Ten days in Australia cover Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns, with two domestic flights joining them. Give Sydney four days, with a train day to the Blue Mountains, then spend three in Melbourne's laneways and markets and the last three in Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree. Five days suit Sydney alone. Two weeks leave room for Uluru.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are, in Tourism Australia's words, "the world's oldest living culture". Uluru is sacred to the Aṉangu, and visitors walk around the rock, never over it.
Australia's seasons are reversed, so December to February is summer. Summer suits Sydney's beaches, but in Cairns it is the wet season and stinger season. Take the reef trip between May and October. September and October also bring spring to Sydney and Melbourne.
US passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authority before they fly. Apply in the Australian ETA app, where the service charge is AUD 20, and book flights once it is granted.
Choose your trip length
5 days
Sydney + the Blue Mountains
Four days in Sydney fit the Opera House, Bondi Beach, the Harbour Bridge and the ferry to Taronga Zoo. Give the fifth to the Blue Mountains, about two hours by train, for the Three Sisters from Echo Point.
10 days
Sydney + Melbourne + Cairns
Four days in Sydney include a train day to the Blue Mountains. Fly to Melbourne for three days of Hosier Lane, the NGV, Queen Victoria Market and Carlton Gardens, then fly north to Cairns for a reef day, the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Daintree.
See the sample itinerary →
14 days
+ Uluru
Add Uluru for two or three nights at Yulara, which has direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns. Cairns to Yulara takes about 2 hours 50 minutes, so fly in from the reef instead of doubling back.
The flagship itinerary
How much does Australia cost per day?
Backpacker
$70-85/day
Budget travelers spend about $73 a day across Australia and about $82 in Sydney. A budget day buys hostel beds, supermarket meals and public transport.
Mid-range
$125-230/day
Mid-range days run from about $123 in Cairns to about $226 in Sydney, so put the extra into the Sydney nights. Expect a 3-star hotel, cafe breakfasts and two domestic flights.
Luxury
$500+/day
From about $496 a day, rising to about $676 a day in Sydney. The money goes on private reef charters, Gold Class on the Kuranda railway and tasting menus in Melbourne.
Major cities at a glance
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)Sydney
4 daysBest for the harbor, beaches and the Blue Mountains
Sydney gives a first trip its harbor days: the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the ferry to Taronga Zoo all sit around one harbor. Bondi Beach is a bus ride east. Keep a day for the Blue Mountains, where the Three Sisters stand off Echo Point lookout in Katoomba.
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)Melbourne
3 daysBest for laneways, galleries and markets
Melbourne suits travelers who would rather walk laneways than tick off landmarks, from the street art of Hosier Lane to the cafes of Degraves Street. The NGV's two galleries are free and open daily. Trams cost nothing inside the Free Tram Zone, which covers the CBD and Docklands.
Bernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA 4.0)Cairns
3 daysBest for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree
Stay in Cairns for the reef boats and the rainforest to the north. The Kuranda Scenic Railway climbs 327 meters over 37 kilometers to Kuranda. Come between May and October, the tropical north's dry season.
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)Uluru
2-3 daysBest for the Red Centre and Aṉangu culture
Uluru is sacred to the Aṉangu, its traditional owners, and the climb closed permanently on October 26, 2019. Walk around the base instead, and stay for sunset. Visitors sleep at Yulara, the resort town with its own airport.
Michael Fromholtz, derivative Georgfotoart (CC BY-SA 4.0)Hobart
2-3 daysBest for MONA and Salamanca Market
Hobart is Tasmania's harbor capital and the way in to MONA, a museum about thirty minutes upriver by ferry that opens Thursday to Monday. Be in town on a Saturday for Salamanca Market at Salamanca Place.
Jordan Gellie (CC0)Gold Coast
2-3 daysBest for surf beaches and theme parks
The Gold Coast runs along 70 kilometers of coastline south of Brisbane, with surf at Surfers Paradise, theme parks and a rainforest hinterland. Choose it for a beach holiday with kids, and Cairns for the reef.
What are the top things to do in Australia?
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)Sydney Harbour and the Opera House
Sydney Opera House
Christo.j.brown (CC BY-SA 4.0)Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)Uluru and the Red Centre
Uluru
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)The Great Ocean Road
Twelve Apostles
-jkb- (CC BY-SA 3.0)The Blue Mountains
Three Sisters
Maksym Kozlenko (CC BY-SA 4.0)Coastal Experiences
Bondi Beach · Whitehaven Beach · Surfers Paradise Beach
Jan Derk (Public domain)Cultural and Wildlife Attractions
Taronga Zoo · National Gallery of Victoria · Melbourne Cricket Ground
Mitchell O'Brien (Arilakon) (CC BY 2.5)A Rainforest Canopy Walkway
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway · Tree Top Walk at Otway Fly Treetop Adventures · Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
Robert Linsdell (CC BY 2.0)Daintree Rainforest
Daintree Rainforest
Coekon (CC BY-SA 3.0)Melbourne laneways and street art
Hosier Lane
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Plan your Australia trip in about 2 minutes
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Plan your Australia trip →Food guide
s2art (CC BY-SA 2.0)Vegemite on Toast
A thick, dark, salty yeast extract spread that locals smear thinly over buttered sourdough or white toast. It is an acquired taste that represents the quintessential start to an Aussie morning.
