Friday, July 18, 2025

How To Spend Two Weeks In Australia [5 Perfect Itineraries!]


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When you’re planning on visiting Australia on a two-week trip, that is an formidable vacation, however don’t let anybody deter you from taking the journey as a result of it’s not a whole lot of time.

Australia is a large nation, the sixth greatest on the earth in reality, and has a lot to see and do. Though you received’t be capable of discover all of it, it’s completely potential to have an epic time in Australia in simply 14 days – so long as you come ready with an epic 2 week Australia itinerary!

As Australians who spent 18 months exploring our personal yard, we’ve travelled to nearly each nook of the nation and know the place the very best locations are.

We’ve additionally realized to not try to cram an excessive amount of in, so in case you have two weeks at your disposal – deal with one space in Australia solely.

Reasonably than unfold out a two week itinerary throughout the complete nation, we’ve put collectively a number of concepts for have a two week journey in Australia with separate itineraries for every area.

Every itinerary has been chosen for adventurous vacationers, wildlife lovers, metropolis dwellers, nature lovers, seaside bums, and extra, so you will see the right itinerary to your journey type under.

Is 2 weeks sufficient for Australia?

two girls hanging out of a hole in the rock
Outstanding Rocks on Kangaroo Island

To begin with, let’s rapidly reply the apparent query; is 2 weeks sufficient to go to Australia? The straightforward reply is, there may be by no means sufficient time to see Australia. Folks can reside there their complete life and never see all of it.

However it’s solely potential to have an amazing trip in Australia in two weeks, you simply received’t be capable of see the whole lot. When you can lengthen your journey to 3 weeks, you possibly can pack all of the highlights into one journey in the event you don’t thoughts taking a couple of inner flights – we’ve got a three week itinerary for Australia right here.

When you’re planning on visiting Australia with simply two weeks at your disposal, it’s good to begin by adjusting your mindset and be comfortable with not seeing all of it.

Many vacationers disregard the precise measurement of Australia till they arrive and find yourself regretting the alternatives they made within the strategy planning stage.

I as soon as had a British man complain to me that he took a bus from Perth to Sydney and that it wasted three days of his journey, and all he noticed was pink desert. Slightly planning and customary information would let you know this!

As I mentioned earlier, select an space of Australia to discover and journey inside it, so that you don’t waste treasured time touring from A to B.

2 Week Australia Itineraries

A car parked on a beach
Seaside driving Esperance

The next strategies are for a two week Australia itinerary, they usually think about numerous journey kinds, budgets, and tastes.

These are how we’d spend two weeks as a primary time customer to Australia, however it’s best to use them as a information and choose and select the locations and actions that go well with you essentially the most. Use this as a place to begin that can assist you plan a visit to Australia.

In fact, your mode of transport and the gap you journey inside Australia will have an effect on how a lot time you could have obtainable in every place or area. The flight instances are completely different every day, so make certain to look these up when placing your personal 2 week Australia itinerary collectively.

For some elements of your journey you might want a rental automotive. We advocate Uncover Automobiles as having the very best reserving platform for locating offers that’s consumer pleasant and backed by nice customer support. I exploit them frequently for my automotive rent and love them. See charges and availability right here.

These aren’t the one combos, these are a few of our favourites, and to be completely trustworthy I may simply spend the entire two weeks travelling Australia in Sydney and Melbourne and nonetheless run out of time to do issues there!

2 Week Sydney Itinerary

koalas in a tree sydney

In Sydney, you don’t need to journey far to see iconic landmarks in Australia. You possibly can simply spend an entire two weeks within the metropolis. To show my level, here’s a fast two week itinerary for Sydney.

  • Day 1: Take a tour of the Sydney Opera Home and have a picnic in The Royal Botanic Gardens
  • Day 2: Within the morning, do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb adopted by strolling throughout the bridge and spending the afternoon at Luna Park Sydney, and go to Kirribilli Markets.
  • Day 3: Spend the day purchasing in Sydney CBD
  • Day 4: Spend the day at Taronga Zoo
  • Day 5: Do the Coogee Seaside to Bondi Seaside coastal stroll and calm down on Coogee Seaside
  • Day 6: Study to surf at Bondi Seaside and benefit from the surfer city vibes.
  • Day 7-8: Take a getaway to Manly Island to see the Little Penguins
  • Day 9: Discover The Rocks district and it’s vibrant arts scene
  • Day 10-11: Make a journey to the Blue Mountains and see the Three Sisters rock formation, go mountaineering, and study aboriginal tradition.
  • Day 12-13: Go mountaineering and tenting in Royal Nationwide Park.
  • Day 14: fly house

2 Week East Coast Itinerary of Australia

75 Mile Beach, Fraser Island Queensland Australia
Aerial view of 75 mile seaside, Fraser Island
  • Begin | Finish: Gold Coast or Brisbane to Cairns
  • Distance: 1766 km

For seaside lovers and followers of nature, I extremely advocate you spend your two weeks staying on the East Coast.

This space in Australia is best suited for adventurous vacationers, seaside lovers, and wildlife and nature lovers. This route takes you to a few of Australia’s most well-known tropical rainforests, together with the oldest rainforest on the earth, the Nice Barrier Reef, distant islands, surf cities, and vibrant coastal cities.

When you have two weeks to spend in Australia, I like to recommend the next beginning in Brisbane (or the Gold Coast in case you have children) and dealing your method as much as Cairns. You can begin the opposite method and work down if flights are handy for you.

