2 Weeks in Australia: Three Amazing Itinerary Ideas

Only got two weeks in Australia? You can still fit a lot in! Here are three 2-week Australia itinerary ideas to help you plan an incredible trip.

Two weeks in Australia might not feel like much time, but you can still pack in plenty of highlights without feeling rushed – as long as you plan carefully. Australia is big (almost the size of the continental US), so it’s impossible to see it all in one trip, but with a smart itinerary you can tick off iconic cities, incredible wildlife (hello koalas!) and stunning natural wonders.

In this guide, I’ve pulled together three different two-week itineraries that cover different parts of the country.

Let’s start planning your dream trip down under!

Aerial view of Sydney Harbour with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and sailing boats at sunset – an iconic starting point for a 2-week Australia itinerary. — Image: Tourism Australia

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Two-week Australia itineraries

If you’ve got two weeks in Australia, you’ll want to focus your time on one region or a mix of highlights rather than trying to cover everything (that’s actually impossible!).

Below are three different itineraries that I think are great ways to chunk up this country.

Option 1 is the classic East Coast journey, taking in Sydney, Brisbane, the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef
Option 2 blends big cities with the dramatic landscapes of the Red Centre and a road trip along the Great Ocean Road
If you want to do something a little different, then Option 3 heads west for an epic Western Australia road trip. Think rugged coastlines, wineries and some of the country’s (if not the world’s) most beautiful beaches

For each, I’ve also suggested the best time to visit Australia.

Got more time in Australia? Check out my other itineraries:

How to spend 3 weeks in Australia – with three awesome itinerary options
How to spend 4 weeks in Australia

2 weeks in Australia: Option 1 – Classic East Coast Australia

If you’re visiting Australia for the first time, the East Coast is a fantastic starting point. This is the most populated part of Australia – around 80% of the country’s entire population live here!

This itinerary takes you from Sydney’s iconic harbour to the beautiful Queensland coast, finishing in the lush tropics of the Daintree Rainforest, hitting many of the Australian bucket list highlights. It combines big cities, island escapes and natural wonders so you get a taste of everything this country has to offer – and all within two weeks.

Best time to do this itinerary

May to September (Australia’s autumn, winter and spring). It’s dry season in the tropical north (Cairns/Daintree/Whitsundays), with little rain and lower humidity. Sydney and Brisbane are mild and pleasant (although you won’t be hitting the beaches like you would in summer!). If you tried this itinerary in summer (December to February) you’d hit the tropical wet season.

Days 1-3: Sydney

Bondi Icebergs ocean pool filled with swimmers, with waves crashing over the side on a sunny day.

Australia’s biggest city is where most international visitors land, and it’s the perfect place to start this adventure.

There are so many things to do in Sydney and your first few days will be packed. Wander down to Circular Quay and you’ll be greeted by two of the country’s most recognisable landmarks: the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Take a ferry ride across to Manly or Taronga Zoo for spectacular views back across the harbour.

Spend time exploring Sydney’s beaches – Bondi, Coogee and Bronte are all classics. I also recommend tackling the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk for clifftop ocean views. This 6-kilometre trail passes through several of Sydney’s most iconic beaches and is an easy walk, with just a few steep stair sections. It does get busy on weekends so prepare the share the path with fit and tanned Sydneysiders! If you really want to live out your Aussie dreams, sign up for a Bondi surfing lesson.

Sydney is easy to get around on foot or by train or bus – but the hop-on hop-off bus is a convenient way to hit all the highlights.

On the third day, take a day trip to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed region about two hours from Sydney. This area is known for its dramatic sandstone cliffs, eucalyptus forests and mist-filled valleys that look blue from the oil released by the trees – which is where the name comes from.

Start at Echo Point in Katoomba for the best view of the Three Sisters, a striking rock formation and one of the most photographed spots in the country. Other highlights include Wentworth Falls and a ride on the Scenic Railway (the world’s steepest passenger railway). Stop in the charming village of Leura for lunch.

You can visit the Blue Mountains by renting a car or taking public transport, but this day trip with transport makes things a whole lot easier.

Where to stay in Sydney

For convenience, look for hotels around Circular Quay or The Rocks – you’ll be close to the city’s main sights and the ferry. I also like staying around the Haymarket area. Bondi is another great option, while budget travellers have plenty of hostel options in Surry Hills or Newtown.

