What can you see in 14 days in Australia? How do you decide among no less than 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera House?
For your first trip, do you focus on the major cities on the east coast of Australia with their cultural vibes?
Perhaps you’d rather explore the country’s vast and spectacular natural parks like Kakadu National park, home to aboriginal culture for over 40,000 years.
Or visit the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory, a UNESCO World Heritage marvel sacred to the Aboriginal people and home to Ayers Rock.
Australia is such a vast country that a good plan to explore places like Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, and Adelaide is a must. To see Australia in 2 weeks, you need to research resource material beforehand.
How will you maximize your time? What areas contain the activities you are most interested in? Is there a best time to visit?
We’ve put together a 2-week Australia itinerary for you so you don’t have to wonder anymore.
We hope this article will not only inspire you, but will also help you in the planning process of the best two weeks in Australia you can imagine.
A 2 WEEK AUSTRALIA ITINERARY
>>Download a PDF of our itinerary here!<<
Sydney
Any good Australia travel itinerary for 2 weeks should include Sydney, Australia’s biggest city, located in the New South Wales province. It’s a vibrant city full of amazing experiences and great places to eat.
One must-see landmark is the Sydney Opera House and the nearby Sydney Harbour Bridge. Seeing this world-heritage site in person, especially at night, is breathtaking and shouldn’t be missed.
If seeing an opera isn’t your thing, you can always book a tour or enjoy a meal at one of the fabulous restaurants on-site. And, there are a number of harbor cruises you can take if you just want to enjoy a view of the Sydney Opera House from the outside.
Another activity to add to the Sydney leg of your 2-week trip to Australia is to enjoy a stunning panoramic view from the top of Sydney Tower. Open 365 days a year, it offers a panoramic view of Sydney that is especially stunning right around sunset.
Spend a day at Darling Harbor, a pedestrian district filled with shops, restaurants, activities for all ages, the LG IMAX Theater Sydney, and the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Be sure to check out the district’s various street performances, and if you can time it right, the free fireworks show on Fridays at 9 PM. It’s a great way to experience all that Sydney has to offer in one location.
You’ll probably end up at Circular Quay at some point. It is a good transport point connecting all manner of transportation like ferries, trains and buses around Australia. It is also key to the attractions that Sydney offers.
Where to stay in Sydney.
When spending 2 weeks in Australia, you would be remiss if you didn’t spend a day at Bondi Beach or its smaller and less crowded counterpart, Coogee Beach, one of the best places to go in Sydney with kids.
Soak up the sun, do some snorkeling, enjoy the scenic Bondi to Coogi coastal walk, and eat at some of the local establishments at this beach that’s about 7 miles south of Sydney.
Note that admission to Coogee Beach is free, and parking is limited…so be sure to get there early to get the best spots.
If you’ve got some extra time and you love exploring coastal areas, an ideal adventure out of Sydney is a NSW south coast road trip.
About 1 or 2 hours west of Sydney are the Blue Mountains. This wilderness shelters Aboriginal rock art and one of the area’s most famous attractions, Scenic World, with its skyway, railway, cable car and amazing elevated rainforest that you can walk on!
“Alone of all the races on earth, they seem to be free from the 'Grass is Greener on the other side of the fence' syndrome, and roundly proclaim that Australia is, in fact, the other side of that fence.” ― Douglas Adams Share on XMelbourne
Next on our two-week Australia itinerary is Melbourne, one of the friendliest cities I’ve ever visited. Located in the province of Victoria, it is almost a 12-hour drive from Sydney.
I found the best transportation option between these two cities is to travel by train on a sleeper coach. Australian trains are efficient, comfortable and reasonably priced.
You get to see the countryside, stay in a one-night hotel, and you arrive refreshed the next day.
You arrive at Melbourne Central Railway Station which is right by Federation Square, where you are likely to spend a great deal of time.
A unique Melbourne experience is not hard to come by in such a friendly, welcoming city. Reasons to visit Melbourne? Take your pick.
Melbourne is a very special city; a mix of funky neighborhoods, delicious food, beaches, culture, easy to get around, exciting nightlife, animal sanctuaries and a convenient base from which to explore other areas like the wine regions.
Melbourne is a must-visit city to include in any 2- or 3-week Australia itinerary. Let me share some of the things that make this city so special.
Explore Federation Square
Start at Federation Square, in the heart of Melbourne, to get your bearings at one of the most efficiently run information centers I’ve ever visited, and take it from there.
You can also get maps and book excursions here (and use the bathroom!) Federation Square is a destination on its own with trendy restaurants, a cultural center and an exhibition center.
They had a craft beer sampling event when we were there. Ah, a city after my own heart!
The trams in the city center are free. Let me repeat, the trams are free! If that’s not a hearty welcome, I don’t know what is. There is also a bus that travels just about anywhere you want to go for just AUD10 (about $7US) per 24hour period
Chat up an Australian
During our time in Melbourne, we were stopped by no less than 4 total strangers asking if they could help us find a location. While waiting for a bus we realized the smallest bill we had was AUD50 note.