Day 1-2: Gold Coast

a view of the ocean from Burleigh Heads National Park, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
View from Burleigh Heads Nationwide Park

The Gold Coast is the place Australians go to trip, and there’s a purpose for this. Flanked by golden sands on one facet and high-rise buildings on the opposite, it’s the place to go for a vibrant seaside trip.

When you have two weeks, I might skip the Gold Coast in the event you don’t have youngsters and need an intimate vibe, as there are higher seashores additional up the coast later on this itinerary.

When you do have children, take them to theme parks similar to MovieWorld and Dreamworld, in addition to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

When you’re travelling with mates, go to Surfers Paradise for nightlife, or head to the Gold Coast Hinterland for waterfalls and rainforest walks. Avid surfers might wish to drive 3 hours south to Byron Bay for a day, however I might solely do that if browsing is your factor, in any other case it’ll eat into your journey time an excessive amount of.

Different Day 1-2: Brisbane

Group of friends walking along the Brisbane Riverwalk
credit score: Tourism and Occasions Queensland

Brisbane is less complicated to entry from worldwide locations, so it is likely to be higher to start out your two weeks right here. Brisbane is a big metropolis identified for its artsy vibes.

It has a big cultural precinct by the Brisbane River, and has a couple of nice museums such because the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre and Queensland Gallery of Fashionable Artwork.

When you solely have two weeks to spend in Australia I personally don’t suppose it’s best to spend an excessive amount of time right here. Get your self oriented and kick off the jet lag, and put together to drive up the coast as quickly as you possibly can!

Day 3-4: Sunshine Coast

sunrise over mountains view from noosa hinterland lookout
Noosa Hinterland
  • Distance: 100 km
  • Drive time: 1 hour 18 minutes

Decide up a rental automotive and drive north to the Sunshine Coast, an aptly named coastal space identified for its stunning seashores, pristine unspoiled nature, and wildlife.

Spend two days primarily based in Noosa, a spot identified for being a whale watching scorching spot, and benefit from the enjoyable vibes of the city.

Rise up early for a dawn stroll by Noosa Nationwide Park, following the coastal monitor previous Tea Tree Bay and Hell’s Gates, and regulate the treetops to see in the event you can spot some sleeping koalas and your eyes on the ocean for indicators of humpback whales.

Then, head to Noosa Predominant Seaside for some seaside enjoyable and revel in boutique purchasing alongside Hastings Road.

We personally cherished stand-up paddleboarding on the Noosa River and watching a sundown with a drink at Noosa Heads Surf Membership.

In your second day, enterprise inland to the Noosa Everglades, the second solely everglade on the earth (the opposite one is in Florida) and the place you possibly can kayak by the mangroves.

Then head on to Hervey Bay, the place you’ll spend the evening earlier than getting as much as journey to the following cease. Alongside the way in which, cease at waterfalls like Gardners Falls and cease to get pleasure from panoramic views over the Glass Home Mountains.

Day 5-6: Okay’Gari (Fraser Island)

The famous heart shaped tree at Lake Mackenzie - one of the best things to do on Fraser Island in Australia
  • Distance: 158 km
  • Drive time: 1 hour 58 minutes from Noosa to Hervey Bay + 45 minute ferry

Get up early on the fifth day to catch the 6:00am ferry from Hervey Bay to Okay’Gari. The Fraser Enterprise is the ferry service that connects the mainland to Okay’Gari, often known as Fraser Island.

It departs from River Heads (20 minutes south of Hervey Bay) 3 times a day and drops you off at Kingfisher Bay Resort on the western facet, and takes roughly 45 minutes. See the timetable right here.

Then, you possibly can discover the world well-known Okay’Gari Island, identified for being the biggest sand island on the earth.

Decide up a 4X4 car from Kingfisher Bay Resort, or ebook onto a tour, and head out on the 75-mile seaside freeway which doubles as each a freeway and airstrip to discover this World Heritage-listed island.

Start by exploring Rainbow Seaside, after which head on to drift down the crystal-clear, tea tree–infused waters of Eli Creek.

Drive as much as see the rusting Maheno Shipwreck, after which drive on to see the effervescent Champagne Swimming pools, a singular pure phenomenon the place rock swimming pools fill with water that seem like bubbles.

Another unmissable spots to admire are Indian Head, a rocky outcrop the place you would possibly spot manta rays or whales in season, and the luxurious freshwater lakes of Lake McKenzie.

It’s properly value staying one evening on Okay’Gari, if solely to listen to the sounds of dingoes howling at evening!

Day 7-9: The Whitsundays

people walking on white sand next to water
  • Distance: 800 km
  • Flight time: 4 hours

There’s a little bit of a distance between Okay’Gari and the following cease, so we advocate you catch a flight from Hervey Bay to the Whitsundays Airport on Hamilton Island.

There are two methods to do that – you possibly can both drive again to Brisbane (4.5 hours) and get a direct flight, or you may get a flight from Hervey Bay through Brisbane to Hamilton Island, which takes 4 hours however is pricey.

The drive would take about 10 hours, which you are able to do if you wish to. Both method, use the seventh day as your journey day.

Get up brilliant an early on the eighth day for a full day cruise of the Whitsunday Islands, stopping by the world well-known Whitehaven Seaside and admiring its pure silica sand, and admire the swirling sandy silica of Hill Inlet.

You should definitely go for a snorkel by the Coral Sea at coral websites like Manta Ray Bay or Luncheon Bay, recognizing reef fish, turtles, and perhaps even a reef shark.

