44 days in Australia Itinerary

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

Dedicate the 20th (Tue) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. And it doesn't end there: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, examine the collection at Melbourne Museum, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and admire the masterpieces at National Gallery of Victoria.

For other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Melbourne trip builder tool.

London, UK to Melbourne is an approximately 25-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 10 hours traveling from London to Melbourne. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from London in April; daily highs in Melbourne reach 23°C and lows reach 11°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) 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, beaches, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: see a show at Sydney Opera House, enjoy the sand and surf at Bondi Beach, snap pictures at Sydney Harbour Bridge, and stroll through Manly Beach.

To find photos, more things to do, ratings, and more tourist information, use the Sydney road trip site.

Traveling by flight from Melbourne to Sydney takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Melbourne in April, Sydney is a bit warmer at night with lows of 17°C. You will have some time to spend on the 27th (Tue) before leaving for Katoomba.

Located off of the Great Western Highway, Katoomba is the main hub of the City of Blue Mountains.

Katoomba is known for nature, trails, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: skim along the rocks with a canyoning and rapelling tour, take in the awesome beauty at Blue Mountains, hike along The Giant Stairway, and get great views at Spooners Lookout.

To see photos, more things to do, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Katoomba holiday site.

Traveling by car from Sydney to Katoomba takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Sydney in April, Katoomba is little chillier at night with lows of 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Nelson Bay.

Nelson Bay is a suburb of the Port Stephens local government area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Start off your visit on the 30th (Fri): admire nature's wide array of creatures at Oakvale Wildlife Park, get a tailor-made plan with Private Tours, examine the collection at Fighter World, then enjoy the sand and surf at Bagnalls Beach Reserve, and finally surround yourself with nature on Kangaroo Encounters Guided Tours. On the 1st (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, enjoy the sea views from Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse and Reserve, then look for all kinds of wild species at Tomaree Head, and finally stroll around Barry Park.

To find other places to visit, photos, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Nelson Bay online sightseeing planner.

Traveling by car from Katoomba to Nelson Bay takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or do a combination of train and bus. In April, daily temperatures in Nelson Bay can reach 27°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Palm Beach.

Palm Beach is a suburb in the northern beaches region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Start off your visit on the 2nd (Sun): experience rural life at Tobruk Sydney and then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Block 'n Tackle Brewery. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon): kick back and relax at Palm Beach, then contemplate the waterfront views at Narrabeen Lagoon State Park, then enjoy the sea views from Barrenjoey Lighthouse, and finally get great views at Marie Byles Lookout.

For other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Palm Beach day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Nelson Bay to Palm Beach takes 3 hours. In May, plan for daily highs up to 24°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to travel to Port Macquarie.

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

Spend the 6th (Thu) in the animal kingdom at Billabong Zoo: Koala & Wildlife Park. There's still lots to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Koala Hospital, see the interesting displays at Roto House, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and visit a coastal fixture at Tacking Point Lighthouse.

To see more things to do, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Port Macquarie trip planner.

Traveling by car from Palm Beach to Port Macquarie takes 4.5 hours. Traveling from Palm Beach in May, you will find days in Port Macquarie are slightly colder (16°C), and nights are about the same (13°C). Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Byron Bay.

Named after Lord Byron's grandfather, Byron Bay is not only famous as the easternmost point of Australia, but even more so as one of the liveliest vacation spots in the country.

Step out of Byron Bay with an excursion to Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah--about 42 minutes away. There's still lots to do: visit a coastal fixture at Cape Byron Lighthouse, relax in the rural setting at The Farm Byron Bay, hike along Cape Byron Walking Track, and explore the galleries of Jules Hunt Studio Gallery.

To find reviews, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Byron Bay trip itinerary builder site.

You can drive from Port Macquarie to Byron Bay in 5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or fly. Traveling from Port Macquarie in May, expect nights in Byron Bay to be about the same, around 12°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to drive 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.

Gold Coast is known for theme parks, shopping, and beaches. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get up close and personal with brilliant marine life at Sea World Theme Park, catch some excitement at Infinity Attraction, get in on the family fun at Warner Bros. Movie World, and take in panoramic vistas at SkyPoint Observation Deck.

