Anyone who has been to the Land Down Under knows that Australia has some of the most stunning and diverse scenery in the world. From the burnt red expanse of the Outback and cliff-backed beaches along the coasts to subtropical rain forests and snow-covered mountains, nearly every type of landscape is represented across the continent. It’s nearly impossible to see it all in one go, but I gave it my best shot. My two-week Australia itinerary includes five national parks, five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and three cities. This overview should hopefully give you some ideas for where to go in Australia.
Sydney
Sydney stole my heart with its laid-back surfer vibe and glorious sunshine. It’s incredible to have such an abundance of nature surrounding a major metropolitan city! Sydney has enough parks, gardens, coastal walks, beaches, and swimming holes – not to mention museums and cultural offerings – to keep visitors busy for at least a week.
I gave myself five full days which was enough time to explore major attractions, including the outstanding Taronga Zoo and the Bondi-to-Coogee Walk. I even attended a symphony performance inside the renowned Sydney Opera House. You can read more about my impressions of Sydney in this post.
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are located about two hours from Sydney and a great option for a day trip. The mountains are covered in eucalyptus trees which emit a lovely blue haze, hence the name. The air is unbelievable fresh and aromatic! Hiking trails weave through the one million hectare range, while cable cars and a funicular railway offer different perspectives of the rain forest on the valley floor.
The distinctive Three Sisters rock formation is the area’s biggest draw and can be admired from several different vantage points around the park. Be sure to read about the aboriginal legend surrounding the site before your visit. You can find my guide to the Blue Mountains here.
Melbourne
Melbourne is Sydney’s grittier, edgier sibling, the one with all the tattoos and piercings. Many of Melbourne’s narrow lanes are emblazoned with street art, which the city encourages as part of its creative ambiance. The result is an eye-catching mix of artistic murals and graffiti tags, with Victorian brick as a canvas. In addition to this visual feast, cafes and restaurants abound to tantalize the taste buds. Melbourne is continuously named one of the world’s most livable cities, and I can definitely see why. Check out my Melbourne guide for more details.
Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road stretches for nearly 250 kilometers along the southwestern coast of Victoria, Australia. Instead of attempting to drive it myself – on the opposite side of the road! – I joined about 20 strangers on a Great Ocean Road day tour with Go West Tours. The small bus picked me up from my Melbourne hotel early in the morning and returned me there that same night. (Tip: Sit on the left side of the bus for the best views.)
Our tour guide, Alex, was a hoot, playing music that corresponded with our journey and sharing interesting tidbits along the way. We made more stops than I was expecting, giving us plenty of opportunities to stretch our legs and take photographs. Highlights include the Twelve Apostles rock formations, Loch Ard Gorge, and Gibson Steps. Incredible doesn’t begin to describe the experience! (You can read my full review here.)
Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, Australia’s southern island state. Hobart’s quaint harbor is surrounded by art galleries, boutiques, and fish restaurants serving up the day’s catch. All the locals I encountered were friendly and eager for a chat, making me feel very welcome.
The city got its humble start as a British penal colony in the 1800s and, as several people mentioned to me, nearly everyone from Hobart has a convict in their ancestry. I find this history fascinating. If you’d like to learn more about Hobart, click here to read my guide.
Uluru
Uluru lies at the very heart of Australia, deep in the middle of the Northern Territory. Also known as Ayer’s Rock, the sandstone monolith is sacred to the aboriginal people who still call the land surrounding it home. Watching the red mountain begin to glow as the sun rises above an eerily quiet desert is unforgettable. I have mixed feelings about visiting Uluru – which I explain here – but I’m happy to have experienced it. My sunset camel ride was a highlight.
Are you ready to play your own two-week Australian adventure?
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Tell me: where would you go in Australia?
Love your blogs. Can’t wait to read more about your Australia trip. Has been on my list of places to visit for a while now. Your pictures are always beautiful.
Wow! I can’t believe how much stuff you managed to get in!
I haven’t yet been to Australia, and one’s preventing me from doing so is the fact that it’s such a huge country, and so very far away!
Australia is huge, and I barely scratched the surface! But it was super easy to travel between cities. Flights were affordable and airport security was the most pleasant I’ve seen in ages. You’re allowed to fly domestically with all your regular sized liquids, even open water bottles, in carry on! It was such a refreshing experience.
Currently planning an Australia trip. This itinerary and the location reviews are incredibly helpful! It’s such a vast area, and your detailed descriptions are proving more helpful than the guidebooks or videos I’ve seen.
Thank you so much, Dan! I really appreciate your kind words. Hope you have a wonderful time!