12 days in Australia Itinerary

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Give yourself a bit of retail therapy at Melbourne Central and Federation Square. Museum-lovers will appreciate Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks. The adventure continues: admire the masterpieces at National Gallery of Victoria, steep yourself in history at Old Melbourne Gaol, admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, and see the interesting displays at HMAS Castlemaine.

To see ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Melbourne trip itinerary planner.

Hyderabad, India to Melbourne is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. Traveling from Hyderabad to Melbourne, you'll lose 4.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Hyderabad in December, expect Melbourne to be a bit cooler, temps between 30°C and 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly to Sydney.

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.

Your inner history buff will appreciate The Rocks and The Rocks Discovery Museum. Head to ATTY Gallery and Australian Centre for Photographyfor plenty of shopping. Go for a jaunt from Sydney to Manly to see Shelly Beach about 36 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: trek along Bondi to Coogee Walk, browse the eclectic array of goods at Sydney Fish Market, catch a live performance at Sydney Opera House, and take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

For ratings, maps, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Sydney trip itinerary planning tool.

Getting from Melbourne to Sydney by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Traveling from Melbourne in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Sydney, with lows of 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Sat) early enough to fly to Lord Howe Island.

Bursting out of the Tasman Sea, Lord Howe Island offers stunning scenery and many sandy beaches.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Sun): get a new perspective on nature at Lord Howe Island Museum, then enjoy the sand and surf at Ned's Beach, and then kick back and relax at Lagoon Beach.

To find traveler tips, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Lord Howe Island travel route builder tool.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Lord Howe Island takes 3.5 hours. The time zone changes from Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Lord Howe Standard Time (LHST), which is usually a 0.5 hour difference. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Port Douglas.

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

On the 2nd (Mon), learn about winemaking at Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery, identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, and then identify plant and animal life at Opal Reef. Here are some ideas for day two: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To see traveler tips, photos, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Port Douglas tour itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Lord Howe Island to Port Douglas takes 6.5 hours. The time zone difference moving from Lord Howe Standard Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time is minus 0.5 hours. In January in Port Douglas, expect temperatures between 37°C during the day and 28°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 4th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly back home.