The Final 3 Week Australia Itinerary!

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So many individuals have advised us they might love to go to Australia, however they solely have a number of weeks trip time to see all of the highlights. We get it, we are able to’t all take months off to go roaming around the globe, and three weeks trip is nothing to scoff at.

Fortunately, you possibly can see lots on a 3 week journey to Australia, together with among the most iconic websites; Uluru (Ayers Rock), The Nice Barrier Reef, The Sydney Opera Home, and the Nice Ocean Street, to call a number of.

Should you’re new to this weblog and don’t know us, we’re Australian-born journey bloggers who spent 18 months exploring our personal yard, so in the case of planning itineraries for Aus – we’re your folks!

Should you’re undecided the place to go and what to see on a 3 week tour of Australia, then don’t fear, we now we have put collectively the final word 3 week Australia itinerary so you possibly can see one of the best of our nation.

The Final Three Week Australia Itinerary

The next itinerary is how we’d spend three weeks if we hadn’t been to Australia earlier than. It caters to first time guests to Aus, however we’ve additionally included some hidden gems and non-touristy issues to do, so if in case you have been earlier than, you possibly can nonetheless discover a number of locations off the crushed path to exlpore.

It’s not set in stone and could be customised to your wants, price range, journey fashion and pursuits. We love seashores, native tradition, nature, and unimaginable landscapes, so we’ve centered our sights on that foundation.

You may choose extra cities, or extra time on the seaside or wish to go to a few of Australia’s tropical islands, so use this as a information and regulate it to go well with you.

Take what you want, and depart the remainder. We’ve offered plenty of concepts for issues to do in every place so you possibly can decide and select what feels best for you, and we additionally share some concepts for easy methods to lengthen your journey should you resolve to remain longer on the finish of this information.

Right here is the route we are going to take:

To get round this itinerary, you will want to e book inner flights to journey between main cities, and drive to get round.

So, you’re gonna want a rental automobile. We suggest Uncover Automobiles as having one of the best reserving platform for locating offers. It’s person pleasant and backed by nice customer support. I exploit them recurrently for my automobile hires and love them. See charges and availability right here.

Days 1 – 3: Sydney, NSW

If you go to Australia you possibly can’t miss Sydney. In truth, it’s most certainly the primary place you’ll fly into!

Apart from being Australia’s largest metropolis (however not the capital), there are various the explanation why Sydney, NSW can also be essentially the most visited.

The beautiful harbourside location, iconic seashores, glorious eating places, unbelievable cafes and pubs, world heritage websites, terrific purchasing, unimaginable festivals, a multicultural inhabitants, and good year-round climate.

So don’t simply use Sydney as a gateway to Australia, with a lot to see and expertise give your self three days.

Learn how to get into Sydney from the airport

The very first thing you’re going to wish to know is easy methods to get from the airport to the town. To do that, merely hop on the Sydney Airport Hyperlink Practice, which takes quarter-hour or so.

The excellent news is you not want an Opal Card if in case you have a contactless cost card. You possibly can merely faucet your credit score or debit card, or Apple or Google Pay, and use this to pay fares on trains, buses, ferries, and the sunshine rail. It makes touring round Sydney a lot simpler.

Alternatively, catch an Uber. The airport hyperlink is pricey, so typically an Uber works out to be about the identical value and is extra handy as you possibly can take it on to the resort. You are able to do a value estimate by the Uber app earlier than you request it to double test

When you’re within the metropolis, I counsel you e book your lodging within the Sydney CBD so that you’re centrally situated to all one of the best sights and take advantage of your go to.

You’ll discover a number of of Sydney’s highlights could be taken in without spending a dime or low cost just by strolling round this district.

Issues to do in Sydney

Throughout your three days in Sydney, listed here are among the sights we suggest you go to. You might wish to use your first day as an orientation day.

Get your self an esim card, stroll across the CBD and take a look at the Sydney Opera Home and Sydney Harbor Bridge.

For the opposite two days, right here’s what we propose you do.

• Stroll Round Round Quay – The perfect place to start out your go to is in Round Quay, the primary transport hub of Sydney Harbour and the place two of Australia’s most well-known landmarks reside; Sydney Opera Home and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take into account taking a 1 hour tour of the Opera Home. In any other case, simply wander round and take your “I used to be right here” picture. 
• Royal Botanic Gardens – you possibly can’t beat the serenity and harbour views from these gardens. Have a picnic or take a stroll and admire the numerous several types of crops and metropolis views on a free self-guided strolling tour.
• Discover The Rocks District – The Rocks District is a historic space of Sydney and my favorite a part of the CBD. It’s residence to Sydney’s oldest pubs, cobblestone streets, weekend markets, and views of the harbour.

 

• Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge – climbing one of the vital well-known bridges on the earth is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise. Take both daybreak, day, twilight, or evening climb and take within the breathtaking views. (E book nicely prematurely).
• Stroll throughout the Sydney Harbour Bridge – a less expensive choice than climbing is to easily stroll throughout for FREE and soak up the identical views on a decrease degree. Or go to the Pylon Lookout and get unbelievable views plus 3 ranges of reveals to be taught concerning the historical past of the Bridge.
• Bondi Seaside to Coogee Coastal Stroll  – certainly one of my favorite free issues to do in Sydney. A shocking coastal stroll and the right method to spend a stunning few hours in Sydney.

