8 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.

Start off your visit on the 16th (Wed): look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas.

To find maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Cairns route maker.

Manila, Philippines to Cairns is an approximately 14-hour flight. Traveling from Manila to Cairns, you'll lose 2 hours due to the time zone difference. In December, daily temperatures in Cairns can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Wed) so you can travel to Hamilton Island.

A trip to Hamilton Island takes you to a car-free destination mostly covered in bushland.

Kick off your visit on the 17th (Thu): head outdoors with Jetryder, see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, and then take in the waterfront activity at Hamilton Island Marina.

For reviews, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Hamilton Island journey maker site.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Hamilton Island takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or do a combination of bus and ferry. December in Hamilton Island sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 28°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Thu) to allow enough time to ride a ferry 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.

Start off your visit on the 18th (Fri): see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To see other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, read Airlie Beach day trip planning website.

You can ride a ferry from Hamilton Island to Airlie Beach in 2 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Fri) so you can go by car to Mackay.

Mackay is a city and its centre suburb in the Mackay Region on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. Kick off your visit on the 19th (Sat): view the masterpieces at Big On Shoes (Formerly Known As Fredericks Showcase Space), then cool off at Bluewater Lagoon, then cool off at Mackay Aqua Park, and finally take a memorable drive along Mango Avenue.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Mackay day trip tool.

Traveling by car from Airlie Beach to Mackay takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. December in Mackay sees daily highs of 36°C and lows of 26°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Townsville.

Tucked snugly beneath a steep, craggy mount--known as Castle Hill--the vibrant city of Townsville is as picturesque as its backdrop.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Sun): stop by CoffeeWorks, enjoy the sand and surf at The Strand, and then take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

For more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Townsville tour itinerary site.

You can fly from Mackay to Townsville in 4 hours. Other options are to take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 37°C in December, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) so you can travel to Fitzroy Island.

To find reviews, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Fitzroy Island travel route builder.

Explore your travel options from Townsville to Fitzroy Island with the Route module. In December in Fitzroy Island, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 26°C at night. On the 21st (Mon), you'll travel 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 21st (Mon), get to know the resident critters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, then look for gifts at With Sugar, and then discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To find more things to do, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, read our Port Douglas visit planning site.

Explore your travel options from Fitzroy Island to Port Douglas with the Route module. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in December, and nighttime lows around 26°C. On the 22nd (Tue), you'll have the morning to explore before heading back home.