How many days do you need in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne & Gold Coast?
- Most travelers spend 12-14 days in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Gold Coast combined
- Visiting Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, and Gold Coast in 9 to 11 days is possible, but will feel rushed
- With 15 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extension is Surfers Paradise
How Many Days to Spend in Sydney
Recommended Itineraries for Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne & Gold Coast
Recommended Itinerary for 13 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Melbourne City Sights Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Free Day in Melbourne | Melbourne |
| Day 4 | Fly to Sydney, Explore | Sydney |
| Day 5 | Sydney City Sights Tour | Sydney |
| Day 6 | Free Day Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Fly to Gold Coast, Free Afternoon | Gold Coast |
| Day 8 | Mount Tambourine National Park Hike, Wine Tasting & Gallery Walk | Gold Coast |
| Day 9 | Free Day in Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Day 10 | Fly to Cairns, Explore | Cairns |
| Day 11 | The Great Barrier Reef Cruise | Cairns |
| Day 12 | Free Day in Cairns | Cairns |
| Day 13 | Depart Cairns |
Begin your journey in artsy Melbourne, exploring the hidden alleyways, vintage shopping, and quirky coffee shops. Spend a few days in bustling Sydney, then make your way up north to the Gold Coast, one of Australia's iconic surfing destinations. Your trip ends in Cairns with a visit to the famous Great Barrier Reef. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including Surfers Paradise
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sydney | Surfers Paradise |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Blue Mountains | Sydney |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Tour of Sydney | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Fly to Cairns, Optional Activities | Cairns |
| Day 5 | Fly to Gold Coast, Surf Lesson & Burleigh Heads National Park | Gold Coast |
| Day 6 | Free Day in Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Day 7 | Fly to Melbourne, Explore | Melbourne |
| Day 8 | Phillip Island Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 9 | Great Ocean Road Tour | Melbourne |
| Day 10 | Depart Melbourne |
On this 10-day adventure through Australia, discover four cities, along with several scenic day trips. Begin in Sydney to tour landmarks and areas like The Rocks, Sydney Harbour, and Bondi Beach, along with an excursion to the stunning Blue Mountains region. Then, enjoy a quick day in Cairns for an Indigenous experience, followed by two days on the Gold Coast to tour the beaches and enjoy some thrills. The vacation ends in Melbourne to visit the funky pub scene, embark on a wildlife tour of Phillip Island, and take a guided road trip through Great Ocean Road. Read more
How to travel between Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne & Gold Coast
How to get from the Gold Coast to Cairns
The Gold Coast, on Queensland's southern coast, and Cairns, in the far north, are around 1,000 miles (1,700 km) apart. But despite Australia's vast distances, it's easy enough to get between the Gold Coast and Cairns. It's common to make the 90-minute drive to Brisbane and take a quick flight from there, though some travelers will want to make this an epic, multi-day road trip along the Queensland coast. Read more
How to get to the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast, in southern Queensland, is just 48 miles (78 km) from Brisbane and very easy to reach from there with an hourlong drive. But it's also accessible from farther afield in Australia. Here's how to get to the Gold Coast from Brisbane, Cairns, and beyond via a number of transport methods. 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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