Australia: East Coast in 12 Days
Australia
Overview
Australia's east coast covers three completely different sides of the country: Sydney's iconic harbour and beaches, Melbourne's coffee-and-laneway culture with a Great Ocean Road day trip, and Cairns as the gateway to snorkelling or diving the Great Barrier Reef. Domestic flights cover the long distances between each stop.
- Duration
- 12 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Mixed
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €2,600–€3,400
Route
1. Sydney2. Melbourne3. Cairns
Highlights
- Climbing or photographing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House
- Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Melbourne's laneway street art and coffee culture
- Snorkelling or diving the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns
Worth knowing
- The distances involved mean at least two domestic flights
- Reef trips are weather- and season-dependent — check conditions ahead
- Australia is expensive for food and lodging compared to most of Asia or Europe
Day by day
Day 1
SydneyMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- The Rocks and Circular Quay
Overnight: Sydney
Day 2
SydneyMain activities
- Sydney Opera House tour
- Harbour Bridge climb
Overnight: Sydney
Day 3
SydneyMain activities
- Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Bondi Beach afternoon
Overnight: Sydney
Day 4
SydneyMain activities
- Free morning
- Afternoon flight to Melbourne
Optional additions
- Blue Mountains day trip instead of a free morning
~1.5 hours flightOvernight: Melbourne
Day 5
MelbourneMain activities
- Laneways and street art (Hosier Lane)
- Queen Victoria Market
Overnight: Melbourne
Day 6
MelbourneMain activities
- Great Ocean Road day trip — the Twelve Apostles
Overnight: Melbourne
Day 7
Melbourne → CairnsMain activities
- Flight (~3.5h)
- Cairns Esplanade
~3.5 hours flightOvernight: Cairns
Day 8
CairnsMain activities
- Full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkelling or diving trip
Overnight: Cairns
Day 9
CairnsMain activities
- Kuranda Scenic Railway and rainforest cableway
Optional additions
- Daintree Rainforest day trip
Overnight: Cairns
Day 10
CairnsMain activities
- Second reef trip or a relaxed beach day
Overnight: Cairns
Day 11
CairnsMain activities
- Free day — rainforest walk or city markets
Overnight: Cairns
Day 12
CairnsMain activities
- Departure
Overnight: Cairns
Alternatives
Shorter version · 7 days
Drop Melbourne and fly directly Sydney → Cairns.
Longer extension · 16 days
Add Brisbane and the Gold Coast between Sydney and Cairns.