When people think of Australia, kangaroos, koalas, the outback, and the Sydney Opera House come to mind. However, Australia is so much more than that! Australia is considered both a continent and a country. Its location makes it a long journey to get to, but with a little planning, you can see a lot in a short amount of time. Although Australia may sometimes be pricey to get to, if you do not mind going during their winter season, tickets can be up to half the price! The following is a 2 week East Coast Australia Itinerary.
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Visa for Australia
In order to visit Australia as a US Citizen (and many other countries), you need a visa to enter. I recommend buying one through iVisa prior to visiting so it will be one less thing you have to worry about.
Day 1: Arrival in Melbourne and transfer to Sydney
It may have taken you two days on a 16-hour flight to get here, but Australia is worth the journey! Catch a quick hour and a half flight out to Sydney, the perfect place to start a two week east coast Australia itinerary. You can also opt to fly directly into Sydney. Spend the rest of the day exploring what Sydney has to offer. Make sure to take a tour of the infamous Opera House or see a production. If the weather is nice, grab a drink along the promenade or head over to Darling Harbor to grab some food.
Day 2: Sydney
Today, continue to explore Sydney. If you are feeling daring, book a Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb. It offers a unique view of Sydney. You can also head out to Bondi Beach to relax along the shore. Do not miss the Bondi Iceberg Pools for some spectacular ocean views.
Day 3: Sydney
Use today to continue to explore Sydney, or opt to take a day trip out to the Blue Mountains for some spectacular hikes. Although there are organized tours, I recommend traveling to the Blue Mountains on your own as you have more flexibility and save some money!
Day 4: Sydney to Brisbane
Spend your last morning in Sydney exploring Luna Park, an amusement park based on the original in Coney Island. You can also spend time wandering the Royal Botanic Gardens, a tranquil oasis in the middle of Sydney’s Central Business District. This afternoon, catch an hour and a half flight to Brisbane. Spend the evening exploring what Brisbane has to offer. Make sure to watch the sunset from the Story Bridge.
Day 5: Brisbane
Spend the morning at the Lone Pine Sanctuary. Lone Pine Sanctuary was established in 1927 and is the world’s oldest and largest Koala sanctuary. Now is your chance to cuddle a Koala and feed Kangaroos! Lone Pine is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Tickets cost $28 to get inside and cheaper if you book online. To get to Lone Pine, take the public bus 430 or 445.
Day 6-7: Brisbane/Sunshine Coast/Gold Coast
There are several different options you can take for this part of the trip. You can choose to base yourself in Brisbane and travel out from there. Perhaps visit the Australia Zoo, founded by Steve Irwin, and see many of the native Australia animals. If relaxing on the beach is more your style, opt to head to the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast. The Sunshine Coast is full of beach resorts and is a surfer’s paradise. Australia’s Gold Coast is more urban and full of gorgeous beaches, theme parks, and hiking trails.
Day 8: Brisbane to Cairns
This morning, catch a 2 and a half hour flight to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the rest of the day relaxing along the beaches of Cairns or in the swimming lagoon.
Day 9: Cairns
Today, take a tour to the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef contains 2900 reefs and is the world’s largest reef. It also contains over 900 islands and is visible from space. This reef system is one of the wonders of the world and visitors can get up close to the 1500 species of fish.
Day 10: Cairns
Head out to the Whitsundays Islands to spend more time on the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsundays Islands contains 72 islands with gorgeous white sand and hiking trails. You can also opt to take a snorkel tour or learn to scuba dive.
Day 11: Cairns to Melbourne
Depart Cairns for Melbourne. This 3 and a half hour flight will land you in the capital of Victoria, the last stop on your 2-week east coast Australia itinerary. Once you land, spend the rest of your day exploring the different sites of Melbourne. There are plenty of budget-friendly places to visit. I recommend riding the City Circle Tram around the city to get acquainted.
Day 12: Melbourne
Today, continue to explore the sites of Melbourne. A visit to the Parliament is a fantastic way to learn about the Australian government system. Best of all, tours of Parliament are free. Take your lunch break at 8bit for some delicious burgers and milkshakes. Spend the afternoon wandering around the free National Gallery of Victoria.
Day 13: Melbourne
Right outside Melbourne is the wine region of Yarra Valley. A day trip to Yarra Valley is a must for anyone who loves wine tasting. I recommend booking through Dancing Kangaroo Tours. This tour takes visitors to several wineries and food places. Lunch and several snacks are included!
Day 14: Melbourne
The Great Ocean Road, a monument to war veterans spans for 150 miles. Along the road are several landmarks such as the 12 Apostles, limestone stacks scattered along the coast. Be back in Melbourne for dinner at Queen Victoria Market, a market that has a ton of food stalls.
Day 15: Depart from Melbourne
Most flights leave in the evening, so you should have the majority of the day to explore and enjoy your last moments in Australia. Grab lunch and a beer at the Carlton Brewhouse. Also, visit the State Library of Victoria, with its famous massive domed reading room. Make sure to head to the airport with plenty of time before your flight home and reflect on your memories of this two week East Coast Australia itinerary.
Teacher Tip: If you have less than two weeks for an east coast Australia itinerary, skip days 5-9 and fly directly to Cairns on day 4.
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