see Uluru, the famous Great Barrier Reef- though many tours opt for one or the other - as well as the urban centers of Melbourne and Sydney. You may even have enough time to visit the Yarra Valley for wine tasting.
Day 1-2, Sydney: Sydney Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Circular Queue, Luna Park, Botanical Gardens, Harbor boat tour, Blue Mountains.
Day 3-5, Queensland: Great Barrier reef, snorkeling & scuba diving in clear blue waters.
Day 6-9, Central Australia: Uluru, The Olgas, watching the sunrise over the outback, seeing Kangaroos in their natural habitat.
Day 10-12, Melbourne: Southbank and Federation Sq, Yarra Valley wine tasting, St. Kilda beach.
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Australia & New Zealand in 3 Weeks
Australia and New Zealand are famously difficult to get to, especially if you’re coming from the United States or Europe. For this reason, it can be a great idea to kill two birds with one stone! You won’t get to see everything (both Australia and New Zealand easily deserve their own trip) but if you won’t be back to that part of the world for a while, this is a great way to see some highlights in both countries.
Day 1-3, Aukland: Arrive in Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand. Mission Bay, Auckland Museum for an in depth look at the native Maori culture and history. Take a boat out for a whale watching excursion.
Day 4-6, Queenstown: Fly to Queenstown to spend a few days in this beautiful lakeside town. Jetboating on Lake Wakatipu, Skyline luge for incredible views and a thrilling activity in one. Full day excursion to Milford Sound, and visit historic Arrowtown.
Day 7, Mount Cook: Take a walk on Fox Glacier and stay overnight in Mount Cook National Park.
Day 8-9, Christchurch: Driving day through picturesque countryside as you head to Christchurch, where you will depart for Australia.
Day 10-11, Melbourne: Fitzroy Gardens, Federation Square, excursion to Phillip Island to see fairy penguins.
Day 12, Great Ocean Road: Drive along Melbourne’s idyllic coastline and view the famous Twelve Apostles. Have your camera ready for the stunning scenery!
Day 13-15, Alice Springs: Head to Alice Springs in Central Australia. Take a pre-dawn drive into the outback to watch the sunrise over the Olgas in Kata Tjuta. Half day history tour at Uluru - learn about the Aboriginal culture on the Mala Walk. Visit the cultural center for more insight into the arts, music, beliefs and customs of the Aboriginal people.
Day 16-18, Cairns: Enjoy a few days of snorkeling and boat trips around the beautiful Great Barrier Reef. Learn about the geology and wildlife from a marine biologist. Other highlights include Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
Day 19-22, Sydney: In Sydney, visit the famous Opera House and learn about it’s unique design. Spend a leisurely time walking around Circular Queue, and the Sydney Harbor. Go on the thrilling Bridge Walk for views from atop the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Visit the Botanical Gardens, and take a day cruise to Luna Park.
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Iconic Australian Cities To Explore on A Trip
Australia's main cities are primarily on the southeastern coast. This area is known for its amazing weather and was where the country first developed as a shipping and penal colony.
- Sydney: The most significant Australian city, Sydney is a hub for finance, tourism, and the arts. Most tours begin and end in Sydney, the country's principal port, where many prominent happenings occur.
- Melbourne: The funky, hip, and laidback city of Melbourne stays true to Australia's well-known calm and relaxed vibe. The city is the country's cultural capital, is considered one of the world's coffee capitals, and is voted one of the best places to live!
- Brisbane: The city at the heart of the famous Gold Coast, Brisbane is the jumping-off point for Australia's sun and beach culture. The weather in Brisbane is perfect all year round, and surfers, sunbathers, and beach volleyball players thrive there.
- Perth: Considered the most isolated major city in Australia, Perth is located on the southwestern side of the country. While Perth may be isolated from the rest of the country, you won't be bored with the Outback and the Indian Ocean being right outside your front step.
- Other possible destinations include Australia's capital, Canberra, and the far north city of Darwin. Consider taking a train across the width of southern Australia for an unforgettable ride through the Outback.
Visiting Nearby Countries on Australia Tours
The Land Down Under sits between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean. Visitors often check out nearby countries or include them in their tours when visiting Australia.
- New Zealand and Australia Tours: One of the closest countries to Australia and a typical tour combo, New Zealand is an island nation just east of Australia. It's known for its remarkable landscape, hiking, and role as the setting for The Lord of the Rings movies. While Australia has a primarily friendly rivalry with neighboring New Zealand (each believing itself to be the friendlier of the two), they have much in common. Together, they feature several world-class cities and some of the world's best hiking trails, deserts, rainforests, coastlines, and mountains, so if you choose to see both in one tour, allow plenty of time.
- Papua New Guinea: Just north of Australia is Papua New Guinea. This country occupies half an island and is commonly visited for its volcanic and Pacific atmosphere. The island nation boasts many natural wonders and an opportunity to witness and learn about local Pacific Island cultures.
- Indonesia: Only a short flight from Australia, Indonesia has been an island nation at the center of the backpacker and luxury travel world for years. The main area of Indonesia, Bali, draws in digital nomads, yogis, and anyone looking to relax and unwind on the beach.
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