USD 2-6
fir0002 (GFDL 1.2)Meat Pie
A staple of the Australian pub and bakery culture, consisting of minced meat and gravy encased in golden pastry. It is the definitive comfort food usually eaten on the go.
USD 3-7
Hazel Fowler (Public domain)Pavlova
This meringue-based dessert features a crisp, delicate shell and a soft, marshmallow-like center topped with whipped cream and fresh seasonal fruit. It is the hallmark of every summer gathering.
USD 7-15
Photo by Farhad Ibrahimzade on PexelsBarramundi
A prized native fish with firm white flesh, typically grilled to highlight its clean, mild flavor. You will find it on menus across the continent from coastal cafes to city bistros.
USD 18-35
jules (CC BY 2.0)Lamington
A quintessential Australian square sponge cake coated in a thin layer of chocolate icing and rolled in desiccated coconut.
USD 3-5
Andy Li (CC0)Smashed Avocado on Toast
A modern breakfast classic that highlights high-quality local produce, served on crusty sourdough bread, often with a squeeze of lemon and sea salt.
USD 15-20
Shopping guide
Photo by Harper Sunday on PexelsAesop Skincare
Purchase locally for lower prices and a wider range of the signature collection.
Aesop's own stores in Melbourne. · USD 30-120
Merino Wool Sweater
Merino wool is soft and warm, good for layering.
Knitwear stores in central Melbourne. · USD 80-400
Photo by Armand Mckenzie on UnsplashAkubra Fur Felt Hat
These hats are built to endure harsh sun and heavy rain.
Hat shops and outback outfitters in Sydney. · USD 120-250
Rexness (CC BY-SA 2.0)Aboriginal Dot Painting
Authentic works from community-run art centers support Indigenous artists directly.
Galleries that sign the Indigenous Art Code. · USD 100-2,000
Photo by Elizaveta Mitenkova on PexelsBoulder Opal Jewelry
This variety features deep color plays embedded within ironstone matrix.
Jewelers in central Brisbane who state the opal's type and origin. · USD 200-3,000
Photo by hello aesthe on PexelsLeatherwood Honey
A distinct spicy, floral profile harvested from Tasmania's ancient rainforests.
Salamanca Market vendors. · USD 15-40
Festivals & timing
Jan 10-31, 2027
Australian Open, Melbourne
The Australian Open tennis tournament takes over Melbourne Park for the last three weeks of January. Book Melbourne hotels early if your trip overlaps it.
Worth planning around
Mar 6, 2027
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
On March 6, 2027, the Mardi Gras parade runs from Hyde Park to Moore Park along Oxford Street, with more than 200 floats and 12,000 marchers.
Worth planning around
May 28 to Jun 19, 2027
Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music, ideas and food, takes over Sydney for three weeks of early winter, from May 28 to June 19, 2027. Pair it with Cairns, which is in its dry season by then.
Worth planning around
Jul 6-8, 2027
Big Red Bash, Birdsville
The Big Red Bash is a music festival at Birdsville in outback Queensland, and its final edition runs from July 6 to 8, 2027. Plan it in only with time for a long outback journey.
Dec 31
New Year's Eve, Sydney Harbour
Sydney's harbor fireworks go off twice, at 9 p.m. and at midnight. The 9 p.m. show suits travelers with kids.
Worth planning around
Nov to Apr
Wet season in the tropical north
Cairns, the Whitsundays and the Daintree have their wet season from November to April, which is also stinger season on the reef. Book the reef leg for May to October.
Better to avoid
Dec 21, 2026 to Jan 27, 2027
Summer school holidays
Victoria's government schools are on holiday from December 21, 2026 to January 27, 2027, over Christmas, New Year and Australia Day on January 26. Book flights and beach stays for those weeks early.
Better to avoid
Travel essentials
Connectivity & SIM
- TelstraWhere: Any Telstra store or major airport terminal
- OptusWhere: Optus retail stores or convenience stores
- Airalo eSIMWhere: Airalo website or mobile app
Cultural notes
Australians value a casual, egalitarian approach; first names are standard even in professional settings. If you are invited to a home, bringing a small gift like a bottle of wine or chocolates is common practice.
Safety
Australia's biggest natural risks involve the sun and surf; always swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches. In the remote outback, carry double the water you think you need and never leave your vehicle if you break down. Bushfire season peaks during hot summer months, so check local park alerts before heading into national forests.
Electric Socket Guide(230V · 50Hz)
Socket types
Two angled flat pins + ground (Australia, China)
Planning checklist
Get the ETA before you book flights.
US passport holders apply for the Electronic Travel Authority in the Australian ETA app, for a service charge of AUD 20. Most applicants hear back straight away, and the ETA is tied to the passport you apply with.
Fly between the cities.
The 10-day route uses two domestic flights, Sydney to Melbourne and Melbourne to Cairns. For Uluru, Yulara airport has direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns.
