The Final 3 Week Australia Itinerary!

This put up might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. We might obtain a small fee, for free of charge to you, for those who make a purchase order. Learn Disclosure.

So many individuals have informed us they’d love to go to Australia, however they solely have just a few weeks trip time to see all of the highlights. We get it, we are able to’t all take months off to go roaming world wide, and three weeks trip is nothing to scoff at.

Fortunately, you’ll be able to see so much on a 3 week journey to Australia, together with among the most iconic websites; Uluru (Ayers Rock), The Nice Barrier Reef, The Sydney Opera Home, and the Nice Ocean Street, to call just a few.

In the event you’re new to this weblog and don’t know us, we’re Australian-born journey bloggers who spent 18 months exploring our personal yard, so relating to planning itineraries for Aus – we’re your individuals!

In the event you’re unsure the place to go and what to see on a 3 week tour of Australia, then don’t fear, we we’ve got put collectively the final word 3 week Australia itinerary so you’ll be able to see one of the best of our nation.

The Final Three Week Australia Itinerary

The next itinerary is how we’d spend three weeks if we hadn’t been to Australia earlier than. It caters to first time guests to Aus, however we’ve additionally included some hidden gems and non-touristy issues to do, so when you have been earlier than, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover just a few locations off the crushed path to exlpore.

It’s not set in stone and could be customised to your wants, finances, journey type and pursuits. We love seashores, native tradition, nature, and unimaginable landscapes, so we’ve centered our sights on that foundation.

You would possibly choose extra cities, or extra time on the seashore or wish to go to a few of Australia’s tropical islands, so use this as a information and modify it to swimsuit you.

Take what you want, and go away the remaining. We’ve offered numerous concepts for issues to do in every place so you’ll be able to decide and select what feels best for you, and we additionally share some concepts for tips on how to lengthen your journey for those who resolve to remain longer on the finish of this information.

Right here is the route we are going to take:

To get round this itinerary, you have to to ebook inside flights to journey between main cities, and drive to get round.

So, you’re gonna want a rental automotive. We advocate Uncover Vehicles as having one of the best reserving platform for locating offers. It’s person pleasant and backed by nice customer support. I take advantage of them often for my automotive hires and love them. See charges and availability right here.

Days 1 – 3: Sydney, NSW

Once you go to Australia you’ll be able to’t miss Sydney. The truth is, it’s most definitely the primary place you’ll fly into!

Apart from being Australia’s largest metropolis (however not the capital), there are various the reason why Sydney, NSW can also be probably the most visited.

The beautiful harbourside location, iconic seashores, wonderful eating places, improbable cafes and pubs, world heritage websites, terrific purchasing, unimaginable festivals, a multicultural inhabitants, and good year-round climate.

So don’t simply use Sydney as a gateway to Australia, with a lot to see and expertise give your self three days.

Tips on how to get into Sydney from the airport

The very first thing you’re going to wish to know is tips on how to get from the airport to the town. To do that, merely hop on the Sydney Airport Hyperlink Practice, which takes quarter-hour or so.

The excellent news is you now not want an Opal Card when you have a contactless fee card. You’ll be able to merely faucet your credit score or debit card, or Apple or Google Pay, and use this to pay fares on trains, buses, ferries, and the sunshine rail. It makes touring round Sydney a lot simpler.

Alternatively, catch an Uber. The airport hyperlink is pricey, so generally an Uber works out to be about the identical value and is extra handy as you’ll be able to take it on to the lodge. You are able to do a value estimate via the Uber app earlier than you request it to double test

When you’re within the metropolis, I recommend you ebook your lodging within the Sydney CBD so that you’re centrally positioned to all one of the best sights and profit from your go to.

You’ll discover a number of of Sydney’s highlights could be taken in without spending a dime or low cost just by strolling round this district.

Issues to do in Sydney

Throughout your three days in Sydney, listed below are among the sights we advocate you go to. You could wish to use your first day as an orientation day.

Get your self an esim card, stroll across the CBD and take a look at the Sydney Opera Home and Sydney Harbor Bridge.

For the opposite two days, right here’s what we propose you do.

• Stroll Round Round Quay – The most effective place to begin your go to is in Round Quay, the principle transport hub of Sydney Harbour and the place two of Australia’s most well-known landmarks reside; Sydney Opera Home and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take into account taking a 1 hour tour of the Opera Home. In any other case, simply wander round and take your “I used to be right here” picture. 
• Royal Botanic Gardens – you’ll be able to’t beat the serenity and harbour views from these gardens. Have a picnic or take a stroll and admire the various several types of crops and metropolis views on a free self-guided strolling tour.
• Discover The Rocks District – The Rocks District is a historic space of Sydney and my favorite a part of the CBD. It’s residence to Sydney’s oldest pubs, cobblestone streets, weekend markets, and views of the harbour.

