Australia 15-Day Tours & Itineraries

Explore 10 trips designed by local kimkim specialists to get ideas for your trip to Australia.

Embark on an adventure of a lifetime with these 15-day itineraries across Australia. If you'd like to take a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, unwind at the Great Barrier Reef, and visit vibrant cities like Melbourne and Sydney, consider a trip like this grand Australian adventure. You can also enjoy something similar to this road trip across southern and eastern Australia, which will take you from Melbourne's bustling cityscapes to serene beach areas like Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. If you're also interested in visiting New Zealand, check out an itinerary such as this Australia and New Zealand trip, which includes diving at the Great Barrier Reef, exploring Sydney, and discovering the magic of Auckland and Queenstown in New Zealand.

See our itineraries below or read our guide to the best 15-day trips in Australia.

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Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge at twiglight
Map of Australia Grand Tour: Sydney, Melbourne, Uluru & Great Barrier Reef - 15 Days
Australia Grand Tour: Sydney, Melbourne, Uluru & Great Barrier Reef - 15 Days

Australia is an enormous country, and when trying to work out an itinerary, it can be difficult to choose between its lively cities, beautiful beaches, or unique wildlife. With this varied 15-day itinerary, you can experience a bit of everything. Starting in Melbourne, travel along the spectacular Great Ocean Road—one of Australia's best short road trips—before heading to Adelaide and wild Kangaroo Island. You'll also visit Australia's dramatic red center, relax at the Great Barrier Reef, and end in Sydney, Australia's largest city.

Gold Coast
Map of The Best of Eastern Australia: Sydney, Cairns, Gold Coast & Melbourne - 15 Days
The Best of Eastern Australia: Sydney, Cairns, Gold Coast & Melbourne - 15 Days

This packed 15-day itinerary includes the best of Australia's stunning coastline. It takes you from hallmark cities like Melbourne and Sydney to the epic surf of the Gold Coast and up to Queensland for an adventure on the Great Barrier Reef. You'll make time for hikes in the rainforest, watching penguins on parade, day trips to rugged mountains, and an unforgettable road trip down the scenic Great Ocean Road.

Travel at your own pace and make as many swim stops as you'd like
Map of Southern & Eastern Australia Road Trip - 15 Days
Southern & Eastern Australia Road Trip - 15 Days

Enjoy an epic 15-day road trip to the most incredible cities, towns, and landmarks throughout the south and east of Australia. It starts in Melbourne, the cultural and sporting capital of Australia, and from there you'll drive north, stopping at wildlife reserves and coastal towns along the way. In Sydney, you'll hit the highlights before continuing to gorgeous beach areas like Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.

Whitehaven Beach
Map of Sydney, Uluru, Whitsundays & Cairns - 15 Days
Sydney, Uluru, Whitsundays & Cairns - 15 Days

This 15-day itinerary celebrates Australia's most famous city, its mystical outback deserts, and the unspoiled beauty of its tropical northeast. It begins in Sydney, where you'll tour the highlights by foot and bicycle, plus take a trip to the rugged Blue Mountains. After immersing yourself in the First Nations culture of the northern red deserts, finish the journey in tropical Queensland, where you'll enjoy island living, sail to the Great Barrier Reef, and trek in ancient rainforests.

The Pinnacles of Phillip Island
Map of Explore Australia: City, Reef, Rainforest & Outback - 15 Days
Explore Australia: City, Reef, Rainforest & Outback - 15 Days

Travel from city to sea, rainforest, and outback on this well-rounded tour of Australia, starting in Sydney and visiting its most iconic sites. Head to Port Douglas, where you'll discover marine life near the Great Barrier Reef. Explore Kuranda and its rainforest to mingle with butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Watch the sunset behind Uluru, then dine under the desert stars. Finish up your journey in eclectic Melbourne and take a hot-air balloon ride over wine country.

Melbourne
Map of Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns & Sydney - 15 Days
Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns & Sydney - 15 Days

To really experience the best of Australia requires at least a couple of weeks, which is fine because, on this Aussie adventure, you'll get those 14 days—plus one for good measure. During that time, you'll sample the cuisine and see the sights in Melbourne and Sydney, plus take day trips to hike rugged mountains and visit penguin colonies. Then jet off to the northern outback for tours in and around iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock), followed by a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and some time exploring ancient rainforests.

Enjoy the views from southern Australia's Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island
Map of Cities, Wildlife & Wilderness in Australia: Sydney, Kangaroo Island, Uluru & Melbourne - 15 Days
Cities, Wildlife & Wilderness in Australia: Sydney, Kangaroo Island, Uluru & Melbourne - 15 Days

In 15 days, you'll explore exciting cities, spot wildlife, and visit iconic landmarks of Australia's southern states and interior. You'll start in Sydney for a biking excursion, bridge climb, and food tour before heading to Kangaroo Island to mingle with its endemic animals. Then it's time for a wilderness road trip to Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru in Northern Territory. Your trip comes to an end in the cultural hotspot, Melbourne, with day trips to Phillip Island and the Great Ocean Road.

Board the Kuranda scenic railway for views of Barron Falls and the rainforest in Australia's Queensland
Map of Highlights of Australia & New Zealand: Palm Cove, Sydney, Auckland & Queenstown - 15 Days
Highlights of Australia & New Zealand: Palm Cove, Sydney, Auckland & Queenstown - 15 Days

On this multicountry highlights tour, you'll spend seven nights each discovering eastern Australia and New Zealand. You'll start in Palm Cove, an excellent base for diving the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest excursions, and then you'll head to energetic Sydney. After seeing its iconic sights, you're off to check out Auckland, Rotorua, and Queenstown. You'll peek inside Hobbit holes, admire the glow of Waitomo Caves, meet the kiwis of a hatchery, and cruise the fjord of Milford Sound / Piopiotahi.

Stay two nights in Byron Bay for sunrise beach walks, kayaking, and surfing
Map of East Coast Australia Tour & Road Trip: Cairns to Sydney - 15 Days
East Coast Australia Tour & Road Trip: Cairns to Sydney - 15 Days

This East Coast road trip takes you from the tropics to the big city over 15 fantastic days. Start in Queensland, where you'll snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and float through the Daintree Rainforest. Then, fly south to Brisbane to cuddle koalas and collect a rental car for a multi-day road trip, which takes you to Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour, and the Hunter Valley. The fun ends in Sydney where you'll return the keys and zip around the city sights with local guides before waving goodbye.

Drive at your own pace through the Australian outback
Map of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Outback & Top End Road Trip - 15 Days
Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Outback & Top End Road Trip - 15 Days

This 15-day Australia tour and partial road trip combine the best of the tropics with the Top End and the vast plains of the outback. Start with some beach time and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, then fly to Darwin, where the real adventure begins. Connect with Indigenous culture and crocodiles, then fly to Australia's red center, where the Uluru monolith lies. Experience the best of the desert, from spectacular sunrises to starry desert dinners, before your final night in Sydney.

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