15 days in Australia Itinerary

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.

Start off your visit on the 15th (Sun): take in the exciting artwork at Ngarru Gallery and then trot along with a tour on horseback. On the next day, look for gifts at With Sugar, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and then discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

For other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Port Douglas trip builder tool.

Hyderabad, India to Port Douglas is an approximately 17.5-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from India Standard Time (IST) to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) is 4.5 hours. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Port Douglas when traveling from Hyderabad in December, with lows around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) to allow time to drive 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.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Tue): get interesting insight from Tours. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 18th (Wed): trek along Esplanade Boardwalk, then kick back and relax at Trinity Beach, and then kick back and relax at Palm Cove Beach.

To find maps, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Cairns road trip site.

You can drive from Port Douglas to Cairns in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; 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 18th (Wed) early enough to travel 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.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Thu): observe the fascinating underwater world at Sea World Theme Park and then enjoy the sand and surf at Burleigh Heads Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Fri): get to know the resident critters at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, then find something for the whole family at Warner Bros. Movie World, and then find something for the whole family at Infinity Attraction.

For other places to visit, reviews, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Gold Coast driving holiday website.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Gold Coast takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Cairns in December, with highs in Gold Coast at 32°C and lows at 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Fri) so you can travel 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.

Bring the kids along to Bondi Beach and Darling Harbour. There's still lots to do: see a show at Sydney Opera House, get engrossed in the history at Hyde Park Barracks, take a stroll through The Rocks, and admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

To see where to stay, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Sydney online travel planner.

Getting from Gold Coast to Sydney by flight takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In December in Sydney, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 21°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) so you can travel to Melbourne.

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

Family-friendly places like Royal Botanic Gardens and Melbourne Museum will thrill your kids. Step out of Melbourne to go to Werribee and see Werribee Open Range Zoo, which is approximately 42 minutes away. The adventure continues: meet the residents at Melbourne Zoo, enjoy breathtaking views from Eureka Skydeck, enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour, and don't miss a visit to Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.

For ratings, maps, and more tourist information, refer to the Melbourne trip tool.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Melbourne takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Sydney in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Melbourne, with lows of 14°C. On the 28th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.