When you select to remain on Hamilton Island, take a while to calm down by the resort pool or take scenic helicopter flight over Coronary heart Reef and the outer Nice Barrier Reef.

Day 10-11: Townsville & Magnetic Island

road winding along coastline
Credit score: Tourism and Occasions Queensland
  • Distance: 274 km
  • Drive time: 4 hours

Catch the ferry from Hamilton Island to Airlie Seaside as early as potential, because it’s a 4 hour drive to our subsequent cease of Townsville. The ferry takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and has six sailings a day. See instances right here.

Decide up a rent automotive from Airlie Seaside, and drive north to Townsville, aiming to get there mid-afternoon. Spend the rest of the primary day exploring Townsville. Stroll alongside the Strand, breezy beachfront promenade lined with palm timber, or if you wish to stretch your legs after the automotive trip, take the brief however steep hike up Citadel Hill—a granite monolith within the metropolis middle.

On the following day, take a day journey to Magnetic Island, often known as Maggie, and you should definitely spend time enjoyable on the shores of Horseshoe Bay, and hike the well-known Forts Stroll for WWII ruins and koala sightings.

For a singular method to get across the island, hire a topless convertible “Barbie Automotive” or e-scooter to discover the island.

Day 12-13: Cairns & the Nice Barrier Reef

Aerial view of a Master Reef Guide leading guests on an Adventure Drift Snorkel Tour at Opolu Reef
Credit score: Tourism & Occasions Qld
  • Distance: 347 km
  • Drive time: 4 hours

Get up early on day 12 to drive to Cairns alongside the well-known Bruce Freeway. Cease by Wooroonooran Nationwide Park or Mission Seaside for a lunch break earlier than you attain Cairns by mid-afternoon.

Spend the remainder of the day in Cairns driving the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, then take the Scenic Railway again, or calm down on the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and evening markets.

On the thirteenth day, ebook onto a tour to go snorkel or dive the Nice Barrier Reef with a good operator (select an eco-friendly one like Passions of Paradise).

Day 14: Day Journey to the Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation Beach in the Daintree Rainforest of Australia
  • Distance: 139 km
  • Drive time: 2 hours 41 minutes

Take a day journey to the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest on the earth. It’s additionally essentially the most biologically wealthy ecosystem on Earth.

Depart early (round 7:00 AM) to take advantage of the day—both by becoming a member of a guided eco-tour or self-driving alongside the scenic Captain Prepare dinner Freeway.

Your first cease must be Mossman Gorge, the southern gateway to the Daintree. Take a stroll alongside the elevated rainforest boardwalk, and if time permits, be part of a guided Dreamtime Stroll led by native Kuku Yalanji Indigenous guides or go kayaking alongside the river.

Proceed north and cross the Daintree River through cable ferry, conserving a watch out for crocodiles and cassowaries, and you should definitely cease in on the Daintree Discovery Centre for an aerial walkway, cover tower, and to be taught extra in regards to the rainforest by studying the interpretive reveals.

Proceed to Cape Tribulation, the place two World Heritage websites—the Nice Barrier Reef and the rainforest—meet.

Head again to Cairns within the mid-afternoon stopping at scenic lookouts like Alexandra Vary and maybe grabbing a scoop of home made ice cream from the Daintree Ice Cream Firm.

2 Week Southern Australia Itinerary

Victoria travel tips!
  • Begin | Finish: Sydney to Adelaide
  • Distance: 1374 km

One other area in Australia you would possibly wish to discover is Southern Australia. This area in Australia is appropriate for any sort of traveler, from metropolis break lovers to wildlife and nature lovers.

It’s additionally simple to get to the Purple Middle from Southern Australia due to the well-known Ghan practice from Adelaide to Alice Springs, which takes 1 day (although it’s a journey day, you get some unimaginable desert views alongside the way in which).

Exploring the southern area of Australia, significantly the state of Victoria, additionally means you get to expertise one of many world’s greatest scenic drives, The Nice Ocean Highway. Don’t miss the Twelve Apostles and all of the lookouts with panoramic views.

Right here’s our good two week Australia itinerary for Southern Australia:

Day 1-3: Sydney

Shangri-La Hotel Sydney exterior
Picture Credit score: Shangri-La Resort Sydney

Sydney is the place most individuals begin their adventures in Australia, and it’s properly value spending a couple of days there getting oriented and shaking off the jet lag.

Your first day will most likely be a little bit of a write-off due to your lengthy flight right here.

So, on day two, begin your journey with a stroll by the historic laneways of The Rocks District, a vibrant and artsy neighborhood within the CBD, adopted by a guided tour of the Sydney Opera Home.

Within the night, stroll round Round Quay for harbour views and go to a rooftop wine bar within the night.

a man standing on a beach and smiling
Tamarama Seaside

In your third day, catch a ferry to Manly Seaside to see the Little Penguins or stroll the blissful Bondi to Coogee coastal stroll, which is our favourite coastal stroll.

You may also wish to stroll across the Royal Botanic Backyard, or ebook onto a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb expertise.

Within the night to day three, catch a direct flight to Melbourne so you possibly can get pleasure from two full days there.

Day 4-5: Melbourne

Watching the Australian Open at Federation Square Melbourne
  • Distance: 878 km
  • Flight time: 1 hour half-hour

You solely want a few days in Melbourne to peel again its wealthy cultural layers and expertise what makes this metropolis so habitable.

