No matter where in the world you live, travelling to Australia is a big trip. It’s far away, and you want your time there to be well spent. You’ll be hard-pressed to cram every sight of such an enormous country into two weeks, but if you plan accordingly and keep to this guide, you can fit a remarkable range of experiences into 14 days: two great coastal cities, a wine valley, the largest sand island in the world, the reef, the rainforest and one of the world’s best coastal drives.
Sydney – Day One
Congratulations! You’ve arrived in Australia! Many flights from North America land in the early morning, and Sydney is usually people’s first stop, since it is the country’s best-known city and its main international gateway. The day of your arrival is a good chance to take it easy, but still push yourself to keep moving and fight the jet lag. Drop your bags at the hotel or Airbnb, take a shower (an essential part of waking up after a long flight) and go for a relaxing walk or bike ride around the city. The best place to start is Circular Quay.
Circular Quay is the most picturesque corner of Sydney’s harbour. Nearby you’ll find the Sydney Opera House, historic waterfront shops, views of the Harbour Bridge, and lots of ferries puttering about. If you have the energy, jump on a boat and take a harbour cruise of about an hour, which will give you an idea of the size and scope of this great city.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
If you don’t feel like a ride on the water, stroll around the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Established in 1816, it is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world. The garden covers 30 hectares along the water, is free to enter, and is the perfect place to take in your first Australian sights and sounds.
Another great way to get a highlight tour of Sydney is to rent a bike. Daylight and light exercise are both widely recommended for fighting jet lag, and cycling gives you plenty of each. Pick up a bike from one of the rental shops in and around Circular Quay and noodle around the city, exploring whatever catches your eye. Before you know it, you’ll need to call it a day. Try to stay up as late as you can, but an early bedtime will give your body the rest it needs for a great second day in the city.
Sydney – Day Two
Start your morning at the Sydney Fish Market, which since January 2026 has operated from a new waterfront building on Blackwattle Bay in Pyrmont. Its terraces overlook the water, and with more than 40 retailers selling everything from oysters to prawns, it’s a good place to taste local seafood with a view. Opening hours vary by retailer, so check ahead. Going in the morning is ideal, since it gets busier as the day goes on.
Since it’s only your second day on the other side of the world, let’s take it easy. Take the train to Bondi Junction and then a bus out to Bondi Beach. What better way to get acquainted with the Australian way of life than to relax on a beach? The morning is the best time to arrive, since it’s not as hot and you can nab the best spot on the sand. Don’t miss a chance to swim in the ocean pools, as well as, you know, the actual ocean. If you’re feeling up for it, you can also take a surf lesson. Booking ahead is the safer bet in peak season.
After lounging on the beach and perhaps grabbing a quick bite, take the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. It’s more of a walk than a hike, but easily one of the most scenic routes in the city. At about six kilometres, it takes roughly two to three hours, depending on how many stops you make and how fast you go. The path along the coast takes you past ocean views, small beaches, cliffside parks, the ocean pool at Bondi Icebergs, the heritage-listed Waverley Cemetery and various cafés and restaurants if you need a pit stop. At the end of the walk, Coogee Beach is the perfect spot for dinner with a view.
Sydney – Day Three
If you have kids or are interested in Australian flora and fauna, Taronga Zoo is a must. To get there, take the ferry across the water from Circular Quay, a trip of about 12 minutes that gives you remarkable views of the harbour. It’s one of the most beautiful zoos in the world, and the layout and design of the space are fabulous. Opened on this site in 1916, it still has some of its early buildings and enclosures, which give it a period feel in this sunburnt country. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the animals of Australia, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Sydney Harbour Bridge
After the zoo, take a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, an icon of the city. Opened in 1932, it is 48.8 metres wide and 134 metres high at the top of the arch. There are two ways of getting across. The simplest is free: the pedestrian footway on the eastern side is open around the clock, and it’s an excellent way to take in the city and the harbour and is notably less precarious. But if you’re brave enough (and don’t mind paying several hundred dollars, so check BridgeClimb’s website for current prices), you can climb to the top of the arch. In addition to the cardio workout, you’ll be given a guide who will tell you all about the history of the bridge and Sydney itself. While my preference is to save the money, there are plenty who have loved the climb, so it’s really up to you.
If you still have some time and want to visit another beach, ride the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Beach, a trip of about 30 minutes. It’s got golden sand and a cool ocean breeze, and this charming coastal town is full of cafés and restaurants. It’s also a great place to shop for Australian-inspired fashion or a pair of Havaianas sandals (or, as the Aussies say, “thongs”).
Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves – Day Four
The Blue Mountains are about two hours from the centre of Sydney by train, but well worth the trek. You can take the train out to Katoomba Station or rent a car for the day. The region is made up of mountains, plateaux and escarpments, and its most iconic formation is the Three Sisters, which rises above the lush, green Jamison Valley. Take time to walk along the lookout at Echo Point and then head down the stairs to hike along the valley floor (check the National Parks track alerts first, as valley tracks close from time to time). You’ll see waterfalls that keep the trees below so green.
Jenolan Caves
After grabbing something to eat in Katoomba, head over to the Jenolan Caves, roughly 75 kilometres by road (there is no public transport, so you’ll need a car or a tour). One caution: the caves have been closed since April 2024, after severe weather flooded the precinct and damaged the access road, and a reopening is targeted for early 2027, so confirm their status before you go.
Made of limestone, Jenolan is the oldest known and dated open cave system in the world: CSIRO scientists dated clay in the caves to about 340 million years old. The calcite formations inside are one of the biggest draws. They can be bright white and look almost like marble carvings. One, the Angel’s Wing in the Temple of Baal, is a nine-metre shawl that resembles an angel’s wing (incredible to see such a thing formed by nature). On a guided tour the calcite structures are artistically lit to accentuate their beauty, and in some caves your guide may switch off the lights for a moment so you can appreciate the silence and darkness that kept all these shapes hidden for so long.
The Hunter Vallery – Day Five
The Hunter Valley is known for its award-winning wineries and quiet countryside atmosphere. It’s a drive of about two hours north of Sydney, so you can rent a car and make a day of it (or book a tour if you’d rather not drive after tasting). There are more than 150 cellar doors to visit and, really, it doesn’t matter much which ones you try. They each have their speciality, and unless you’re a sommelier, you’ll have a great experience wherever you go.
Audrey Wilkinson is often called one of the most picturesque wineries in the valley, with a hilltop cellar door, 360-degree views and vines planted in 1866. Brokenwood has the Hunter’s largest cellar door and is a good stop for chardonnay lovers. Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard has a cellar door with the feel of the French countryside. Meerea Park, known for its semillon and spicy reds, pours from a cellar door in the architect-designed Roche Estate. If you’re feeling indulgent and want to stay overnight, many estates and resorts in the valley offer accommodation and spa facilities.
K’gari (Fraser Island) – Day Six and Seven
It’s time to say goodbye to New South Wales and head north to Queensland. Fly out to the small, seaside town of Hervey Bay. From here you can rent a 4×4 and catch the ferry over to Fraser Island from River Heads. Vehicle and camping permits are required, so book them ahead. Before you leave, be sure to stop by a grocery store and stock up on food and drinks for your camping adventure on the island. There are a few restaurants on Fraser, but the options are limited, so it’s best to bring your own supplies. Plus having the freedom to eat anywhere your heart guides you is part of the fun! From about July to October, humpback whales rest in the waters between Hervey Bay and the island, so on the ferry ride over, keep your eye out for whales.
K’gari (the Butchulla name for Fraser Island, meaning “paradise”) is the largest sand island in the world! Yes, that’s right, the island is made of sand, piled up over some 750,000 years. But unlike what you might expect, it is incredibly lush! The island is filled with rainforests, eucalyptus woodland, mangrove forests, peat swamps, dunes, and green shrublands.
Accommodation on K’gari
On Fraser Island, you can book pre-assembled tents so you won’t have to rent or buy camping equipment. Sunset and sunrise are unreal, so planning a meal on the beach around that time is fantastic. They talk about the island having dingoes aplenty, but no one I knew ever saw one. There are spiders, though, so be sure to check your shoes before putting them on! Despite its natural beauty, it can feel off the beaten track. At times, you feel like you have the entire place to yourself. Your own private island.
Spend your days visiting the Maheno shipwreck (a luxury passenger ship built in 1905), swimming in the Champagne Pools, hiking the sands to picturesque Lake McKenzie, fishing along Seventy-Five Mile Beach, and floating down Eli Creek, the island’s natural lazy river.
Townsville/Magnetic Island – Day Eight and Nine
Try to head out early in the morning: ferry back to the mainland, then catch a flight from Hervey Bay up to Townsville (you’ll connect through Brisbane). Many people opt to visit the famous city of Cairns, but I prefer Magnetic Island. It gives you that small town/island experience. Take the ferry from Townsville over to the island, a trip of about 25 minutes, where you can stay at one of the island’s popular hostels (one even has its own wildlife sanctuary) or at some impressive Airbnbs.
While on Magnetic Island, you can visit a koala sanctuary, where a bush tucker breakfast comes with animal encounters. You can also opt for a hike up to the old WWII forts, built to protect Townsville. Along the Forts Walk, look up into the eucalypts, where you can see wild koalas along the path. Horses make their home here and you can book a tour here which will take you into the waters on horseback. A unique and thrilling experience.
