Three days of Sydney harbor, beaches and the Blue Mountains, then Cairns for Green Island and the Kuranda railway, and three days of Melbourne laneways, St Kilda and the MCG.
10 days, 61 stopsBalanced paceApr, Sep to OctApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 4, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: The Rocks, the Opera House and the Botanic Garden
The old lanes of The Rocks, a tour inside the Opera House, the harbor gardens, a pie at Woolloomooloo and convict history before dinner in Chinatown.
1
8:30 AMThe RocksWalk the old lanes while they are quiet. On Friday to Sunday, The Rocks Markets fill the streets as well.About 1 hour here
Free to walk
Walk about 15 min
2
9:45 AMBook aheadSydney Opera HouseThe guided tour takes about 1 hour and runs daily. Booking ahead costs less than buying on the day.About 1 hour here
Opera House Tour, adult, booked ahead: A$50 (about $35) · Opera House Tour, adult, on the day: A$55 (about $38) · Book a guided tour
11:00 AMRoyal Botanic Garden SydneyFollow the harbor path through the free gardens toward the point for views back to the Opera House and the bridge.About 1 hour 15 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 20 min
4
12:30 PMHarry's Cafe de WheelsOrder a pie or a hot dog at the cart by the naval dockyard in Woolloomooloo, serving since 1945.About 45 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 10 min
5
1:30 PMOptionalArt Gallery of New South WalesGeneral entry is free and the gallery is open 10 AM to 5 PM, until 10 PM on Wednesdays.About 1 hour 45 min here
General entry free
Walk about 10 min
6
3:30 PMHyde Park BarracksEntry is free with a booked time and an audio guide. Last entry is at 4:30 PM, so do not arrive later.About 2 hours 15 min here
Free; book a time online
Light rail or walk, about 20 min
7
6:00 PMChinatown (Dixon Street)Wander Dixon Street and its side lanes for noodles, dumplings and food halls. On Fridays a night market fills the street.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Book these aheadSydney Opera House (day 1), Scenic World, Katoomba (day 3), Reef Fleet Terminal (day 5), Kuranda Scenic Railway, Cairns Station (day 6), Melbourne Cricket Ground (day 9): timed tickets, or tickets that often sell out.
Mind the clocks in QueenslandQueensland has no daylight saving. From October to April, Cairns is 1 hour behind Sydney and Melbourne.
Watch for marine stingersQueensland Parks warns of marine stingers at Green Island. Follow the boat crew and lifeguards on where to swim and what to wear.
Pack sunscreen and a hatThe sun is very strong in Australia. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, even on cloudy days.
Book timed visits earlyOpera House tours, Scenic World and the MCG tour sell timed sessions; book a few days ahead in school holidays.
Plan around market daysQueen Victoria Market is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, so put the Carlton day on another day of the week.
Tipping is your choiceRestaurants and hotels do not add a service charge. In upmarket restaurants, about 10% is common for good service.
Where to stay for this plan
Base yourself near Circular Quay in Sydney, on the Esplanade in Cairns for the reef terminal and the lagoon, and in the Melbourne city center for the trams.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 4, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
