15 days in Australia & New Zealand Itinerary

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

Start off your visit on the 28th (Sat): take in the spiritual surroundings of St. Patrick's Cathedral, contemplate the long history of Parliament House of Victoria, contemplate the long history of Cooks' Cottage, take a stroll around Federation Square, then take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Gardens, and finally contemplate the waterfront views at Yarra River.

For maps and tourist information, use the Melbourne day trip tool.

Shanghai, China to Melbourne is an approximately 14-hour flight. Traveling from Shanghai to Melbourne, you'll lose 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect warmer temperatures when traveling from Shanghai in January; daily highs in Melbourne reach 81°F and lows reach 58°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Port Campbell.

Port Campbell is a coastal town in Victoria, Australia. Start off your visit on the 29th (Sun): explore the striking landscape at London Bridge and then identify plant and animal life at Loch Ard Gorge.

Make your Port Campbell itinerary with Klarna Trips to find out what to see and where to go.

You can drive from Melbourne to Port Campbell in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to drive to Melbourne.

To find where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read our Melbourne trip itinerary website.

Drive from Port Campbell to Melbourne in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. You'll set off for Brisbane on the 30th (Mon).

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.

On the 30th (Mon), walk around Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, then stroll around South Bank Parklands, and then don't miss a visit to Brisbane City Council.

Plan my Brisbane trip by asking Klarna Trips to come up with tips and suggestions.

You can fly from Melbourne to Brisbane in 4 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Melbourne in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Brisbane, with lows of 71°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Mon) so you can drive to Gold Coast.

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 31st (Tue), kick back and relax at Surfers Paradise Beach and then find something for the whole family at Dreamworld.

For more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Gold Coast trip planner.

Traveling by car from Brisbane to Gold Coast takes an hour. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Gold Coast can reach 83°F, while at night they dip to 69°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Wed) so you can fly to Cairns.

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Wed): make a short side trip with Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail self-drive option. Here are some ideas for day two: make a trip to Green Island and then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

For other places to visit, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Cairns trip tool.

Fly from Gold Coast to Cairns in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Gold Coast in February, things will get somewhat warmer in Cairns: highs are around 88°F and lows about 75°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) 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.

On the 3rd (Fri), kick back and relax at Bondi Beach, look for gifts at Sydney Fish Market, take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Mary's Cathedral, take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, then make a trip to Sydney Opera House, and finally make a trip to University of Sydney.

To see photos, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Sydney attractions planner.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Sydney takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Cairns in February; daily highs in Sydney reach 80°F and lows reach 68°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sat) early enough to travel to Jervis Bay.

A trip to Jervis Bay will take you to the southern coast of New South Wales, known for allegedly boasting some of the whitest sands in the world.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sat): see majestic marine mammals with Dolphin Watch Cruises.

To see other places to visit, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, refer to the Jervis Bay trip itinerary builder tool.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Sydney to Jervis Bay. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Sydney in February since evenings lows in Jervis Bay dip to 61°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can travel to Sydney.

To find ratings, maps, photos, and tourist information, you can read our Sydney vacation maker site.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Jervis Bay to Sydney. Traveling from Jervis Bay in February, Sydney is a bit warmer at night with lows of 68°F. On the 5th (Sun), you're off to Christchurch.

Recovering from the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 was no easy task, but Christchurch has faced the challenges with aplomb.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Sun): contemplate the waterfront views at Avon River, admire the natural beauty at Christchurch Botanic Gardens, and then steep yourself in history at Mona Vale.

To see reviews, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Christchurch day trip planning tool.

You can fly from Sydney to Christchurch in 6.5 hours. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Sydney to Christchurch due to the time zone difference. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Sydney in February, with highs in Christchurch at 72°F and lows at 53°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Lake Tekapo.

Located in a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo offers evenings of stargazing and days of long walks.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Mon): contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Tekapo, take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Church of the Good Shepherd, then explore the activities along Lake Pukaki, and finally don't miss a visit to Aoraki/Mt. Cook.

For maps, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Lake Tekapo tour itinerary maker website.

Traveling by bus from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. On the 6th (Mon), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Queenstown.

Sheltered in an inlet of Lake Wakatipu, the resort town of Queenstown enjoys a strong reputation for its adventuring and skiing opportunities.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Mon): don't miss a visit to Arrowtown Village and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Wanaka.

To see photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Queenstown day trip planning app.

Traveling by bus from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll have a few hours on the 7th (Tue) to wrap things up before traveling to Milford Sound.

Carved by glaciers into a land of sheer cliffs, impressive waterfalls, and lush, meandering fjords, Milford Sound remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in New Zealand.

Kick off your visit on the 7th (Tue): explore the activities along Milford Sound.

To see more things to do, ratings, photos, and more tourist information, use the Milford Sound trip itinerary maker site.

Take a bus from Queenstown to Milford Sound in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive; or take a bus. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Tue) so you can catch the flight to Queenstown.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Queenstown road trip site.

You can take a bus from Milford Sound to Queenstown in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive; or take a bus. On the 8th (Wed), you're off to Rotorua.

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

Start off your visit on the 8th (Wed): get a taste of local nightlife at Te Pa Tu, then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Rotorua, and then contemplate the long history of Government Gardens.

For traveler tips, maps, photos, and more tourist information, read our Rotorua online tour builder.

You can fly from Queenstown to Rotorua in 6 hours. Other options are to fly; or do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 75°F in February, and nighttime lows around 62°F. You will have some time to spend on the 9th (Thu) before leaving for Waitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

On the 9th (Thu), explore the fascinating underground world of Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

To see traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Waitomo Caves journey planner.

You can drive from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Thu) to allow time for the car ride to Auckland.

The largest and most populous city in New Zealand, Auckland combines a rich history and thriving contemporary culture in an abundance of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Thu): get impressive views of Mount Eden.

To see photos, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Auckland attractions planner.

You can drive from Waitomo Caves to Auckland in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In February in Auckland, expect temperatures between 72°F during the day and 72°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly back home.