22 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.

Your inner history buff will appreciate The Rocks and The Rocks Discovery Museum. Do some cultural sightseeing at Sydney Opera House and Australian National Maritime Museum. Go for a jaunt from Sydney to Manly to see Dive Centre Manly about 32 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Bondi Beach, stroll through Bondi to Coogee Walk, browse the exhibits of ATTY Gallery, and explore the striking landscape at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.

To find maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Sydney visit planner.

Hong Kong, China to Sydney is an approximately 12.5-hour flight. You'll lose 2 hours traveling from Hong Kong to Sydney due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Hong Kong in December, expect nights in Sydney to be about the same, around 21°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 32°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) to allow enough time 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.

Get some cultural insight at Queensland Museum & Sciencentre and State Library Of Queensland. You'll get in some beach time at Mooloolaba Beach and Kings Beach. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Brisbane: Boat Tours & Water Sports (in Mooloolaba), Atrium Gallery at Buderim Craft Cottage (in Buderim) and FloCryo (in Bokarina). The adventure continues: identify plant and animal life at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, admire the masterpieces at Gallery of Modern Art, examine the collection at Opal Museum, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Old St Stephen's Catholic Church (Pugin Chapel).

To find where to stay, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Brisbane travel route planning website.

You can fly from Sydney to Brisbane in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. December in Brisbane sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) 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.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Wed): get a new perspective on things with Tweed Sea Sports, then identify plant and animal life at David Fleay Wildlife Park, and then enjoy the sand and surf at Surfers Paradise Beach. On the 22nd (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: Head underground at Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves, then indulge your senses at Cork 'n Fork Tours, and then explore the striking landscape of Burleigh Head National Park.

For traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Gold Coast trip planning app.

Getting from Brisbane to Gold Coast by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in December, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Airlie Beach.

Very much a town with an emphasis on the tropical lifestyle, Airlie Beach offers exotic surroundings with palm trees and charming, sandy beaches.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Fri): view the masterpieces at Art Whitsunday Gallery & Shop, then view the masterpieces at Above & Below Photography Gallery, then kick back and relax at Boathaven Beach, and finally stroll through Airlie Beach Lagoon. Here are some ideas for day two: discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

For more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Airlie Beach tour itinerary maker website.

You can fly from Gold Coast to Airlie Beach in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Gold Coast in December, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Airlie Beach, with lows around 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) so you can take a bus to Whitsunday Island.

Start off your visit on the 25th (Sun): contemplate the waterfront views at Hill Inlet, kick back and relax at Whitehaven Beach, and then step off the mainland to explore Whitsunday Islands National Park.

To see maps, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Whitsunday Island sightseeing planner.

You can take a bus from Airlie Beach to Whitsunday Island in 1.5 hours. Another option is to ride a ferry. Traveling from Airlie Beach in December, Whitsunday Island is little chillier at night with lows of 24°C. You will leave for Cairns on the 26th (Mon).

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.

Relax by the water at Trinity Beach and Palm Cove Beach. Visiting Safaris and Four Mile Beach will get you outdoors. Get out of town with these interesting Cairns side-trips: Horseback Riding Tours (in Port Douglas) and Wangetti (Hartley's Crocodile Adventures & Rex Lookout). Spend the 27th (Tue) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's still lots to do: learn about all things military at The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, see majestic marine mammals with Seastar Cruises Reef Day Trips, and hike along Esplanade Boardwalk.

To see ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Cairns journey planner.

Fly from Whitsunday Island to Cairns in 7 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In December, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sun) early enough to fly back home.