31 days in Brisbane, Gold Coast & Melbourne Itinerary

Bring the kids along to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Australia Zoo. Change things up with these side-trips from Brisbane: Buderim (Spas, Buderim Lions Park, &more), Marcoola Beach (in Marcoola) and Maroochydore Rotary Park (in Maroochydore). Spend the 14th (Fri) exploring nature at Dularcha National Park. There's still lots to do: stroll around South Bank Parklands, relax in the rural setting at Strawberry Fields, admire the natural beauty at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha, and get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find ratings, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Brisbane day trip planning app.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Brisbane is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Gulf Standard Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time is 6 hours. Traveling from Dubai in July, things will get colder in Brisbane: highs are around 24°C and lows about 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Tue) early enough to drive to Gold Coast.

Kids will enjoy Sea World Theme Park and Dreamworld. Venture out of the city with trips to Byron Bay (Cape Byron Lighthouse & Cape Byron Walking Track). And it doesn't end there: find something for the whole family at Warner Bros. Movie World, enjoy breathtaking views from SkyPoint Observation Deck, meet the residents at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and identify plant and animal life at David Fleay Wildlife Park.

For reviews, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Gold Coast trip planning website.

Getting from Brisbane to Gold Coast by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Wed) early enough to fly to Melbourne.

Kids will appreciate attractions like The Great Ocean Road and Wildlife Coast Cruises. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Melbourne: Ballarat (The Titanic Memorial Bandstand & Sovereign Hill) and Pyramid Rock (in Ventnor). There's lots more to do: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, meet the residents at Melbourne Zoo, get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, and explore the world behind art at National Gallery of Victoria.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Melbourne online trip builder.

Fly from Gold Coast to Melbourne in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Gold Coast in July: high temperatures in Melbourne hover around 15°C and lows are around 6°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 4th (Fri) to allow enough time to fly back home.