How many days do you need in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne & Adelaide?
- Most travelers spend 11-14 days in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Adelaide combined
- Visiting Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Adelaide in 10 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 15 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Uluru and Kangaroo Island
How Many Days to Spend in Sydney
Recommended Itineraries for Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne & Adelaide
Recommended Itinerary for 11 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne, Optional Activities & First Nations Heritage | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Morning Laneways & Arcades Tour, Best of Melbourne by Bike | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Great Ocean Road Trip | Melbourne |
| Day 4 | Fly to Adelaide, Optional Activities | Adelaide |
| Day 5 | Kangaroo Island Wildlife Tour | Adelaide |
| Day 6 | Fly to Sydney, Guided Bike Tour | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Hike the Harbour Bridge, Optional Activities | Sydney |
| Day 8 | Fly to Cairns, Rainforest Adventure & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour | Cairns |
| Day 9 | Great Barrier Reef Tour to Green Island | Cairns |
| Day 10 | Daintree Rainforest Tour & 4WD Adventure | Cairns |
| Day 11 | Depart Cairns |
Combine the best of Australia's big cities with wildlife excursions and nature tours to create an 11-day adventure you won't soon forget. See the highlights of Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide by foot and bike, take road trips down the scenic southern coast, and hop over to a protected island home to kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies. Then jet off to tropical Cairns to explore the coral islands at the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient rainforests at Daintree. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 12 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Melbourne City Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Tour the Great Ocean Road | Melbourne |
| Day 4 | Fly to Adelaide | Adelaide |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Kangaroo Island | Adelaide |
| Day 6 | Fly to Sydney, City Tour | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Blue Mountains National Park | Sydney |
| Day 8 | Free Day in Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 9 | Fly to Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 10 | Free Day in Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 11 | Day Trip to the Great Barrier Reef | Cairns |
| Day 12 | Depart Cairns |
Covering four states, this perfectly curated itinerary features Australia's top attractions in 12 days, providing visitors with a well-rounded experience. Beginning in cool and trendy Melbourne, you'll work your way around the country to the cosmopolitan cities of Adelaide and Sydney, ending the trip in Cairns. Along the way, you'll drive the scenic Great Ocean Road, hang out with kangaroos and seals on Kangaroo Island, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and explore the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
16-Day Itinerary Including Uluru & Darwin
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Melbourne Sightseeing | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Melbourne Free Day | Melbourne |
| Day 4 | Fly to Adelaide, Explore | Adelaide |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Kangaroo Island | Adelaide |
| Day 6 | Fly to Uluru, Explore | Uluru |
| Day 7 | Free Day in Uluru | Cairns |
| Day 8 | Fly to Darwin, Explore | Darwin |
| Day 9 | Kakadu National Park | Darwin |
| Day 10 | Fly to Cairns, Explore | Cairns |
| Day 11 | The Great Barrier Reef | Cairns |
| Day 12 | Cairns Free Day | Cairns |
| Day 13 | Fly to Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 14 | Sydney City Sights | Sydney |
| Day 15 | Free Day in Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 16 | Depart Sydney |
This well-rounded 16-day tour of Australia's highlights is sure to delight any first-time visitor. You'll explore the hidden laneways of artsy Melbourne and the famous landmarks of Sydney, learn about Indigenous culture at Uluru in the country's Red Center, and discover tropical Queensland with an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, you'll meet kangaroos at Kangaroo Island, search for crocodiles at Kakadu National Park, and have free time to enjoy a few day trips of your choosing. Read more
How to travel between Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne & Adelaide
How to get from Sydney to 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
How to get from Sydney to Melbourne
Australia's two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, look quite close together on the map, both being in the southeast of the huge country. But there are still 545 miles (877 km) between them. Here's how to get from Sydney to Melbourne. Read more
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