14 days in Australia Itinerary

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.

Get in touch with nature at Trinity Beach and Off-Road Tours. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Shark Diving and Behana Gorge Waterfall. Change things up with these side-trips from Cairns: Kuranda (Barron Falls & The Not Just Chocolate Shop). There's much more to do: scramble along the landscape with a canyoning and rapelling tour, capture your vacation like a pro with an inspiring photography tour, stroll around Munro Martin Parklands, and head off the coast to Michaelmas Cay.

To see reviews, maps, and tourist information, read Cairns travel site.

New Delhi, India to Cairns is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from India Standard Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is usually a 4.5 hour difference. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from New Delhi in December: highs in Cairns hover around 36°C, while lows dip to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) to allow time to fly 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.

Step off the beaten path and head to Manly Scenic Walkway and Scuba & Snorkeling. You'll get in some beach time at Bondi Beach and Balmoral Beach, Mosman. Change things up with a short trip to Shelly Beach in Manly (about 36 minutes away). The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Sydney Opera House, take in the views from Sydney Harbour Bridge, wander the streets of Darling Harbour, and stroll through Bronte Beach.

To see more things to do, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Sydney online trip builder.

Fly from Cairns to Sydney in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Cairns in December, with highs in Sydney at 32°C and lows at 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 2nd (Mon) so you can catch the flight to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Get in touch with nature at St. Kilda Beach and St Kilda Pier. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Brighton Beach and Elite Male Massage. There's lots more to do: take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Gardens, pause for some photo ops at Shrine of Remembrance, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Melbourne Zoo, and get a sense of history and politics at Parliament House of Victoria.

To see other places to visit, ratings, maps, and tourist information, use the Melbourne sightseeing planner.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Melbourne takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Sydney in January, plan for slightly colder nights in Melbourne, with lows around 17°C. On the 5th (Thu), you'll travel back home.