• Catch the ferry to Manly – an inexpensive method to expertise lovely Sydney Harbour with beautiful views of the town is to catch the ferry from Round Quay to Manly and again. In Manly, stroll down the palm tree-lined Corso in direction of the seaside for an ice-cream, stroll round to picturesque Shelly Seaside, or seize a chilly beer at Manly Wharf Resort. Time your return ferry journey again to the Quay to coincide with the sundown behind the harbour bridge.
• Surry Hills – stroll round certainly one of Sydney’s most artistically-vibrant neighbourhoods with previous terrace houses, an ideal mixture of cafes, eating places, wine bars, and pubs. Wander Crown Avenue, Bourke Avenue, and Cleveland Avenue.
• Queen Victoria Constructing – Positioned on George avenue. The place to go for the best trend boutiques, jewelry, and homeware, plus cafes and eating places.
• Darling Harbour – energetic harbourside precinct only a 10-minute stroll from the CBD and has cafes, bars, eating places, a big children playground and a program of unbelievable free Sydney leisure each week
• Stroll by Hyde Park – Australia’s oldest park and the town’s central open inexperienced house. The park incorporates St Mary’s cathedral plus quite a few monuments and statues, and the central pathway by the park is a powerful fig-lined street.
• Hit the seashores – Sydney is known for its seashores, that are nice free issues to do in Sydney. From the Northern Seashores to the Jap Suburbs you could have many nice seashores to discover. Our favourites: Bronte and Coogee within the jap suburbs – and you will need to go to the well-known Bondi Seaside a minimum of as soon as. Manly, Freshwater, and Palm Seaside are on the northern seashores.

• Taronga Zoo – All kinds of Aussie and worldwide animals with keeper talks and animal encounters makes for an ideal half-day as a household outing in Sydney. Catch the ferry from Round Quay to Taronga Zoo which is located in a pure bushland setting with spectacular views over the harbour. Get tickets prematurely right here. 
• Sydney Tower – it’s costly to go as much as the highest of Sydney Tower, the town’s tallest free-standing construction standing at 309 m (1,014 ft) above the CBD, but it surely’s value it. It has an remark deck with superior views of the skyline. Get quick observe entry tickets right here. 
• Artwork Gallery of NSW – free to enter and certainly one of Australia’s main artwork museums with collections of Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian, and up to date artwork.
• The Blue Mountains – take a day journey to the Blue Mountains and see the enduring Three Sisters rock formations.

The place to remain in Sydney

We talked about earlier that one of the best place to remain in Sydney is the Central Enterprise District, CDB. Listed below are some inns we’d suggest on this space:

Days 4 – 6: Cairns, Far North Queensland

It might sound unusual to board a aircraft instantly after arriving in Australia, however sadly to get every part packed into simply three weeks, you’ll have to take a number of inner flights. Far North Queensland is NOT to be missed.

After you’ve caught a flight from Sydney to Cairns (3 hour’s flight) and checked into your lodging in Cairns Metropolis, you’re able to go exploring. Attempt to catch an early morning flight so you possibly can discover within the afternoon and night.

As certainly one of Australia’s greatest vacationer cities and the gateway to the Nice Barrier Reef, Cairns is a vibrant metropolis with loads of issues to do, and lots of nice eating places and cafes to maintain you cheerful.

The climate is usually superb, you possibly can stroll round at evening in your shorts and flip-flops, and the times are full of an infinite quantity of selections of sights to discover within the surrounding areas.

While Cairns is generally about getting out on the Nice Barrier Reef, the encircling hinterlands and close by rainforests are positively value including to your 3 week Australia itinerary.

Issues to do in Cairns

• Swim on the Cairns Lagoon – the cruelty of the north is you get sizzling summers however you possibly can’t swim on the seashores, they’re filled with stingers (jellyfish that may significantly hurt you, even kill you). There are additionally a number of crocs round too. The primary seaside in Cairns can also be extra of a mud flat. To not worry, the man-made Cairns Lagoon offers you precisely what you want. Crystal clear waters, seaside views, and lifeguards. It’s a cool place to laze round and browse your e book and it’s protected for swimming.
• Day journey to the Nice Barrier Reef – a real marvel of the world that’s 2,300km lengthy and consists of 900 islands and a pair of,900 particular person reefs. It’s the world’s largest coral reef and the biggest residing construction on the planet. There are various choices for getting out on the reef, among the primary Barrier Reef Tour Operators are Reef Magic Cruises, Quicksilver Cruises, and Reef Expertise.

 

• Inexperienced Island – a coral cay surrounded by white sandy seashores and luxurious coral reefs. You possibly can snorkel straight off the shore and there’s a pleasant boardwalk by the forest to the opposite aspect of the island.
• Rusty’s Farmer’s Market – a little bit of a Cairns establishment and certainly one of the most cost effective farmers’ markets I’ve visited in Australia.
• Stroll or cycle the Cairns Esplanade – take a stroll alongside the Esplanade in Cairns, watch the dawn then seize breakfast at one of many busy cafes and eating places that line the strip.

