17 days in Australia Itinerary

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Kick off your visit on the 30th (Wed): enjoy some diversion at Esplanade Lagoon Pool, see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, and then take a leisurely stroll along The Jack Barnes Bicentennial Mangrove Boardwalk. On the 31st (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: trek along Esplanade Boardwalk, take in nature's colorful creations at Botanical Gardens, and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour.

To find photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Cairns planner .

Zurich, Switzerland to Cairns is an approximately 25-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. The time zone difference moving from Central European Time (CET) to Australian Eastern Standard Time (Queensland) (AEST) is 9 hours. Traveling from Zurich in October, things will get warmer in Cairns: highs are around 34°C and lows about 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) so you can take a bus to Port Douglas.

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

On the 1st (Fri), see exotic creatures in open habitats at a safari tour, get interesting insight from Tours, and then look for gifts at With Sugar. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Sat): take some stellar pictures from Flagstaff Hill Lookout, then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and then experience rural life at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures.

To find ratings, more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, go to the Port Douglas itinerary maker tool .

Take a bus from Cairns to Port Douglas in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In October, daily temperatures in Port Douglas can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Sat) early enough to travel to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Please note that visitors are no longer allowed to trek up Uluru.

Located right in the center of Australia, the national park boasts perhaps the country's most iconic natural symbol and a sacred place for the region's indigenous people--as well as Kata Tjuta, a collection of 36 red rocks forming an equally distinctive sight.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is known for nature, museums, outdoors, trails, and classes. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: don't miss a visit to Uluru, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, stroll through Uluru Hiking Path, and take an in-depth tour of Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre.

To see ratings, reviews, and tourist information, use the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park trip planner .

Do a combination of shuttle and flight from Port Douglas to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. When traveling from Port Douglas in November, plan for a bit warmer days in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with highs around 41°C, while nights are slightly colder with lows around 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Tue) so you can travel to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Step out of Melbourne with an excursion to The Great Ocean Road in Torquay--about 1h 20 min away. There's much more to do: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, examine the collection at Melbourne Museum, explore the world behind art at National Gallery of Victoria, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Melbourne Zoo.

For ratings, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Melbourne trip itinerary app .

You can fly from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Melbourne in 5 hours. Another option is to drive. Expect colder weather when traveling from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in November: highs in Melbourne hover around 26°C, while lows dip to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Fri) so you can travel to Sydney.

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Sydney is known for nightlife, trails, beaches, parks, and shopping. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, wander the streets of Darling Harbour, see the interesting displays at Australian National Maritime Museum, and kick back and relax at Manly Beach.

For maps, reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Sydney travel route website .

You can fly from Melbourne to Sydney in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Sydney when traveling from Melbourne in November, with lows around 19°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Wed) so you can travel back home.