 

• Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge – climbing one of the well-known bridges on this planet is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. Take both daybreak, day, twilight, or night time climb and take within the breathtaking views. (Guide properly upfront).
• Stroll throughout the Sydney Harbour Bridge – a less expensive choice than climbing is to easily stroll throughout for FREE and absorb the identical views on a decrease stage. Or go to the Pylon Lookout and get improbable views plus 3 ranges of reveals to be taught in regards to the historical past of the Bridge.
• Bondi Seaside to Coogee Coastal Stroll  – one in all my favorite free issues to do in Sydney. A shocking coastal stroll and the proper technique to spend a beautiful few hours in Sydney.

• Catch the ferry to Manly – an inexpensive technique to expertise lovely Sydney Harbour with beautiful views of the town is to catch the ferry from Round Quay to Manly and again. In Manly, stroll down the palm tree-lined Corso in the direction of the seashore for an ice-cream, stroll round to picturesque Shelly Seaside, or seize a chilly beer at Manly Wharf Lodge. Time your return ferry journey again to the Quay to coincide with the sundown behind the harbour bridge.
• Surry Hills – stroll round one in all Sydney’s most artistically-vibrant neighbourhoods with previous terrace properties, an excellent mixture of cafes, eating places, wine bars, and pubs. Wander Crown Road, Bourke Road, and Cleveland Road.
• Queen Victoria Constructing – Positioned on George road. The place to go for the best trend boutiques, jewelry, and homeware, plus cafes and eating places.
• Darling Harbour – energetic harbourside precinct only a 10-minute stroll from the CBD and has cafes, bars, eating places, a big children playground and a program of improbable free Sydney leisure each week
• Stroll via Hyde Park – Australia’s oldest park and the town’s central open inexperienced area. The park incorporates St Mary’s cathedral plus quite a few monuments and statues, and the central pathway via the park is a powerful fig-lined highway.
• Hit the seashores – Sydney is known for its seashores, that are nice free issues to do in Sydney. From the Northern Seashores to the Japanese Suburbs you have got many nice seashores to discover. Our favourites: Bronte and Coogee within the japanese suburbs – and you should go to the well-known Bondi Seaside at the least as soon as. Manly, Freshwater, and Palm Seaside are on the northern seashores.

• Taronga Zoo – All kinds of Aussie and worldwide animals with keeper talks and animal encounters makes for an excellent half-day as a household outing in Sydney. Catch the ferry from Round Quay to Taronga Zoo which is located in a pure bushland setting with spectacular views over the harbour. Get tickets upfront right here. 
• Sydney Tower – it’s costly to go as much as the highest of Sydney Tower, the town’s tallest free-standing construction standing at 309 m (1,014 ft) above the CBD, however it’s value it. It has an remark deck with superior views of the skyline. Get quick observe entry tickets right here. 
• Artwork Gallery of NSW – free to enter and one in all Australia’s main artwork museums with collections of Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian, and up to date artwork.
• The Blue Mountains – take a day journey to the Blue Mountains and see the long-lasting Three Sisters rock formations.

The place to remain in Sydney

We talked about earlier that one of the best place to remain in Sydney is the Central Enterprise District, CDB. Listed here are some inns we’d advocate on this space:

Days 4 – 6: Cairns, Far North Queensland

It might sound unusual to board a aircraft instantly after arriving in Australia, however sadly to get every part packed into simply three weeks, you’ll must take just a few inside flights. Far North Queensland is NOT to be missed.

After you’ve caught a flight from Sydney to Cairns (3 hour’s flight) and checked into your lodging in Cairns Metropolis, you’re able to go exploring. Attempt to catch an early morning flight so you’ll be able to discover within the afternoon and night.

As one in all Australia’s largest vacationer cities and the gateway to the Nice Barrier Reef, Cairns is a vibrant metropolis with loads of issues to do, and plenty of nice eating places and cafes to maintain you cheerful.

The climate is usually superb, you’ll be able to stroll round at night time in your shorts and flip-flops, and the times are full of an unlimited quantity of selections of sights to discover within the surrounding areas.

While Cairns is usually about getting out on the Nice Barrier Reef, the encompassing hinterlands and close by rainforests are positively value including to your 3 week Australia itinerary.

Issues to do in Cairns

• Swim on the Cairns Lagoon – the cruelty of the north is you get sizzling summers however you’ll be able to’t swim on the seashores, they’re stuffed with stingers (jellyfish that may critically hurt you, even kill you). There are additionally just a few crocs round too. The primary seashore in Cairns can also be extra of a mud flat. To not concern, the man-made Cairns Lagoon offers you precisely what you want. Crystal clear waters, seashore views, and lifeguards. It’s a cool place to laze round and browse your ebook and it’s protected for swimming.
• Day journey to the Nice Barrier Reef – a real surprise of the world that’s 2,300km lengthy and consists of 900 islands and a couple of,900 particular person reefs. It’s the world’s largest coral reef and the most important residing construction on the planet. There are various choices for getting out on the reef, among the principal Barrier Reef Tour Operators are Reef Magic Cruises, Quicksilver Cruises, and Reef Expertise.

 

• Inexperienced Island – a coral cay surrounded by white sandy seashores and sumptuous coral reefs. You’ll be able to snorkel straight off the shore and there’s a pleasant boardwalk via the forest to the opposite facet of the island.
• Rusty’s Farmer’s Market – a little bit of a Cairns establishment and one in all the most affordable farmers’ markets I’ve visited in Australia.
• Stroll or cycle the Cairns Esplanade – take a stroll alongside the Esplanade in Cairns, watch the dawn then seize breakfast at one of many busy cafes and eating places that line the strip.