• Atherton Tablelands – about an hour southwest of Cairns, spend a day exploring this area, we particularly cherished the waterfall circuit.

The place to remain in Cairns

We suggest you keep within the metropolis heart of Cairns so that you’re near all of the motion and sights. Listed below are some nice lodging choices to think about:

Days 7 – 9: Street Journey Cairns to Cape Tribulation

Should you haven’t bought one already, now could be the time to choose up a rental automobile on your three-day loop drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation through Port Douglas.

This small street journey permits you to soak up one of the best of the Tropical North Queensland space.

It’s one of the vital enchanting areas in Australia.

I don’t counsel you do that drive as a day journey from Cairns although, it’s 140 km a technique and shall be too rushed, so both keep at Port Douglas and do a day journey from there (85 km a technique) or keep inside The Daintree and discover.

Day 7-8: Cairns to Port Douglas

This drive is certainly one of Australia’s most scenic coastal roads, you’ve bought the rainforest on one aspect and the Nice Barrier Reef on the opposite.

Should you have been to drive from Cairns to Port Douglas with out stopping it will solely take you one hour, however think about stopping at Palm Cove alongside the best way.

Palm Cove is a vibrant village and is taken into account to have certainly one of Australia’s most idyllic seashores (there’s a chosen swimming space through the stinger season).

There’s a beachfront playground for kids and a stunning esplanade to walk backwards and forwards alongside for espresso, gelato, or limitless eating places to dine in.

Should you don’t head straight to the Daintree, Port Douglas is a unbelievable place to base your self and discover extra of the tropical north. And it’s additionally one other good base to go out on to the Nice Barrier Reef. We suggest spending two days exploring this stretch of shoreline.

Issues to see and do in Port Douglas

• Try 4 Mile Seaside – swim, stroll or laze below a palm tree.
• Spend a day on the Barrier Reef – Try Quicksilver, Wavelength, or Calypso. Barrier reef excursions from Port Douglas could be discovered right here. 
• Sailaway Reef and Island Excursions – take a sundown cruise, afternoon cruise, or full-day cruise. See extra crusing excursions right here.
• Mossman Gorge – the southernmost finish of the Daintree Rainforest. It’s historical and pristine. A boardwalk takes you to the Mossman River and a wonderful swimming space.

The place to remain in Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a small city and an ideal base for exploring the tropical area of Cairns. Listed below are some nice locations to remain within the space:

Day 9: The Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation

At 110 million years previous, the Daintree Rainforest is probably the oldest present rainforest on the earth, even pre-dating the Amazon.

It’s World Heritage listed and sits smack bang alongside the Nice Barrier Reef – the one place on the earth the place two World Heritage websites meet. It’s a must-visit a part of Australia!

From Port Douglas, the furthest north now we have been to is the spectacular Cape Tribulation (85 km a technique).

Cape Trib is a headland situated throughout the Daintree Nationwide Park.

Issues to do within the Daintree Rainforest

• Cape Kimberley – the primary seaside you come to in Daintree Nationwide Park.
• Alexandra Lookout – cease right here for lovely views out over the Alexandra Vary and Snapper Island.
• Daintree Discovery Centre – do the self-guided audio tour and aerial walkway.
• Cow Bay
• Maardja Botanical Stroll – the 540m boardwalk follows the creek by a piece of rainforest and previous the eerily twisting roots and vines of the mangroves to a lookout over Noah Creek.
• Cape Tribulation – the prettiest of the seashores within the Daintree. Stroll alongside the seaside after which again as much as the Kulki boardwalk.

• Dubuji Boardwalk – the 1.2km boardwalk winds its manner by the mangroves, shaded by it’s cover of huge fan palms, strangler figs and vines main all the way down to Myall Seaside.
• Myall Seaside
• Kayaking at Cape Tribulation.

The place to remain within the Daintree Rainforest

There will not be an enormous quantity of locations to remain within the Daintree, however listed here are some nice choices:

Day 10: Fly to Alice Springs

After you come your rental automobile to Cairns airport, you’ll wish to fly to Alice Springs within the Northern Territory and go to Australia’s most well-known Outback city and begin your Outback journey. The flight, even direct, takes 6 hours and 10 minutes. That’s how huge Australia is!

Sadly, you will want to make use of day 10 as a full journey day, however will probably be completely value it to see this desert city and its surrounding sights.

Alice Springs is the thriving, spirited outback centre and is known for the character of its locals and up to date and conventional artwork, and naturally the pure wonders.

Framed by the MacDonnell Ranges and the desert panorama, Alice has all of the conveniences of a contemporary township imbued with a wealthy residing Aboriginal custom and European explorer historical past.

You possibly can spend a day or every week exploring the websites of Alice Springs. Should you’re fortunate to catch an early flight, you may need time to discover within the afternoon or night should you’re not too drained.

No matter you do after you land, be sure you get a 4-wheel-drive rental automobile in Alice Springs for the subsequent 5 days of exploring Central Australia. 