Tap on with your bank card.
Sydney's trains, ferries, buses and light rail take Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards at the Opal fare. Melbourne's trains, trams and buses take Visa and Mastercard, and trams in the CBD are free. The airport train into central Sydney carries a station access fee of AUD 18.61 on a card.
Book the Opera House tour and Taronga online.
The one-hour Opera House tour is AUD 50 booked ahead against AUD 55 on the day. Taronga Zoo is from AUD 51.30 online, and the ferry from Circular Quay takes 12 minutes.
Book the Kuranda railway and the reef boat before you reach Cairns.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway runs twice a day, at AUD 58 one way in Heritage Class. Reef operators collect the marine park's AUD 8.50 daily charge with the ticket.
Keep your receipts for a GST refund.
Spend AUD 300 or more with one business within 60 days of leaving, and you can claim the GST back at the airport through the Tourist Refund Scheme. Claims close 30 minutes before your flight, and you may be asked to carry the goods on board.
Pick your month.
The where-to-go pages pick Melbourne for January, during the Australian Open, and Sydney for October. From Sydney, see the day trips and weekend getaways.
What mistakes do first-timers make in Australia?
Booking flights before the ETA is granted
US passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authority, applied for in the Australian ETA app. Home Affairs suggests you make no travel arrangements until it is granted. Enter Australia on the passport you applied with, since the ETA is linked to it.
Swimming unprotected in stinger season
Marine stingers are in tropical Queensland waters all year, with the risk highest from November to May. Swim inside the stinger nets and wear a full-body lycra suit on the reef.
Standing at the water's edge in croc country
Queensland says no waterway in crocodile range is crocodile-free. Crocodile range runs from near Gladstone to the Torres Strait, so Cairns and the Daintree are inside it. Stay more than 5 meters back from creeks and rivers, and keep out of the water.
Underestimating the sun
UV levels in Australia are high all year round, even under cloud. Wear sunscreen and a hat on the Bondi sand and the reef boat, and take extra care from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mistaking the Sunday surcharge for a scam
Cafes and restaurants may add a surcharge on weekends and public holidays, and the menu has to state the percentage and the days. Card surcharges on Visa, Mastercard, American Express and eftpos ended on October 1, 2026.
Buying Aboriginal art without asking who made it
Buy from galleries that sign the Indigenous Art Code, which commits dealers to fair trade with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Ask who the artist is, where they are from and how they get paid.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) before they fly, applied for through the Australian ETA app from outside Australia. Home Affairs lists the United States among the eligible passports and tells most applicants the result straight away. Everyone arriving also fills in an Incoming Passenger Card.
The Australian ETA costs AUD 20, a service charge for using the Australian ETA app, with no visa application charge on top. The ETA allows multiple entries for 12 months, or until the passport expires if that comes first, and stays of up to 3 months each time. EU passport holders use the free eVisitor instead.
Ten days in Australia cover Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns, with flights between them: four days in Sydney, three in Melbourne and three in Cairns for the reef and the Daintree. Five days suit Sydney and the Blue Mountains alone. Fourteen days add Uluru.
A first trip to Australia goes to Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns. Sydney has the harbor and Bondi Beach, Melbourne its laneways and galleries, and Cairns the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest. On a longer trip, Uluru is the fourth stop.
Plan an Australia trip by the number of days, then fly between the cities. Ten days cover Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns. Five fit Sydney and the Blue Mountains, and fourteen add Uluru. Apply for the ETA before you book anything. Daily costs run about $70-85 as a backpacker, $125-230 mid-range and $500 and up for luxury.
September and October suit a first trip to Australia, with spring in Sydney and Melbourne and the dry season in Cairns, which runs from May to October. Australia's seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere's, so summer is December to February. Summer in the tropical north is the wet season and stinger season.
Australia costs a mid-range traveler about $188 a day, rising to about $226 in Sydney and falling to about $123 in Cairns. A Sydney Opera House tour costs AUD 50 booked ahead, and adult entry to Taronga Zoo AUD 57 at the gate.
No, tipping is not expected in most Australian venues, and hotels and restaurants add no service charge. In upmarket restaurants, 10% for good service is common. Look on the menu for a weekend or public holiday surcharge, which cafes may add.
Buy opal, Australia's national gemstone, since the country produces 95% of the world's precious opal. Other good buys are an Akubra hat, from a company founded in Tasmania in 1876, Aboriginal art from galleries that sign the Indigenous Art Code, and Tim Tams and Vegemite for the suitcase. Spend AUD 300 or more with one business and you can claim the GST back at the airport through the Tourist Refund Scheme.
The festivals worth planning an Australia trip around are Vivid Sydney, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the Australian Open. In 2027, Vivid Sydney runs from May 28 to June 19, the Mardi Gras parade is on March 6, and the Australian Open runs from January 10 to 31. Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks fill the harbor every December 31.
The US State Department rates Australia at Level 1, "exercise normal precautions", its lowest level. The risks to plan for come from nature, from high UV all year to marine stingers in tropical Queensland from November to May and saltwater crocodiles in the rivers of the north.
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