Two Weeks in Australia - A Guide for First Time Visitors

I was raised in Australia, but moved to the US soon after getting married to an American. Since that time, I have made many trips back to Australia.

In recent years, I’ve started traveling with friends who have never been before, and I will admit, those trips are the most fun! It’s great to see the enjoyment they get from seeing some of the sights for the first time; sights that I might have seen dozens (if not hundreds of times before!) – it brings a new perspective each time.

So many people I meet tell me they would love to visit Australia, but they are put off by the duration of the flight. Yes, it’s a long flight from the US, and spending 14+ hours in a plane can be daunting, but it’s so worth it once you land and get to experience Australia for the first time.

I’m fortunate that I get enough vacation time to enjoy one or two trips to Australia each year, but many people are limited to two or three weeks (or perhaps don’t want to “blow” all their vacation time on one trip), so I’ve come up with an itinerary for a first time visitor to Australia that's two weeks in duration.

In my opinion, too many people try to do too much in too short a time period, and end up getting exhausted because they are not giving themselves any downtime. I’d rather focus on visiting 3 regions during a two week trip, but my suggested itinerary gives room for more flexibility if you think that you’re NEVER going to want to visit Australia again. Having said that, I have yet to meet a person who said that they have been to Australia, but would never want to go back.

The beauty of this itinerary is that if you decide you want to visit for less than 14 days, you can easily reduce the duration by 4 days by spending 3 days in each location versus 4, but still have enough time to visit the “must do” in each location.

Leaving yourself open for future visits allows you to enjoy things at a slower pace.

Jump to:

• Cost of Travel to Australia
• Itinerary - Best of Australia’s East Coast - Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra & The Whitsundays
• Days 1 - 4: Explore Sydney
• Day 5: Canberra - Australia's Capital City
• Days 6 - 9: Explore Melbourne
• Days 10 - 13: The Whitsundays
• Day 14: Return to Sydney
• Day 15: Fly Home

Cost of Travel to Australia

The cost of traveling to Australia will depend on whether you're happy to fly Economy, or must fly business. Most of my trips have been in economy, but as I'm the average height for a woman, I've never had a concern about not enough leg room. For someone over 6', I know that legroom can be an issue when flying economy, especially for long distances, but I'll focus on economy for the purposes of this exercise...

Flights from the west coast of the US typically range from $US1,000 to $US2200 round trip. The most expensive time of the year to visit Australia is from mid-December (at the start of the holiday season) through to the end of January. This coincides with the height of summer in Australia. You can generally find bargains between mid-April to mid-September, as the weather is cooler in the southern parts of Australia.

In addition to international airfares, you'll need to factor in other costs, such as domestic airfares, hotels, food, tours, and car rental. In my recommended itinerary, I am proposing a one-way car rental, so that will also need to be factored in.

Hotels range from budget-friendly (Australia is a backpacker's paradise) to high-end luxury hotels (the Park Hyatt in Sydney is my absolute favorite hotel in the world - I'll talk more about that later. But, on average, you can find a hotel in most places for around $US150 a night.

Itinerary - Best of Australia’s East Coast - Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra & The Whitsundays

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Arrival in Sydney	Sydney
Day 2	Sydney - Harbour Bridge Climb	Sydney
Day 3	Sydney - Bondi Beach	Sydney
Day 4	Sydney - Day Trip to Blue Mountains	Sydney
Day 5	Sydney to Canberra	Canberra
Day 6	Canberra to Melbourne	Melbourne
Day 7	Melbourne - Great Ocean Road	Melbourne
Day 8	Melbourne - Free Day	Melbourne
Day 9	Melbourne - City Explorer	Melbourne
Day 10	Travel to Hamilton Island	Hamilton Island
Day 11	Hamilton Island - Whitehaven Beach	Hamilton Island
Day 12	Hamilton Island - Hardy Reef	Hamilton Island
Day 13	Hamilton Island - Free Day	Hamilton Island
Day 14	Travel to Sydney	Sydney
Day 15	Depart Australia from Sydney

Days 1 - 4: Explore Sydney

Sydney is Australia's largest city, and the city where most international flights arrive. It offers a great introduction to Australia, and is the city most known by international travelers.

I've suggested a four night stay in Sydney; most people will likely be tired after a long flight, so I suggest heading to your hotel and relaxing a little before taking a shower and heading out for the afternoon and evening.