Issues to do in Alice Springs

• Telegraph Station Historic Reserve – be taught concerning the development of the Overland Telegraph Line from Port Augusta in South Australia to Darwin. Onsite cafe and strolling and biking tracks.
• Faculty of the Air Guests Centre – be taught concerning the world’s largest classroom, masking greater than 1.3 million sq. kilometres.
• The Kangaroo Sanctuary – Stand up shut with kangaroos on the residence of Brolga, star of the documentary collection Kangaroo Dundee – BBC UK / Nat Geo USA. Do the guided sundown tour!
• Royal Flying Medical doctors Service Museum – find out about one of many largest aeromedical organisations on the earth, offering in depth main well being care and 24-hour emergency service to folks over an space of seven.3 million sq. kilometres.
• Desert Park – see the animals that stay in Central Australia’s habitats.
• Anzac Hill – for a panoramic view of the city. Dawn is the right time as you watch the solar slowly rise to mild up the MacDonnell Ranges and the gorgeous desert city under.

The place to remain in Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a energetic city with plenty of nice lodging choices. The excellent news is you possibly can stroll from in all places within the city, so that you don’t have to fret an excessive amount of concerning the neighborhood you keep in. Listed below are some nice lodging choices for Alice Springs:

Days 11 – 15: Uluru & Purple Centre Approach

The Purple Centre Approach is likely one of the Australian Outback’s nice drives, stretching from Alice Springs to Uluru and taking within the beautiful landscapes of Kings Canyon and Ormiston Gorge.

There’s a lot to see and do alongside the drive, you merely want a number of days to finish it. On the naked minimal, we suggest three days.

Day 11: Alice Springs to Glen Helen Homestead

At the moment’s drive is roughly 177 km’s from Alice Springs to Glen Helen Homestead taking in among the greatest surroundings in Central Australia alongside the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Issues to do within the West MacDonnell Ranges

• Simpsons Hole (23km from Alice Springs through Larapinta Drive) – a outstanding waterhole is a crucial religious web site to the Arrarnta Aboriginal folks. At daybreak or nightfall, Simpsons Hole is famend as a spot to see Black-footed Rock-wallabies alongside the hole’s quick strolling observe.
• Standley Chasm (40km) – When the solar’s mild shifts throughout the cleft, the partitions of Standley Chasm glow golden, orange, and purple. There’s a fairly 15- 20 min stroll alongside the creek beside uncommon historical cycads, the place spring-fed swimming pools give the valley flooring a lush, tropical oasis really feel. Onsite cafe.
• Ellery Creek Huge Gap (57km) – a favorite swimming gap for the locals and an ideal spot for a picnic.
• Ochre Pits (22km from Ellery Creek) – brightly colored small cliffs that native Arrarnta Aboriginal folks have used for hundreds of years for his or her ceremonial paint. The layers of white, yellow, and purple ochre of the cliffs are so wealthy and earthy.
• Ormiston Gorge (24km) – the most important and prettiest swimming gap. It’s additionally the most well-liked. There’s a kiosk open right here that apparently serves an exceptional iced espresso.
• Glen Helen Gorge (11km) – The everlasting waterhole at Glen Helen Gorge is a favorite residence to many species of desert wildlife and lies on the headwaters of the Finke River, the place you possibly can stroll alongside the riverbed between the gorge partitions to see fabulous cycads. The normal homeowners consider Glen Helen Gorge is the house of an historical and highly effective Rainbow Serpent.

Keep in a single day at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge, which provides motel room sort lodging for households or singles plus caravan and tenting websites. There’s a restaurant, bar, gas (diesel & unleaded), and a swimming pool.

Day 12: Kings Canyon

Take pleasure in breakfast out on the deck at Glen Helen Homestead. The views out over the West Mac ranges are beautiful and it is vitally serene watching the eagles soar quietly above in search of their very own breaky.

Depart Glen Helen and drive 225km alongside the Mareenie Valley Street, stopping in a single day at Kings Canyon Resort.

Be sure you have a full tank of gas, water, and meals provides. This part of street is unsealed and could be badly corrugated, that’s why we propose a 4×4 automobile for clearance and luxury and management not as a result of it’s technical off-road driving.

Some folks drive this in a 2WD however a 4WD could be higher.

Kings Canyon Resort provides comfy lodging and hotel-style rooms plus tenting and caravan websites. Services embrace 2 eating places, 2 swimming swimming pools, and a petroleum station.

Climbing Kings Canyon

Iconic Kings Canyon is simply 7 km from the resort.

The 5.5km Kings Canyon Rim Stroll in Watarrka Nationwide Park provides spectacular views of the canyon and beautiful dome-shaped rock formations and the colors change because the solar continued its journey up.

We did it at dawn with our three and six-year-old daughters, with the one steep a part of the stroll being the climb to the highest originally.

Kings Canyon to Uluru (City of Yulara)

The drive from Kings Canyon to Yulara, the primary city on the gates into Uluru-Kata Tjuta Nationwide Park the place all of the lodging and retailers are, is 300km.

Days 13 – 15: Uluru

Uluru, beforehand referred to as Ayers Rock, is the religious coronary heart of the nation and a must-see while you go to Australia.