• Atherton Tablelands – about an hour southwest of Cairns, spend a day exploring this area, we particularly cherished the waterfall circuit.

The place to remain in Cairns

We advocate you keep within the metropolis heart of Cairns so that you’re near all of the motion and sights. Listed here are some nice lodging choices to think about:

Days 7 – 9: Street Journey Cairns to Cape Tribulation

In the event you haven’t acquired one already, now’s the time to select up a rental automotive to your three-day loop drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation through Port Douglas.

This small highway journey means that you can absorb one of the best of the Tropical North Queensland space.

It’s one of the enchanting areas in Australia.

I don’t recommend you do that drive as a day journey from Cairns although, it’s 140 km a technique and might be too rushed, so both keep at Port Douglas and do a day journey from there (85 km a technique) or keep inside The Daintree and discover.

Day 7-8: Cairns to Port Douglas

This drive is one in all Australia’s most scenic coastal roads, you’ve acquired the rainforest on one facet and the Nice Barrier Reef on the opposite.

In the event you have been to drive from Cairns to Port Douglas with out stopping it might solely take you one hour, however think about stopping at Palm Cove alongside the best way.

Palm Cove is a vibrant village and is taken into account to have one in all Australia’s most idyllic seashores (there’s a chosen swimming space through the stinger season).

There’s a beachfront playground for youngsters and a beautiful esplanade to walk backwards and forwards alongside for espresso, gelato, or limitless eating places to dine in.

In the event you don’t head straight to the Daintree, Port Douglas is a improbable place to base your self and discover extra of the tropical north. And it’s additionally one other good base to move out on to the Nice Barrier Reef. We advocate spending two days exploring this stretch of shoreline.

Issues to see and do in Port Douglas

• Try 4 Mile Seaside – swim, stroll or laze below a palm tree.
• Spend a day on the Barrier Reef – Try Quicksilver, Wavelength, or Calypso. Barrier reef excursions from Port Douglas could be discovered right here. 
• Sailaway Reef and Island Excursions – take a sundown cruise, afternoon cruise, or full-day cruise. See extra crusing excursions right here.
• Mossman Gorge – the southernmost finish of the Daintree Rainforest. It’s historic and pristine. A boardwalk takes you to the Mossman River and a ravishing swimming space.

The place to remain in Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a small city and an excellent base for exploring the tropical area of Cairns. Listed here are some nice locations to remain within the space:

Day 9: The Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation

At 110 million years previous, the Daintree Rainforest is probably the oldest present rainforest on this planet, even pre-dating the Amazon.

It’s World Heritage listed and sits smack bang alongside the Nice Barrier Reef – the one place on this planet the place two World Heritage websites meet. It’s a must-visit a part of Australia!

From Port Douglas, the furthest north we’ve got been to is the spectacular Cape Tribulation (85 km a technique).

Cape Trib is a headland positioned inside the Daintree Nationwide Park.

Issues to do within the Daintree Rainforest

• Cape Kimberley – the primary seashore you come to in Daintree Nationwide Park.
• Alexandra Lookout – cease right here for lovely views out over the Alexandra Vary and Snapper Island.
• Daintree Discovery Centre – do the self-guided audio tour and aerial walkway.
• Cow Bay
• Maardja Botanical Stroll – the 540m boardwalk follows the creek via a piece of rainforest and previous the eerily twisting roots and vines of the mangroves to a lookout over Noah Creek.
• Cape Tribulation – the prettiest of the seashores within the Daintree. Stroll alongside the seashore after which again as much as the Kulki boardwalk.

• Dubuji Boardwalk – the 1.2km boardwalk winds its method via the mangroves, shaded by it’s cover of huge fan palms, strangler figs and vines main all the way down to Myall Seaside.
• Myall Seaside
• Kayaking at Cape Tribulation.

The place to remain within the Daintree Rainforest

There aren’t an enormous quantity of locations to remain within the Daintree, however listed below are some nice choices:

Day 10: Fly to Alice Springs

After you come your rental automotive to Cairns airport, you’ll wish to fly to Alice Springs within the Northern Territory and go to Australia’s most well-known Outback city and begin your Outback journey. The flight, even direct, takes 6 hours and 10 minutes. That’s how large Australia is!

Sadly, you have to to make use of day 10 as a full journey day, however it is going to be completely value it to see this desert city and its surrounding sights.

Alice Springs is the thriving, spirited outback centre and is known for the character of its locals and up to date and conventional artwork, and naturally the pure wonders.

Framed by the MacDonnell Ranges and the desert panorama, Alice has all of the conveniences of a contemporary township imbued with a wealthy residing Aboriginal custom and European explorer historical past.

You could possibly spend a day or every week exploring the websites of Alice Springs. In the event you’re fortunate to catch an early flight, you might need time to discover within the afternoon or night for those who’re not too drained.

No matter you do after you land, ensure you get a 4-wheel-drive rental automotive in Alice Springs for the following 5 days of exploring Central Australia. 

