Australia is a vast country and while you won’t manage to see all of it in a two week trip, it is possible to squeeze in a surprising number of highlights. Our Ultimate Australia 2 week itinerary has a bit of everything – cities, beaches, nature, and of course, the Great Barrier Reef.
You’ll start in Melbourne then head north to Sydney for a taste of two vibrant cities that are unique in their own right. Next, you’re off to Byron Bay for a little downtime and some of the best beaches in Australia. After that it’s north again to Airlie Beach to see the incredible beauty of the Whitsunday Islands. Then, you’ll finish your trip in Cairns, a hub of adventure and the gateway to the magical Great Barrier Reef.
A word of caution – this is a fast-paced trip with a lot of travelling between locations. If you can wangle more time to make your trip more relaxed, we’d recommend doing that. Also, you can skip any of the locations and add more time to the others to make it a little easier going.
Australia 2 week itinerary at a glance
- 2 nights in Melbourne
- 3 nights in Sydney
- 3 nights in Byron Bay or 2 nights in Byron Bay and 1 night in Brisbane
- 3 nights in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
- 3 nights in Cairns
That’s 14 days of Aussie highlights!
The ultimate Australia 2 week itinerary
| Day | Stay overnight | Highlights and things to do |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Melbourne | Explore the city |
| Day 2 | Melbourne | Great Ocean Road day trip |
| Day 3 | Sydney | Fly to Sydney |
| Day 4 | Sydney | Harbour Bridge Climb |
| Day 5 | Sydney | Blue Mountains day trip |
| Day 6 | Byron Bay | Fly to Byron Bay |
| Day 7 | Byron Bay | Dolphin kayaking or surf lesson |
| Day 8 | Byron Bay or Brisbane | Enjoy the beach |
| Day 9 | Airlie Beach | Fly to Proserpine/Whitsunday Coast Airport |
| Day 10 | Airlie Beach | Whitsundays day trip |
| Day 11 | Airlie Beach | Whitsundays scenic flight |
| Day 12 | Cairns | Fly to Cairns |
| Day 13 | Cairns | Great Barrier Reef snorkel trip |
| Day 14 | Cairns | Cape Tribulation day trip |
| Day 15 | Fly home from Cairns |
Days 1-3: Melbourne (2 nights)
Your Australian adventure begins in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne, famous for its cultural diversity, arts scene, and amazing food.
- Day 1: Arrive in Melbourne and take the afternoon to explore the city’s laneways, street art, and coffee culture. Don’t miss Federation Square and Flinders Street Station for a great introduction to the city.
- Day 2: Melbourne is a great place to explore beyond the city. Depending on your preference for coast views, wildlife, or wine, take a day trip along the Great Ocean Road, marvel at the penguin parade on Phillip Island, or visit the Yarra Valley for some wine tasting.
Top experiences:
- Head to Degraves Street for iconic Melbourne cafes
- Do a DIY food tour of Queen Victoria Market
- Take a ride on the Melbourne Star for a panoramic view of the city
Avocado tip: Pack a small umbrella – Melbourne is famous for experiencing four seasons in a day!
Days 3-6: Sydney (3 nights)
Next, fly to Sydney, Australia’s most iconic city. With its stunning Opera House, impressive Harbour Bridge, and famous beaches, there’s an Australia bucket list tick around every corner.
- Day 3: Fly to Sydney, settle into your accommodation, and head straight to Circular Quay to see the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Walk through the historic area of The Rocks for dinner.
- Day 4: If your energy levels are high, you could explore Bondi Beach and the famous coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee, or take on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb for mind-blowing views that few others will ever experience. Or if you’d prefer a slower pace, hop on a ferry to Manly for relaxed beach vibes.
- Day 5: Head out of the city and take in the stunning New South Wales scenery and nature on a Blue Mountains day trip. End your day with a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Top experiences:
- Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Visiting the Sydney Opera House
- Taking a ferry ride to Manly for views of the Harbour
Days 6-9: Byron Bay (3 nights) or Byron Bay (2 nights) and Brisbane (1 night)
From Sydney, fly to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, which is a 25-minute drive from the laid-back coastal town of Byron Bay. Famous for its relaxed atmosphere, great surfing, and stunning beaches, Byron Bay is the perfect spot to unwind.