You’ve most likely seen tons of of photographs and TV commercials of Uluru, but it surely’s a spot you need to see and really feel, for your self.

Manufactured from arkosic sandstone, Uluru stands 348 metres excessive and is taller than The Eiffel Tower and a pair of.5 instances the peak of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

We extremely suggest you don’t fly out and in in a rush, Uluru wants a couple of evening to understand its magnificence!

Issues to do at Uluru

Many individuals go to Uluru only for Ayres Rock, however there are literally quite a lot of issues to do close to Uluru and value trying out. Listed below are a few of our favorite activites close by:

• Uluru Sundown – the are a number of lookout spots for sundown and each lookout provides a special perspective of the colourful and ever-changing colors. The most well-liked sundown spot is the official Uluru Sundown Lookout about 10 kilometres down the street by the doorway gates of the park.
• Uluru Dawn – we dragged the youngsters away from bed at 5.00 am every day and jumped within the automobile for the 20-minute drive from Yulara into the park (dawn was round 6.20am). For our first Uluru dawn, we headed again to the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku lookout. Be warned, that is the place hordes of individuals and tour buses converge and was very busy even within the low season.

• Base stroll – The loop stroll is 10 km across the base and it took us 3.45 hours with a 3 and seven-year-old and taking plenty of photographs. The stroll is totally flat, simply bear in mind you’re within the Outback so it’s greatest to start out early at first mild to beat the warmth. The park opens every day at 5am and we propose beginning on the Kuniya strolling level and heading anti-clockwise. Take plenty of water, snacks, and quick breaks
• Cycle the bottom – should you’re lower than strolling the ten.6 kilometres across the base, an ideal different is to rent bikes from Outback Biking or deliver your individual and bike it. We had a tag-along for Kalyra who loved the relief of letting daddy do many of the peddling, and little Savannah took within the sights in a child seat on the again of Caz’s bike.

• Free Ranger Guided Mala Stroll – your third choice, should you don’t wish to stroll or bike the entire 10.6 kilometres of Uluru, is to take part within the two-kilometre return stroll (1.5 hours) free ranger-guided Mala stroll.
• Sundown drinks  – A becoming farewell to our time at Uluru was sipping on a number of glasses of champagne with the oldsters from AAT Kings because the sundown over the rock. Try sundown viewing and bubbly experiences right here. 
• Sundown Camel Journey – one of many distinctive methods to absorb Uluru is on the again of a trusty camel. Our children, and us huge children, completely cherished this expertise with Uluru Camel Excursions.
• Sounds of Silence – On our bucket checklist is the Sounds of Silence eating expertise below the celebs (when the youngsters are a bit older) and a helicopter flight sounds superb too!

Issues to do in Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta is simply 50km’s up the street from Yulara and is equally as spectacular as Uluru.

Previously referred to as The Olgas, this group of enormous historical rock formations consisting of 36 ochre-coloured domes are unfold over an space of greater than 20 kilometres.

The sandstone domes are believed to be round 500 million years previous.

Walks at Kata Tjuta:

• The two.6 km Walpa Gorge stroll is the shorter and simpler of the 2 walks.
• The longest path is the 7km Valley of the Winds Stroll.

The place to remain at Yulara

There’s not an enormous vary of choices at Yulura, however listed here are some nice locations to remain:

Day 16: Uluru to Alice Springs to Melbourne

The drive from Yulara again to Alice Springs is 447km through the Lasseter Hwy and Nationwide Hwy 87.

Alternatively, as a substitute of driving again to Alice Springs and catching a flight to Melbourne, you could possibly do a one-way drop off of your rental automobile at Ayers Rock Airport, and fly to Melbourne from there.

You simply have to weigh up the price of a one-way rental drop off versus the completely different flight costs to Melbourne from both Alice Springs or Ayers Rock! To save lots of your self time as you solely have three weeks in Australia, it’s value dropping it off at Ayres Rock and flying from there.

Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly direct to Melbourne from Ayers Rock Airport.

In truth, if you wish to shorten this entire 3 week itinerary of Australia and skip Alice Springs and the Purple Centre Approach, you possibly can fly direct from Cairns to Ayers Rock Airport, then onto Melbourne.

Simply an choice so as to add additional days on the different places.

Days 16 – 18: The Nice Ocean Street

Choose up your rental automobile from the airport in Melbourne and hit the Nice Ocean Street, well-known in Australia and around the globe as the most effective drives on the planet.

The beginning of the drive is just one hour exterior of Melbourne within the city of Torquay, it stretches over 250 kilometres to Warrnambool, and attracts tens of hundreds of tourists yearly.

Many individuals even take the Nice Ocean Street all the best way to Adelaide.

While the tour buses crazily drive this in someday, you actually need a minimum of two or three days to see all of the websites. Don’t simply rush to the 12 Apostles on your vacationer snap. Decelerate and recognize all it has to supply.

Go to all of the rock formations and cities, stroll on a seaside and go to the rainforest, see a waterfall and wildlife, sit at a lookout, and be current.

I like to recommend overnighting in Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell alongside the best way.

