18 days in Australia Itinerary

A low-rise, laid-back town of approximately 4,500 inhabitants, Margaret River serves as an ideal local base to explore the surrounding wine region.

Get a sense of the local culture at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Meelup Beach and Gnarabup Beach. Get out of town with these interesting Margaret River side-trips: Yallingup Beach (in Yallingup) and Jewel Cave (in Augusta). There's more to do: enjoy the sand and surf at Hamelin Bay and explore the fascinating underground world of Lake Cave.

To find maps, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Margaret River trip itinerary maker website .

Doha, Qatar to Margaret River is an approximately 20-hour combination of flight and bus. You can also do a combination of car, flight, and bus. The time zone difference moving from Arabia Standard Time (AST) to Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) is 5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Albany.

Founded as a military outpost in 1826, Albany is the oldest town in Western Australia, just barely gaining this title by being settled two years earlier than Fremantle and Perth.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Sat): enjoy the sand and surf at Little Beach, then examine the collection at National Anzac Centre, and then kick back and relax at Middleton Beach. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun): get engrossed in the history at Albany's Historic Whaling Station and then kick back and relax at Greens Pool.

To see other places to visit, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, read Albany road trip planning app .

You can drive from Margaret River to Albany in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus and flight. In December, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Sun) early enough to travel to Kangaroo Island.

Abandoned by Aborigines a few thousand years ago, Kangaroo Island attracts over 140,000 visitors each year.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Seal Bay Conservation Park and Off-Road Tours. There's still lots to do: look for all kinds of wild species at Raptor Domain, sample the fine beverages at Kangaroo Island Spirits, and explore the striking landscape of Flinders Chase National Park.

To see more things to do, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Kangaroo Island driving holiday planner.

Getting from Albany to Kangaroo Island by flight takes about 9 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Albany to Kangaroo Island. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Wed) early enough to travel to Hobart.

Snaking up the side of a rounded, tree-dotted hill, Hobart sits between Tasmania’s sprawling mountains and the vast estuary of the River Derwent.

Mawson's Hut Replica Museum and Richmond Gaol will appeal to museum buffs. Explore hidden gems such as Battery Point Sculpture Trail and Cascade Brewery. And it doesn't end there: identify plant and animal life at The Neck, take in the awesome beauty at Mount Wellington, get curious at Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and take a leisurely stroll along Constitution Dock.

For maps, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Hobart day trip site .

Getting from Kangaroo Island to Hobart by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in December, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Sat) early enough to travel to Gold Coast.

A city of towering skyscrapers, sandy beaches, and tree-lined streets, Gold Coast has an unpretentious air complemented by a citywide focus on sports and the arts.

On the 29th (Sun), view the masterpieces at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, then buy something for everyone on your list at Robina Town Shopping Centre, then enjoy the sand and surf at Burleigh Heads Beach, and finally explore the wealth of natural beauty at Burleigh Head National Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Kurrawa Beach, kick back and relax at Coolangatta Beach, and then tour the pleasant surroundings at Kirra Beach.

For traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Gold Coast trip planner.

You can fly from Hobart to Gold Coast in 5.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and train; or do a combination of car and ferry. Traveling from Hobart in December, expect Gold Coast to be somewhat warmer, temps between 32°C and 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Mon) 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.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Australian National Maritime Museum and Australian Centre for Photography. Relax by the water at Bondi Beach and Clovelly Beach. There's much more to do: wander the streets of Darling Harbour, get to know the fascinating history of The Rocks, hike along Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk, and admire the masterpieces at Art Gallery of New South Wales.

To see other places to visit, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, read Sydney travel route planner.

Traveling by flight from Gold Coast to Sydney takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of train and flight; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in December, and nighttime lows around 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Fri) to allow time for travel back home.