11 days in Queensland Itinerary

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sat): look for all kinds of wild species at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, then take in nature's colorful creations at City Botanic Gardens, and then explore the activities along The Brisbane River. On your second day here, walk around South Bank Parklands and then take in nature's colorful creations at Roma Street Parkland.

To see where to stay, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, go to the Brisbane trip itinerary builder tool.

Melbourne to Brisbane is an approximately 4-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Melbourne in December, Brisbane is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Noosa.

On the 26th (Mon), explore the striking landscape of Noosa National Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a tour by water with Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Ninderry, and then kick back and relax at Mooloolaba Beach.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Noosa trip planner.

Drive from Brisbane to Noosa in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Port Douglas.

Spend the 28th (Wed) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. There's much more to do: see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour, look for gifts at With Sugar, get great views at Flagstaff Hill Lookout, and do a tasting at Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery.

To see reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Port Douglas trip planner.

Getting from Noosa to Port Douglas by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in December, and nighttime lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Cairns.

On the 31st (Sat), see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Here are some ideas for day two: relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, then hike along Esplanade Boardwalk, then sample the tasty concoctions at Blue Sky Brewery, and finally see the world from above with a helicopter tour.

To find reviews, maps, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Cairns road trip planning app.

You can drive from Port Douglas to Cairns in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle; or take a bus. In December in Cairns, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 26°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can travel to Airlie Beach.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Mon): see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

For where to stay, reviews, maps, and tourist information, go to the Airlie Beach trip planner.

You can do a combination of flight and ferry from Cairns to Airlie Beach in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Airlie Beach can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 28°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough to catch the flight back home.