📍 Australia

AUSTRALIAN ODYSSEY: TWELVE APOSTLES TO GREAT BARRIER

Limestone cliffs plunge into the ocean, rainforest opens onto coral gardens, from mountain mist to tropical heat. Australia's east coast is an endless spectacle.

≈ 25
Days
5118
Km
15
Stops
📖 9 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Drive the Great Ocean Road and its cliffs, discover Melbourne and Sydney, hike the Blue Mountains, surf Byron Bay and dive the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns. Australia's east coast, from south to tropical north.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Port Campbell

limestone apostles ocean cathedrals

Port Campbell - Photo 1Port Campbell - Photo 2Port Campbell - Photo 3Port Campbell - Photo 4Port Campbell - Photo 5Port Campbell - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Melbourne city center - street art laneways and Victorian architecture
2
St. Kilda - seaside district with historic pier
🎯

Activities

→
Little penguin watching at St. Kilda Pier (at dusk)
→
Walk on the St. Kilda Esplanade
→
Historic tramway to the city center
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 1177 km
Travel time: 23h33
2
Day

Melbourne

cultural cafes federation heritage

Melbourne - Photo 1Melbourne - Photo 2Melbourne - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Great Ocean Road - 243 km scenic route classified as national heritage
2
Twelve Apostles - iconic limestone formations
🎯

Activities

→
London Arch and Loch Ard Gorge
→
Gibson Steps - stairway to the beach
→
Viewpoints over the coastal cliffs
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 252 km
Travel time: 5h02
3
Day

Jervis Bay

dolphin waters dolphin bay

Jervis Bay - Photo 1Jervis Bay - Photo 2Jervis Bay - Photo 3Jervis Bay - Photo 4Jervis Bay - Photo 5Jervis Bay - Photo 6Jervis Bay - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Day 1: Sydney Opera House - UNESCO-listed architectural masterpiece
2
Day 1: Sydney Harbour Bridge - 1932 steel arch bridge
🎯

Activities

→
Day 1: The Rocks historic district
→
Day 1: Bondi Beach
→
Day 1: Coogee to Bondi coastal walk (6 km)
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 990 km
Travel time: 19h48
4
Day

Sydney

iconic harbor bridge sparkle

Sydney - Photo 1Sydney - Photo 2Sydney - Photo 3Sydney - Photo 4Sydney - Photo 5Sydney - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Day 2: Manly Beach - beach accessible by ferry from Circular Quay
2
Day 2: Manly Scenic Walkway - 10 km coastal trail
3
Blue Mountains National Park - World Heritage listed site
4
Three Sisters - iconic rock formation
🎯

Activities

→
Day 2: 15-minute ferry from the city center
→
Day 2: Surfing and swimming at Manly
→
Day 2: North Head - panoramic harbor viewpoint
+3 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 110 km
Travel time: 2h12
5
Day

Katoomba

misty valley blue mountains

Katoomba - Photo 1Katoomba - Photo 2Katoomba - Photo 3Katoomba - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Hunter Valley - Australia's oldest wine region
2
Wineries and tasting cellars
🎯

Activities

→
Echo Point Lookout
→
Wine tasting - Shiraz and Semillon
→
Regional artisanal cheese makers
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 182 km
Travel time: 3h38
6
Day

Hunter Valley

vineyard rolling wine estates

Hunter Valley - Photo 1Hunter Valley - Photo 2Hunter Valley - Photo 3Hunter Valley - Photo 4Hunter Valley - Photo 5Hunter Valley - Photo 6Hunter Valley - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Grand Pacific Drive - 140 km scenic coastal road
2
Hyams Beach - beach with some of the whitest sand in the world
🎯

Activities

→
Local wildlife observation
→
Sea Cliff Bridge - suspension bridge over the ocean
→
Swimming in the crystal clear waters of Jervis Bay
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 333 km
Travel time: 6h39
7
Day

Byron Bay

coastal cool lighthouse bluff

Byron Bay - Photo 1Byron Bay - Photo 2Byron Bay - Photo 3Byron Bay - Photo 4Byron Bay - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Cape Byron - easternmost point of the Australian continent
2
Cape Byron Lighthouse and coastal trail
🎯

Activities

→
Surfing on Byron Bay beaches
→
Main Beach and Wategos Beach
→
Byron Bay artisan markets
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 53 km
Travel time: 1h04
8
Day

Murwillumbah

hinterland river valley gateway

Murwillumbah - Photo 1Murwillumbah - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Wollumbin (Mt Warning) - ancient 1156-meter volcano
2
Wollumbin National Park
🎯