The best places to stay are close to The Rocks, the birthplace of modern Australia, or nearby Darling Harbour, a relatively new tourist precinct close to the CBD (Central Business District.

The Rocks is close to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most beloved icons of Australia.

4 Days in Sydney

Day One: after arriving at your hotel and settling in, if you're ready to start exploring, catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo. The zoo gives visitors a great opportunity to visit Australia's unique wildlife up close, and provides great views of Sydney Harbour, both from the Ferry, and from viewing spots within the zoo.

After visiting the Zoo, head back to Circular Quay, and if jet lag hasn't yet done you in, catch a ferry out to Manly Beach; stop at one of the many Fish & Chips shops for dinner, or one of the pubs for a "counter meal". I highly recommend Chicken Schnitzel & chips.

Day Two: Head out to The Rocks for breakfast at one of the cafeterias with outdoor seating. There are a number of options here, with traditional Australian "brekky" fare, and an opportunity to try some Australian coffee (did I tell you that Australians are coffee snobs?) You'll need the energy for your Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb.

After seeing the Sydney Opera House from the vantage point of the top of the Bridge, it's time for an up close and personal visit. It's a short walk to Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House from the Bridge Climb. Stop for lunch on the way at either The Rocks or Circular Quay, or just grab a gelato. There are tours available if you're not wanting to catch a show.

Day Three: Bondi Beach is one of the most world famous beach destinations. Sadly, there's no ferry going there, so your options are to catch a bus, or a train to Bondi Junction (home to a great shopping mall) and then a short bus ride to the beach. If the weather is warm enough, take a dip in the ocean, otherwise, the beach is a great place for people watching. Take a walk to the south end of the beach, and visit Bondi Iceberg's Pool, and swim a couple of laps of the ocean-water pool. But be prepared! No matter what time of year you visit, I find the water to be quite cold!

If you're feeling particular energetic, I recommend the Bondi to Coogee Walk, a 3.6 mile coastal walk, passing a number of beaches along the way. Stop at one of the Surf Clubs for lunch.

Day Four: You have a number of options for your last full day in Sydney - take the day to explore more that the city has to offer (The QVB is one of my favorite places to shop & for afternoon tea), or take a day trip outside of Sydney to the Blue Mountains, a National Park about 60 miles from Sydney; home of "The Three Sisters", a landmark rock formation. The Blue Mountains is famous for its natural beauty, great hikes,

Where to Stay in Sydney

Budget Accommodation:

Backpackers' hotels can be found all over Sydney for under $US50 a night. Although I've never stayed in one, I would suggest looking for something close to Bondi Beach or Manly Beach.

Alternatively, stay at an authentic Australian "Pub" - there are a couple of options in The Rocks

Midprice: Holiday Inn (Darling Harbour or Pott's Point)

Close to Darling Harbour, Sydney's Chinatown, and the Central Business District, the Holiday Inn at Darling Harbour is a good mid-price option.

My favorite hotel in the mid-price range is the Holiday Inn, Pott's Point. This hotel is slightly out of the center of Sydney in Pott's Point, near Sydney's famous Kings Cross. This hotel offers a number of rooms and suites with great views over the city, and Sydney Harbour.

Luxury: Park Hyatt

With outstanding views of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House, the Park Hyatt Sydney is the definition of luxury. A room here will set you back at least $US700 a night and is the reason that I have a Hyatt-branded Credit Card. A night at the Park Hyatt can be had for 40,000 points.

Day 5: Canberra - Australia's Capital City

I don't think Canberra is a popular destination for first time international visitors to Australia, but I included it in this itinerary for a couple of reasons - I lived in Canberra for 3 years as a teen/young adult; I graduated high school, so it's always fun to show my friends my old "stomping grounds", but for those who don't know me - a road trip from Sydney to Melbourne gives first time visitors an opportunity to see things from the ground rather than being limited to seeing what you can see from the window of a plane.

So, rent a car for a one-way rental. A one way rental is more expensive than a rental returning to the same location, but having a car gives you more flexibility to do things not only on the way down to Melbourne, but once you get to Melbourne itself.

1 Day in Canberra

Day Five: Pick up your rental car (Pro tip: If you're staying at the Holiday Inn in Pott's Point, there is an Enterprise rental car location in the lobby of the hotel; otherwise, I recommend catching a train to Sydney's domestic terminal to pick up your rental car.