Issues to do in Alice Springs

• Telegraph Station Historic Reserve – be taught in regards to the development of the Overland Telegraph Line from Port Augusta in South Australia to Darwin. Onsite cafe and strolling and biking tracks.
• Faculty of the Air Guests Centre – be taught in regards to the world’s largest classroom, overlaying greater than 1.3 million sq. kilometres.
• The Kangaroo Sanctuary – Rise up shut with kangaroos on the residence of Brolga, star of the documentary sequence Kangaroo Dundee – BBC UK / Nat Geo USA. Do the guided sundown tour!
• Royal Flying Medical doctors Service Museum – find out about one of many largest aeromedical organisations on this planet, offering in depth main well being care and 24-hour emergency service to individuals over an space of seven.3 million sq. kilometres.
• Desert Park – see the animals that stay in Central Australia’s habitats.
• Anzac Hill – for a panoramic view of the city. Dawn is the proper time as you watch the solar slowly rise to gentle up the MacDonnell Ranges and the gorgeous desert city under.

The place to remain in Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a energetic city with numerous nice lodging choices. The excellent news is you’ll be able to stroll from in every single place within the city, so that you don’t have to fret an excessive amount of in regards to the neighborhood you keep in. Listed here are some nice lodging choices for Alice Springs:

Days 11 – 15: Uluru & Crimson Centre Means

The Crimson Centre Means is among the Australian Outback’s nice drives, stretching from Alice Springs to Uluru and taking within the beautiful landscapes of Kings Canyon and Ormiston Gorge.

There’s a lot to see and do alongside the drive, you merely want just a few days to finish it. On the naked minimal, we advocate three days.

Day 11: Alice Springs to Glen Helen Homestead

At the moment’s drive is roughly 177 km’s from Alice Springs to Glen Helen Homestead taking in among the finest surroundings in Central Australia alongside the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Issues to do within the West MacDonnell Ranges

• Simpsons Hole (23km from Alice Springs through Larapinta Drive) – a outstanding waterhole is a crucial non secular website to the Arrarnta Aboriginal individuals. At daybreak or nightfall, Simpsons Hole is famend as a spot to see Black-footed Rock-wallabies alongside the hole’s quick strolling observe.
• Standley Chasm (40km) – When the solar’s gentle shifts throughout the cleft, the partitions of Standley Chasm glow golden, orange, and crimson. There’s a fairly 15- 20 min stroll alongside the creek beside uncommon historic cycads, the place spring-fed swimming pools give the valley flooring a lush, tropical oasis really feel. Onsite cafe.
• Ellery Creek Large Gap (57km) – a favorite swimming gap for the locals and an excellent spot for a picnic.
• Ochre Pits (22km from Ellery Creek) – brightly colored small cliffs that native Arrarnta Aboriginal individuals have used for 1000’s of years for his or her ceremonial paint. The layers of white, yellow, and crimson ochre of the cliffs are so wealthy and earthy.
• Ormiston Gorge (24km) – the largest and prettiest swimming gap. It’s additionally the preferred. There’s a kiosk open right here that apparently serves an outstanding iced espresso.
• Glen Helen Gorge (11km) – The everlasting waterhole at Glen Helen Gorge is a favorite residence to many species of desert wildlife and lies on the headwaters of the Finke River, the place you’ll be able to stroll alongside the riverbed between the gorge partitions to see fabulous cycads. The normal house owners consider Glen Helen Gorge is the house of an historic and highly effective Rainbow Serpent.

Keep in a single day at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge, which affords motel room sort lodging for households or singles plus caravan and tenting websites. There’s a restaurant, bar, gasoline (diesel & unleaded), and a swimming pool.

Day 12: Kings Canyon

Get pleasure from breakfast out on the deck at Glen Helen Homestead. The views out over the West Mac ranges are beautiful and it is vitally serene watching the eagles soar quietly above searching for their very own breaky.

Depart Glen Helen and drive 225km alongside the Mareenie Valley Street, stopping in a single day at Kings Canyon Resort.

Ensure you have a full tank of gasoline, water, and meals provides. This part of highway is unsealed and could be badly corrugated, that’s why we propose a 4×4 automobile for clearance and luxury and management not as a result of it’s technical off-road driving.

Some individuals drive this in a 2WD however a 4WD could be higher.

Kings Canyon Resort affords snug lodging and hotel-style rooms plus tenting and caravan websites. Amenities embody 2 eating places, 2 swimming swimming pools, and a petroleum station.

Climbing Kings Canyon

Iconic Kings Canyon is simply 7 km from the resort.

The 5.5km Kings Canyon Rim Stroll in Watarrka Nationwide Park affords spectacular views of the canyon and beautiful dome-shaped rock formations and the colors change because the solar continued its journey up.

We did it at dawn with our three and six-year-old daughters, with the one steep a part of the stroll being the climb to the highest at the start.

Kings Canyon to Uluru (City of Yulara)

The drive from Kings Canyon to Yulara, the principle city on the gates into Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park the place all of the lodging and retailers are, is 300km.