Circular Quay: Harbour Rocks Hotel or the Pullman Quay Grand
Haymarket: Meriton Suites Campbell Street
Bondi Beach: QT Bondi
Surry Hills: Ace Hotel or Crystalbrook Albion

Days 4-5: Brisbane

Colourful BRISBANE sign in front of the city skyline on a sunny day – a great spot for travellers including Brisbane in their 2-week Australia itinerary.

Hop on a short flight north to Brisbane, Queensland’s relaxed capital. The city’s highlight is South Bank, a riverside precinct filled with cafés, parklands and cultural institutions like GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art).

If you’re itching to see a koala or a kangaroo up close, then make time for Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It’s not legal in every state to touch a koala, but you can in Queensland – so this is your chance for that quintessential Aussie photo.

If you’re after more adventure, try the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, one of only three bridge climbs in the world (along with Sydney and Auckland). The guided climb takes you up the iconic steel structure to a platform 80 metres above the Brisbane River.

Where to stay in Brisbane

The W Brisbane – a fun, colourful option right on the river
For mid-range, check out Queen’s Wharf Apartments

Days 6-9: Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef

Aerial shot of the Great Barrier Reef with a heart-shaped coral formation amidst the blue-green sea. The Great Barrier Reef is visible from outer space and one of the most incredible things to see in Australia - from above and below!

From Brisbane, fly into Airlie Beach (Proserpine Airport), the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. This is where you’ll find out that Australia’s postcard-perfect beaches haven’t been Photoshopped.

Spend a couple of days sailing through the turquoise waters, stopping at Whitehaven Beach – consistently ranked one of the most beautiful in the world – and snorkelling with tropical fish over colourful reefs.

Book a scenic flight over Heart Reef, a naturally formed coral in the shape of a heart.

The Whitsundays are a fantastic destination if you’re planning to honeymoon in Australia.

Where to stay in the Whitsundays

For ease, stay at Airlie Beach, which is on the mainland and has plenty of restaurants, bars and tour operators. Alternatively, base yourself at one of the resorts on Hamilton Island for a more secluded stay.

For luxury, Hamilton Island’s Qualia is world-class, or The Sundays has direct beachfront access
Airlie Beach has plenty of options including Coral Sea Resort and Harbour Cove

Days 10-14: Cairns & the Daintree Rainforest

People swimming in a clear, tropical river surrounded by lush greenery in the Daintree Rainforest – a must-visit stop on a 2-week Australia itinerary through Far North Queensland.

End your trip in the tropics. You can fly here from Airlie Beach but I’d recommend renting a car for the 7.5-hour drive to Cairns so you can later explore the Daintree Rainforest at your own pace.

If you didn’t get out to the Great Barrier Reef while in the Whitsundays, Cairns is another launch pad for reef tours – snorkelling, diving or even a glass-bottom boat if you’d rather stay dry.

Beyond the reef, the Atherton Tablelands is full of waterfalls and crater lakes. Spend a day chasing waterfalls on the famous Waterfall Circuit, swimming at Millaa Millaa Falls (one of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia) and attempting to spot the elusive platypus in Yungaburra (I’m yet to see a platypus in the wild!). The region is also known for its dairy farms, coffee plantations and fresh local produce, so there are plenty of options to pack a picnic for between swims. Or head up on the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway on a day trip from Cairns.

Head north to Port Douglas for a few nights. From here you can explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where “the rainforest meets the reef”.

If you prefer to base yourself in Cairns instead and just do a day trip to the Daintree, here are some great options:

While it’s a long day, this tour is a great way experience a traditional smoke ceremony with the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people at Mossman Gorge and also take a wildlife cruise on the Daintree River
This full-day tour includes a guided walk through the ancient Daintree Rainforest and along beaches of Cape Tribulation as well as a river cruise to spot crocodiles

Where to stay in Cairns and Port Douglas

In Cairns, the Hilton is right on the marina, while the Mantra Trilogy has ocean view rooms
In Port Douglas, you’ve got plenty of options, from luxe stays like the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort to mid-range hotels and apartments like By The Sea

To finish up, fly back home from Cairns (via Sydney or Brisbane, most likely, depending on your destination).

Option 2 – Red Centre and southern highlights

I know how hard it is to decide where to go when you’ve only got two weeks in Australia – there’s just so much to see! If you want a bit of everything – iconic cities, incredible landscapes and a taste of the Outback – then this is the itinerary I’d pick.

You’ll start with Sydney’s glittering harbour, watch Uluru glow at sunrise and sunset, eat your way through Melbourne’s legendary food scene and road trip along the Great Ocean Road – one of the most scenic drives in the world. This route really does give you a little taste of everything that makes Australia special.