2 Weeks in Australia: 5 Perfect Itineraries
Find the perfect 14-day Australian trip for your travel style
Which Itinerary is Right for You?
Australia is massive, so 14 days is perfect for deeply exploring one or two key regions. We've crafted five distinct itineraries to match every type of traveler.
| Itinerary | Best For | Pace / Difficulty | Top Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Coast | First-Timers, Beaches | Easy | GBR, Sydney, Whitsundays |
| Red Centre | Culture, Icons | Moderate | Uluru, Kings Canyon |
| Southern Drift | Road Trips, Wine | Easy | Great Ocean Rd, Adelaide |
| Western Australia | Wildlife, Off-Grid | Hard | Ningaloo Reef, Karijini |
| Tasmania | Hiking, Foodies | Moderate | Cradle Mtn, Freycinet |
Option 1: The Classic East Coast (Reef, Rainforest & Cities)
This is the "Greatest Hits" of Australia. If you only visit once, this is the route to take. It combines the two most iconic cities with the wonders of the tropical north. While driving the whole way takes too long for a 2-week trip, this itinerary uses strategic flights to maximize your time.
Day 1-4: Sydney
Arrive in Sydney (SYD). Don't just see the Opera House; take a ferry to Manly to see the harbour from the water. Walk the 6km Bondi to Coogee coastal track. Spend a day in the Blue Mountains (2 hours by train) to see the Three Sisters and eucalyptus forests. Enjoy world-class dining in Surry Hills or Barangaroo.
Day 5-8: Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
Fly Sydney to Cairns (3 hours). This is your tropical base. Book a full-day boat tour to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for the best snorkeling and diving. Spend a day exploring the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. Take the scenic railway to Kuranda village.
Day 9-11: The Whitsundays
Fly Cairns to Hamilton Island or Proserpine. Stay on Hamilton Island (luxury/resort) or Airlie Beach (budget/nightlife). The absolute must-do here is a boat trip to Whitehaven Beach—often voted the world's best beach. If budget allows, a scenic flight over Heart Reef is spectacular.
Day 12-14: Melbourne OR Brisbane
Fly South. Choose your final stop. Melbourne offers culture, coffee, laneways, and the Great Ocean Road (day trip). Brisbane offers warm weather, South Bank parklands, and proximity to the Gold Coast theme parks. Fly home from MEL or BNE.
Option 2: Reef, Rock & Harbour (The Icons)
Want to see the red desert, the blue ocean, and the green rainforest? This "triangle" itinerary covers Australia's most diverse landscapes. It requires three flights but rewards you with the absolute best of the continent.
Day 1-4: Sydney
Start your journey in Australia's emerald city. Climb the Harbour Bridge, surf at Bondi, and explore the historic Rocks district. If you have time, a day trip to the Hunter Valley wine region is a great addition.
Day 5-8: Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Fly Sydney to Ayers Rock (AYQ) (3.5 hours). You are now in the Outback. Watch the sunset over Uluru as it changes colour from orange to blood red. Do the base walk at sunrise. Visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) for a hike through the Valley of the Winds. Dine under the stars at the 'Sounds of Silence' dinner.
Day 9-13: Cairns & Port Douglas
Fly Uluru to Cairns. Swap the red dust for lush green tropics. We recommend renting a car and driving 1 hour north to Port Douglas. It's a relaxed resort town perfect for accessing the Reef and Rainforest. Relax on Four Mile Beach and enjoy the Sunday Markets.
Day 14: Departure
Fly out from Cairns International Airport, or connect back through Sydney.
Option 3: The Southern Drift (Melbourne to Adelaide)
Love driving? This route follows one of the world's most scenic coastal roads. It's cooler in temperature but hot on culture, wildlife, and wine. Perfect for summer (Dec-Feb) travel.
Day 1-4: Melbourne
Immerse yourself in Australia's cultural capital. Explore the laneway bars, incredible galleries (NGV), and sport stadiums. Day trip to Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade at sunset.
Day 5-7: Great Ocean Road
Rent a car. Drive the famous B100 highway. Stop at Torquay (surf capital), Lorne (waterfalls), and Apollo Bay. The highlight is the 12 Apostles limestone stacks at sunset. Stay overnight near Port Campbell to beat the tour buses.
Day 8-9: The Grampians
Turn inland to the Grampians National Park. This majestic mountain range offers incredible hiking (The Pinnacle), Aboriginal rock art sites, and wild kangaroos hopping through the towns.
Day 10-12: Adelaide & Barossa Valley
Drive to Adelaide. It's a city of churches and festivals. Spend a day in the Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale, some of the world's premier wine regions (Shiraz is the specialty).
Day 13-14: Kangaroo Island
Take the ferry to KI. It's a zoo without fences. See sea lions on the beach, koalas in the trees, and the Remarkable Rocks. It's a stunning wild finale to your trip.
Option 4: Western Australia (Perth to Exmouth)
Western Australia is huge, wild, and sparsely populated. This road trip takes you up the Coral Coast, where the desert meets the ocean. It is one of the best road trips on earth.
Day 1-3: Perth & Fremantle
Explore Australia's sunniest capital. Visit Kings Park, Cottesloe Beach, and the historic port of Fremantle. Must-do: Day trip to Rottnest Island to cycle around and take a selfie with a Quokka.
Day 4-5: Pinnacles & Geraldton
Start driving north. Stop at Nambung National Park to see the Pinnacles Desert—thousands of limestone pillars rising from the sand. Stay in Geraldton.
Day 6-7: Kalbarri National Park
Visit 'Nature's Window', a rock arch framing the Murchison River gorge. In season (July-Oct), the wildflowers here are spectacular. The coastal cliffs are dramatic and rugged.
Day 8-9: Shark Bay & Monkey Mia
A World Heritage site. See the Stromatolites (oldest living fossils) at Hamelin Pool. Visit Shell Beach (made entirely of tiny shells). At Monkey Mia, wild dolphins come into the shallows to be fed by rangers every morning.
Day 10-13: Ningaloo Reef (Coral Bay/Exmouth)
The jewel of the west. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, the Ningaloo Reef is right off the beach. You can snorkel from the shore at Turquoise Bay. From March to July, you can swim with Whale Sharks. From August to October, swim with Humpback Whales.
Day 14: Fly Back
Drop your rental car at Learmonth Airport (Exmouth) and fly back to Perth.
Option 5: Tasmania Loop (Wilderness & Wine)
Australia's island state is compact enough to do a proper loop in two weeks. It offers rugged mountains, white sand beaches, and the cleanest air in the world.
Day 1-3: Hobart
Visit the famous Salamanca Markets (Saturdays). Take the ferry to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art)—it's shocking and brilliant. Drive to the top of Mt Wellington for views over the city.
Day 4-5: East Coast
Drive north to Freycinet National Park. Hike to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Continue to the Bay of Fires to see the orange lichen-covered rocks against turquoise water.
Day 6-7: Launceston & Tamar Valley
Explore Tasmania's second city and the stunning Cataract Gorge. Spend a day tasting sparkling wine in the Tamar Valley vineyards.
Day 8-10: Cradle Mountain
The heart of the wilderness. Stay in a cozy cabin. Walk the Dove Lake circuit under the jagged peaks of Cradle Mountain. Look for wombats grazing at dusk.
Day 11-12: The West Coast
Drive the winding roads to Strahan. Take a cruise on the Gordon River into the silent, ancient rainforest. Visit the giant sand dunes at Henty.
Day 13-14: Return to Hobart
Visit Russell Falls in Mt Field National Park on your way back. Fly out of Hobart.