Issues to do on the Nice Ocean Street

• Torquay (104 km’s from Melbourne) – Bells Seaside is certainly one of Australia’s most well-known browsing seashores. Go to the Australian Nationwide Browsing Museum. Do a piece of the Surf Coast Stroll.
• Anglesea (18 km) – get some solar on Anglesea’s primary seaside, a large sandy expanse beside the Anglesea River. Stroll alongside the rugged shoreline or head inland beside the Anglesea River on the 44-kilometre Surf Coast Stroll.
• Aireys Inlet (9 km) – Cut up Level Lighthouse was in-built 1891 and is perched on the cliffs, 70 metres above sea degree. Stroll alongside surrounding clifftop tracks to see rocky reefs, rock swimming pools, and sheltered coves (hold your eye out for whales in season).
• Lorne (20 km) – a picturesque city located proper on the Nice Ocean Street. Nice cafes, distinctive retailers boutiques, galleries and Otway Nationwide Park are in your doorstep. Take pleasure in a stroll on the seaside, a motorbike experience alongside the foreshore out to the pier, have a espresso at Lorne Seaside Pavilion and take a look at a burger from The Bottle of Milk. Teddys Lookout is a brief drive up the hill behind Lorne. Drive as much as the picnic space on the finish of George Avenue and stroll a brief distance to benefit from the spectacular views of the Nice Ocean Street from the lookout.
• Lorne to Apollo Bay Drive – our favorite stretch of street alongside the GOR. Be ready to cease for photographs lots. This stretch of street has among the most picturesque surroundings within the area. It hugs the cliff-face because it winds by the Nice Otway Nationwide Park and rolling farmland.
• Apollo Bay (47 km from Lorne) – seaside village midway alongside the Nice Ocean Street and surrounded by Otway Nationwide Park State Forest. Mariners Lookout provides panoramic views of Apollo Bay’s city centre, the harbour, and seashores up and down the coast, situated on the northern finish of city off Marriners Lookout Street. Climb aboard a kayak, stand up near native seal colonies or join a deep sea fishing journey. There are sundown seaside rides on horseback, present retailers, galleries and tea homes together with numerous culinary delights on supply – fishing is a crucial native trade so seafood is at all times on the menu!

• Otways Nationwide Park – head into the Otways and immerse your self amongst tall timber and big tree ferns, and exquisite waterfalls – Triplet Falls is a spotlight. The stroll is a few 1 hour return loop. And the 2km Shelley Seaside Circuit Stroll is the most effective quick walks on the Nice Ocean Stroll.
• Kennett River – wish to see koalas within the wild? The perfect koala viewing spot is Kennet River, alongside the Gray River Street, simply in the course of city. Otway Lighthouse Street is one other well-liked spot. Simply search for the crowds of individuals and observe their gazes up for fast koala recognizing.
• Twelve Apostles (87 km from Apollo Bay) – Port Campbell Nationwide Park is residence to those huge limestone constructions tower 45 metres above the ocean and have been shaped some 20 million years in the past. There are solely eight remaining (the remainder have fallen) and forming the backdrop are these magnificent cliffs as much as 70 metres excessive. Scorching Tip – get there for dawn or sundown so that you miss the hordes of individuals and tour buses that arrive round lunchtime (we stayed in a single day in Port Campbell, 15 km drive, and drove again for sundown).

• Gibson Steps – just down the street from the Twelve Apostles Guests Centre are the Gibson Steps. Stroll down these steps onto the seaside for a close-up view.
• Loch Ard Gorge – a couple of minutes drive west of The Twelve Apostles. Named after the ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on close by Muttonbird Island on the finish of a three-month journey from England to Melbourne.

• The Grotto – is principally a sinkhole. Take the steps down the cliff face to the underside and look by and also you’ll get visibility of the ocean past a pool at low tide. Fairly cool.
• London Arch (London Bridge) – shaped by a gradual course of of abrasion and initially was a whole double-span and connected to the mainland. The arch nearer to the shoreline collapsed unexpectedly in 1990.
• The Arch – this naturally sculptured arch stands 8 metres excessive and is situated 6km west of Port Campbell.
• Bay of Islands – head a little bit additional south to Peterborough and also you’ll uncover the paranormal Bay of Islands and Bay of Martyrs. Virtually as lovely as 12 Apostles, but hardly ever talked about.

The direct drive again to Melbourne from Warrnambool is 255 km (roughly 3 hrs) through the Hamilton Hwy/B140 and M1. Drop off your rental automobile on the airport in Melbourne and make your manner into the town.

Melbourne Airport is situated 25 km from the Metropolis Centre. The Sky Bus provides an everyday shuttle service 24/7 direct to Southern Cross Station within the metropolis so that you received’t want your rental automobile anymore.

In addition they supply a resort drop off and decide up service – ask for particulars on the counter.

Days 19 – 21: Melbourne

We love Melbourne, it’s most likely our favorite Australian metropolis and feels very European.

The draw back is it comes with four-seasons-in-one-day climate patterns. Put on layers!

There actually is one thing for everybody in Melbourne, it doesn’t matter what your price range or tastes are. Additionally, it’s a well-known reality amongst Australians that they make one of the best espresso within the nation!