For where to stay, ratings, maps, and tourist information, go to the Gold Coast trip itinerary planning website.

You can drive from Byron Bay to Gold Coast in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In May in Gold Coast, expect temperatures between 27°C during the day and 15°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Wed) so you can go by car 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.

Brisbane is known for parks, wildlife, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: walk around South Bank Parklands, hit the best photo ops around with an inspiring photography tour, get in on the family fun at Channel Seven Wheel of Brisbane, and get great views at Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout.

For ratings and tourist information, you can read our Brisbane trip planner.

Traveling by car from Gold Coast to Brisbane takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In May, plan for daily highs up to 27°C, and evening lows to 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Sat) early enough to travel to Fraser Island.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Sun): explore the activities along Lake McKenzie, take a peaceful walk through Central Station Rainforest, and then relax and rejuvenate at Fraser Island Day Spa. Keep things going the next day: take an exotic tour of Australian Sunset Safaris Day Tours and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Seventy-Five Mile Beach.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, more things to do, and other tourist information, use the Fraser Island sightseeing planning website.

Getting from Brisbane to Fraser Island by combination of flight, ferry, and car takes about 7.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, car, and ferry. On the 18th (Tue), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Airlie Beach.

Very much a town with an emphasis on the tropical lifestyle, Airlie Beach offers exotic surroundings with palm trees and charming, sandy beaches.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Wed): get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports. On the next day, tour the pleasant surroundings at Airlie Beach Lagoon, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, explore the galleries of Into The Blue Gallery, then view the masterpieces at Art Whitsunday Gallery & Shop, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas.

To see more things to do, ratings, maps, and tourist information, use the Airlie Beach online journey builder.

Traveling by combination of car, ferry, and flight from Fraser Island to Airlie Beach takes 13.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of car, ferry, and bus. May in Airlie Beach sees daily highs of 28°C and lows of 24°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to travel to Magnetic Island.

On the 21st (Fri), stop by Arcadia Store, kick back and relax at Geoffrey Bay, and then cast your line with Magnetic Island Time Cruises. Here are some ideas for day two: get a dose of the wild on Bungalow Bay Koala Village and then head off the coast to Magnetic Island Forts Walk.

To see traveler tips, other places to visit, maps, and more tourist information, read our Magnetic Island attractions tool.

Traveling by combination of car and ferry from Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or do a combination of bus, train, and ferry. Traveling from Airlie Beach in May, you will find days in Magnetic Island are somewhat warmer (32°C), and nights are about the same (21°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat) early enough to travel to Hamilton Island.

A trip to Hamilton Island takes you to a car-free destination mostly covered in bushland.

Hamilton Island is known for wildlife, adventure, and beaches. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, get outside with Jetryder, kick back and relax at Catseye Beach, and don't miss a visit to Passage Peak.

For photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Hamilton Island visit planner.

Getting from Magnetic Island to Hamilton Island by combination of ferry and bus takes about 8.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of ferry, train, and bus. Traveling from Magnetic Island in May, expect nights in Hamilton Island to be about the same, around 24°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Tue) early enough to travel to Port Douglas.

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.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Wed): see the vivid underwater world at Opal Reef, then get to know the resident critters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour. On your second day here, identify plant and animal life at Mossman Gorge Centre, then look for all kinds of wild species at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, and then look for gifts at With Sugar.

For photos, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, read our Port Douglas road trip app.

You can fly from Hamilton Island to Port Douglas in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or do a combination of ferry, bus, and train. Traveling from Hamilton Island in May, you will find days in Port Douglas are a bit warmer (32°C), and nights are about the same (24°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) so you can 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.

Explore Cairns' surroundings by going to Palm Cove (Palm Cove Beach & Spas). Spend the 28th (Fri) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. And it doesn't end there: kick back and relax at Trinity Beach, hike along Esplanade Boardwalk, and take in nature's colorful creations at Botanical Gardens.

For traveler tips, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, use the Cairns online trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Port Douglas to Cairns in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in May, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Sun) so you can travel back home.