17 days in Australia Itinerary

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.

Venture out of the city with trips to Our Animals Our Earth (in Kuranda), Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery (in Mossman) and Port Douglas (Safaris & Helicopter Tours). Spend the 14th (Sun) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. There's still lots to do: indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas and kick back and relax at Palm Cove Beach.

To find ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Cairns trip planner.

Mumbai, India to Cairns is an approximately 18.5-hour flight. You'll lose 4.5 hours traveling from Mumbai to Cairns due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Mumbai in May; daily highs in Cairns reach 32°C and lows reach 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Mon) early enough to fly 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.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Tue): see the interesting displays at Opal Museum, identify plant and animal life at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and then take some stellar pictures from Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 17th (Wed): look for gifts at Tour de Tea, stroll around South Bank Parklands, and then take in nature's colorful creations at City Botanic Gardens.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Brisbane trip maker site.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Brisbane takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Plan for slightly colder temperatures traveling from Cairns in May, with highs in Brisbane at 27°C and lows at 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Wed) early enough 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Sydney: Norman Lindsay Gallery & Museum (in Faulconbridge), Leura (Leura Post Office & Everglades House & Gardens) and Wentworth Falls Lookout (in Wentworth Falls). Next up on the itinerary: admire the striking features of Sydney Opera House, trek along Bondi to Coogee Walk, enjoy breathtaking views from Pylon Lookout at Sydney Harbour Bridge, and explore the striking landscape at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.

For reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Sydney travel planner.

Traveling by flight from Brisbane to Sydney takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 14°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sun) so you can catch the flight to Launceston.

Lying in the Tamar Valley and surrounded by forested hills, the grid-patterned city of Launceston boasts shaded avenues, vibrant street life, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Mon): snap pictures at Alexandra Suspension Bridge, look for all kinds of wild species at Cataract Gorge Reserve, then admire the verdant scenery at The Tamar Valley, and finally walk around City Park.

To find ratings, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Launceston day trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Launceston takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train, ferry, and bus; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect little chillier temperatures when traveling from Sydney in May; daily highs in Launceston reach 16°C and lows reach 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Mon) to allow time to drive to Hobart.

Snaking up the side of a rounded, tree-dotted hill, Hobart sits between Tasmania’s sprawling mountains and the vast estuary of the River Derwent.

Start off your visit on the 23rd (Tue): take in the awesome beauty at Mount Wellington, then explore the world behind art at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, then look for all kinds of wild species at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, and finally admire the natural beauty at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

For reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Hobart itinerary tool.

Getting from Launceston to Hobart by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. May in Hobart sees daily highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Tue) so you can fly to Torquay.

Set against the stark but scenic coastline of the Bass Strait--the body of water separating Victoria and Tasmania--Torquay is a prime location for surfing and beach life in general.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Wed): let little ones run wild at Torquay Foreshore Play Park and then admire all the interesting features of The Great Ocean Road.

To see other places to visit, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Torquay trip builder.

Getting from Hobart to Torquay by flight takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and train. May in Torquay sees daily highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can drive to Melbourne.

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

Dedicate the 26th (Fri) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. And it doesn't end there: take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Gardens, admire the masterpieces at National Gallery of Victoria, steep yourself in history at Old Melbourne Gaol, and admire the striking features of Royal Exhibition Building.

To find more things to do, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Melbourne trip maker website.

Drive from Torquay to Melbourne in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 20°C, and evening lows to 9°C. You will have some time to spend on the 28th (Sun) before leaving for home.