Begin by boarding the free tram and taking within the buildings and structure as you trip, stroll alongside well-known laneways like Degraves Road and Hosier Lane and admire the road artwork.

Then, head to Federation Sq., essentially the most well-known sq. within the metropolis, then cross the Yarra River to walk the Royal Botanic Gardens or catch a recent exhibit on the NGV.

As night falls, settle right into a rooftop bar or hidden speakeasy in Fitzroy or Collingwood.

On day two, soar on a tram to St Kilda for a beachside stroll and a peek on the penguins on the breakwater, or head north to Brunswick for classic purchasing.

When you’re a sports activities fan, you should definitely take a tour of MCG, a sports activities stadium and cricket floor.

Day 6-8: The Nice Ocean Highway

16 Highlights of the Great Ocean Road in Australia
  • Distance: 258 km
  • Drive time: 3 hours from Melbourne to Warrnambool

Simply exterior of Melbourne is likely one of the world’s most well-known highway journeys – The Nice Ocean Highway.

That is certainly one of Australia’s most iconic coastal adventures, the place each bend reveals wild magnificence and dramatic landscapes.

Start in Torquay, simply an hour out of melbourne, which is called the browsing capital of Australia (nope, not Bondi Seaside), after which enter the GOR.

Make a cease by Bells Seaside and Lorne, and go mountaineering in rainforest and previous waterfalls in Nice Otway Nationwide Park.

For in a single day stops, I like to recommend Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell.

Some postcard-worthy stops to not miss are the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

Day 7-9: The Grampians

people om cliff face on the pinnacles hike grampians national park
Pinnacles Viewpoint
  • Distance: 98 km
  • Drive time: 1 hour

On the finish of the Nice Ocean Highway in Warrnambool, head inland towards the Grampians Nationwide Park to see the uncooked fringe of southern Australia.

Make camp at Halls Hole, the gateway to the nationwide park, and spend a few days mountaineering within the valleys surrounded by sandstone mountains and wildflowers.

You should definitely try the gushing waterfalls like MacKenzie Falls and Silverband Falls.

Day 10-11: Adelaide

woman beside chocolate fountain
  • Distance: 475 km
  • Drive time: 5 hours

Head on to Adelaide, a metropolis that’s oozing in laid-back attraction and surrounded by close by pure magnificence.

Begin your go to on the Central Market, the place recent produce and multicultural bites showcase town’s foodie coronary heart, earlier than boutique purchasing within the East Finish.

When you like museums and artwork, don’t miss the Artwork Gallery of South Australia.

For culinary experiences, head to Gouger Road for vigorous eating and top-notch eating places, and the place you possibly can pattern native wines.

Don’t go mad on wine although, as our subsequent cease is the world well-known wine area, the Barossa Valley.

Day 12-13: The Barossa Valley

woman sitting on picnic blanket drinking wine in barossa valley vineyards
  • Distance: 74 km
  • Drive time: 1 hour

Head into the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley area for a few days wine tasting.

Tour a number of the area’s most iconic wineries similar to Penfolds, Seppeltsfield, and Yalumba, that are identified for his or her crisp Shiraz and Riesling wines.

Discover the quaint cities of Tanunda and Angaston, and dip into the boutique outlets, bakeries, and comfortable cafés.

Day 14: Adelaide

Head again to Adelaide to fly house. You could have to fly again to Sydney to get a flight house, relying on the place house it to you.

2 Week Purple Middle & Northern Territories Itinerary

Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia
  • Begin | Finish: Alice Springs to Darwin
  • Distance: 1496 km

The Purple Centre and the Northern Terrirtories is the journey capitals of Australia and are appropriate for nature lovers, adventurous vacationers, tradition vultures, and wildlife fanatics.

Right here you possibly can expertise the wild and untamed outback desert, go mountaineering by rocky gorges in search of historical aboriginal rock artwork, and spot native wildlife.

You possibly can spend at the least 5 days exploring Alice Springs Desert Park, Watarrka Nationwide Park, and Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park with out even visiting Uluru (often known as Ayers Rock), that’s how a lot there may be to do there!

Be sure to spend time admiring the distinctive rock formations within the parks such because the domes of The Olgas, Kings Canyon and the Telegraph Station Historic Reserve.

Right here is our good two week itinerary for the Purple Centre and Northern Territory in Australia:

Day 1-2: Alice Springs and West Macdonnel Ranges

river going through a canyon

Start your journey in Alice Springs, which you’ll be able to fly into from Sydney, Melbourne, and different main cities. You too can catch the legendary Ghan practice from Adelaide, which takes a full day. It could be sitting on a practice for 15 hours, however the surroundings is superb, and might be a beautiful begin to your journey.

Spend the primary two days getting oriented round Alice Springs and taking a day journey over to the West MacDonnel Ranges, simply an hour and 20 minute drive away.

Earlier than setting off, you should definitely try the colourful Aboriginal artwork galleries in Alice Springs and go to the historic Telegraph Station.

Then head to the Ranges, and spend your afternoon mountaineering the ochre-hued cliffs of Simpsons Hole or cooling off within the peaceable waters of Ellery Creek Huge Gap.

Drive alongside Namatjira Drive, stopping at breathtaking gorges like Ormiston and Serpentine, and revel in a picnic within the historical silence below ghost gums. Climb to the lookout at Mount Sonder at sundown to witness the altering colors over the desert plains.

