13 days in Australia Itinerary

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.

Get out of town with these interesting Cairns side-trips: Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Palm Cove) and Safaris (in Port Douglas). There's still lots to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, tour the pleasant surroundings at Esplanade Boardwalk, take in the exciting artwork at Village Gallery, and take in the waterfront at The Jack Barnes Bicentennial Mangrove Boardwalk.

To see maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Cairns trip itinerary tool .

New York City, USA to Cairns is an approximately 26-hour combination of bus and flight. You can also fly; or do a combination of train and flight. Traveling from New York City to Cairns, you'll lose 15 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for much warmer temperatures traveling from New York City in November, with highs in Cairns at 87°F and lows at 72°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Melbourne.

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

Melbourne is known for museums, shopping, parks, nightlife, and zoos & aquariums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, enjoy unforgettable views with a balloon tour, see the interesting displays at HMAS Castlemaine, and take in panoramic vistas at Eureka Skydeck.

To find traveler tips, photos, maps, and other tourist information, read our Melbourne travel route planner.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Melbourne takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. When traveling from Cairns in November, plan for a bit cooler days and cooler nights in Melbourne: temperatures range from 73°F by day to 50°F at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Sat) 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.

Sydney is known for nightlife, trails, beaches, shopping, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: see a show at Sydney Opera House, admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, trek along Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk, and see the interesting displays at Australian National Maritime Museum.

Inspirock's itinerary builder makes planning a Sydney trip simple and quick.

You can fly from Melbourne to Sydney in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. Traveling from Melbourne in November, plan for a bit warmer nights in Sydney, with lows around 62°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Tue) early enough to travel 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.

On the 13th (Wed), take in nature's colorful creations at Roma Street Parkland and then walk around South Bank Parklands. Here are some ideas for day two: look for all kinds of wild species at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and then admire the natural beauty at City Botanic Gardens.

To see more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, read our Brisbane trip planner .

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Brisbane takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and bus; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 80°F in November, and nighttime lows around 65°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Thu) to allow time to travel back home.