27 days in Australia, Queenstown & Christchurch Itinerary

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.

You'll get in some beach time at Burleigh Heads Beach and Kirra Beach. Step off the beaten path and head to Cape Byron Walking Track and Burleigh Head National Park. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Gold Coast: Brisbane (Gallery of Modern Art & Room Escape Games) and Byron Bay (Byron Bay Dive Centre & Spas). There's lots more to do: kick back and relax at Coolangatta Beach, browse the different shops at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Kurrawa Beach.

To find reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Gold Coast trip planner.

San Francisco, USA to Gold Coast is an approximately 16-hour flight. Traveling from San Francisco to Gold Coast, you'll lose 18 hours due to the time zone difference. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from San Francisco in March: high temperatures in Gold Coast hover around 81°F and lows are around 68°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight to Port Macquarie.

Known for its numerous beaches and resident koala population, Port Macquarie offers visitors a welcoming environment in which to unwind.

On the 19th (Sun), see majestic marine mammals with a dolphin and whale watching tour, stroll through Coastal walk, then identify plant and animal life at Koala Hospital, and finally visit a coastal fixture at Tacking Point Lighthouse.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Port Macquarie vacation planner.

Fly from Gold Coast to Port Macquarie in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Gold Coast in March, you will find days in Port Macquarie are little chillier (71°F), and nights are about the same (66°F). Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Canberra.

A planned city with streets laid out in elaborate, geometric patterns and founded specifically to serve as the capital of the emerging Australian state, Canberra has a self-sufficient atmosphere.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Mon): get a sense of history and politics at Old Parliament House, admire the masterpieces at National Gallery of Australia, then engage your brain at Questacon, and finally make a trip to Mount Ainslie Lookout. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 21st (Tue): get a sense of history and politics at Royal Australian Mint, explore the world behind art at National Portrait Gallery, then admire the landmark architecture of National Museum of Australia, and finally explore the activities along Lake Burley Griffin.

To see where to stay, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Canberra driving holiday planning site.

You can fly from Port Macquarie to Canberra in 4.5 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Port Macquarie in March: highs in Canberra hover around 78°F, while lows dip to 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) early enough to fly 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.

Visiting Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Okines Beach will get you outdoors. Explore hidden gems such as Cascades Female Factory Historic Site and Battery Point Sculpture Trail. When in Hobart, make a side trip to see Tasmanian Devil Unzoo in Taranna, approximately Taranna away. There's much more to do: get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, sample the tasty concoctions at Cascade Brewery, and contemplate the long history of Convict Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Hobart itinerary planner.

You can fly from Canberra to Hobart in 5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, train, and ferry. When traveling from Canberra in March, plan for slightly colder days and about the same nights in Hobart: temperatures range from 71°F by day to 52°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Adelaide.

Adelaide exists contentedly as a cultured, diverse, and attractive city with a laid-back center, leafy residential districts, and an underlying cosmopolitan atmosphere.

On the 25th (Sat), browse the eclectic array of goods at Adelaide Central Market, make a trip to Adelaide Oval, then explore the world behind art at Art Gallery of South Australia, then get a new perspective on nature at South Australian Museum, and finally head outdoors with Outdoor Activities. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Sun): look for all kinds of wild species at Gorge Wildlife Park, then identify plant and animal life at Cleland Wildlife Park, then stroll through Glenelg Beach, and finally kick back and relax at Henley Beach.

To see ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Adelaide trip planner.

Getting from Hobart to Adelaide by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. You'll gain 0.5 hours traveling from Hobart to Adelaide due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Hobart in March, expect Adelaide to be somewhat warmer, temps between 79°F and 60°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Sun) early enough to travel to Kangaroo Island.

Abandoned by Aborigines a few thousand years ago, Kangaroo Island attracts over 140,000 visitors each year.

Get outdoors at Seal Bay Conservation Park and Flinders Chase National Park. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Raptor Domain and Little Sahara. It doesn't end there: savor the flavors at Kangaroo Island Spirits and look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas.

To find reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Kangaroo Island trip itinerary maker site.

You can fly from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island in 2.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and taxi. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Wed) so you can fly to Albany.

Founded as a military outpost in 1826, Albany is the oldest town in Western Australia, just barely gaining this title by being settled two years earlier than Fremantle and Perth.

On the 30th (Thu), examine the collection at National Anzac Centre, enjoy the sand and surf at Middleton Beach, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Emu Point, and finally get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports. Keep things going the next day: kick back and relax at Greens Pool, then admire the masterpieces at Vancouver Arts Centre, then examine the collection at Albany's Historic Whaling Station, and finally take in the dramatic natural features at The Gap and Natural Bridge.