Days 13 – 15: Uluru

Uluru, beforehand generally known as Ayers Rock, is the non secular coronary heart of the nation and a must-see if you go to Australia.

You’ve most likely seen a whole lot of photographs and TV commercials of Uluru, however it’s a spot you must see and really feel, for your self.

Manufactured from arkosic sandstone, Uluru stands 348 metres excessive and is taller than The Eiffel Tower and a couple of.5 instances the peak of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

We extremely advocate you don’t fly out and in in a rush, Uluru wants multiple night time to understand its magnificence!

Issues to do at Uluru

Many individuals go to Uluru only for Ayres Rock, however there are literally a number of issues to do close to Uluru and value testing. Listed here are a few of our favorite activites close by:

• Uluru Sundown – the are a number of lookout spots for sundown and each lookout affords a unique perspective of the colourful and ever-changing colors. The most well-liked sundown spot is the official Uluru Sundown Lookout about 10 kilometres down the highway via the doorway gates of the park.
• Uluru Dawn – we dragged the children off the bed at 5.00 am every day and jumped within the automotive for the 20-minute drive from Yulara into the park (dawn was round 6.20am). For our first Uluru dawn, we headed again to the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku lookout. Be warned, that is the place hordes of individuals and tour buses converge and was very busy even within the low season.

• Base stroll – The loop stroll is 10 km across the base and it took us 3.45 hours with a 3 and seven-year-old and taking numerous photographs. The stroll is totally flat, simply keep in mind you’re within the Outback so it’s finest to begin early at first gentle to beat the warmth. The park opens day by day at 5am and we propose beginning on the Kuniya strolling level and heading anti-clockwise. Take numerous water, snacks, and quick breaks
• Cycle the bottom – for those who’re less than strolling the ten.6 kilometres across the base, an excellent various is to rent bikes from Outback Biking or carry your individual and bike it. We had a tag-along for Kalyra who loved the relief of letting daddy do a lot of the peddling, and little Savannah took within the sights in a child seat on the again of Caz’s bike.

• Free Ranger Guided Mala Stroll – your third choice, for those who don’t wish to stroll or bike the entire 10.6 kilometres of Uluru, is to take part within the two-kilometre return stroll (1.5 hours) free ranger-guided Mala stroll.
• Sundown drinks  – A becoming farewell to our time at Uluru was sipping on just a few glasses of champagne with the oldsters from AAT Kings because the sundown over the rock. Try sundown viewing and bubbly experiences right here. 
• Sundown Camel Journey – one of many distinctive methods to soak up Uluru is on the again of a trusty camel. Our youngsters, and us large children, completely cherished this expertise with Uluru Camel Excursions.
• Sounds of Silence – On our bucket checklist is the Sounds of Silence eating expertise below the celebrities (when the children are a bit older) and a helicopter flight sounds superb too!

Issues to do in Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta is simply 50km’s up the highway from Yulara and is equally as spectacular as Uluru.

Previously generally known as The Olgas, this group of enormous historic rock formations consisting of 36 ochre-coloured domes are unfold over an space of greater than 20 kilometres.

The sandstone domes are believed to be round 500 million years previous.

Walks at Kata Tjuta:

• The two.6 km Walpa Gorge stroll is the shorter and simpler of the 2 walks.
• The longest path is the 7km Valley of the Winds Stroll.

The place to remain at Yulara

There’s not an enormous vary of choices at Yulura, however listed below are some nice locations to remain:

Day 16: Uluru to Alice Springs to Melbourne

The drive from Yulara again to Alice Springs is 447km through the Lasseter Hwy and Nationwide Hwy 87.

Alternatively, as a substitute of driving again to Alice Springs and catching a flight to Melbourne, you could possibly do a one-way drop off of your rental automotive at Ayers Rock Airport, and fly to Melbourne from there.

You simply must weigh up the price of a one-way rental drop off versus the completely different flight costs to Melbourne from both Alice Springs or Ayers Rock! To save lots of your self time as you solely have three weeks in Australia, it’s value dropping it off at Ayres Rock and flying from there.

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly direct to Melbourne from Ayers Rock Airport.

The truth is, if you wish to shorten this complete 3 week itinerary of Australia and skip Alice Springs and the Crimson Centre Means, you’ll be able to fly direct from Cairns to Ayers Rock Airport, then onto Melbourne.

Simply an choice so as to add further days on the different places.

Days 16 – 18: The Nice Ocean Street

Choose up your rental automotive from the airport in Melbourne and hit the Nice Ocean Street, well-known in Australia and world wide as the most effective drives on the planet.

The beginning of the drive is just one hour outdoors of Melbourne within the city of Torquay, it stretches over 250 kilometres to Warrnambool, and attracts tens of 1000’s of tourists yearly.

Many individuals even take the Nice Ocean Street all the best way to Adelaide.

While the tour buses crazily drive this in in the future, you really want at the least two or three days to see all of the websites. Don’t simply rush to the 12 Apostles to your vacationer snap. Decelerate and recognize all it has to supply.

Go to all of the rock formations and cities, stroll on a seashore and go to the rainforest, see a waterfall and wildlife, sit at a lookout, and be current.

I like to recommend overnighting in Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell alongside the best way.

