3-Week East Australia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week East Australia tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaEast Australia travel expert at TourRadar

• 17 Day Australia East Coast Itinerary, incl. Sydney and Cairns

  A 17-day tour across East Australia visits 12 destinations from Sydney Harbor to Cairns. The route winds through Lamington National Park's rainforests, includes 2-night Whitsundays sailing, and offers cultural insights with First Nations guides at Mungalla Station.

  

  View itineraryCompare 17 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    Sydney & Port Macquarie

    Start your adventure in Sydney with visits to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. On day 2 drive north to Port Macquarie. Stop at Crowdy Bay National Park to walk the Mermaid Lookout Track. Plan to arrive in the mid-afternoon for the best lighting for photos. The viewpoint is perfect for spotting whales and dolphins.

    
  • Days 3-5

    Byron Bay Region

    Visit the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie before heading to Byron Bay. Book an early morning paddleboarding session with the Gumbaynggirr community to avoid afternoon winds. Get to Australia's most easterly point by 5:30 AM in summer for sunrise. Take the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk in the morning when dolphins are most active.

    
  • Days 6-8

    Brisbane & Gold Coast

    Use Brisbane as your base to explore the city and Gold Coast. Take a scenic drive through Springbrook National Park to the Natural Bridge rock arch. Visit in late afternoon to see sunlight streaming through the cave. For the best views of Brisbane head to Mount Coot-tha Summit at sunset.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Noosa & Sunshine Coast

    Walk the Noosa National Park coastal track before 8 AM to see active koalas. Take a day trip to K'gari (Fraser Island) and drive along 75 Mile Beach at low tide. The walking tracks can get slippery after rain so wear good shoes.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Whitsundays & Magnetic Island

    Go sailing in the Whitsundays to visit Whitehaven Beach and snorkel spots. Book morning sessions for better underwater visibility. On Magnetic Island take the Forts Walking Track early morning or late afternoon when koalas are most visible.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Mission Beach & Cairns

    End your trip at Mission Beach and Cairns. Stop at Mungalla Station to learn about Aboriginal culture and see wetland wildlife. Arrive in Cairns by early afternoon to enjoy a swim at the Esplanade lagoon pool.

    

  View itinerary

• 16 Day Australia Itinerary, incl. Sydney and Great Barrier Reef

  A 16-day Australian journey stretches from Sydney Harbor cruise to Brisbane's South Bank precinct. The route covers 11 destinations including Cairns for Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne for Great Ocean Road, and Uluru's sacred Aboriginal sites, with 20 meals and luxury accommodations.

  

  View itineraryCompare 16 days itineraries
  • Days 1-3

    Sydney & Blue Mountains

    Start at Bondi Beach before 9 AM to watch local surfers. Take your Opera House tour in late afternoon when the crowds thin out and the lighting is better for photos. A past visitor shared: "The harbor cruise was a highlight, but book the 2 PM sailing for the best light on the Bridge." Plan a full day for the Blue Mountains and get to Featherdale Wildlife Park early before the tour buses roll in.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Uluru (Ayers Rock)

    Fly 3.5 hours to Australia's Red Centre. Get to your sunset viewing spot 45 minutes before the posted time to see the colors change. Bring warm clothes for sunrise viewing. The base walk takes about 3.5 hours so wear good walking shoes.

    
  • Days 6-9

    Melbourne & Great Ocean Road

    Explore Melbourne's laneways after 10 AM when Hardware Lane's coffee scene comes alive. Set aside a full day for the Great Ocean Road. Leave Melbourne early to beat the crowds at the Twelve Apostles. One traveler noted: "The Loch Ard Gorge was actually more impressive than the Twelve Apostles—spend extra time there."

    
  • Days 10-12

    Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

    Stay in Cairns to access the reef. Book your reef cruise early in your stay in case of bad weather. Take the first Skyrail up to Kuranda at 8:30 AM to avoid the heat. The cable car ride takes 1.5 hours with two stops.

    
  • Days 13-16

    Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

    Use Brisbane as your base for day trips. Head to the Sunshine Coast early to spend more time at Noosa Beach. Book the Tangalooma dolphin feeding well in advance since it fills up quickly.

    

  View itinerary

• 20 Day East Coast Australia Itinerary, incl. Brisbane and Cairns

  The 20-day coastal route features a 3-day K'Gari 4x4 adventure, 2-night Whitsundays sailing, Magnetic Island's koala trails, and Mission Beach adrenaline activities. The path leads from Brisbane's Lagoon to Cairns' Great Barrier Reef.

  

  View itineraryCompare 20 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    Brisbane

    Start in Brisbane and check out the city's outdoor lagoon. It's a great spot to recover from your flight and meet other travelers. One visitor said: "Having the lagoon right in the city was perfect for getting over jet lag and meeting other travelers." On day two visit Australia Zoo in the morning to catch the first animal shows. End your day in Fortitude Valley for some of Brisbane's best nightlife.

    
  • Days 3-6

    Rainbow Beach & K'gari (Fraser Island)

    Take a morning shuttle to Rainbow Beach before heading to K'gari. Keep your bags light for the Fraser Island trip since you'll be moving around in 4WD vehicles and camping. You'll spend the next few days driving on beach roads and exploring this massive sand island. Visit Lake McKenzie early before others arrive. Bring good walking shoes since the sand gets very hot during the day.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Whitsundays

    Spend a night in Airlie Beach before your two-night sailing trip through the Whitsundays' 74 islands. Bring motion sickness pills just in case. A recent visitor noted: "Whitehaven Beach's silica sand is unlike anything I've seen - bring water shoes as it gets scorching hot by 10 AM."

    
  • Days 10-11

    Magnetic Island

    Take the short ferry from Townsville to "Maggie Island." Book a beachfront place to stay and do the Forts Walk early to spot koalas. Get a Barbie car to check out the island's 23 beaches. Paradise Bay is quiet and worth finding.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Mission Beach

    Great for adventure sports. Book your skydive for the morning when views of the reef and rainforest are clearest. You can go white water rafting on the Tully River any time of year but expect higher waters during wet season from November to April.

    
  • Days 14-20

    Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

    Make Cairns your base for the final week. Book reef trips early in case weather causes cancellations. Try the outer reef spots for better visibility. One traveler said: "The second reef site was incredible, with way fewer boats and better coral." Visit the Atherton Tablelands waterfalls later in the day when the sun hits Millaa Millaa Falls perfectly.

    

  View itinerary