Welcome to a 20-day Australia itinerary designed for families who want culture, coastlines, wildlife and wide-open spaces. You’ll explore three of Australia’s most-loved cities—Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide—connecting them by short flights and filling your days with harbour cruises, penguin parades, koala encounters and easy coastal walks.

From Sydney’s glittering harbour to Melbourne’s street-art laneways and Adelaide’s gateway to famed wine valleys, these destinations share a story that spans First Nations heritage, early colonial history and today’s buzzing food scenes. Expect accessible public transport, playgrounds by the beach, stroller-friendly strolls and plenty of free parks to keep everyone smiling.

Practical notes: Australia’s seasons flip the Northern Hemisphere (Dec–Feb is summer). Tap-and-go cards are widely accepted; pick up local transit cards (Opal in Sydney, myki in Melbourne, MetroCARD in Adelaide). Sunscreen and hats are essential, and always check bushfire and heat advisories in summer.

Sydney

Australia’s oldest city is a natural amphitheatre around a deep blue harbour, with family-ready ferries, beaches and green spaces stitched together by scenic walks. Start with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then spread out to Bondi, Manly and the Royal Botanic Garden.

History hums in The Rocks and on Aboriginal-led walks, while youngsters light up at Taronga Zoo and the Sydney SEA LIFE Aquarium. Coastal trails like Bondi to Coogee make stroller-friendly adventures with ocean pools for splash breaks.

Days 1–2: Harbour Icons and Easy City Exploring

• Opera House inside-and-out: Take the official tour for behind-the-scenes stories and theatre access. Sydney Opera House Official Guided Walking Tour

  

• Harbour by boat at golden hour: Kids love spotting the Bridge and Luna Park from the water, and dinner on board keeps the evening simple for parents. Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise

  

• Royal Botanic Garden picnic: Wander to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for postcard views; space for toddlers to run and parents to exhale.
• Getting to Sydney: Book flights into SYD on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From the airport, take the Airport Link train (Opal card) to the CBD in ~15 minutes.

Days 3–4: Beaches, Ferries and the Zoo

• Taronga Zoo + ferry combo: Ride the family-favourite commuter ferry to meet giraffes with harbour views, native koalas and keeper talks. Taronga Zoo Entry Ticket with Sydney Harbour Ferry

  

• Bondi to Coogee Walk: Do it in sections—Bondi Icebergs to Bronte is stroller-friendly and dotted with playgrounds and cafes.
• Manly Day: The 20–30 minute ferry is an outing by itself; add Shelly Beach snorkels and Gelato Messina for a sweet finish.

Days 5–6: Blue Mountains Day Trip

• Jamison Valley thrills: Ride the Scenic Railway and Skyway, spot waterfalls and the Three Sisters, and meet koalas at a wildlife park en route—an easy, fully organized day for families. Small All Inclusive Blue Mountain,Scenic World,Lunch,Koalas,ferry

  

• Free time buffer: Save a half-day for Darling Harbour playgrounds, the Chinese Garden of Friendship or the new Sydney Fish Market for easy, fresh lunches.

Where to stay (family-minded picks):

• Search whole-apartment stays on VRBO Sydney or compare hotels on Hotels.com Sydney.
• Novotel Sydney Darling Harbour (midrange, interconnecting rooms, pool near attractions).
• Sydney Harbour YHA (budget family rooms, rooftop views in The Rocks).
• Park Hyatt Sydney (splurge: unbeatable Opera House views).
• The Capsule Hotel or Sydney Central YHA for older kids who want a fun, social stay.

Eat & drink like a local:

• Breakfast: Single O (Surry Hills, benchmark Aussie coffee), Bills (Ricotta hotcakes please), Bourke Street Bakery (hand pies and ginger brûlée tarts).
• Lunch: Sydney Fish Market (grilled barramundi, sushi, and kid-pleasing chips), Chargrill Charlie’s (rotisserie chicken), Mary’s Circular Quay (burgers).
• Dinner: Spice Alley (hawker-style courtyard—budget-friendly variety), Via Napoli (big, family-share pizzas), The Glenmore rooftop (pub classics with harbour views).
• Treats: Gelato Messina, Black Star Pastry (the strawberry watermelon cake is a Sydney icon).

Transit tip: Tap-on/off with an Opal card or contactless bank card; ferries and light rail make car-free days simple.

Melbourne

Creative, café-obsessed and effortlessly cool, Melbourne mixes world-class galleries with street art, markets and parks. It’s Australia’s capital of coffee, sport and live music, with easy day trips to forests, puffing steam trains and the cliff-hugging Great Ocean Road.

Laneways hide tiny cafes and chocolate shops, the Yarra River frames gentle cruises, and the Queen Victoria Market fuels picnics and curious eaters. Families love the trams—and kids ride free on some city-center routes.

Getting Sydney → Melbourne (Morning of Day 7): Fly SYD–MEL in ~1h35; typical advance fares are ~US$80–150 one-way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From MEL (Tullamarine), SkyBus to the CBD runs ~30–40 minutes.

Days 7–9: Laneways, Riverfront and Markets

• Laneway immersion: Join a local-led walk to decode Hosier Lane murals, hidden cafes and historic arcades—great storytelling for older kids and teens. Ultimate Melbourne Walking Tour: History, Laneways & Culture

  

• Yarra time: Stroll Southbank’s promenades or picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens; rowboats on the ornamental lake are a hit.
• Queen Victoria Market: Snack your way through: The Borek Shop (spinach-cheese boreks), Bratwurst Shop & Co (classic sausages), American Doughnut Kitchen (sugar-dusted jam doughnuts from a vintage van).