Issues to do on the Nice Ocean Street

• Torquay (104 km’s from Melbourne) – Bells Seaside is one in all Australia’s most well-known browsing seashores. Go to the Australian Nationwide Browsing Museum. Do a piece of the Surf Coast Stroll.
• Anglesea (18 km) – get some solar on Anglesea’s principal seashore, a large sandy expanse beside the Anglesea River. Stroll alongside the rugged shoreline or head inland beside the Anglesea River on the 44-kilometre Surf Coast Stroll.
• Aireys Inlet (9 km) – Break up Level Lighthouse was inbuilt 1891 and is perched on the cliffs, 70 metres above sea stage. Stroll alongside surrounding clifftop tracks to see rocky reefs, rock swimming pools, and sheltered coves (preserve your eye out for whales in season).
• Lorne (20 km) – a picturesque city located proper on the Nice Ocean Street. Nice cafes, distinctive retailers boutiques, galleries and Otway Nationwide Park are in your doorstep. Get pleasure from a stroll on the seashore, a motorcycle journey alongside the foreshore out to the pier, have a espresso at Lorne Seaside Pavilion and take a look at a burger from The Bottle of Milk. Teddys Lookout is a brief drive up the hill behind Lorne. Drive as much as the picnic space on the finish of George Road and stroll a brief distance to benefit from the spectacular views of the Nice Ocean Street from the lookout.
• Lorne to Apollo Bay Drive – our favorite stretch of highway alongside the GOR. Be ready to cease for photographs so much. This stretch of highway has among the most picturesque surroundings within the area. It hugs the cliff-face because it winds via the Nice Otway Nationwide Park and rolling farmland.
• Apollo Bay (47 km from Lorne) – seaside village midway alongside the Nice Ocean Street and surrounded by Otway Nationwide Park State Forest. Mariners Lookout affords panoramic views of Apollo Bay’s city centre, the harbour, and seashores up and down the coast, positioned on the northern finish of city off Marriners Lookout Street. Climb aboard a kayak, rise up near native seal colonies or join a deep sea fishing journey. There are sundown seashore rides on horseback, reward retailers, galleries and tea homes together with numerous culinary delights on provide – fishing is a crucial native trade so seafood is all the time on the menu!

• Otways Nationwide Park – head into the Otways and immerse your self amongst tall bushes and large tree ferns, and exquisite waterfalls – Triplet Falls is a spotlight. The stroll is a few 1 hour return loop. And the 2km Shelley Seaside Circuit Stroll is the most effective quick walks on the Nice Ocean Stroll.
• Kennett River – wish to see koalas within the wild? The most effective koala viewing spot is Kennet River, alongside the Gray River Street, simply in the course of city. Otway Lighthouse Street is one other fashionable spot. Simply search for the crowds of individuals and observe their gazes up for fast koala recognizing.
• Twelve Apostles (87 km from Apollo Bay) – Port Campbell Nationwide Park is residence to those huge limestone buildings tower 45 metres above the ocean and have been shaped some 20 million years in the past. There are solely eight remaining (the remaining have fallen) and forming the backdrop are these magnificent cliffs as much as 70 metres excessive. Scorching Tip – get there for dawn or sundown so that you miss the hordes of individuals and tour buses that arrive round lunchtime (we stayed in a single day in Port Campbell, 15 km drive, and drove again for sundown).

• Gibson Steps – just down the highway from the Twelve Apostles Guests Centre are the Gibson Steps. Stroll down these steps onto the seashore for a close-up view.
• Loch Ard Gorge – a couple of minutes drive west of The Twelve Apostles. Named after the ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on close by Muttonbird Island on the finish of a three-month journey from England to Melbourne.

• The Grotto – is principally a sinkhole. Take the steps down the cliff face to the underside and look via and also you’ll get visibility of the ocean past a pool at low tide. Fairly cool.
• London Arch (London Bridge) – shaped by a gradual course of of abrasion and initially was a whole double-span and connected to the mainland. The arch nearer to the shoreline collapsed unexpectedly in 1990.
• The Arch – this naturally sculptured arch stands 8 metres excessive and is positioned 6km west of Port Campbell.
• Bay of Islands – head somewhat additional south to Peterborough and also you’ll uncover the paranormal Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs. Virtually as lovely as 12 Apostles, but not often talked about.

The direct drive again to Melbourne from Warrnambool is 255 km (roughly 3 hrs) through the Hamilton Hwy/B140 and M1. Drop off your rental automotive on the airport in Melbourne and make your method into the town.

Melbourne Airport is positioned 25 km from the Metropolis Centre. The Sky Bus affords a daily shuttle service 24/7 direct to Southern Cross Station within the metropolis so that you gained’t want your rental automotive anymore.

In addition they provide a lodge drop off and decide up service – ask for particulars on the counter.

Days 19 – 21: Melbourne

We love Melbourne, it’s most likely our favorite Australian metropolis and feels very European.

The draw back is it comes with four-seasons-in-one-day climate patterns. Put on layers!

There actually is one thing for everybody in Melbourne, it doesn’t matter what your finances or tastes are. Additionally, it’s a well-known truth amongst Australians that they make one of the best espresso within the nation!