Issues to do in Melbourne

• Metropolis Circle Tram – leap on the FREE metropolis circle tram service (route 35) that operates inside Melbourne’s CBD and passes main vacationer sights. The loop takes about 45 minutes and you will get off at any one of many many stops to discover extra on foot, and is one of the best ways to get round to a lot of Melbourne’s internal metropolis highlights.
• Federation Sq. – Fed Sq. occupies a complete city block proper on the banks of the Yarra River and straight reverse Flinders Avenue Practice Station and St Paul’s Cathedral within the coronary heart of the town. There’s museums, galleries, eating places, bars, festivals, and enjoyable. And the Melbourne Customer Centre is situated underground. Such a cool city sq.!
• Procuring – the town laneways, particularly between Flinders, Elizabeth, Bourke, and Swanston Streets are terrific. Little Collins Avenue can also be superb for relieving you of a few of your money. Additionally try Prahran and Chapel Avenue which runs from the Yarra River within the north to Brighton Street within the south, traversing the suburbs of South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, St Kilda, and St Kilda East.

 

• St Kilda – leap on a tram and head to this seaside escape. It’s the closest and best seaside to get to from the town, simply 6km away, and it’s Melbourne’s most well-known seaside. There’s out of doors eating and bars, many with bay views, and the sunsets are fairly particular. Acland Avenue is the place to go for cafes and eating places, but in addition for the well-known cake retailers. West Seaside Cafe is correct on the sand and Jerry’s Milkbar is a transformed milkbar with a little bit playground out the again and superior banana bread. Try Carlisle St in St Kilda East, a straightforward stroll from Acland St. Much less touristy, and a bit grimey, however plenty of character and nice cafes.

• See penguins at St Kilda Pier at nightfall – why go to Phillip Island for the penguin parade when there’s a free one proper within the metropolis? The fairy penguins are available and produce smiles to everybody who sees them.
• Queen Victoria Market – who doesn’t love a superb open-air market? The Queen Vic Markets has one thing for everybody. Seize some contemporary produce and head to both Fitzroy Gardens or Carlton Gardens for a picnic.
• Wednesday Evening Markets (summer time months solely) – Queen Vic Markets come alive with nice avenue meals, with choices from all around the world. It was like several evening meals market you’d discover in Asia, buzzing with environment and low cost (for Melbourne) avenue meals. Dwell music and family-friendly.
• AFL Sport – should you’re right here through the AFL (Australian Soccer League) season, you will need to try a sport. The environment within the huge MCG (Melbourne Cricket Floor) is in contrast to the rest on this nation.
• Fitzroy – for the cafes and eating places, to not point out all the boutique retailers, many catering to a hip crowd.
• Lygon Avenue – for all issues Italian. We suggest Tiamo for nice and reasonably priced Italian. And Brunetti’s is a Melbourne establishment for espresso, truffles, and pastries.
• Laneways – Melbourne is known for its laneways. Centre Place is a busy laneway between Flinders Lane and Collins Avenue and residential to a number of vibrant bars, cafes, eating places, boutiques, sushi bars, and retailers, in addition to a few of Melbourne’s greatest examples of avenue artwork and graffiti. As is Degraves Avenue. {Hardware} Lane has plenty of nice Italian. Royal Arcade is previous and really lovely (nice chocolate store too).

• Espresso – Melbournians are obsessive about espresso and make it higher than most. Right here’s a listing of some greatest espresso spots on Lonely Planet and the Tourism Australia web site.
• South Financial institution – a pleasant place to stroll round on the Yarra River with nice views again over the town, and limitless eating and bar choices.
• Riverland City Beer Backyard – simply down by Fed Sq. and subsequent to the Yarra is a superb spot for a beer and a meal within the solar and to look at the rowers on the river and overlooks the Princess Bridge. Appears like London in the summertime. They’ve a children menu too!
• Hosier Lane – a much-celebrated landmark resulting from its subtle city artwork (graffiti-lined partitions). A 2 minute stroll from Federation Sq. and runs between Flinders St and Collins St. Native and worldwide artists use the partitions as a short lived canvas for his or her works, and the artwork could be very fascinating to take a look at.

• Chinatown – if there’s a Chinatown on the town, we’re there! Not often are we disenchanted, and our financial institution steadiness is at all times joyful. One place in Melbourne we stored going again to was the favored Camy Shanghai Dumpling and Noodle Restaurant – not for the luxury and fancy, it’s a real Chinese language expertise with below-par service, however their dumplings have been a spotlight and low cost!
• Botanic Gardens – take the household for a picnic or sit on the banks of the Yarra and watch the world go by.
• Cycle the Bayside Foreshore – stretch your legs on a motorbike experience from St Kilda to Brighton Seaside and take a look at the colorful bathing containers.

• Eureka Tower – provides beautiful views from the very best remark deck within the southern hemisphere, Eureka Skydeck at 297 metres/88 flooring. I like to recommend going up simply on sunset so that you expertise Melbourne by day and because it slips into evening.
• Stroll alongside the Yarra River and have a BBQ on the river financial institution in Summer season.

