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Sydney Opera House at sunset

Perfect 10-Day Australia Itinerary

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Experience Sydney's Icons and the Great Barrier Reef

This 10-day plan suits a first trip: four days in Sydney, then a flight north to Cairns for the reef and the rainforest. You get the city and the world's largest coral reef system without spending half the trip in transit.

Day 1: Arrival in Sydney & City Exploration

Arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD), transfer to your hotel. Settle in and walk down to Circular Quay for your first look at the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Enjoy dinner with a view in The Rocks district.

Day 2: Sydney Harbour & Bondi Beach

Take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for stunning harbour views. In the afternoon, head to Bondi Beach for the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk. Enjoy the sunset over the ocean.

Day 3: Blue Mountains Day Trip

Take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. See the Three Sisters rock formation, ride the Scenic Railway, and explore the charming town of Katoomba. Return to Sydney in the evening.

Day 4: Sydney Culture & Farewell

Visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales or explore the vibrant Darling Harbour. Enjoy a final Sydney dinner before your flight to Cairns the next morning.

Day 5: Fly to Cairns & Tropical Arrival

Take a morning flight from Sydney (SYD) to Cairns (CNS). Check into your accommodation and spend the afternoon relaxing by the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. Explore the Cairns Night Markets in the evening.

Day 6: Great Barrier Reef Adventure

Book a full-day catamaran cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, then snorkel or dive once you're moored at the reef. Lunch is typically included on the boat.

Day 7: Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

Take a guided tour north to the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth. Spot crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise and walk the beautiful Cape Tribulation beach where the reef meets the rainforest.

Day 8: Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

Experience the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway up to the mountain village of Kuranda. Explore the markets and wildlife parks. Return via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over the canopy.

Day 9: Relax in Port Douglas or Palm Cove

Take a day trip to the upscale resort town of Port Douglas or the tranquil Palm Cove. Relax on Four Mile Beach, browse the boutique shops, and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Day 10: Departure from Cairns

Enjoy a final Australian breakfast before heading to Cairns Airport (CNS) for your departure.

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Before you go: making the 10 days work

This plan spends four days in Sydney and six in tropical north Queensland. The one long hop is the Sydney to Cairns flight, which Tourism Australia lists at about 3 hours. Driving the same trip is 2,421 km, so flying is the only way to fit both ends into ten days.

Timing

The tropical north has a wet season, roughly November to April, when heavy rain, flooding and tropical cyclones are possible. The drier months are easier for reef trips and the Daintree. Sydney is mild for most of the year. See the month-by-month guide before you lock in dates.

Entry

Most visitors need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority before they fly. Passport holders from the USA and Canada can apply for an ETA through the Australian ETA app, which costs a AUD20 service charge. Many European passport holders can apply for a free eVisitor instead.

If you have a little more or less time

Reef day logistics

Most outer reef boats leave Cairns Marina in the morning and return late afternoon. Book the reef for your second or third day in Cairns so a windy day can be swapped. Reef trips include a reef charge set by the Marine Park Authority; operators collect it with your fare.

Budget

Use the trip cost calculator for a rough total in Australian dollars, then price your own flights and hotels for your dates.

Sources: Tourism Australia, getting around; Home Affairs, ETA; Home Affairs, eVisitor; U.S. State Department, Australia (wet season and cyclones). Checked October 2026.