Canberra is about 180 miles south-west of Sydney. It's about a three hour drive, so leaving Sydney shortly after breakfast should put you into Canberra around lunchtime.

A visit to the Australian War Memorial is a must; there is no entry free, but you can book tickets ahead of time, so that you don't miss out on being able to visit.

After visiting the War Memorial, take a drive over to Parliament House, the center of Australian Government. Depending on the time of year (and day) you visit, you may be fortunate enough to watch a session of either the Senate or the House of Representatives. (During my last visit, I was fortunate enough to listen to the Australian Prime Minister Speak in the House of Representatives).

Other attractions in Canberra worth seeing if you have the time include:

• Museum of Australian Democracy (housed in the "old" Parliament House building)
• Mt. Ainslie Lookout
• Embassy Drive

Where to Stay in Canberra

Budget Accommodation:

As always, there are backpacker's options, otherwise take a look at the Ibis Budget Hotel

Midprice: Avenue Hotel, Braddon

Avenue Hotel offers accommodation ranging from rooms to two-bedroom apartments. It's centrally located in the inner suburbs of Canberra, in Braddon. It's less than a 10 minute drive to the major attractions Canberra has to offer.

Luxury: Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel

The Hyatt Hotel Canberra is a luxury hotel situated in a 1920's building with modern Art Deco designs. The hotel is located just off Lake Burley Griffith, close to Parliament House. 

Days 6 - 9: Explore Melbourne

I grew up in Melbourne, so it's a "must visit" when I travel with friends. I know Melbourne like the back of my hand, so in addition to doing the "touristy" things, I like to take friends to those hidden gems that I enjoyed from my teen years.

4 Days in Melbourne

Day Six: Melbourne is about 420 miles from Canberra, so plan on hitting the road right after breakfast in Canberra, or grab a cup of coffee, and plan for late breakfast in Gundagai, about 100 miles outside of Canberra. To many Australians, Gundagai is a representative icon of an Australian country town. Stop at the "Dog on the Tuckerbox" outside of town, and then head into Gundagai for breakfast at one of the cute cafeterias on the main street.

From Gundagai, head to the twin cities of Albury and Wodonga on either side of the Murray River, the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria. Find yourself a local "fish & chip" shop for some authentic Australian food, before continuing on and arriving into Melbourne mid to late afternoon.

Tip: Keep an eye out for kangaroos off the side of the highway!

Day Seven: Spend the day exploring Melbourne. You've got a car, but I recommend leaving that at your hotel, and enjoying Melbourne from a tram.

Trams within the central business district precinct are free; travel down Collins Street to explore the designer boutiques. Stop at Melbourne's most iconic hotel, Young & Jackson on the corner of Flinders Street & Swanston Street to enjoy a counter lunch. Visit Chloe's Room to see one of the most famous paintings in the city!

Head to the historic Queen Victoria Market for fresh produce and yummy jam doughnuts!

In the afternoon, take a tram down to St. Kilda Beach, and visit Luna Park, one of the oldest continuously-operating amusement parks in the world.

Tip: If you're in St. Kilda during the evening, head to the end of the pier to visit the Little Penguins.

Day Eight: Today, take one of the most epic drives in the world - The Great Ocean Road. It's 180 miles from Melbourne to Port Campbell, home of the 12 Apostles, so I recommend getting an early start. Along the way, visit cute beachside towns such as Torquay, Anglesea, and Lorne. Stop along the way at Bell's Beach, home of one of the most famous surfing competitions in the world (held each year over the Easter weekend).

In addition to a spectacular coastline, and cute beach towns, this drive will give you the best opportunity to see koalas in their natural habitat.

Day Nine: I designated this day as a "free day" to relax and just take your time to visit somewhere you've read about, OR, if you enjoyed your drive on the Great Ocean Road, and decided that you wanted to spend more time there an overnight in Lorne, a cute beachside resort about 90 miles outside of Melbourne.

Other day-trip options include:

• A visit to Sovereign Hill, a recreation of an 1850s gold mining town in Ballarat, about 70 miles northwest of Melbourne.
• Healesville Sanctuary - if you didn't get wildlife while visiting Taronga Zoo in Melbourne, head out east of the city to Healesville, and visit the Sanctuary. This is also close to the Yarra Valley wineries, too!
• The Dandenongs (& Puffing Billy!) - a change to get out into nature, and take a ride on a steam powered train through the bush.
• Hanging Rock & the Macedon Ranges - about 50 miles northwest of Melbourne. A great place for a hike or a picnic.