Start your trip to Albany by creating a personalized itinerary on Klarna Trips.

You can fly from Kangaroo Island to Albany in 10 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi, ferry, bus, and train. Traveling from Kangaroo Island to Albany, you'll gain 1.5 hours due to the time zone difference. In March in Albany, expect temperatures between 74°F during the day and 56°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Fri) early enough to drive to Margaret River.

A low-rise, laid-back town of approximately 4,500 inhabitants, Margaret River serves as an ideal local base to explore the surrounding wine region.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and Mammoth Cave. Escape the urban bustle at Jewel Cave and Caves Road. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Margaret River: Meelup Beach (in Dunsborough) and Yallingup Beach (in Yallingup). Next up on the itinerary: awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area, enjoy the sand and surf at Gnarabup Beach, Head underground at Lake Cave, and indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour.

To find reviews, ratings, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Margaret River travel planner.

You can drive from Albany to Margaret River in 4.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to drive to Perth.

A modern metropolis of glassy skyscrapers, waterside boulevards, and lush residential neighborhoods, Perth sits on the edge of the Swan Coastal Plain.

Start off your visit on the 4th (Tue): contemplate the waterfront views at Swan River, identify plant and animal life at Caversham Wildlife Park, then kick back and relax at Scarborough Beach, and finally appreciate the history behind State War Memorial. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 5th (Wed): contemplate the long history of The Perth Mint, then stroll through Cottesloe Beach, then examine the collection at WA Shipwrecks Museum, and finally see the interesting displays at WA Maritime Museum.

Use Klarna Trips's suggestions to plan your Perth trip and find the best activities and attractions for your vacation.

Getting from Margaret River to Perth by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus; or do a combination of bus and train. In April, plan for daily highs up to 80°F, and evening lows to 56°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Wed) to allow time to fly to Alice Springs.

Situated right in the heart of Australia, Alice Springs serves as an urban oasis deep within the country’s parched, desert-like Red Center.

On the 6th (Thu), steep yourself in history at Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, look for all kinds of wild species at The Kangaroo Sanctuary, then identify plant and animal life at Alice Springs Reptile Centre, then see the interesting displays at Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Alice Springs Desert Park.

To see reviews, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Alice Springs online holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Perth to Alice Springs takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. The time zone difference when traveling from Perth to Alice Springs is 1.5 hours. In April, daily temperatures in Alice Springs can reach 84°F, while at night they dip to 55°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) early enough to catch the flight to Darwin.

The smallest of Australia’s state capitals, Darwin has nevertheless become an attractive and important urban center, being simultaneously one of the country’s most modernized cities and a gateway to both the Top End region and South East Asia.

To see traveler tips, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Darwin trip builder.

Traveling by flight from Alice Springs to Darwin takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Alice Springs in April, expect Darwin to be a bit warmer, temps between 91°F and 75°F. You'll set off for Port Douglas on the 7th (Fri).

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

On the 7th (Fri), do a tasting at Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery, take an in-depth tour of Port Douglas Court House Museum, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Sunday Market Port Douglas, then trot along with a tour on horseback, and finally don't miss a visit to St Mary’s by The Sea chapel.

To see more things to do, maps, where to stay, and tourist information, read Port Douglas trip itinerary planner.

You can fly from Darwin to Port Douglas in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll lose 0.5 hours traveling from Darwin to Port Douglas due to the time zone difference. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Darwin in April: highs in Port Douglas hover around 85°F, while lows dip to 71°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Fri) early enough to fly 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 8th (Sat): hike along Tobins Track, take an in-depth tour of Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery, learn about winemaking at Mt Rosa Wines, then do a tasting at Peregrine Wines, then learn about winemaking at Chard Farm Winery, and finally grab your bike and head to Lake Hayes Walkway. On the next day, tour the pleasant surroundings at Tiki Trail, grab your bike and head to Queenstown Trail, let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour, then pause for some serene contemplation at St Peter's Anglican Church, and finally look for gifts at The Bead Shop.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, use the Queenstown trip builder app.

Fly from Port Douglas to Queenstown in 10 hours. Traveling from Port Douglas to Queenstown, you'll lose 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) to allow time to fly to Christchurch.

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

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Mon): grab your bike and head to Christchurch to Little River Railtrail, learn about winemaking at Marlborough Vineyards, then see the interesting displays at New Zealand Museum of Toys & Collectibles, and finally grab your bike and head to Rapaki Track.

For traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Christchurch trip builder app.

You can fly from Queenstown to Christchurch in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April in Christchurch, expect temperatures between 63°F during the day and 45°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Mon) to allow time to fly back home.