- Day 6: Arrive in Byron Bay and spend the day relaxing on the beach or browsing one of Byron’s eclectic boutiques. In the evening, head up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, which is one of the best places in town to catch the sunset, before getting dinner at one of Byron’s many amazing restaurants.
- Day 7: Spend some time in the ocean and learn to surf or head out on a dolphin kayak tour. If you’re in town between late May and early November, you’ll have a great chance of spotting humpback whales. For the best chance of seeing these majestic creatures, go out on a whale watching tour, otherwise, the lighthouse and Cape Byron Walking Track are a great place to try your luck from the land.
- Day 8: Either spend your final day in Byron relaxing and soaking up the sun or squeeze in a night in Brisbane before your flight to Airlie Beach.
Top experiences:
- Surfing at one of Byron’s famous surf beaches
- Sunset at Cape Byron Lighthouse
- Relaxing at Wategos Beach or Tallow Beach
Day 9-12: Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays (3 nights)
Fly from Brisbane to Proserpine Airport then head to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. This part of the trip is all about exploring pristine islands and vibrant marine life.
- Day 9: Arrive in Airlie Beach and take the afternoon to relax by the lagoon or explore the waterfront.
- Day 10: Spend the day on a Whitsundays boat trip or sailing tour, visiting Whitehaven Beach, known for its powdery white sands, and Hill Inlet, where the swirling blue waters create a stunning natural spectacle. Many day trips also allow some time for snorkelling, so you’ll get your first taste of the Great Barrier Reef and its diverse marine life.
- Day 11: Take it easy today and relax by the lagoon or enjoy a scenic flight over the reef for breathtaking aerial views and a glimpse of Heart Reef. It’s worth knowing that you can combine your Whitsundays boat trip with a scenic flight on the same day, leaving today free for downtime or squeezing in another day trip. If you fancy some more time on the water, take a two-hour sunset cruise and enjoy some bubbles while the sun creates magic.
Top experiences:
- Seeing Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Sailing around the Whitsundays
- Snorkelling or diving in the Great Barrier Reef
Day 12-15: Cairns (3 nights)
Take your last internal flight to end your trip in tropical Cairns, the adventure capital of Australia and the second gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is surrounded by lush rainforests, waterfalls, and of course, one of the most famous reef systems in the world.
- Day 12: Arrive in Cairns and take the afternoon to explore the city’s Esplanade or relax by the lagoon. For dinner, visit one of the local seafood restaurants.
- Day 13: Cairns is one of the easiest locations to access the Great Barrier Reef, so spend the day out on the water with a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling or diving tour.
- Day 14: To pack a lot of experiences into a short amount of time, a Cape Tribulation day trip is ideal way to finish your Australia adventure. You’ll visit the only place in the world where two natural World Heritage listed sites meet – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. During the day, you’ll also experience the rich indigenous heritage at Mossman Gorge, take a river cruise to spot crocodiles, and stop off at beautiful Port Douglas.
Top experiences:
- Snorkelling or diving in the Great Barrier Reef
- Taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway or Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
- Exploring waterfalls and wildlife in the Daintree Rainforest
Book the tours on this Australia 2 week itinerary
FAQs
Do I have to fly between locations?
It’s possible to drive the whole of the East Coast, but if you’re trying to fit as much as possible into a two week itinerary, it doesn’t make sense to. For example, without stops, it takes around 10 hours to drive between Melbourne and Sydney and around 8 hours to drive between Sydney and Byron Bay, so you lose a day or more to travelling between each stop. If you book in advance, internal flights are usually pretty affordable and are a much quicker alternative to driving. Check out Jetstar and Virgin Australia for the cheapest options.
If you have longer, say three or four weeks, you could rent a car or hire a campervan and drive up the East Coast at a more leisurely pace. You can also travel on a Greyhound bus pass, which is great value if you’re on a budget.
Is it possible to convert this trip into a 10 day Australia itinerary?
Yes! If you need to shorten this two week Australia itinerary, we’d recommend skipping either Melbourne or Sydney, and then choosing one of the remaining locations to skip depending on what you’d like to see and experience during your time in Australia.