How long do I need for my trip to Australia?

While there’s an endless list of epic experiences and destinations to visit in Australia, you can comfortably tour some of the highlights in a week or two. The key is to plan ahead, but not too much – a little wiggle-room for spontaneity is always smart. Here are our top tips for how to spend your time in Australia.

How much time do you need for an Australia trip?

Whether you’ve got a week or a month, Australia’s sure to serve up an incredible trip. To make the most of your adventure, we recommend setting the amount of time you’ll need based on your travel wishlist. It’s a long way between cities here so it makes a big difference whether you drive or fly. On one hand, you can fly around and experience just a little of each of our diverse cosmopolitan cities and their surroundings. On the other hand, you can spend an entire week cruising down a single coastline. In general, we’d suggest you plan for three or four days in each destination.

Depending on your interests, you can choose your own adventure. Our cities, states and territories all offer unique experiences catering to every interest. Outdoor types might want to head straight to the country’s best dive sites or paddle out to the top surf spots. Foodies will probably want to get a taste of Australian cuisine in big cities and surrounding wine regions. Culture creatures can get their art and history fix from the many cultural centres throughout Australia (the Sydney Opera House and nearby Royal Botanic Gardens are a must). Here’s our suggestions based on the length of your trip.

If you’ve got a week or less

If you’ve only got a short time in Australia, we’d suggest you stick to one, maybe two cities at most. This way, you’ll be able to get a feel for the city’s unique atmosphere, experience the local culture and enjoy some fun activities.

We’d also suggest you take a day or two to visit the regional towns and natural landmarks that surround our metropolises. There are scenic wine regions, Aboriginal experiences, breathtaking beaches and majestic hikes and walks near just about every capital city.

Explore three to six-day itineraries

If you’ve got a week to 10 days

For a more immersive Australian experience, six to 10 days is often enough to get a good taste of what Australia has to offer (though we’re sure you’ll leave wanting more). With this amount of time, your best bet is to pick a coast – either the east or the west.

Most visitors choose the east, which is home to 80 per cent of the Australian population. The east coast is shared between three states, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. In each one, you’ll find larger cities - Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – but also cosy townships bursting with epic experiences to enjoy.

The west coast is confined to just one state, Western Australia. The landscape here is wilder and the coastline more remote. The scenery is sublime and offers a completely different experience from the east coast. From the wilds of the Kimberley in the north to the wine region of Margaret River in the south and the state capital, Perth, in between. But Western Australia is big: keep that in mind when you’re planning your itinerary.

Find seven to 10-day itineraries

If you’ve got two weeks or more

For those lucky ones who have two weeks or more, you’re in for a real treat. With this amount of time, you’ll be able to enjoy complete immersion in two, three or four cities, and still have plenty of time to venture out to some of our natural wonders, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Great Ocean Road. 

There will be plenty of opportunities to see the best of what this country has to offer, including a road trip along some of the country’s most iconic routes and a visit to the country’s best hidden gems. To make your trip extra special, you might consider a multi-day adventure along one of the Great Walks of Australia, or treat yourself at an irresistible Luxury Lodge of Australia.

Plan your two-week itinerary