24 days in Australia Itinerary

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

When in Melbourne, make a side trip to see The Great Ocean Road in Torquay, approximately Torquay away. Next up on the itinerary: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, admire the landmark architecture of Supreme Court of Victoria, admire the masterpieces at National Gallery of Victoria, and make a trip to Flinders Street Station.

For traveler tips, maps, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Melbourne online tour itinerary planner.

Dublin, Ireland to Melbourne is an approximately 26-hour flight. The time zone difference moving from Greenwich Mean Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time is 10 hours. When traveling from Dublin in December, plan for much hotter days in Melbourne, with highs around 30°C, while nights are a bit warmer with lows around 14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 19th (Thu) early enough to 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Sydney: Everglades Historic House and Gardens (in Leura), The Three Sisters (in Katoomba) and Wentworth Falls (in Wentworth Falls). And it doesn't end there: catch a live performance at Sydney Opera House, explore the striking landscape at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, trek along Bondi to Coogee Walk, and take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

For maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Sydney holiday planner.

Getting from Melbourne to Sydney by flight takes about 4 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Sydney when traveling from Melbourne in December, with lows around 21°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Byron Bay.

Named after Lord Byron's grandfather, Byron Bay is not only famous as the easternmost point of Australia, but even more so as one of the liveliest vacation spots in the country.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Fri): add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour, visit a coastal fixture at Cape Byron Lighthouse, and then hike along Cape Byron Walking Track. Here are some ideas for day two: experience rural life at The Farm Byron Bay, explore the galleries of Jules Hunt Studio Gallery, then find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, and finally sample the tasty concoctions at Stone & Wood Brewery.

To find reviews, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, use the Byron Bay driving holiday planner.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Byron Bay takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In December in Byron Bay, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 20°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 29th (Sun) before leaving for Fraser Island.

On the 30th (Mon), tour the pleasant surroundings at Seventy-Five Mile Beach, head outdoors with The Pinnacles, and then contemplate the waterfront views at Eli Creek. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake McKenzie.

To find maps, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Fraser Island journey maker tool.

Do a combination of car and ferry from Byron Bay to Fraser Island in 10 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, flight, ferry, and car; or do a combination of bus, train, car, and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in December, and nighttime lows around 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Airlie Beach.

Very much a town with an emphasis on the tropical lifestyle, Airlie Beach offers exotic surroundings with palm trees and charming, sandy beaches.

Take a break from Airlie Beach with a short trip to Daydream Island Living Reef in Daydream Island, about 34 minutes away. On the 4th (Sat), spend a thrilling day on the water with a speed boat tour. The adventure continues: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, get some thrills out on the water with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure, add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour, and view the masterpieces at Into The Blue Gallery.

For more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Airlie Beach travel itinerary planner.

Traveling by combination of car, ferry, and flight from Fraser Island to Airlie Beach takes 13.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of car, ferry, and bus. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Fraser Island in December since evenings lows in Airlie Beach dip to 28°C. On the 4th (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Sydney.

For maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, you can read our Sydney journey planning site.

You can fly from Airlie Beach to Sydney in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. Traveling from Airlie Beach in January, expect slightly colder with lows of 23°C in Sydney. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sun) so you can travel back home.