Issues to do in Melbourne

• Metropolis Circle Tram – bounce on the FREE metropolis circle tram service (route 35) that operates inside Melbourne’s CBD and passes main vacationer sights. The loop takes about 45 minutes and you may get off at any one of many many stops to discover extra on foot, and is one of the best ways to get round to lots of Melbourne’s interior metropolis highlights.
• Federation Sq. – Fed Sq. occupies a complete city block proper on the banks of the Yarra River and instantly reverse Flinders Road Practice Station and St Paul’s Cathedral within the coronary heart of the town. There’s museums, galleries, eating places, bars, festivals, and enjoyable. And the Melbourne Customer Centre is positioned underground. Such a cool city sq.!
• Purchasing – the town laneways, particularly between Flinders, Elizabeth, Bourke, and Swanston Streets are terrific. Little Collins Road can also be excellent for relieving you of a few of your money. Additionally try Prahran and Chapel Road which runs from the Yarra River within the north to Brighton Street within the south, traversing the suburbs of South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, St Kilda, and St Kilda East.

 

• St Kilda – bounce on a tram and head to this seaside escape. It’s the closest and best seashore to get to from the town, simply 6km away, and it’s Melbourne’s most well-known seashore. There’s out of doors eating and bars, many with bay views, and the sunsets are fairly particular. Acland Road is the place to go for cafes and eating places, but in addition for the well-known cake retailers. West Seaside Cafe is true on the sand and Jerry’s Milkbar is a transformed milkbar with somewhat playground out the again and superior banana bread. Try Carlisle St in St Kilda East, a straightforward stroll from Acland St. Much less touristy, and a bit grimey, however numerous character and nice cafes.

• See penguins at St Kilda Pier at nightfall – why go to Phillip Island for the penguin parade when there’s a free one proper within the metropolis? The fairy penguins are available in and convey smiles to everybody who sees them.
• Queen Victoria Market – who doesn’t love a great open-air market? The Queen Vic Markets has one thing for everybody. Seize some contemporary produce and head to both Fitzroy Gardens or Carlton Gardens for a picnic.
• Wednesday Evening Markets (summer time months solely) – Queen Vic Markets come alive with nice road meals, with choices from everywhere in the world. It was like several night time meals market you’d discover in Asia, buzzing with environment and low cost (for Melbourne) road meals. Reside music and family-friendly.
• AFL Sport – for those who’re right here through the AFL (Australian Soccer League) season, you should try a sport. The environment within the huge MCG (Melbourne Cricket Floor) is not like anything on this nation.
• Fitzroy – for the cafes and eating places, to not point out the entire boutique retailers, many catering to a hip crowd.
• Lygon Road – for all issues Italian. We advocate Tiamo for excellent and inexpensive Italian. And Brunetti’s is a Melbourne establishment for espresso, muffins, and pastries.
• Laneways – Melbourne is known for its laneways. Centre Place is a busy laneway between Flinders Lane and Collins Road and residential to a number of vibrant bars, cafes, eating places, boutiques, sushi bars, and retailers, in addition to a few of Melbourne’s finest examples of road artwork and graffiti. As is Degraves Road. {Hardware} Lane has numerous nice Italian. Royal Arcade is previous and really lovely (nice chocolate store too).

• Espresso – Melbournians are obsessive about espresso and make it higher than most. Right here’s a listing of some finest espresso spots on Lonely Planet and the Tourism Australia web site.
• South Financial institution – a pleasant place to stroll round on the Yarra River with nice views again over the town, and limitless eating and bar choices.
• Riverland City Beer Backyard – simply down by Fed Sq. and subsequent to the Yarra is a superb spot for a beer and a meal within the solar and to observe the rowers on the river and overlooks the Princess Bridge. Appears like London in the summertime. They’ve a children menu too!
• Hosier Lane – a much-celebrated landmark attributable to its refined city artwork (graffiti-lined partitions). A 2 minute stroll from Federation Sq. and runs between Flinders St and Collins St. Native and worldwide artists use the partitions as a short lived canvas for his or her works, and the artwork may be very attention-grabbing to take a look at.

• Chinatown – if there’s a Chinatown on the town, we’re there! Not often are we dissatisfied, and our financial institution steadiness is all the time comfortable. One place in Melbourne we saved going again to was the favored Camy Shanghai Dumpling and Noodle Restaurant – not for the luxurious and fancy, it’s a real Chinese language expertise with below-par service, however their dumplings have been a spotlight and low cost!
• Botanic Gardens – take the household for a picnic or sit on the banks of the Yarra and watch the world go by.
• Cycle the Bayside Foreshore – stretch your legs on a motorcycle journey from St Kilda to Brighton Seaside and take a look at the colorful bathing packing containers.

• Eureka Tower – affords beautiful views from the best remark deck within the southern hemisphere, Eureka Skydeck at 297 metres/88 flooring. I like to recommend going up simply on sunset so that you expertise Melbourne by day and because it slips into night time.
• Stroll alongside the Yarra River and have a BBQ on the river financial institution in Summer time.

