My ultimate Australia Itinerary
Australia will always have a very special place in my heart. I lived in Sydney for 10 years, and during that time I was lucky enough to explore so much of this incredible country. I’ve travelled to some of the places that people dream about visiting, discovered some of my favourite beaches, enjoyed countless long lunches and road trips, and experienced just how different each part of Australia can be. So, if I could take all my favourite Australian experiences from those 10 years and combine them into one ultimate trip, this is what it would look like. It’s not designed around a particular number of days. You could make it three weeks, five weeks or even longer. The beauty of Australia is that there is always somewhere else worth adding.
Sydney
I would always start in Sydney, as there is something incredibly special about arriving in Sydney and seeing that harbour for the first time. Even after living there, I never tired of it.
Of course, you have the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but I’d encourage you to look beyond the obvious. Spend time exploring The Rocks, take the ferry across to Manly and Watson’s Bay, enjoy a long lunch overlooking the harbour and make time for some of Sydney’s beautiful beaches. The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is a must, and, if you're feeling brave, a dip in the famous Icebergs pool.
If you have a little longer in Sydney, there are plenty of fantastic options further afield. The Blue Mountains are perfect for dramatic scenery, bush walks and the famous Three Sisters, while the Hunter Valley is ideal for a day of wine tasting, beautiful scenery and a long lunch among the vineyards.
Noosa
From Sydney, I’d head north to Queensland and make my way to Noosa, it’s one of those places I could happily return to again and again; my favourite place in all of Australia. It has that wonderful combination of beautiful beaches, a relaxed atmosphere, fantastic restaurants and incredible nature.
Spend time around Noosa Main Beach and Hastings Street but make sure you explore Noosa National Park too. One of my favourite things about Noosa is that you can have a proper beach holiday while still feeling like you're somewhere with plenty to explore. You can take a guided cruise or kayak through the Noosa Everglades or take a day trip to K’gari (Fraser Island).
If you have a car, I’d recommend getting out and seeing a little more. Australia Zoo, the Glass House Mountains and Eumundi Markets are all worth adding.
Hamilton Island & the Whitsundays
Next, I’d head further north to car free island of Hamilton Island.
The Whitsundays are home to some of Australia's most spectacular scenery, and no trip here would be complete without visiting Whitehaven Beach – I don’t think I’ll ever see sand like it.
Depending on how you like to travel, you could spend your days sailing, snorkelling, exploring the Great Barrier Reef or simply enjoying the island.
After the sightseeing and exploring of Sydney and Noosa, Hamilton Island gives you the chance to switch off for a few days.
Palm Cove & Tropical North Queensland
From the Whitsundays, I’d continue north to Palm Cove; another part of Australia that I absolutely love because of the incredible contrast between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. I was lucky enough to complete a half Ironman here; it’s an experience and a place that I will never forget.
Palm Cove itself is beautiful, with its palm-lined beach and relaxed atmosphere, but the real magic is in the experiences you can have from here. From Palm Cove, you can again snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef, explore the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation, with guided tours and wildlife experiences available.
For something a little different, take the Kuranda Scenic Railway and return by Skyrail, giving you two completely different perspectives of the rainforest, waterfalls and Barron Gorge.
Melbourne
Then it’s time for a complete change of scenery, fly south to Melbourne.
Melbourne is the Australian city I would choose for food, coffee and culture. I love its laneways (especially Degraves St), restaurants, cafés and neighbourhoods. And if you’re a sports fan, Melbourne is hard to beat. The Australian Open (tennis) takes place every January at Melbourne Park, I was a regular visitor, and it was always one of the highlights of the Australian summer for me.
Melbourne is not complete without a drive along the Great Ocean Road, one of the must-see spots in Australia. There is something very special about driving that coastline, stopping at little beaches and viewpoints along the way and eventually reaching the Twelve Apostles.
Alternatively, if food and wine are more your thing, spend a day in the Yarra Valley, or head to Phillip Island for the famous Penguin Parade.
Perth
Finally, I’d fly across to Western Australia.
Perth is relaxed, with beautiful beaches, fantastic weather and a completely different landscape from the east coast.
I'd explore Kings Park, spend time at Cottesloe Beach, visit Fremantle, and, of course, take a trip to Rottnest Island to meet the famous quokkas. The island was a real highlight for me, not just for the quokkas but for its incredible beaches and beautiful scenery.
Western Australia is enormous, and there is so much more to see beyond Perth. If you have the time, I’d consider adding Margaret River, perhaps with a stop in Busselton, or, if you have longer, travelling even further south to Esperance. The scenery changes dramatically as you travel down the coast, with beautiful beaches, wineries, forests and plenty of opportunities to get out and explore.
Every part of Australia feels different; the landscapes change, the food changes, the pace changes, and that’s what I love most about travelling around the country.
If Australia is somewhere you've always dreamed of visiting, I'd love to help you create your own dream journey.
