Start with what you want

Beaches and icons:

Sydney. Food, coffee and art: Melbourne. Warm weather and a relaxed pace: Brisbane. Wine and festivals: Adelaide. Space, sun and wildlife: Perth.

Sydney in short

Best for first-timers: the harbour, the Opera House, Bondi and the Blue Mountains. Allow 3 to 4 days. Accommodation is expensive, so look slightly outside the CBD.

Melbourne in short

Best for city lovers: laneways, galleries, sport and food from every corner of the world. Allow 3 to 4 days, with an extra day for the Great Ocean Road.

Brisbane in short

A relaxed riverside city, with Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, South Bank and day trips to the Gold Coast and Moreton Island. Allow 2 to 3 days.

Adelaide in short

Smaller and quieter, close to the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island. Allow 2 days plus a day trip.

Perth in short

Remote but rewarding. Kings Park, Cottesloe Beach, Fremantle and Rottnest Island. Allow 3 days, and note the time difference from the east coast.

A simple two-city plan

For a first trip, pair Sydney and Melbourne (a 1.5 hour flight) or Sydney and Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef. Add a third stop only if you have more than two weeks.

Practical notes

  • Check visa or eTA rules before booking.
  • Seasons are reversed. Winter is June to August.
  • Distances between cities are large and internal flights are common.
  • Wildlife and sun safety matter: heed local warnings at beaches and in the bush.

Opening times and prices change, so confirm details before you go.