Where to Stay in Melbourne

Budget Accommodation:

As always, staying at a backpacker's hostel is an option in Melbourne. Look for something either downtown or by the beach in St. Kilda.

For something a little more private, take a look at the Cosmopolitan in St. Kilda, practically across the street from Luna Park. Rooms can be had there for under $US70. (Plus! the hotel has a parking lot with free parking).

Midprice: Holiday Inn Express Southbank

The Holiday Inn Express on Melbourne's Southbank is conveniently located immediately south of the Yarra River, by the National Gallery of Victoria. The area is close to restaurants and the tram.

Luxury: Grand Hyatt

The Grand Hyatt is centrally located in the free tram zone at the eastern end of Collins Street. Rooms have views of either Melbourne’s skyline or the Yarra River. Rooms are typically in the $US250 - $300 range (except during F1 week in March, when rooms are often in excess of $US700 a night.

Days 10 - 13: The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are a group of 74 islands in the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland in northern Australia. Only eight of the islands are habitable. Many people will suggest visiting Cairns if you want to see the Great Barrier Reef, but I enjoy the islands of the Whitsundays, including Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island itself. Hamilton Island is the only island in the Whitsundays with its own commercial airport, and offers a range of accommodation options, ranging from hotels to resorts, and private property rentals.

4 Days in The Whitsundays

Day 10: This morning, head to Melbourne International Airport to drop off your car, and board your 3 hour flight to Hamilton Island in The Whitsundays. Hamilton Island is car-free, so upon arrival, board the shuttle bus to your hotel, or pick up your golf buggy rental. Settle into your accommodation, and spend the rest of the day exploring the island. Head to All Saint's Chapel to view a chapel which is used by local and international wedding parties, and offers a great view over the island. Stop at One Tree Hill for a cocktail with a view. Depending on the accommodation you have chosen, head into the small shopping district for lunch or to pick up some groceries for a self-catered stay.

Day 11: The highlight of a visit to Hamilton Island is a daytrip to Whitehaven Beach, which in my opinion, is the prettiest beach in the world. There are many ways of getting to Whitehaven Beach (including boat, seaplane, or helicopter), but for a splurge, take the Ricochet Catamaran out for a day trip. The beauty of the Ricochet is that it will only accommodate 8 passengers, so it's a more luxurious experience than a tour boat. You can discover more options for visiting Whitehaven Beach here.

Day 12: This morning, head to the harbour, and take a ferry to Hardy Reef or Reefworld to go snorkeling or diving. If you want to do something a little different, Reefworld offers an overnight "Reef Sleep", a night on the pontoon, sleeping under the stars.

Day 13: Before you start to think about heading home, enjoy one day at leisure on Hamilton Island. Either stay at your accommodation, or pick another tour - there are plenty of options.

Where to Stay in The Whitsundays

Budget Accommodation

There is no such thing as a "budget friendly" accommodation on Hamilton Island itself. However, Airlie Beach on the nearby mainland has a number of backpacker (& other budget friendly options). You can get to Airlie Beach by ferry from Hamilton Island, or fly into the Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine and catch a shuttle bus (it's about 24 miles from the airport to Airlie Beach).

Midprice: Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island

Whitsunday Apartments are located in two mid-rise buildings offering one bedroom self-contained facilities that will sleep up to six people. They offer views over lush gardens if staying on the lower levels, with the upper levels offering views over Catseye Beach and the Coral Sea.

Luxury: Qualia

Qualia is the definition of luxury, a resort offering 60 private pavilions overlooking the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands.

Day 14: Return to Sydney

Because of the timing of many international flights, I consider it too risky to attempt to fly out of Hamilton Island (or the Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine on the mainland) and then onto a connecting international flight on the same day, so I recommend another night in Sydney. Most flights to Sydney leave Hamilton Island in the early afternoon, so if you're staying on Hamilton Island, you'll have time for a leisurely breakfast (including one last visit to Bob's Bakery for a sausage pie or lamington).

Depending on your arrival time back in Sydney, you might have time for one last look around, or another passionfruit sorbet from Gelato Messina at Circular Quay.

Alternatively, you could fly out to Melbourne, or Brisbane if your flight home leaves from another city.

Day 15: Fly Home

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and it's time to board our flight home. I'm a fan of catching the train from Sydney to the airport - it's a 13 minute ride, and the train station is directly under the International terminal.