Activities

→
Sunrise hike to the summit (4.4 km)
→
Panoramic view of the Tweed caldera
→
First point lit by the sun in continental Australia
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 45 km
Travel time: 54min
9
Day

Gold Coast

surfer's paradise theme parks

Gold Coast - Photo 1Gold Coast - Photo 2Gold Coast - Photo 3Gold Coast - Photo 4Gold Coast - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Gold Coast - Queensland's coastal metropolis
2
Surfers Paradise - iconic urban beach
🎯

Activities

→
Hot air balloon flight at sunrise over the hinterland
→
Wine tasting in hinterland estates
→
Springbrook National Park and rainforest
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 239 km
Travel time: 4h46
10
Day

Noosa

sophisticated resort river mouth

Noosa - Photo 1Noosa - Photo 2Noosa - Photo 3Noosa - Photo 4Noosa - Photo 5Noosa - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Noosa Heads National Park - coastal forest and trails
2
Hastings Street - main street of Noosa
🎯

Activities

→
Observation of wild koalas in eucalyptus trees
→
Fairy Pools - coastal natural pools
→
Surf à Noosa Main Beach
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 162 km
Travel time: 3h15
11
Day

Hervey Bay

whale watching marine sanctuary

Hervey Bay - Photo 1Hervey Bay - Photo 2Hervey Bay - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
K'gari (Fraser Island) - world's largest sand island, UNESCO listed
2
Lake McKenzie - perched lake with crystal-clear waters
🎯

Activities

→
4x4 vehicle exploration on sand tracks
→
75 Mile Beach - natural sand highway
→
Eli Creek - freshwater stream
+2 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 910 km
Travel time: 18h12
12
Day

Airlie Beach

tropical gateway island paradise

Airlie Beach - Photo 1Airlie Beach - Photo 2Airlie Beach - Photo 3Airlie Beach - Photo 4Airlie Beach - Photo 5Airlie Beach - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Airlie Beach - gateway to the Whitsundays
2
Airlie Beach free artificial lagoon
🎯

Activities

→
Sailing cruise in the Whitsundays islands
→
Whitehaven Beach - 98% white silica sand beach
→
Hill Inlet Lookout - panoramic view of the sandbanks
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 297 km
Travel time: 5h56
13
Day

Townsville

reef access warm water city

Townsville - Photo 1Townsville - Photo 2Townsville - Photo 3Townsville - Photo 4Townsville - Photo 5Townsville - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Townsville - coastal town in tropical Queensland
2
Castle Hill - 286-meter granite monolith
🎯

Activities

→
The Strand - promenade côtière de 2,2 km
→
Reef HQ Aquarium - world's largest coral reef aquarium
→
Diving on the Great Barrier Reef (preserved southern sector)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 223 km
Travel time: 4h28
14
Day

Mission Beach

rainforest meets coral sand

Mission Beach - Photo 1Mission Beach - Photo 2Mission Beach - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Mission Beach - tropical village between forest and ocean
2
Beaches bordered by tropical rainforest
🎯

Activities

→
Skydiving with views of the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforest
→
Cassowary observation in their natural habitat
→
Snorkeling excursion to the reefs
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 145 km
Travel time: 2h53
15
Day

Cairns

reef capital tropical jewel

Cairns - Photo 1Cairns - Photo 2Cairns - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Great Barrier Reef - UNESCO site, world's largest coral system
2
Cairns Esplanade and swimming lagoon
🎯

Activities

→
Diving or snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
→
Observation of 400 coral species and 10% of the world's fish species
→
Green Island - coral island
+2 Optional activities

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - Australia

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Peak Season (December-February): Summer holidays, warmest weather, perfect for beaches, highest prices, most crowded attractions, school holidays.

Shoulder Seasons (March-May, September-November): Excellent weather, fewer crowds, moderate prices, ideal for most regions and outdoor activities.

Winter (June-August): Perfect for tropical north (dry season), ski season in Snowy Mountains, cooler in south, lower prices except ski areas.

Regional Variations: Northern Australia best in dry season (May-October), southern regions pleasant year-round, consider vast distances and climate zones.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 20 and 30 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Australia?

Unique wildlife, stunning beaches, and vast Outback create the ultimate adventure destination. From Sydney Opera House to Great Barrier Reef and Uluru's spiritual presence. Experience Aboriginal culture, world-class wine regions, and cosmopolitan cities alongside dangerous animals. Australia offers life-changing experiences across diverse landscapes and vibrant cities.