Days 10–11: Great Ocean Road Adventure

• Road of legends: Let an expert handle the long day—koala spotting, rainforest walks and the Twelve Apostles at sunset. Great Ocean Road Small-Group Eco Tour

  

• Buffer morning: After a big day, keep it light—Fitzroy Gardens' Model Tudor Village, or playgrounds at Flagstaff Gardens.

Days 12–13: Puffing Billy and Penguins

• Steam through the forest: The century-old Puffing Billy chugs across fern gullies and trestle bridges—window-seat magic for kids. Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour from Melbourne

  

• Penguin Parade at Phillip Island: At dusk, tiny penguins tumble ashore—book upgraded viewing for the best sightlines and wind protection. Phillip Island Day Trip from Melbourne with Penguin Plus Viewing Platform

  

Where to stay:

• Browse family apartments on VRBO Melbourne or hotels on Hotels.com Melbourne.
• Ibis Budget Melbourne CBD (value, walkable to trams).
• Space Hotel (private family rooms, rooftop deck; good for older kids).
• The Langham, Melbourne (riverfront pool; solid mid-high option).
• Crown Towers Melbourne (indoor pool and family amenities for a splurge).

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Lune Croissanterie (flaky perfection—go early), Higher Ground (ricotta hotcakes; spacious for families), Hardware Société (Spanish-French brunch flair).
• Coffee: Proud Mary (roastery-level brews), Patricia Coffee Brewers (standing room, quick and excellent), Industry Beans (filter flights).
• Lunch: Chinatown dumplings (Shanghai Street), Queen Victoria Market grazing, St. Ali for hearty café plates.
• Dinner: Chin Chin (Thai-inspired, buzzing—early seating best with kids), Supernormal (bao and lobster rolls), 400 Gradi (award-winning Neapolitan pizza).
• Sweet stops: Pidapipó gelato, Koko Black chocolate.

Transit tip: Grab a myki card for trams, trains and buses; the Free Tram Zone covers much of the CBD—great for little legs.

Adelaide

Sunny, compact and culture-rich, Adelaide is your gentle landing into South Australia’s beaches and wine country. The Adelaide Central Market anchors a thriving food scene, and within an hour you can be among Hills villages, koala-dotted bushland and renowned Barossa vineyards.

Flat paths, seaside trams to Glenelg and leafy parklands make it easy with kids. Day trips unlock dolphins, heritage riverboats and island wildlife sanctuaries.

Getting Melbourne → Adelaide (Morning of Day 14): Fly MEL–ADL in ~1h20; advance fares often ~US$80–140. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. The airport is ~15 minutes to the CBD by taxi or rideshare.

Days 14–16: City Sights, Markets and Beaches

• Central Market morning: Taste your way through Lucia’s (pizza slices), Comida (Spanish bites) and Dough bakery; pick picnic fixings for the parklands.
• River Torrens and museums: Cruise the Popeye boats or stroll between the Art Gallery of SA and the Migration Museum (compact and engaging).
• Beach afternoon: Take the tram to Glenelg for sandy swims, playgrounds and sunset fish-and-chips; Henley Beach is a quieter option.
• Optional river cruise: Short, easy sightseeing by water. Torrens River Cruise in Adelaide

  

Day 17: Barossa Valley with a Family Lens

• Wine country for grown-ups—space for kids: Many cellar doors have lawns and casual bites; guides tailor stops for families. Barossa Premium Wine Tasting Tour & lunch

  

• Alt option: Dolphin spotting at Port River is a wonderful half-day. 90 Minute Port River Dolphin & Ships Graveyard Cruise

  

Day 18: Kangaroo Island Adventure

• Wildlife and coastal drama in a day: See sea lions at Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase and postcard bays. It’s a long but rewarding family day (coach + ferry included). Kangaroo Island in a Day Tour from Adelaide

  

Days 19–20: Hills Villages, Koalas and Farewell Flavours

• Adelaide Hills + Hahndorf: German heritage streets, bakeries, and Mt Lofty lookouts; easy-paced and close to the city. Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf Half-Day Tour

  

• Final tastes: Loop back to the Central Market for edible souvenirs—olive oils, smallgoods, local chocolates—and a last park sunset.

Where to stay:

• Browse options on VRBO Adelaide or Hotels.com Adelaide.
• The Mayfair Hotel (central boutique; walk to everything).
• Oaks Adelaide Horizons Suites (apartment-style with kitchens and pool—great for families).
• Adelaide Central YHA (budget, family rooms, near Central Market).

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Peter Rabbit (garden café and sandpit), Hey Jupiter (French bistro classics), My Grandma Ben (sustainable, seasonal, kid-welcoming).
• Lunch: Peel St (market-led plates), Fishbank (local seafood; kids’ menu), Melt CBD (shareable pizzas, salads).
• Dinner: Africola (bold flavours—ask for milder dishes for kids), Osteria Oggi (house-made pasta), Henley Beach foreshore for fish-and-chips at sunset.
• Sweet treats: Bottega Gelateria (artisan gelato), Abbots and Kinney (lamingtons and pastries).

Budgeting and pacing tips

• With a midrange budget, plan for one organized day trip per city (Blue Mountains, Great Ocean Road, Barossa/Kangaroo Island), and mix in free parks, beaches and markets.
• Self-cater breakfasts in apartment hotels and picnic for some lunches; splurge on a harbour or river cruise dinner to double as an activity.
• Domestic flights are fastest and often cheapest; book early morning departures to maximize each city day.

Intercity flight recap (assume morning departures): Sydney→Melbourne ~1h35, US$80–150; Melbourne→Adelaide ~1h20, US$80–140. Compare and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In 20 days you’ll collect a highlight reel of Australia: iconic harbours, coastal walks, wildlife encounters and vineyard picnics, all paced for families. With short flights and simple transit, the journey stays easy while the memories get big.