The place to remain in Melbourne

Melbourne is a big metropolis with so many nice lodging choices. We suggest staying within the CBD to be sure you’re close to all one of the best sights. Listed below are a few of our favorite locations to remain:

Is 3 weeks lengthy sufficient in Australia?

Should you’re questioning if three weeks is lengthy sufficient to see Australia, enable me to place your thoughts comfy. Three weeks is lengthy sufficient to see a lot of the highlights of Australia.

It’s unlikely it is possible for you to to slot in the entire nation in three weeks (it’s huge), however you possibly can see the greatest elements of Queensland and the East Coast, New South Wales, Victoria, and a few elements of South Australia.

If that is your first time planning a visit down below, the itinerary you’ve simply learn will take you to the locations in Australia you can not miss, and can showcase what makes Australia distinctive – its tradition, historical past, various landscapes, wild animals, and superb meals and low.

Should you observe this three week Australia itinerary, you’ll get to go to Australia’s greatest cities, well-known landscapes, and iconic landmarks.

You probably have extra time or plan to return again, then you possibly can discover locations like Western Australia and Tasmania on one other journey. It’s simply not doable to do all of it in three weeks!

21 Days and Past…

So should you do really feel such as you wish to come again or lengthen your journey, then right here is how you are able to do that. We all know that point flies, and typically you wish to decelerate and incorporate some rest between packing in all these superb sights.

So we do perceive that some folks like to increase their journey and take their time.

You probably have the posh of including an additional week or extra, that’s nice! Listed below are some concepts for how one can lengthen your journey for one more 7 days:

Street Journey From Cairns to the Gold Coast

One of many methods we’d suggest extending this journey is to street journey from the Gold Coast to Cairns. This is able to be beginning the journey as a substitute of flying straight to Cairns from Sydney.

There are various sights on the East Coast that supply extra possibilities so that you can discover the pure great thing about Australia.

You’ll discover beautiful tropical islands, locations to chill out, extra areas to scuba dive the barrier reef, and better of all, a while basking on one of the best seashores in Australia.

Listed below are some sights on the East Coast you could possibly go to:

• The Whitsunday Islands – Learn how to describe the Whitsundays…they’re merely tropical paradise. You’ll discover unspoiled, white-sand seashores and among the greatest pure websites in Australia. Whitehaven Seaside is a protected seaside that’s so pure, they don’t can help you take something with you. The gateway to the Whitsundays is from Airlie Seaside on the mainland.
• Fraser Island – that is an adventurer’s paradise. The island is a World Heritage-listed web site and the one method to get round is to drive by 4WD on the seaside. It’s the most effective locations to see humpback whales who migrate in its waters. On calm days, you possibly can see them near the shore. You possibly can entry Fraser Island by ferry from Rainbow Seaside.
• Magnetic Island – Simply throughout the waters from Townsville is the bizarre however great Magnetic Island. It’s not likely magnetic, it’s named after the molten granite was pushed into the earth’s floor by a volcanic drive 275 million years in the past. These days it’s value visiting for its distinctive landscapes, granite boulders and beautiful seashores and reefs.
• Brisbane – though Brisbane is a metropolis and very similar to some other in Aus, it’s value trying out. The town has a thriving arts scene and has plenty of hipster cafes and bars. For individuals who get pleasure from nightlife, you’ll get pleasure from spending a while in Brisbane.
• Byron Bay – That is certainly one of Australia’s high seashores and is simply South of Brisbane. It’s well-known for browsing and is likely one of the greatest spots for skilled surfers to catch some huge waves within the winter.

Discover the Northern Territory

One other method to lengthen this three week Australia itinerary by every week or so is to discover the Northern Territory.

You possibly can simply fly from Alice Springs to Darwin and spend every week exploring Kakadu Nationwide Park, the biggest nationwide park in Australia and well-known for its aboriginal heritage and historical rock artwork. You. also can see wild salt water crocodiles right here.

Darwin can also be a cool metropolis to go to. The close by Litchfield Nationwide Park simply south of Darwin can also be a preferred park to take a look at. It has some beautiful waterfalls and waterholes you possibly can swim in, which is the primary motive to go to.

Earlier than You Go

So there you could have it! That’s a 3 week Australia itinerary masking all of the highlights of the Land Down Beneath. As you possibly can see, there may be quite a lot of time spent on planes and in automobiles, however that’s the one method to see one of the best of Australia in three weeks.

Earlier than you go, I’ve one closing phrase of recommendation for you. E book prematurely. You’ll save your self quite a lot of money and time should you e book your flights (particularly inner flights) and automobile leases prematurely.

You could be versatile with lodging and actions, however don’t depart transport to the final minute otherwise you’ll find yourself paying for it.

And above all, have one of the best time in Australia, our residence. We all know this itinerary skips Perth and Western Australia and the pure wonders of Tassie, however we’d somewhat provide you with an itinerary that’s reasonable and achievable.

We hope this itinerary helped you intend your Australia journey!

Australia Highlights Videoes

Should you’re undecided what to anticipate, or want some inspiration to get you enthusiastic about your journey, don’t neglect to look at this playlist of our movies exploring Australia on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

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