3-Week East Australia Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week East Australia tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaEast Australia travel expert at TourRadar

• 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 itinerary Compare 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

• 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 itinerary Compare 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 & Fiji Itinerary, incl. Sydney and Great Barrier Reef

  A 16-day Australian adventure spans Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, and Sydney. Stops include Australia Zoo, Great Barrier Reef snorkeling, Kuranda Scenic Railway rides, and Blue Mountains exploration, followed by time in Fiji.

  

  View itinerary Compare 16 days itineraries
  • Days 1-4

    Brisbane & Surrounds

    Arrive in Brisbane before 3 PM to explore the riverside South Bank precinct. Head to Australia Zoo on day 2 via early shuttle. You'll need about 6 hours to see all the wildlife shows. Visit Tamborine Mountain and the Glow Worm Cave. Pack a light jacket since the caves stay cool. The Byron Bay trip takes 10 hours so bring snacks and water.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

    Take a 3-hour flight to tropical Cairns. The Barrier Reef cruise leaves the Marina at 8 AM. If you get seasick easily take motion sickness tablets. A recent visitor noted: "The morning snorkel spot had better visibility before the afternoon winds picked up." For the best Kuranda experience take the scenic railway up and cable car down.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Melbourne Region

    After flying in spend free time exploring Melbourne's laneways. The Phillip Island penguin parade brings you back late around 11 PM. The viewing area gets cold at sunset so bring warm clothes. Book the dinner cruise well ahead during peak season.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Sydney Highlights

    Start early for the full-day Blue Mountains tour. Wear comfortable shoes for walking the Scenic World trails. Visit the Opera House first thing before crowds arrive then head to Bondi Beach when the cafes are busy. Take in stunning nighttime views of the Bridge and Opera House on the harbour dinner cruise.

    
  • Days 13-16

    Fiji Finale

    Fly 4 hours to Fiji. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat for the cultural village tour. Choose an early island cruise departure to get more beach time. Most return flights to Australia leave mid-afternoon letting you enjoy a relaxed final morning.

    

  View itinerary