10 days in Australia Itinerary

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Kick off your visit on the 28th (Fri): wander the streets of Darling Harbour, snap pictures at Sydney Harbour Bridge, then take a stroll through The Rocks, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

To see where to stay, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Sydney route planner.

Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 2 hours traveling from Auckland to Sydney. Traveling from Auckland in April, you will find days in Sydney are a bit warmer (26°C), and nights are little chillier (17°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Newcastle.

While Newcastle is known for its coal exports, it's also made a name for itself with a cultural boom.

On the 29th (Sat), let the kids burn off some steam at Blackbutt Reserve, then explore the galleries of Fort Scratchley, then take in the pleasant sights at Newcastle Memorial Walk, and finally make a trip to Strzelecki Scenic Lookout.

To find ratings, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Newcastle day trip planning site.

You can drive from Sydney to Newcastle in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or take a train. In April, plan for daily highs up to 27°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Forster.

Forster is a coastal town in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, in the Mid-Coast Council LGA, about 308km north-north-east of Sydney. Start off your visit on the 30th (Sun): enjoy the sand and surf at Elizabeth Beach, then take some stellar pictures from Cape Hawke Lookout, then get great views at Bennetts Head Lookout, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Amaroo Cruises.

To find where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Forster trip planner.

Drive from Newcastle to Forster in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In April, plan for daily highs up to 28°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) early enough to drive to Port Macquarie.

Known for its numerous beaches and resident koala population, Port Macquarie offers visitors a welcoming environment in which to unwind.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Mon): hike along Coastal walk, then look for all kinds of wild species at Koala Hospital, and then enjoy the sea views from Tacking Point Lighthouse.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Port Macquarie trip planner.

Getting from Forster to Port Macquarie by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. While traveling from Forster, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Port Macquarie, ranging from highs of 16°C to lows of 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 2nd (Tue) to allow time to drive to Coffs Harbour.

Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, Coffs Harbour is one of the larger cities in New South Wales.

Kick off your visit on the 2nd (Tue): explore the landscape on two wheels at Coffs Creek Walk and Cycleway, then find something for the whole family at Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, then explore the activities along Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk, and finally don't miss a visit to V-Wall. On the 3rd (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take some stellar pictures from Forest Sky Pier and then get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Solitary Islands Aquarium.

To see other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, read Coffs Harbour trip builder app.

Getting from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a bus; or take a train. Traveling from Port Macquarie in May, you will find days in Coffs Harbour are a bit warmer (24°C), and nights are about the same (13°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Wed) so you can catch the flight to Byron Bay.

Named after Lord Byron's grandfather, Byron Bay is not only famous as the easternmost point of Australia, but even more so as one of the liveliest vacation spots in the country.

For ratings, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Byron Bay trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 27°C, and evening lows to 12°C. You'll set off for Gold Coast on the 4th (Thu).

A city of towering skyscrapers, sandy beaches, and tree-lined streets, Gold Coast has an unpretentious air complemented by a citywide focus on sports and the arts.

On the 4th (Thu), get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Sea World Theme Park.

To find where to stay, ratings, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Gold Coast trip planning website.

Drive from Byron Bay to Gold Coast in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In May in Gold Coast, expect temperatures between 27°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Fri) so you can go by car to North Stradbroke Island.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Fri): tour the pleasant surroundings at Frenchman's Beach, then take in the waterfront at North Gorge Walk, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Cylinder Beach.

For ratings, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the North Stradbroke Island trip itinerary site.

You can drive from Gold Coast to North Stradbroke Island in 3.5 hours. In May, plan for daily highs up to 27°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Brisbane.

Queensland’s biggest town and state capital, Brisbane has an attractive, manicured image based around its riverside aesthetic as well as the contrast between its high-rise center and extensive urban greenery.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sat): examine the collection at Opal Museum, then get great views at Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout, then admire the masterpieces at Gallery of Modern Art, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at City Botanic Gardens.

To see reviews, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, refer to the Brisbane trip planner.

Getting from North Stradbroke Island to Brisbane by car takes about 3 hours. In May, daytime highs in Brisbane are 27°C, while nighttime lows are 15°C. You'll have a few hours on the 7th (Sun) to wrap things up before traveling home.