Sydney Melbourne Best Itinerary Ideas

How Many Days Do You Need in Sydney & Melbourne?

• Most travelers find that spending 7-9 days in Sydney and Melbourne combined provides a good balance.
• Visiting Sydney and Melbourne in 6 days is certainly possible, but be aware that your itinerary will feel quite rushed as you attempt to squeeze in the highlights.
• If you have 10 or more days at your disposal, most travelers opt to expand their trip and incorporate additional destinations and experiences.
• The most common extensions to trips that include Sydney and Melbourne are visits to Cairns, Port Douglas, and Palm Cove, offering a taste of the tropical north.

Planning the perfect amount of time in these iconic cities is crucial for an unforgettable Australian experience. Determining the ideal duration for your stay in Sydney and Melbourne depends on your travel style, interests, and the pace you prefer.

Recommended Itineraries for Sydney & Melbourne

Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Arrive in Sydney, Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise	Sydney
Day 2	Morning Guided City Tour, Afternoon Sydney Opera House Tour	Sydney
Day 3	Day Trip to the Blue Mountains	Sydney
Day 4	Fly to Melbourne, Evening Dinner, Tales & Cocktails Tour	Melbourne
Day 5	Full-Day Phillip Island Tour & Penguin Plus	Melbourne
Day 6	Full-Day Great Ocean Road Excursion	Melbourne
Day 7	Depart Melbourne

Australia’s two greatest cities—Sydney and Melbourne—are often compared to competitive siblings, each vying for attention and affection. Both are undeniably charming, vibrant, and interesting places to live and explore, yet each possesses an entirely different personality and unique appeal waiting to be discovered. This carefully curated seven-day itinerary allows you to spend a week immersed in the best of both worlds, experiencing Sydney and Melbourne through a series of immersive cultural and culinary adventures.

Beyond the bustling city limits, this itinerary also includes special day trips that will take you to breathtaking natural wonders. Prepare to be amazed by the majestic beauty of the Blue Mountains, witness the adorable penguin parade on Phillip Island, and journey along the iconic Great Ocean Road, marveling at the stunning coastal scenery.

Begin your adventure in Sydney, where you’ll be captivated by the iconic Sydney Opera House and the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge. Explore the historic Rocks district, soak up the sun on Bondi Beach, and indulge in world-class dining experiences. Then, hop on a flight to Melbourne, a city known for its laneway cafes, street art, and vibrant arts scene. Discover hidden bars, explore the Royal Botanic Gardens, and immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Extended Itineraries

1-Week Itinerary Including Cairns

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Arrival in Melbourne 7 November 2021	Melbourne
Day 2	Travel Great Ocean Road	Melbourne
Day 3	Travel to Sydney and Afternoon Pub Tour	Sydney
Day 4	Blue Mountains Hiking Day Trip	Sydney
Day 5	Travel to Cairns	Cairns
Day 6	Cairns – Great Barrier Reef Day Trip 29 December 2021	Cairns
Day 7	Departure From Melbourne

On this incredible weeklong trip to Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to experience three distinct cities and discover several iconic landmarks along the way. The adventure begins in Melbourne, where you can immerse yourself in the city’s unique atmosphere and explore its hidden gems. From there, you’ll embark on a scenic journey along the Great Ocean Road, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views from iconic lookouts like The Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard.

Next, you’ll make your way to Sydney, where a vibrant pub crawl awaits, offering a taste of the city’s lively nightlife. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a day trip to the stunning Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and cascading waterfalls.

The final leg of your journey takes you to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Here, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and create unforgettable memories exploring the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder teeming with marine life.

10-Day Itinerary Including Cairns & Uluru

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Melbourne – Arrival	Melbourne
Day 2	Phillip Island Penguin Parade	Melbourne
Day 3	Melbourne – Great Ocean Road	Melbourne
Day 4	Melbourne – Uluru (Ayers Rock)	Uluru
Day 5	Uluru to Cairns	Cairns
Day 6	Cairns – Great Barrier Reef	Cairns
Day 7	Cairns – Kuranda Scenic Railway Skyrail and Wildlife Experience	Cairns
Day 8	Sydney City Sights	Sydney
Day 9	Sydney – Blue Mountains	Sydney
Day 10	Departure from Sydney

Embark on an unforgettable adventure that covers the very best of Australia with this meticulously planned 10-day tour. Seamlessly blending urban exploration with exhilarating outdoor excursions, this itinerary begins in the cultural capital of Melbourne, serving as the perfect launching pad for exploring the surrounding wonders of Phillip Island and the Great Ocean Road. Witness the adorable penguin parade, marvel at the rugged coastline, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Venture into the heart of the “Red Center” and be awestruck by the iconic Ayers Rock (Uluru) as you witness its majestic presence in the vast desert landscape. Fly to the tropical paradise of Cairns, where you can cuddle with a koala and snorkel amidst the vibrant coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef.

Conclude your extraordinary stay with a comprehensive Sydney city tour, where you’ll discover the city’s architectural marvels and iconic landmarks. Embark on a day trip to the Blue Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and immerse yourself in its breathtaking natural beauty.

13-Day Itinerary Including Cairns & Gold Coast

Day	Highlights	Overnight
Day 1	Arrival in Melbourne 7 November 2021	Melbourne
Day 2	Melbourne – City Tour	Melbourne
Day 3	Melbourne – Free Day and Early Evening Tour.	Melbourne
Day 4	Melbourne – Great Ocean Road Day Tour	Sydney
Day 5	Sydney – Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb 17 November 2021	Sydney
Day 6	Sydney – Free Day	Sydney
Day 7	Travel to Gold Coast	Gold Coast
Day 8	Gold Coast – Day Trip to Mount Tambourine National Park	Gold Coast
Day 9	Free Day on the Gold Coast 19 December 2021	Gold Coast
Day 10	Cairns – Sydney 16 November 2021	Sydney
Day 11	Cairns – Daintree Rainforest Day Trip	Cairns
Day 12	Cairns – Great Barrier Reef Day Trip 29 December 2021	Cairns
Day 13	Cairns – Free Day 30 December 2021	Cairns
Day 14	Departure From Melbourne

Embark on a comprehensive 13-day journey that will immerse you in the beauty and diversity of Australia’s East Coast. Begin your adventure in the artsy city of Melbourne, where you’ll have the chance to explore hidden alleyways, browse vintage shops, and discover quirky coffee shops.

Continue your journey to the bustling city of Sydney, where you’ll spend a few days soaking up the vibrant atmosphere and exploring iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. From there, make your way north to the Gold Coast, one of Australia’s most iconic surfing destinations, and spend some time relaxing on the golden sands and riding the waves.

Your trip culminates in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the wonders of the underwater world, snorkel amidst colorful coral reefs, and marvel at the diverse marine life. Additionally, you can venture into the lush Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover its ancient flora and fauna.

How to Travel Between Sydney & Melbourne

Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, appear relatively close together on a map, both situated in the southeastern region of this vast country. However, the actual distance between them is approximately 545 miles (877 km). Planning your travel between these two iconic destinations requires careful consideration. Here’s an overview of the various options available for traveling from Sydney to Melbourne, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.