The place to remain in Melbourne

Melbourne is a large metropolis with so many nice lodging choices. We advocate staying within the CBD to ensure you’re close to all one of the best sights. Listed here are a few of our favorite locations to remain:

Is 3 weeks lengthy sufficient in Australia?

In the event you’re questioning if three weeks is lengthy sufficient to see Australia, enable me to place your thoughts comfy. Three weeks is lengthy sufficient to see a lot of the highlights of Australia.

It’s unlikely it is possible for you to to slot in the entire nation in three weeks (it’s huge), however you’ll be able to see the finest components of Queensland and the East Coast, New South Wales, Victoria, and a few components of South Australia.

If that is your first time planning a visit down below, the itinerary you’ve simply learn will take you to the locations in Australia you can’t miss, and can showcase what makes Australia distinctive – its tradition, historical past, numerous landscapes, wild animals, and superb meals and occasional.

In the event you observe this three week Australia itinerary, you’ll get to go to Australia’s finest cities, well-known landscapes, and iconic landmarks.

When you have extra time or plan to come back again, then you’ll be able to discover locations like Western Australia and Tasmania on one other journey. It’s simply not attainable to do all of it in three weeks!

21 Days and Past…

So for those who do really feel such as you wish to come again or lengthen your journey, then right here is how you are able to do that. We all know that point flies, and generally you wish to decelerate and incorporate some rest between packing in all these superb sights.

So we do perceive that some individuals like to increase their journey and take their time.

When you have the posh of including an additional week or extra, that’s nice! Listed here are some concepts for how one can lengthen your journey for an additional 7 days:

Street Journey From Cairns to the Gold Coast

One of many methods we’d advocate extending this journey is to highway journey from the Gold Coast to Cairns. This might be beginning the journey as a substitute of flying straight to Cairns from Sydney.

There are various sights on the East Coast that supply extra possibilities so that you can discover the pure great thing about Australia.

You’ll discover beautiful tropical islands, locations to calm down, extra areas to scuba dive the barrier reef, and better of all, a while basking on one of the best seashores in Australia.

Listed here are some sights on the East Coast you could possibly go to:

• The Whitsunday Islands – Tips on how to describe the Whitsundays…they’re merely tropical paradise. You’ll discover unspoiled, white-sand seashores and among the finest pure websites in Australia. Whitehaven Seaside is a protected seashore that’s so pure, they don’t let you take something with you. The gateway to the Whitsundays is from Airlie Seaside on the mainland.
• Fraser Island – that is an adventurer’s paradise. The island is a World Heritage-listed website and the one technique to get round is to drive by 4WD on the seashore. It’s the most effective locations to see humpback whales who migrate in its waters. On calm days, you’ll be able to see them near the shore. You’ll be able to entry Fraser Island by ferry from Rainbow Seaside.
• Magnetic Island – Simply throughout the waters from Townsville is the bizarre however fantastic Magnetic Island. It’s not likely magnetic, it’s named after the molten granite was pushed into the earth’s floor by a volcanic pressure 275 million years in the past. These days it’s value visiting for its distinctive landscapes, granite boulders and beautiful seashores and reefs.
• Brisbane – though Brisbane is a metropolis and very like another in Aus, it’s value testing. Town has a thriving arts scene and has numerous hipster cafes and bars. For individuals who get pleasure from nightlife, you’ll get pleasure from spending a while in Brisbane.
• Byron Bay – That is one in all Australia’s high seashores and is simply South of Brisbane. It’s well-known for browsing and is among the finest spots for skilled surfers to catch some large waves within the winter.

Discover the Northern Territory

One other technique to lengthen this three week Australia itinerary by every week or so is to discover the Northern Territory.

You could possibly simply fly from Alice Springs to Darwin and spend every week exploring Kakadu Nationwide Park, the most important nationwide park in Australia and well-known for its aboriginal heritage and historic rock artwork. You. can even see wild salt water crocodiles right here.

Darwin can also be a cool metropolis to go to. The close by Litchfield Nationwide Park simply south of Darwin can also be a preferred park to take a look at. It has some beautiful waterfalls and waterholes you’ll be able to swim in, which is the principle cause to go to.

Earlier than You Go

So there you have got it! That’s a 3 week Australia itinerary overlaying all of the highlights of the Land Down Underneath. As you’ll be able to see, there’s a number of time spent on planes and in vehicles, however that’s the one technique to see one of the best of Australia in three weeks.

Earlier than you go, I’ve one ultimate phrase of recommendation for you. Guide upfront. You’ll save your self a number of money and time for those who ebook your flights (particularly inside flights) and automotive leases upfront.

You could be versatile with lodging and actions, however don’t go away transport to the final minute otherwise you’ll find yourself paying for it.

And above all, have one of the best time in Australia, our residence. We all know this itinerary skips Perth and Western Australia and the pure wonders of Tassie, however we’d moderately provide you with an itinerary that’s reasonable and achievable.

We hope this itinerary helped you propose your Australia journey!

Australia Highlights Videoes

In the event you’re unsure what to anticipate, or want some inspiration to get you enthusiastic about your journey, don’t neglect to observe this playlist of our movies exploring Australia on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

Pin To Save It On Pinterest