Day 3-5: Kings Canyon, Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park

Uluru at sunrise
  • Distance: 446 km
  • Drive time: 4 hours half-hour

Spend the following three days exploring the Outback area’s most well-known pure landmarks. Go mountaineering in Kings Canyon and stroll the legendary Rim Stroll — a 6-kilometre loop that rewards early risers with dramatic views over sheer sandstone cliffs, the Misplaced Metropolis’s domes, and the luxurious Backyard of Eden.

Then head to a close-by eco-camp and spend the evening below a cover of stars – if you wish to be actually Australian, decide to sleep in a swag bag!

Get up early for dawn over Uluru, often known as Ayres Rock, and watch the colourful pink monolith glow within the mild of the morning solar.

Go to the Cultural Centre to achieve perception into Anangu traditions, earlier than strolling across the base path to see historical rock artwork.

The following day, discover Kata Tjuta’s Valley of the Winds, one other religious panorama fabricated from towering domes and wind-sculpted trails.

Day 6-7: Alice Springs to Darwin through Katherine Gorge

  • Distance: 1496 km
  • Drive time: 2 days 1 evening

When you didn’t catch the Ghan on the way in which to Alice Springs from Adelaide, now’s your probability! Take the practice from Alice Springs to Darwin, stopping at Katherine Gorge alongside the way in which.

It is a two day, one evening expertise, and permits you to journey in consolation while watching the panorama change from pink desert to grassy bushland.

Day 8-9: Darwin

aerial view of darwin and coastline

Darwin is the largest metropolis in Australia’s High Finish, and two days is simply sufficient to soak within the tropical metropolis’s laid-back vitality.

Spend the morning strolling alongside the waterfront precinct and go to the Wave Lagoon, the one protected place to swim in Darwin (salties reside within the ocean), after which spend the afternoon visiting the Museum and Artwork Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Spend a night watching a fiery sundown at Mindil Seaside and go to the enduring Mindil Seaside Sundown Market.

The second day you possibly can take a morning cruise on Darwin Harbour or go to the Darwin Navy Museum, and store at Parap Village Markets if it’s a weekend.

Day 10: Litchfield Nationwide Park

waterfakk
  • Distance: 106 km
  • Drive time: 1 hour 11 minutes

Simply an hour’s drive out of Darwin is Litchfield Nationwide Park, a refreshing nationwide park all about waterfalls, swimming holes, and luxurious monsoon forest.

You could be unhappy that this two week itinerary doesn’t have any seashores or locations the place you possibly can swim, so that is your probability to plunge right into a pure swimming pool that’s croc-free.

Begin early and hike a brief path to Florence Falls, the place a double cascade tumbles right into a cool, croc-free pool, then hike the rainforest loop earlier than heading to Buley Rockhole, a collection of pure spa-like swimming pools ideally suited for a lazy soak.

Don’t miss the Wangi Falls, one of many park’s most iconic swimming spots (season allowing), and the eerie fields of magnetic termite mounds.

Day 11-13: Kakadu Nationwide Park

Twin Falls viewed from above during a helicopter tour
Twin Falls | Credit score: Tourism NT/Sam Earp
  • Distance: 151 km
  • Drive time: 1 hour half-hour

A number of individuals go to Kakadu Nationwide Park in a day, and whereas you are able to do that on a tour, it nonetheless baffles me why individuals try this. It’s Australia’s second largest nationwide park, and has a lot to see and do, so positively give it the time it deserves.

Over the course of three days, you should definitely go to Ubirr within the north and take a brief climb as much as see historical Aboriginal rock artwork galleries and panoramic views over the Nadab floodplain.

Spend the evening in Jabiru or in an eco-lodge, and go to the south of the park to discover Nourlangie’s towering sandstone shelters, house to extra sacred rock artwork and tales of the Bininj individuals.

Some of the iconic issues to do in Kakadu Nationwide Park is be part of a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise close to Cooinda, gliding previous crocodiles, jabirus, and lotus-dotted wetlands.

For a extra cultural expertise, be part of a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise for a firsthand introduction to native traditions and Dreaming tales.

One other standard factor to do is go for a swim (sure you possibly can swim in Kakadu, regardless of it being house to 10,000 crocs) at Maguk or Gunlom Falls if circumstances permit!

Day 14: Darwin

  • Head again to Darwin and fly house.

2 Week South Australia and Tasmania Itinerary

Trekking in Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia.
  • Begin | Finish: Melbourne to Adelaide to Tasmania
  • Distance: 927 km roughly

Ahh Tasmania. Nobody ever thinks so as to add Tasmania to their 2 week Australia itinerary and to be trustworthy, I can see why.

Tasmania is sort of a big island and has a lot to see, you may spend the complete two weeks there.

If you wish to add Tasmania onto your two week journey to Aus, then you definately’ll need to be comfortable with seeing much less of the mainland. You may’t make a journey to Tasmania with out giving it a while.

Tasmania is certainly a visit for nature and wildlife lovers. Right here is our instructed two week itinerary for Australia together with Tasmania:

Day 1-6: Melbourne, Nice Ocean Highway, again to Melbourne

One other various to South Australia you are able to do is so as to add every week in Tasmania to your itinerary as a substitute of Adelaide and the Barossa Valley.

When you favor nature over wine, and clear air over cities, then this could be a pleasant various.

Use the itinerary above for a six day route from Melbourne alongside the Nice Ocean Highway and again once more, after which catch a direct flight to Tassie…

Day 7-14: Tasmania

The Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park
  • Distance: 800 km
  • Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes to Hobart

Per week isn’t a very long time to spend in Tasmania, so in the event you can add on extra days, attempt to spend at the least 9 days exploring the island state.

