22 days in Australia Itinerary

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.

On the 18th (Sun), walk around Nielsen Park, kick back and relax at Camp Cove, then trek along Walking Trail To Chowder Bay, and finally explore the landscape on two wheels at Foreshore Track. On the 19th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: look for gifts at The Strand Arcade and then identify plant and animal life at Blues Point Reserve.

To find other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Sydney tour itinerary planning site.

Milan, Italy to Sydney is an approximately 25.5-hour flight. You'll lose 9 hours traveling from Milan to Sydney due to the time zone difference. Expect much warmer temperatures when traveling from Milan in December; daily highs in Sydney reach 32°C and lows reach 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Mon) so you can catch the flight 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.

Get outdoors at Shark Diving and Canyoning & Rappelling Tours. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Off-Road Tours and Behana Gorge Waterfall. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Cairns: Kuranda (The Not Just Chocolate Shop & Barron Falls) and Palm Cove Jetty (in Palm Cove). It doesn't end there: head off the coast to Michaelmas Cay and get outside with Outdoor Activities.

To find maps, photos, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Cairns day trip app.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Cairns takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Sydney in December: high temperatures in Cairns hover around 36°C and lows are around 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) to allow time to travel to Airlie Beach.

Very much a town with an emphasis on the tropical lifestyle, Airlie Beach offers exotic surroundings with palm trees and charming, sandy beaches.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Fri): enjoy the sand and surf at Boathaven Beach and then enjoy the sand and surf at Airlie Beach Lagoon.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, read our Airlie Beach travel itinerary planner.

You can do a combination of flight and ferry from Cairns to Airlie Beach in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December in Airlie Beach, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 28°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 24th (Sat) so you can travel to Noosa.

Known for its "green" development and north-facing beach, Noosa is a natural getaway.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Stumers Creek and then take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Emu Mountain. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: tee off at Noosa Hills Par 3 Golf Course, cast your line with Noosa Fishing and Crab Adventures, and then identify plant and animal life at Noosa Safaris.

To find photos, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Noosa trip planner.

Traveling by combination of ferry and flight from Airlie Beach to Noosa takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Mon) so you can fly to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Please note that visitors are no longer allowed to trek up Uluru.

Get outdoors at Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga and Lungkata Walk. Explore hidden gems such as Mala Walk and Walpa Gorge. When in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, make a side trip to see Curtin Springs in Alice Springs, approximately Alice Springs away. The adventure continues: head outdoors with Uluru Astro Tour, go for a walk through Field of Light, hike along Uluru Hiking Path, and stroll through Uluru.

For reviews and tourist information, use the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park driving holiday planner.

Fly from Noosa to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 0.5 hours traveling from Noosa to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. In December, daily temperatures in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can reach 42°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) early enough to 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.

On the 30th (Fri), find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Elwood Beach.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, you can read our Melbourne online sightseeing planner.

You can fly from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Melbourne in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Melbourne, you'll lose 0.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in December, expect Melbourne to be a bit cooler, temps between 30°C and 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Port Campbell.

Port Campbell is a coastal town in Victoria, Australia. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Gibsons Steps and Johanna Beach. Take a break from the city and head to Port Campbell precinct and foreshore and The Razorback. Venture out of the city with trips to Wildlife Wonders (in Apollo Bay) and Beech Forest (Triplet Falls, Hopetoun Falls, &more). There's lots more to do: don't miss a visit to The Grotto, take in the pleasant sights at Thunder Cave, do a tasting at Newtons Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery, and explore the striking landscape at The Arch.

To see ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Port Campbell trip maker site.

You can drive from Melbourne to Port Campbell in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Thu) early enough to drive to Melbourne.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Melbourne route maker app.

You can drive from Port Campbell to Melbourne in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. You'll set off for home on the 5th (Thu).