Australia is a continent of edges: dramatic sandstone cliffs plunging into the Pacific, ancient rainforests pressing up to coral seas, and cities that hum with art, coffee, and sport. Aboriginal cultures have shaped this land for tens of thousands of years; Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns offer different windows into that story through museums, cuisine, and the landscapes themselves.

This 14-day itinerary stitches together harbour icons, surf beaches, a world-class wine-and-food scene, and the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll roam the Blue Mountains’ eucalyptus haze, chase penguins on Phillip Island, and ride a vintage railway into rainforest canopies. Each block groups time-efficient highlights so you cover more ground with less backtracking.

Practical notes: Australia is vast—flying between cities saves hours. Tap to pay is ubiquitous; tipping is appreciated but modest. Summer (Dec–Feb) is hot; slip on SPF 50+ and swim between the flags at patrolled beaches. Visas (ETA/eVisitor) are required for most visitors; drive on the left; power plug type I. Now, let’s go.

Sydney

Days 1–5: Harbour icons, beaches, and the Blue Mountains

Welcome to the sparkling heart of New South Wales. Sydney pairs the sail-like Sydney Opera House with the steel sweep of the Harbour Bridge; ferries lace together coves, and ocean pools carve the coastline. Base yourself near Circular Quay or Darling Harbour for easy transit and views.

• Harbour and The Rocks: Stroll Circular Quay to the Opera House, then wander The Rocks’ sandstone lanes. Pop into the Museum of Contemporary Art and climb the Pylon Lookout for bridge vistas.
• Coastal walks and beaches: The Bondi-to-Coogee walk threads cliff top paths, surf beaches, and ocean pools (Bronte Baths are a sunrise treat). For a quieter swim, try Nielsen Park or Manly’s Shelly Beach via a scenic ferry.
• Essential Sydney experiences (book ahead):

• Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour

  

  Discover the building’s audacious design and behind-the-scenes stories; a perfect primer before a sunset drink at Opera Bar.
• Blue Mountains Small-Group Tour with Scenic World, Zoo & Ferry

  

  Ride Scenic World’s skyway and railway, meet native wildlife, and catch views of the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley in a day.
• Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise

  

  Watch the skyline glow while you dine aboard MV Sydney 2000—an elegant way to toast your first nights in Australia.
• Sydney Whale-Watching Cruise (Breakfast or Lunch)

  

  Best May–Nov: slip through the Heads to spot humpbacks breaching off the coast; commentary adds context to the migration.

Where to eat and drink: Start with coffee at Single O (Surry Hills) or Edition Coffee Roasters (Haymarket) for meticulous roasts and Japanese-Scandi brunch plates. For lunch, try Mamak (Malaysian rotis and satay), Marrickville Pork Roll (Vietnamese bánh mì), or Charcoal Fish (Bondi) for reef fish burgers.

Dinner ideas: Mr. Wong (Cantonese classics and dim sum), Bennelong (Australian produce inside the Opera House—book well ahead), Cirrus (seafood with harbour views), or Firedoor (wood-fired menu; dry-aged steak and Murray cod shine). Cocktails at Maybe Sammy (1950s glam, award-winning list) or The Baxter Inn (deep whisky library).

Stay in Sydney: Browse homes on VRBO Sydney or hotels on Hotels.com Sydney. Specific picks: Park Hyatt Sydney (dreamy harbourfront), Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour (walk to Barangaroo), and Sydney Harbour YHA (budget with a rooftop view over the Bridge).

Getting in and around: Fly into SYD. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. The Airport Link train reaches the CBD in ~15 minutes. Tap on/off with an Opal card or your contactless card on ferries, trains, and light rail.

Melbourne

Days 6–9: Laneways, markets, and coastal day trips

Morning of Day 6: Fly Sydney → Melbourne (~1h30; typical fares $60–$140 booked early). Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From MEL (Tullamarine), the SkyBus to Southern Cross Station takes ~30 minutes.

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital: neo-Gothic arcades, world-class coffee, and a calendar stuffed with AFL, festivals, and galleries. Spend a day exploring laneways (Hosier Lane’s street art; Degraves Street cafes), the National Gallery of Victoria, and Queen Victoria Market’s deli halls.

• Signature day trips (small-group guided):
• Great Ocean Road Explorer – 12 Apostles Day Tour

  

  Curve along clifftop highways past surf towns to limestone stacks at the 12 Apostles; expect scenic stops in Lorne and Apollo Bay.
• Phillip Island Tour – Koalas, Wallabies & Little Penguins

  

  Arrive by late afternoon to watch the penguin parade at dusk; earlier you’ll wander treetop boardwalks at the Koala Reserve.

