17 days in Australia Itinerary

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.

Museum-lovers will get to explore Art Gallery of New South Wales and Sydney Observatory. Family-friendly places like Bondi Beach and Balmoral Beach, Mosman will thrill your kids. There's much more to do: get outside with Watsons Bay, look for gifts at Australian Opal Cutters and Pearl Divers, admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and visit King Street.

To find reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Sydney route site.

Entebbe, Uganda to Sydney is an approximately 26-hour flight. The time zone changes from East Africa Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 7 hour difference. In December, daytime highs in Sydney are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sun) early enough to fly 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Burleigh Heads Beach and Coolangatta Beach. Attractions like Natural Bridge and Kurrawa Beach make great kid-friendly stops. The adventure continues: stroll through Burleigh Head National Park, enjoy the sand and surf at Kirra Beach, see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, and browse the different shops at Robina Town Centre.

To find more things to do and more tourist information, use the Gold Coast online trip itinerary builder.

You can fly from Sydney to Gold Coast in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Gold Coast are 33°C, while nighttime lows are 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Melbourne.

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

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at St. Kilda Beach and St Kilda Pier. Shop till you drop at Federation Square and Chadstone - The Fashion Capital. Go for a jaunt from Melbourne to Brighton to see Brighton Beach about 34 minutes away. Next up on the itinerary: get outside with Outdoor Activities, indulge in some personalized pampering at Elite Male Massage, explore the world behind art at ArtVo, and shop like a local with Collins St/Swanston St.

For other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Melbourne day trip app.

Fly from Gold Coast to Melbourne in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder evenings in Melbourne when traveling from Gold Coast in January, with lows around 17°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Spas. Attractions like Palm Cove Beach and Trinity Beach make great kid-friendly stops. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Cairns: Kuranda (Australian Butterfly Sanctuary & Barron Falls). There's still lots to do: identify plant and animal life at Billy Tea Safaris, get outside with Outdoor Activities, meet some fierce fish with a shark diving experience, and brush up on your military savvy at The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum.

For ratings, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Cairns trip itinerary planning site.

You can fly from Melbourne to Cairns in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Melbourne in January, with highs in Cairns at 37°C and lows at 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough to travel back home.