📍 Australia

AUSTRALIA GRAND TOUR: NATURAL WONDERS AND CULTURES

Aboriginal stories etched in stone, tropical reefs teeming with life, a vast and empty outback. Australia's grand tour crosses ancient, living lands.

≈ 24
Days
11677
Km
11
Stops
📖 7 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Melbourne and its gardens, Cairns and the Barrier Reef, Kakadu and its Aboriginal sites, Darwin, Perth and its beaches, Rottnest's quokkas, Coral Bay's reefs. Cross Australia and discover all its diversity.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Melbourne

arts garden federation boulevard

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

Discover

1
National Gallery of Victoria - Yayoi Kusama retrospective (until April 2025)
2
Potter Museum of Art - exposition '65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art'
🎯

Activities

→
Australian Grand Prix Circuit at Albert Park (March 2025)
→
Melbourne Laneways - street art and galleries
→
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 244 km
Travel time: 4h53
2
Day

Echuca

riverboat historic port

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

Discover

1
Murray River - Australia's longest river (2508 km across 3 states)
2
Historic Port of Echuca - 19th century river trade heritage
🎯

Activities

→
Paddle steamer cruise on the Murray River
→
Silo Art Trail - Australia's largest outdoor art gallery
→
Wineries of the region
+2 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 2781 km
Travel time: 55h37
3
Day

Cairns

reef city tropical gateway

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

Discover

1
Cairns Gallery Precinct - Mulgrave gallery with Aboriginal exhibitions
2
Bulmba-ja Arts Center - First Nations art and culture
3
Tanks Art Centre - galleries in former fuel tanks
🎯

Activities

→
Flight to Cairns
→
Great Barrier Reef - UNESCO site
→
Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29 km
Travel time: 35min
4
Day

Palm Cove

palm-fringed beach village

Palm Cove - Photo 1Palm Cove - Photo 2Palm Cove - Photo 3Palm Cove - Photo 4Palm Cove - Photo 5Palm Cove - Photo 6Palm Cove - Photo 7Palm Cove - Photo 8Palm Cove - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Wangetti Trail - 94 km coastal trail connecting Cairns to Port Douglas
2
Palm Cove Jetty - Ellis Beach section (7.9 km open)
🎯

Activities

→
Coastal hiking on the Wangetti Trail
→
Tropical beaches of Palm Cove
→
Port Douglas - tropical coastal village
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 658 km
Travel time: 13h10
5
Day

Airlie Beach

island hopper whitsunday access

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

Discover

1
Whitsundays ISLAND - 74 islands
2
Darwin - capital of the Northern Territory, gateway to the Top End
🎯

Activities

→
Flight to the Whitsundays
→
Snorkeling and diving on coral reefs
→
Cruise in the archipelago
+1 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 2721 km
Travel time: 54h25
6
Day

Darwin

frontier tropical storm brewing

Darwin - Photo 1Darwin - Photo 2Darwin - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
2
Kakadu National Park - UNESCO site of 20,000 km²
🎯

Activities

→
Mindil Beach Markets (dry season)
→
Crocosaurus Cove - crocodile observation
→
Aboriginal art and First Nations culture
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 292 km
Travel time: 5h51
7
Day

Kakadu

aboriginal sacred stone gallery

Kakadu - Photo 1Kakadu - Photo 2Kakadu - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Yellow Water Billabong - wetlands with abundant wildlife
2
Arnhem Land - preserved Aboriginal territory (permit required)
🎯

Activities

→
Aboriginal rock art of Nourlangie (40,000 years)
→
Ubirr rock art - panoramas and ancient paintings
→
Bush tucker tours with Aboriginal guides
+3 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 25 km
Travel time: 30min
8
Day

Jabiru

kakadu gateway mining town

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

Discover

1
Injalak Hill - major rock art site
2
Perth - capital of Western Australia
🎯

Activities

→
Cultural experiences with traditional owners
→
Ethical Adventures tours in Marrithiyal territory
→
Wildlife observation - wallabies, birds, crocodiles
+2 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 3584 km
Travel time: 71h41
9
Day

Perth

isolated city swan river

Perth - Photo 1Perth - Photo 2Perth - Photo 3Perth - Photo 4Perth - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Fremantle - historic port and Victorian architecture
2
Wadjemup/Rottnest Island - 19 km² car-free island
🎯

Activities

→
Kings Park and Botanic Garden - 400 hectares of urban bush
→
Art Gallery of Western Australia
→
Swan River - walks and cruises
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 43 km
Travel time: 52min
10
Day

Rottnest Island

quokka smiles pristine sanctuary

Rottnest Island - Photo 1Rottnest Island - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
63 white sand beaches and 20 bays
2
12 inland salt lakes
3
Coral Bay - coastal village at the entrance to Ningaloo Reef
🎯

Activities

→
Quokka watching - endemic marsupials
→
Cycling on the island's bike paths
→
Snorkeling and marked underwater trails
+4 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 1300 km
Travel time: 26h
11
Day

Coral Bay

reef fish crystal water

Coral Bay - Photo 1Coral Bay - Photo 2Coral Bay - Photo 3Coral Bay - Photo 4Coral Bay - Photo 5Coral Bay - Photo 6Coral Bay - Photo 7Coral Bay - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Ningaloo Marine Park - 260 km coral reef UNESCO listed
2
Ningaloo Marine Park - 260 km coral reef UNESCO listed
🎯

Activities

→
Snorkeling directly from the beach on the reef
→
Swimming with whale sharks (March-June)
→
Swimming with humpback whales (July-October)
+4 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 19 and 29 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.