Eat and drink like a local: Coffee at Proud Mary (Collingwood) or Market Lane (Prahran Market) sets the standard; Lune Croissanterie’s kouign-amann is worth the queue. Lunch at Tipo 00 (silky pappardelle with duck ragù) or D.O.C Pizza (paper-thin crusts). Dinner at Gimlet at Cavendish House (wood-fired abalone mushrooms, martinis that sing), Supernormal (lobster rolls, miso classics), or Embla (natural-leaning wines, wood-fired vegetables). Rooftop tipples at QT Rooftop or classic cocktails at The Everleigh.

Stay in Melbourne: Explore apartments on VRBO Melbourne or hotels on Hotels.com Melbourne. Specific picks: Crown Towers Melbourne (riverfront splurge with a stellar pool), The Langham, Melbourne (refined Southbank base), and Space Hotel (budget-friendly with a rooftop).

Getting around: The CBD “Free Tram Zone” covers most city sights; get a Myki for travel beyond. If you’re a sports fan, tour the MCG or catch an AFL match if in season.

Cairns & The Tropical North

Days 10–14: Great Barrier Reef, rainforest, and tropical flavours

Morning of Day 10: Fly Melbourne → Cairns (~3h15 nonstop; typical fares $120–$250). Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Cairns is your jumping-off point for the reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforests.

Spend an afternoon settling in along the Esplanade lagoon, then plan two big nature days: one out on the coral reef, another up into Kuranda’s rainforest or farther north to Port Douglas and the Daintree. Evenings are balmy—perfect for outdoor seafood shacks and palm-lined strolls.

• Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling and Diving Cruise from Cairns (Osprey)

  

  A full-day fast superyacht with multiple outer-reef sites; snorkellers and certified divers love the 5+ hours on the water.
• Kuranda Scenic Railway Day Trip from Cairns

  

  Ride a 19th‑century rail line through waterfalls and rainforest, pair it with the Skyrail gondola, and browse Kuranda’s markets.
• Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas

  

  A family-friendly platform at Agincourt Reef with snorkel, semi-sub, and intro dives; coach transfers from Cairns available.

Local gems between adventures: Swim at Palm Cove’s netted beach, then laze under melaleucas with gelato. In Cairns, walk the mangrove boardwalk (Centenary Lakes) for birding at golden hour. If time allows, rent a car for a half-day to the Atherton Tablelands for waterfalls and local cheese.

Eat and drink in the tropics: Coffee and breakfast at Caffiend (house-roasted beans, chilli eggs) or Blackbird Laneway (coconut French toast). Lunch at Prawn Star (trawler boats serving bugs, prawns, and sashimi right on the marina) or Perrotta’s at the Gallery (Mediterranean plates). Dinner at Ochre (native ingredients—try crocodile and kangaroo tasting, Davidson plum desserts), Waterbar & Grill (rib specialists on the Pier), or Bayleaf Balinese (smoky sate lilit and nasi campur). For dessert, Gelocchio’s tropical sorbets.

Stay in Cairns: Compare stays on VRBO Cairns or Hotels.com Cairns. Specific picks: Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns (steps from the Reef Fleet Terminal), Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel & Resort (budget with a lively pool), and Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort (family-friendly cabins and splash zones).

Getting around: Cairns is compact—walk or rideshare in town. Tour operators include hotel pickups for reef and Kuranda days; self-drivers appreciate easy coastal roads to Port Douglas (~1 hr each way).

How the 14 days flow

• Days 1–5 (Sydney): Harbour icons, beach walk, Opera House tour, day in the Blue Mountains, sunset dinner cruise, optional whale watching (seasonal).
• Day 6 morning: Flight SYD → MEL (~1h30).
• Days 6–9 (Melbourne): Laneways and galleries, Great Ocean Road day trip, Phillip Island penguin parade.
• Day 10 morning: Flight MEL → CNS (~3h15).
• Days 10–14 (Cairns): Two reef days (Cairns and/or Port Douglas) and a Kuranda Scenic Railway day, plus downtime on the Esplanade or Palm Cove.

Booking your flights between cities: For best fares and schedules across airlines, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Aim for morning departures to maximize your time on arrival; carry-on only speeds things up.

Across two weeks, this Australia travel plan balances big-ticket sights with local flavour and breathing room. You’ll leave with reef-salted hair, coffee-levelled expectations, and a camera roll full of sandstone cliffs and sapphire seas. Save this itinerary; it’s the one you’ll share with friends who ask, “How should I do Australia?”