12 days in Melbourne & Gold Coast Itinerary

Dedicate the 23rd (Sat) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's still lots to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Gardens, stroll around Fitzroy Gardens, explore the world behind art at National Gallery of Victoria, and relax and rejuvenate at Elite Male Massage.

For maps, reviews, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Melbourne trip planner.

Christchurch, New Zealand to Melbourne is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from New Zealand Standard Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a -2 hour difference. Traveling from Christchurch in September, you will find days in Melbourne are a bit warmer (20°C), and nights are about the same (7°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Mon) early enough to fly to Gold Coast.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Gold Coast: Brisbane (Channel Seven Wheel of Brisbane, South Bank Parklands, &more). Next up on the itinerary: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Sea World Theme Park, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, kick back and relax at Coolangatta Beach, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Burleigh Heads Beach.

For where to stay, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Gold Coast online visit planner.

You can fly from Melbourne to Gold Coast in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Melbourne in September, with highs in Gold Coast at 27°C and lows at 15°C. On the 1st (Sun), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.