The excellent news is it’s not an enormous state, and you may simply base your self in Hobart for the primary half of the journey, and Launceston for the second.

From Hobart, it’s a straightforward day journey to Freycinet Nationwide Park, Bruny Island, The Bay of Fires, and Port Arthur Historic Web site.

From Launceston, it’s simple to take a look at Cradle Mountain and Liffey Falls.

2 Week Western Australia Itinerary

the colors of broome - red dust, green shrub, turquoise water, blue sky
Broome – there’s no place prefer it!
  • Begin | Finish: Broome to Margaret River
  • Distance: 2496 km

If it’s solar, browsing, and seashores you’re after, then you definately’ll benefit from the Western area of Australia essentially the most.

If it’s your first time in Australia, then the west coast may not be the most suitable choice as a lot of Australia’s high landmarks are within the east or Purple Centre.

Nevertheless, in the event you’ve already been to Australia and fancy a browsing trip or an off the overwhelmed path journey, then you should have an unimaginable time exploring the Western area.

Right here is our ideally suited two week itinerary for Western Australia:

Day 1-2: Exmouth

Swim with the Whale Sharks, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, Western Australia
picture through Tourism Western Australia

Start your two week journey in Western Australia within the coastal city of Exmouth, which presents a mix of marine surprise and rugged outback journey.

Begin with a morning swim with the majestic whale sharks in the event you occur to be visiting from March to August, as that is throughout their seasonal migration.

These mild giants frequent the Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage web site, which is accessible from the city of Exmouth.

Then, spend the afternoon snorkeling at Turquoise Bay, the place the clear waters and plentiful sea life await.

In your second day, enterprise into Cape Vary Nationwide Park to discover the dramatic limestone gorges. Hike by Yardie Creek Gorge, the place you might spot some completely happy rock wallabies grazing beneath the shade.

Have a soothing afternoon exploring the city of Exmouth, admiring views from Vlamingh Head Lighthouse and see in the event you can spot migrating humpback whales.

Day 3: Coral Bay

bikes on the sand
  • Distance: 152 km
  • Drive time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Only a brief drive from Exmouth is Coral Bay, the place you possibly can as soon as once more go to the Ningaloo Reef, this time by leisurely snorkelling straight from the shore!

When you’d reasonably a deeper marine encounter, be part of a guided tour to swim alongside the resident manta rays. We did this expertise and it’s one which we nonetheless discuss frequently.

Within the afternoon, take a quad bike journey to discover the rugged dunes and spot native wildlife.

Day 4-5: Kalbarri Nationwide Park

Aerial view of Skywalk
Credit score: Tourism WA
  • Distance: 636 km
  • Drive time: 6 hours 21 minutes

Take the lengthy coastal drive south to Kalbarri Nationwide Park, a midway level between Coral Bay and Perth.

This coastal park is understood for its breathtaking landscapes, particularly the Murchison River Gorge, which runs for practically 80 kilometres.

Discover a good place to camp for the evening right here and calm down after the lengthy drive. Catch a sundown from Eagle Gorge Lookout or Island Rock Lookout, or just benefit from the darkish skies at evening.

Day 6: The Pinnacles

pinnacle shaped rocks in desert
  • Distance: 365 km
  • Drive time: 4 hours

Drive additional South and cease by The Pinnacles, a singular pure phenomenon inside Nambung Nationwide Park, the place the wind has precipitated distinctive rock formations.

These rock formations are particular as a result of the limestone pillars have been weathered to create a form of mushroom form, with the decrease layers eroding sooner than the highest.

A few of these towers are 3.5 metres tall.

Day 7-9: Perth

perth city skyline
  • Distance: 188 km
  • Drive time: 2 hours

Perth is a vibrant metropolis in Western Australia and has a small city, coastal attraction about it.

Spend a few days right here explorign town, soaking within the tranquility of Kings Park and Botanic Backyard, one of many world’s largest inner-city parks, and having fun with the foodie scene of the Northbridge neighborhood.

You should definitely try the Artwork Gallery of Western Australia and the WA Museum Boola Bardip, each positioned within the Perth Cultural Centre.

Take a leisurely stroll alongside the Swan River at Elizabeth Quay, or head to Cottesloe Seaside to witness a surprising Indian Ocean sundown.

Enterprise to Fremantle, a historic port metropolis with a bohemian aptitude, and browse the colourful Fremantle Markets, or take a guided tour of the Fremantle Jail, a UNESCO World Heritage web site.

Day 10: Rottnest Island

people bike riding on a road next to the ocean
  • Distance: 30 km
  • Drive time: 30-90 minutes

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is a brief ferry trip from Perth and might be explored in a day or an in a single day keep.

Catch the boat from Fremantle and arrive at Thomson Bay Settlement—the island’s essential hub.

Lease a motorcycle to discover the car-free island, and you should definitely cease off for a swim and snorkel at The Basin, famend for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, and Pinky Seaside, a family-friendly seaside.

Go to Wadjemup Lighthouse, the island’s highest level, and revel in dinner at one of many native eateries.

You should definitely preserve your eyes on the look out for quokkas!

Day 11-13: Margaret River

vineyard
  • Distance: 275 km
  • Drive time: 3 hours

The Margaret River area was certainly one of our favourite areas on our 18 month highway journey, it has world-class wine and connoisseur eating, a craft beer scene, historical forests and pristine seashores.

