The Ultimate Australia Itinerary

Ever fancied taking a trip down under? Whether you're sweet on surfing or fancy taking a closer look at the unique wildlife, Australia is a fantastic holiday destination that, unsurprisingly, welcomes millions of people from all over the world every single year. But, how on earth do you even get started when it comes to building an Australia itinerary for, say, a week or more?

We asked the SIMOVO crew for some tips and hints on what to include in an Australian trip schedule that really shows off the best the island has to offer from coast to coast. Read on, and you'll find our list of what we think are the must-see places to visit in Australia, and a few itinerary templates that you can adjust for your own adventures.

Just remember, you should never head down under without an eSIM for Australia, especially if you're likely to use your phone for mobile data extensively on your travels. SIMOVO's eSIMs give you access to the best possible national connections as soon as you land, and because you pay upfront for the data you need, you'll never have to fear running up expensive bills with your home carrier.

Australia itinerary overview

Most Australia itinerary builders agree on one thing - that you need much longer than two weeks to explore the best that the country has to offer. That said, we understand that lots of people try to budget for two to three weeks max, so we've built our itinerary templates for you with that in mind.

Speaking of budgeting, something we certainly recommend that you do ahead of time is look at our Australia cost guide, so you know what to expect when it comes to travel expenses, hotels, and activities.

The perfect itinerary for your trip depends really on what you're aiming to get out of Australia personally. For example, there are plenty of trip guides that suggest sticking inland to explore cities and landmarks like Uluru, while others take you to the Great Barrier Reef or the East Coast. We try to cover as many of the main points as possible, which will require some traveling around, by plane or car - so, be sure to take plenty of breaks.

If you're up for a road trip, prime locations you'll want to add into your itinerary include the Grand Pacific Drive across New South Wales, the Coral Coast Highway across Western Australia, and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. This is absolutely road trip country, meaning we recommend you look into hiring a car long before you land so you can get the right vehicle and prices.

Otherwise, Australia is pretty well connected, thanks to extensive roads and plenty of flights. There's lots to see and do on foot, too, so you won't have to take to the wheel unless you really want to.

Best places to visit in Australia

How long do you have? Unfortunately, we have limited space in the SIMOVO journal, which means we can only share five Australian highlights with you today - but don't worry, they're all worth adding to your itinerary.

We've created templates below that allow you to explore all of these sights in one itinerary, with the best travel routes possible. Just remember that you may need to spend extensive time out of your journeying on the road or take a plane or two - but that's part of the fun!

We recommend prioritizing trips to Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Gold Coast. Here's why!

Sydney

Sydney, Australia is one of those cities you assume is the capital because it's so widely talked about - it's not! What really drives people to Sydney is, in part, its literal scores of sandy beaches, delicious seafood scene, and its ever-developing harborside city sights. Of course, you can also take in the Opera House here, and take day trips to the world-famous Sydney Zoo and Luna Park.

Melbourne

Melbourne is certainly the go-to city down under for cultural attractions, national sport, and the tastiest of Australia's foodie scene. It's also well-loved for its art, its cafe scenes, and even for its fashion. This is a real cosmopolitan metropolis, benefiting all the same from that charming, laid-back Aussie welcome and some incredible weather most of the year.

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a true natural wonder, stretching thousands of kilometers and remaining home to hundreds of different marine life species. There are more than 2,900 different reefs out here, covering 900 different islands. And yet, global warming continues to threaten the habitat hour by hour - make sure to explore it responsibly.

Uluru

Uluru, sometimes known as Ayers Rock, is perhaps one of Australia's most iconic landmarks - and it's completely natural! This truly behemoth sandstone monument is hundreds of millions of years old and has been rightly protected by UNESCO. It's an extremely important landmark in Aboriginal history and culture, and while you are no longer allowed to climb the sacred site, there are still tours around the region that allow you to marvel at it up close.

Gold Coast

If you're the sort of traveler who prioritizes great weather and relaxing on the sand, you'll want to make a beeline for the Gold Coast, which benefits from at least 300 days of sunshine every year. It's fast becoming a family holiday destination, boasting massive theme parks and sandy strolls. It's also famous for its huge shopping experiences, its rainforest, and its unique nightlife.

Australia itinerary templates

If you're keen to pack as much as you can into your ideal Australia itinerary, we're here to help! The following templates can be adjusted as you wish, and extend as far as three weeks, so you can really make the most of the sunshine, sea, culture, and charm.

Keep in mind, however, that traveling across Australia, via road, flight, or other transport, takes considerable time - be sure to take plenty of breaks and to plan your routes ahead. We recommend taking flights between these destinations to save as much time as possible, but if you have the time and ability to drive, it's entirely possible to go via the road!

Australia itinerary for 10 days

• Days 1-3: Start off in sunny Sydney, exploring the nearby capital of Canberra, too
• Days 4-6: Take a trip up the Eastern Coast towards Brisbane and the Gold Coast
• Days 7-8: Continue journeying up North towards the Queensland Coast and the Great Barrier Reef
• Days 9-10: Finish your trip towards the Northern tips close to Cairns and Port Douglas

Australia itinerary for 14 days

• Days 1-2: Find a base in the Northern Territory and visit Uluru
• Days 3-5: Travel South towards South Australia, then follow around to Adelaide
• Days 6-8: Spend a few days traveling from Adelaide down to Melbourne
• Days 9-11: Break up a long road trip traveling from Melbourne up to Sydney
• Days 12-14: Travel up the coast toward Brisbane and the Gold Coast

Australia itinerary for 3 weeks

• Days 1-4: Land in the Northern territory, explore the towns, and enjoy Uluru
• Days 5-8: Start traveling down through South Australia and toward Adelaide
• Days 9-13: From Adelaide, dip around the South Coast, visiting Melbourne, and where there's time, possibly ferrying to Tasmania
• Days 14-16: Travel up towards Canberra and Sydney
• Days 17-19: Take a shorter route up towards the Gold Coast and Brisbane
• Days 20-21: Finish your adventure by going further North towards the wonderful reefs

Best time to visit Australia

The best time of year to visit Australia really depends on where you travel and what you do. If you're heading South, and you want to make the most of the brilliant sunshine, you should of course, consider traveling when the weather is at its hottest (so, between December and February, where it's super cold in the Northern hemisphere). If you prefer milder weather, consider March through May or September through November, generally.

Be warned, when Australia gets hot, it gets really hot. Stay hydrated and stick to the shade whenever you can.

If you're in the North, in the tropical reaches, you might want to travel between May and September for the dry season. Otherwise, we recommend avoiding the wet season up here, which falls between November and April. Tourism everywhere tends to peak between December and February, so keep this in mind if you want to avoid crowds. 

Now you've got all the bits and pieces you need for your Australia itinerary, go ahead and download a SIMOVO eSIM for Oceania and get booking those flights!