Visiting the Great Barrier Reef
You can also catch a boat from Nelly Bay harbour. It will take you about two hours out into the ocean to go scuba diving or snorkelling and see the most amazing fish and coral reef. The reef lies off Queensland’s coast, and the snorkelling is stunning. I got hugely seasick on the ocean waters, but even despite that, the snorkelling was one of the best experiences in my life. If you are afraid of being that far out in the ocean, you can always just snorkel off the beach on one of Magnetic Island’s fringing reefs. The fish aren’t as big and the coral not as bright, but it’s still an incredible experience.
While on the island, there are these little “cars” that you can rent. There’s a local bus that can get you around just fine, but it isn’t super frequent, so these open roof cars are a great option and fun to drive. They can help you get out to the remote spots much faster than the bus.
Daintree National Park – Day Ten
From Townsville, head up the coast to Cairns, then make a point to take a day trip out to visit the Daintree Rainforest. It’s a bit of a trek to get out there (about a 90-minute drive from Cairns to the park’s southern edge, and day tours run 10 to 12 hours), but well worth the travel time. You can either rent a car for the day or join one of the many tour buses which leave daily from Cairns. The Daintree rainforest is a national park and is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland. You can visit the Mossman Gorge and take a refreshing swim in the Mossman River’s natural pools (check conditions first, as swimming is riskier in the wet season, from November to March). There is also a retro cable ferry which will take you across the Daintree River into the Cape Tribulation section of the park, often called the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, opt to take a stroll along a boardwalk such as the Marrdja Boardwalk to see if you can spot native wildlife relaxing in the treetops.
Melbourne – Day Eleven
Fly from Cairns back down to Melbourne to see the state of Victoria; direct flights take about three and a half hours. The reason I suggest doing this is that you’re much closer to Sydney (most likely your return airport) on the tail end of your trip. Melbourne is a bustling city and a great contrast to the laid-back living on Magnetic Island. The best way to see Melbourne is by bike. You can explore so much of the city in a short period. The architecture in the city ranges from old-world to neo-modern, changing at every corner. The most impressive building is the golden yellow Flinders Street Station, completed in 1910.
Melbourne Street Art
Be sure to wind your way down side alleys and hidden corners to check out the impressive street art that Melbourne is well-known for (Hosier Lane is the most celebrated). Great food is plentiful here, and if you’re sick of camp grub, now is your chance to make a reservation at one of Australia’s top restaurants for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Victoria, The Great Ocean Road – Day Twelve, Thirteen, and Fourteen
After a day of city living, it’s time to hit the road one final time. This time to travel to the Great Ocean Road, a 243-kilometre route built by returned First World War soldiers between 1919 and 1932. You can easily do it on a one- or two-day bus tour from the city, which is relaxed and carefree. While the bus is the simplest way of seeing the Great Ocean Road, it is not the most personal. You can feel like cattle being shipped on and off the vehicle with the rest of the herd. I would opt for renting a car or campervan (a popular option) and driving it yourself. You can choose the pace, the destinations and, best of all, stay at some of the most picturesque campsites in the world. Most driving itineraries suggest about three days, which I think is a good estimate to fit everything in without running yourself into the ground.
Twelve Apostles
You’ll drive to see the iconic Twelve Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, though only seven or eight of them still stand. Stop off at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, where kangaroos roam free, to see the big and little fellas. Make a point to take a walk into the Maits Rest rainforest, a 30-minute boardwalk loop through tree-fern gully.
If you have kids or love animals, set aside an evening for Phillip Island, a separate day trip south of Melbourne in the opposite direction from the Great Ocean Road. At Summerland Beach, hundreds of tiny penguins come ashore at dusk in the nightly Penguin Parade, and the rocky headland of The Nobbies nearby is worth a stop. These little penguins are the smallest in the world, and they’ve made homes along Phillip Island, where you can see them hopping in and out as they bring food in from the ocean.
Sitting on the edge of Victoria’s limestone cliffs at sunset is the perfect way to spend one of your last nights in Australia. Time to reflect on your favourite moments, your most memorable culinary treats, and those one-of-a-kind experiences you’ll talk about for years to come.
Travelling to Australia is a big trip, and two weeks will never cover every sight of such an enormous country. But from two great coastal cities to a wine valley, the largest sand island in the world, the reef, the rainforest and one of the world’s best coastal drives, this itinerary is a great way to get you started. Feel free to customize it based on your travel wishes. The overwhelming size of the country often makes people feel just as overwhelmed in the planning, so it’s nice to have a starting point. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you’re bound to have one of the greatest times of your life. Don’t stress about missing out or not making it to a particular place. Leaving something behind just means more of a reason to return. 🙂
Happy Travels, Adventurers
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8 years agoI was in Brisbane, and I love this post and comment section sooo much! It’s just lovely to hear travelers saying how much they love Australia.