19 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.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Thu): take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Gardens, then get to know the resident critters at Melbourne Zoo, and then take in panoramic vistas at Eureka Skydeck. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Fri): take a memorable tour with Tours, examine the collection at Melbourne Museum, and then make a trip to Flinders Street Station.

To find ratings, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Melbourne trip planner .

Lisbon, Portugal to Melbourne is an approximately 26-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of train and flight. The time zone changes from Western European Time (WET) to Australian Eastern Standard Time (Victoria) (AEST), which is usually a 10 hour difference. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Lisbon in December: high temperatures in Melbourne hover around 30°C and lows are around 14°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) to allow enough time to travel 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.

Bring the kids along to Palm Cove Beach and Muddy's Playground. The adventure continues: get interesting insight from Tours, surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour, have some family-friendly fun at Cairns Kart Hire Track, and enjoy the sand and surf at Trinity Beach.

To see reviews, more things to do, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Cairns road trip tool .

You can fly from Melbourne to Cairns in 6 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a train. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Melbourne in December: high temperatures in Cairns hover around 36°C and lows are around 26°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Tue) to allow enough time to take a bus 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.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Tue): explore the galleries of Ngarru Gallery, then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, then enjoy the sand and surf at Four Mile Beach, and finally stop by With Sugar. On your second day here, meet the residents at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, then take an exotic tour of a safari tour, and then get outside with Horses in Port.

To find ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, read Port Douglas tour planner.

Traveling by bus from Cairns to Port Douglas takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In December, daily temperatures in Port Douglas can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Thu) so you can travel 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.

Bring the kids along to Sea World Theme Park and Infinity Attraction. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Gold Coast: Brisbane (Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary & The Brisbane River). There's more to do: get in on the family fun at Warner Bros. Movie World and kick back and relax at Surfers Paradise Beach.

For more things to do, maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Gold Coast itinerary maker .

You can do a combination of shuttle and flight from Port Douglas to Gold Coast in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle, flight, and train; or drive. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Port Douglas in December, with highs in Gold Coast at 32°C and lows at 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) to allow enough time to 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.

Family-friendly places like Bondi Beach and Chinese Garden of Friendship will thrill your kids. Step out of Sydney to go to Wentworth Falls and see Wentworth Falls, which is approximately 1h 30 min away. There's much more to do: trek along Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk, snap pictures at Sydney Harbour Bridge, don't miss a visit to Sydney Opera House, and admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

To see reviews, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Sydney trip planning tool .

Fly from Gold Coast to Sydney in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or drive. In December in Sydney, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 21°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can travel back home.