2 Weeks in Australia - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Australia for Families

This 14-day highlights tour takes you on an adventure through Australia's most spectacular natural sights and is perfect for families with older kids. From Sydney to Uluru to Cairns and the Whitsunday Islands, there's something to appeal to every member of the family.

Welcome to Australia! After arriving in Sydney, spend some time in Australia's largest city, visiting a range of attractions that both kids and adults will love, including SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Zoo. From Sydney, fly to Australia's red center for a couple of days at Uluru and nearby Kata Tjuta. See these impressive rock formations from all angles and learn more about Australia's First Nations peoples.

From the desert back to the coast, fly up to tropical Northern Queensland to spend time in and around Cairns. Take an exhilarating kid-friendly 4WD tour in the Daintree Rainforest, where the ancient forest meets the sea. Choose to snorkel, dive, or simply enjoy the views from the boat on a cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Next, fly to stunning Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays, where there will be plenty of time to relax, swim, and enjoy other beach and ocean activities. End back in Sydney with a dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Brisbane, Port Douglas & Sydney Family Adventure

This jam-packed two-week itinerary is perfect for active families wanting to explore the best of Australia's wildlife and outdoor lifestyle. See some cute (and unusual!) critters, explore Brisbane and Sydney by boat, bike, and kayak, and swim, snorkel, or dive at the Great Barrier Reef.

Start in Brisbane, the capital of Australia's northeastern state of Queensland. This city offers a range of cultural and natural highlights that will appeal to the whole family, both within the city and nearby. Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to learn more about one of the country's most iconic animals. Enjoy a guided tour of Australia Zoo, among other fun Brisbane-area activities. Then, head north to Port Douglas, a tropical town with abundant rainforest and reef adventures the whole gang will enjoy. Take a full-day tour of the Great Barrier Reef, go river snorkeling in the Daintree Rainforest, and ride the scenic railway and cable car over the rainforest to Kuranda.

Spend most of the second week of your trip in Sydney, a city with a vast range of sights and experiences for young and old(er). Get active on a guided bicycle tour, be amazed by the impressive Sydney Opera House, and take a day trip to the Blue Mountains west of the city (which get their name from the blue haze of eucalyptus oil in the air). On Day 12, enjoy Sydney's city views while visiting the residents of Taronga Zoo before ending the day with your family on a Harbour Cruise. Your last full day takes you to heritage-listed Luna Park, with rides perfect for children of any age, and ends with a visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Australia Cities & Wildlife Adventure for Families

This jam-packed two-week trip starts with a hot-air balloon flight across Melbourne and finishes on the shores of Sydney. Perfect for active families with older kids, this itinerary ticks the best of Australia's wildlife and outdoor lifestyle boxes.

Start this exciting two-week family-friendly tour in Melbourne with a hot-air balloon ride over the city and the snaking Yarra River, a thrilling experience suitable for different fitness levels and ages. Back on solid ground, check out Melbourne's many other highlights, including Luna Park, and head out on a scenic road trip with the kids in tow on the Great Ocean Road. On Day 4, fly north to Cairns, a handy base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, and recoup with plenty of free time.

Next, head down to Tasmania for a change of scene. Australia's island state is covered in mountains and forests, as well as wildlife sanctuaries that kids will love. See native Tasmanian wildlife at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, explore the rainforest at Mount Field National Park, and admire the picturesque Derwent Valley. End with several days in Sydney. You'll ride a ferry across the famed harbor and wave at the Opera House before taking a day trip on Day 11 to the Blue Mountain, visiting Taronga Zoo and Bondi Beach on Day 12, and meeting Australia's marine life at SEA Life Sydney Aquarium. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Australia & New Zealand for Families

This excitement-packed two-week tour combines big-city and beach-side attractions in Australia with the mountains and fjords around New Zealand's Queenstown. Plus, a fun outing to Middle-earth.

Start this epic two-week tour in Sydney. A mix of organized activities and free time will ensure every family member is happy. Don't miss time on Bondi Beach, perhaps Australia's most famous strip of golden sand, before flying north to Cairns in tropical Northern Queensland. Check out Cairns' attractions, including the Cairns Lagoon Swimming Pool, before embarking on full-day excursions to the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Choose a level of activity most appropriate for your family, whether that's snorkeling or diving.

Head south again to Melbourne, Australia's second city and your last stop in Australia. Cricket fans, big and small, will enjoy a guided tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Road trip to the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road and spend a day at the beach at Saint Kilda before hopping onto a trans-Tasman flight to Queenstown. Known as the adventure sports capital of New Zealand, you can go bungee jumping, jet boating, and paragliding if the family is daring. Everyone will enjoy a day at Milford Sound, in the Fiordland National Park, one of the wettest places on earth! Learn more 

More Great 2-Week Australia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Australia? Check out these other two-week Australia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.