How many days do you need in Sydney & Cairns?
- Most travelers spend 7-9 days in Sydney and Cairns combined
- Visiting Sydney and Cairns in 5 or 6 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 10 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Uluru, Melbourne, and Gold Coast
How Many Days to Spend in Sydney
Recommended Itineraries for Sydney & Cairns
Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 2 | Panoramic Sydney Sights Tour & Free Time | Sydney |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Blue Mountains Tour & Hike | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Fly to Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Free Day | Cairns |
| Day 7 | Full-Day Kuranda Rail & Skyrail | Cairns |
| Day 8 | Depart Cairns |
This well-rounded Aussie adventure checks off the east coast's greatest highlights in just over a week. See the famous landmarks of Sydney, then head north to Cairns to dive into the tropical Great Barrier Reef and discover the Kuranda Rainforest. Along the way, you'll have free time for day trips and leisure time to explore at your own pace—from the iconic sands of Bondi Beach to the ancient jungles of Daintree National Park. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
1-Week Itinerary Including Melbourne
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Day Trip Along the Great Ocean Road | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Sydney & Afternoon Pub Tour | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Blue Mountains Hiking Day Trip | Sydney |
| Day 5 | Fly to Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef | Cairns |
| Day 7 | Depart Cairns |
On this weeklong trip to Australia, experience three different cities and several landmarks along the way. The itinerary begins in Melbourne, where you can enjoy some local sightseeing. Then, travel the Great Ocean Road, which hosts scenic lookouts like The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard. The next stop is Sydney, which includes a pub crawl and a day trip to the stunning Blue Mountains. The final leg takes you to Cairns, where the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park awaits, as well as a memorable finale at the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Uluru
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef | Cairns |
| Day 3 | Free Day in Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 4 | Fly to Uluru | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Free Day in Uluru | Uluru |
| Day 6 | Fly to Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Sydney Sightseeing Tour | Sydney |
| Day 8 | Day Trip to Hunter Valley & Wine Tasting | Sydney |
| Day 9 | Free Day in Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 10 | Depart Sydney |
On this 10-day trip to Australia, enjoy a mix of city tours and outdoor excursions. First, explore Cairns, along with a memorable day trip to the famed Great Barrier Reef. Next, visit the outback of Uluru and the iconic Ayers Rock. Then, land in Sydney for a city tour, a day of wine tasting in Hunter Valley, and a free day to experience the BridgeClimb at Sydney Harbour Bridge and the renowned Sydney Opera House. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Uluru & Melbourne
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Day Tour of Phillip Island & Penguin Parade | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Day Trip Along the Great Ocean Road | Melbourne |
| Day 4 | Fly to Uluru, Tour Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Fly to Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Green Island | Cairns |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Kuranda | Cairns |
| Day 8 | Sydney City Sights | Sydney |
| Day 9 | Fly to Sydney, City Sights Tour | Sydney |
| Day 10 | Depart Sydney |
Cover the highlights on this 10-day tour that perfectly combines urban exploration with outdoor excursions starting in the cultural capital of Melbourne—a great jumping-off point to explore nearby Phillip Island and the Great Ocean Road. Venture into the "Red Center" to visit the iconic Ayers Rock before flying out to tropical Cairns to cuddle with a koala and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. End your stay with a Sydney city tour and a day trip to Blue Mountains National Park. Read more
How to travel between Sydney & Cairns
Sydney and Cairns are both on Australia's east coast, but Sydney is about 1,500 miles (2,400 km) south of the tropical northern Queensland city. Here's how to get from Sydney to Cairns. Read more
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