Spend a few days on this area exploring the vineyards and sampling native produce – in the event you can, time your go to for the Margaret River Farmers Market, the place you possibly can pattern native produce and artisanal items.

Go mountaineering amongst the towering karri timber of Boranup Forest, or take a soothing swim on the turquoise waters of Hamelin Bay.

Watch a sundown or catch the waves at Surfers Level, or discover Ngilgi Cave and watch a didgeridoo efficiency.

You can’t go to Margaret River with out delving into the area’s famend wine scene. Go for a tasting at Leeuwin Property, famed for its Artwork Sequence Chardonnay, and the Voyager Property for a guided wine tasting and a stroll by their manicured gardens.

When you love nature, hike a piece of the Cape to Cape Observe, for panoramic ocean views or go to Injidup Pure Spa, a rock pool the place waves cascade over the rocks, making a pure jacuzzi!

Day 14: Perth

Head again to Perth to fly house. You will have to fly again to Sydney if you’re flying to North America, in any other case you possibly can simply attain Asia from Perth.

Learn extra: On the lookout for extra journey? Think about this 10 day journey highway tripping The Gibb River Highway!

Issues to think about earlier than you journey Australia in 2 weeks

Now you could have been launched to our instructed itineraries for weeks in Australia, it’s time to share with you some vital issues to think about earlier than embarking on a brief journey to Aus.

These will assist you determine which itinerary is best for you and organise getting from A to B.

Australia is very large

turquoise water with reefs, and white sandy beach Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Rottnest Island, Western Australia perhaps?

Think about the truth that Australia is a large nation and it’s not possible to see all of it in two weeks. In actual fact, it’s about the identical measurement because the mainland USA minus Alaska.

Australia’s shoreline stretches nearly 50,000 kilometers and is linked by over 10,000 seashores. We haven’t been to each one but, however to see all of Australia’s seashores would take years.

When you had been to drive by the centre from Sydney to Perth, a 4,000-kilometre journey, and also you drove for 8 hours per day, that’s a five-day journey!

We’ve got a cattle station in South Australia the scale of Belgium, and the world’s longest steady fence – the dingo fence – constructed to maintain sheep protected that runs for five,530 kilometres by central Queensland and South Australia.

So, contemplating Australia is so huge, it’s good to actually think about journey round in a brief period of time, and this will embrace catching inner flights.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey, do it proper!

A tree with a mountain in the background

As a result of Australia is pretty remoted from a lot of the world requiring a long-haul flight, for many individuals it turns into a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

After spending 4 years residing within the USA, I had so many individuals say to me, “Australia can be my dream journey, but it surely’s so far-off, and I solely get two weeks trip per 12 months.”

So the state of affairs often performs out like this: these kinds of individuals by no means come, OR, as a result of it’s their “once-in-a-lifetime journey” they wish to cram the whole lot into that two weeks and “see all of it”, however in actuality, they see a whole lot of airports and the again of the seat in entrance of them.

As a result of this can be your one and solely probability to go to Australia, don’t attempt to cram the whole lot in.

That is why we’ve ready 5 separate two week itineraries – select one a part of it and discover through highway journey. Don’t spend your trip on planes and buses, hire a automotive and benefit from the surroundings.

Whether or not we’re visiting a continent or a rustic, our journey motto has at all times been “spend extra time in fewer locations“. Particularly now that we journey with children.

We extremely advocate as a substitute of racing from one finish of Australia to the one other, deal with one area or sort of trip.

Prioritise your sights and bucket listing locations to go to

couple drinking champagne at uluru sunset
Sundown drinks at Uluru

With solely two weeks up your sleeve, you wish to be sure to prioritize the belongings you wish to see in Australia and the kind of journey most suited to you.

When contemplating any journey, however significantly one similar to this, there are some vital questions it’s good to ask your self. Do you favor:

  • Cities or nation areas?
  • Coastal or the outback?
  • Journey journey or meals and wine?
  • Rest or the get together scene?
  • Historic websites or sporting occasions?

The solutions to those questions will go a good distance in direction of ensuring you give your self the very best probability to have a richly rewarding Australian journey expertise.

You may just about do and see all of it in Australia.

We’ve got vibrant cities, quaint nation cities, world-class wine areas, historical rainforests, mountains to hike, superb reefs to dive, beautiful seashores for swimming, deserts to discover, and distinctive wildlife.

There’s something for everybody.

However, with solely two weeks journey time, it’s good to deal with one, perhaps two kinds of experiences.

What cities in Australia must you see?

dad and child having photo in front of yarra river and melbourne skyline
Exploring Melbourne

If you’re after a city-style trip, Australia has fashionable, vibrant, and numerous cities distinctive from one another crammed with tradition and pure magnificence.

Australia’s main cities showcase its outside life-style, multicultural precincts, outlets, theatres, bars, cafe scene, and sporting tradition.

The place do you go in Australia for meals and wine?

Bike and picnic in the Barossa Valley, South Australia
Barossa Valley

For a meals and wine trip, you’re well-catered to Down Below.

We’ve got world-class wine areas such because the Barossa Valley in South Australia, the Hunter Valley and Mudgee in New South Wales, and Margaret River in Western Australia.

Or, you possibly can drop into a rustic pub the place you’ll be welcomed by the locals and might strive certainly one of their boutique beers.

You too can strive our superb seafood, kangaroo steak, or expertise a lot of our farmer’s markets with their natural fruit and greens, cheeses, and goodies.

The place are the very best locations in Australia for seashores and snorkelling?

mum and woman Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
Nice Barrier Reef

Australia is an island nation, so a coastal trip is a well-liked possibility.

With a surprising shoreline of white sand seashores and plentiful water actions, Australia is an iconic seaside vacation spot.

You may swim, sail, surf, kayak, dive, snorkel, go boating, parasail, sandboard, after which finish the day with a seaside BBQ.

A few of our coastal highlights are:

With nearly all of Australia’s inhabitants residing close to the seaboard, the coastal life-style is the place it’s at.

Are you able to go to the Outback on a two week trip to Australia?

Makepeace family in bluey waterhole Litchfield
Litchfield Nationwide Park

You may go to the outback on a two week trip, however be ready to spend the huge quantity of your time there.

The outback is Australia’s Purple Centre and heartland. It’s the place you expertise the actual vastness and dramatic landscapes of Australia, as the highest finish of the Northern Territory.

Expertise life below the celebs or on a cattle station, go horse driving, tenting, and sing songs across the campfire. You may marvel at waterholes, rivers, gorges, and creeks that make their method by our huge outback deserts.

A go to to the outback is one thing distinctive and I, would encourage most vacationers to place it on their listing.

Nevertheless, visiting the Outback requires some stage of planning, so in the event you solely have two weeks in Australia, you would possibly solely have time to see the Outback and one or two different locations.

The place are the very best locations to go for Aboriginal Experiences in Australia?

Indigenous Australian leading a tour at Kakadu near rock art
Kakadu Nationwide Park

To have an aboriginal expertise would imply spending time with the world’s most historical residing tradition. Aboriginal Australians are mentioned to have been on the island for at the least 50,000 years.

Expertise first hand their tradition by myths and storytelling, dance and music, artwork and traditions. You possibly can:

  • View historical rock engravings and work
  • Witness ceremonies, dances and songs courting again 1000’s of years
  • Go to vital religious centres with native guides who will let you know tales in regards to the Dreamtime
  • Study bush survival abilities
  • Style the world’s oldest delicacies
  • Assist Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs and assist create sustainable employment.

Be a part of our VIP e mail neighborhood. We ship a private e mail message as soon as per week that can encourage you to smash away any journey fears and offer you tips about locations so you possibly can deliver extra journey into your life. Pop your identify under and we’ll see you on the opposite facet:

The place ought to I’m going to see wildlife in Australia?

kangaroo on the beach

Australia is a superb vacation spot for wildlife and nature experiences. From tropical rainforests to red-stone deserts, the wildlife that inhabits these areas is exclusive and numerous.

Rise up shut and private with kangaroos within the wild, see koalas on the Nice Ocean Highway, or spot whales, turtles, seals, and saltwater crocodiles.

It’s not all about lethal animals in Australia, there are a number of native animals in Australia and it’s potential to see them within the wild with some endurance and understanding the place to look.

When you’re trying to see some wildlife on a two-week Australia journey, you would possibly wish to base your self on the East coast in winter the place there’s a excessive probability of seeing whales migrating, or head to Kakadu Nationwide Park, a world-heritage web site within the Northern Territory to see saltwater crocs.

You may see wildlife on a trek by the mountains or on a cover stroll within the timber within the historical Daintree Rainforest, or look out for dingos on a four-wheel-driving journey on the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island.

The place is the very best place to go for journey in Australia?

horseback riding group Rainbow Beach Horse Rides, Queensland, Australia
Rainbow Seaside, Queensland

When you’d like a little bit of an journey in your trip, then Australia is hard to beat.

There are white water rafting journeys, camel and browsing safaris, crocodile recognizing, many locations to go scuba diving, bicycle excursions, horseback adventures, kayaking expeditions, and week-long coastal walks.

There are additionally tenting, and four-wheel-driving adventures such because the Gibb River Highway in Western Australia, or for the final word Outback expertise strive a 5 day outback safari by the superb Flinders Ranges.

When you’re in search of journey in your two week Australia trip, then you definately’ll wish to head to both the East Coast or the Purple Middle for extra distant or adrenalin-fueled adventures.

Bear in mind to choose a vacation spot earlier than reserving a flight to Australia

golden sand beach of Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road, Australia
The surroundings alongside the Nice Ocean Highway

As soon as once more, as a result of your trip time is brief, you wish to be good along with your flights by selecting the closest locations to your origin to avoid wasting time.

If you’re coming to Australia from North America, it’ll make sense to focus on the East Coast and the Purple Centre.

If you’re coming in from the UK or Asia, you might be higher off hitting the West Coast.

Weigh up the professionals and cons of how sensible your vacation spot decisions are. There’s no level spending a very good chunk of your trip time in airports and on planes.

Give your self time to soak up your experiences and create lifelong reminiscences, not reminiscences of planes and packing.

Earlier than You Go

As you possibly can see, placing collectively a two week itinerary for Australia isn’t a easy process.

There is no such thing as a “one shoe matches all” strategy to placing an itinerary collectively, so I hope this information helped you intend the place to start out.

Earlier than you go, attempt to ebook inner flights prematurely. The costs of flights go up dramatically once you ebook them too late, so attempt to ebook these as early as you possibly can.

And above all, have the very best time in Australia! Irrespective of which of those two-week itineraries you choose, I do know you’re going to have an unimaginable journey.

Extra Australia Journey Suggestions

Are you in search of extra inspiration about touring in Australia? Then you definately would possibly discover these guides useful:

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kangaroo in a tree and broome beach

The place would you choose to go to in Australia on a two-week trip? Tell us within the feedback!

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