A woman who was also waiting offered to change our AUD50 bill for us so we could board the bus. A tap-dancing museum guard regaled us with non-stop jokes and a 92-year-old Melburnian gave us a detailed history of his city.
These are friendly, outgoing people that make you feel they are happy you are in their city.
Melbourne food experiences
As an immigrant gateway city, Melbourne is home to many ethnic groups. Like New York City, Melbourne is multicultural with many ethnic neighborhood enclaves; Chinatown, Little Italy, The Greek Precinct.
Of course, with these neighborhoods comes the great food. Outdoor dining on Lygon Street, pictured avove, is the perfect Melbourne dinner experience. Some restaurants we tried and loved include:
Chin Chin for Asian inspired.
Movida for Spanish tapas with a twist.
Taxi Kitchen and Time Out, both on Federation Square
Just about anywhere on Lygon Street for authentic Italian food.
Walk the waterfront, a delightful Melbourne experience
One of the most fun things to do in Melbourne is walking through the neighborhoods on the waterfront. The river is ringed with beautiful walks that bring you to fantastical art exhibits, unusual bridges and beautiful views.
Throughout the walk, you’ll find trendy restaurants and quirky shops. When you’re wondering where to go in Melbourne, head for the waterfront and the answer will come to you.
A walk on the waterfront is a delightful Melbourne experience.
Base yourself in Melbourne for epic day trips
Melbourne makes for a great base for day trips like the Great Ocean Road.
The Great Ocean Road, or GOR, is a 151 mile (243 kilometers) stretch of ocean-front highway running from Torquay with its wind-swept trees to Allansford.
It is widely considered one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives- and for good reason.
Along the way, there are several colorful beach towns and nature sights to visit. The best known is The Twelve Apostles, the name given to several impressive limestone rock formations protruding from the ocean.
Actually, several of these formations have crumbled into the sea over time but the name “Twelve” stuck. Who has ever heard of The Eight Apostles?
Traveling the Great Ocean Road for a day trip from Melbourne makes for a very long day but it is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure not to be missed.
There is enough to see and do on this drive to delight you for days and even weeks if you want to rent a car and have the time. However, if your time is limited, these day trips are the best alternatives.
We booked a bus trip to the Great Ocean Road at the Information Center at Federation Square. Any one of the many information centers in town can also book you but Federation Square is very conveniently located.
Get lost in Melbourne’s alleys, lanes and arcades
Melbourne is famous for its lanes, alleyways and arcades. As you walk through these charming lanes you find dozens of things to do and places to see in Melbourne.
Pick up a map at Federation Square, in the center of town, and stroll the recommended 2-mile lanes and arcade walk for a uniquely Melbourne experience. It will take you through winding little streets, up-market arcades and restaurant rows.
Along the way, you will discover unusual museums and galleries, all sorts of restaurants from ethnic to beer halls and some of the most unique little shops you’ll ever see.
You can make this stroll a couple of hours jaunt or an entire day affair depending on your interests. The walk traditionally begins at Federation Square although you can pick it up wherever you want along the route.
This uniquely Melbourne experience is truly an off-the-beaten-track activity rarely found in other cities. It is one of the top reasons to visit Melbourne.
You can spend a lot of time in these alleys. You’ll find Melbourne’s shopping arcades to be full of interesting little stores selling unique items you won’t find anywhere else.
These are the best places for a Melbourne gift experience to bring a little bit of Melbourne home.
You will be surprised with the abundance of original gift ideas in Melbourne’s arcades.
Don’t miss the Royal Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1846 on the south side of the Yarra River in the Yarra Valley, the Melbourne Botanical Gardens feature 38 hectares of glorious flowers, tropical rainforests some of the nations oldest eucalyptus trees and so much more. This is the perfect place for a day trip and a picnic amidst natural beauty.
Melbourne has a wide variety of accommodation options in all price ranges:
“They have a society that is prosperous, well ordered, and instinctively egalitarian. The food is good. The beer is cold. The sun nearly always shines. There is coffee on every corner. Life doesn't get much better tan this.” Share on XWhere to stay in Melbourne.
Another fantastic day trip is to visit Phillip Island, which lies about 90 minutes south of the city.
Hosting several bird sanctuaries, a wildlife park, and the largest fur seal colony in Australia, Phillip Island is a wonderful way to see a good portion of Australia’s unique wildlife.
The big attraction, however, is seeing the Fairy Penguins. Being only about 13 inches tall, these adorable little guys are the smallest of the penguin family.
Tasmania
Next on your 2-week trip to Australia is Tasmania, about an hour’s flight from Melbourne. The island of Tasmania is so much more than the home to the Tasmanian Devil.
It features breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, world-class museums, and amazing restaurants. The capital city of Hobart will delight you with its combination of cosmopolitan vibe and small-town hospitality.
Port Arthur
About an hour from Hobart is Port Arthur, which from 1833 to 1853 served as a penal colony for the hardest criminals.
In order to maintain its history, Port Arthur has preserved parts of the colony along with a museum where you can learn about the convicts’ lives and visit the prison.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
An easy day trip from Hobart, Bonorong is a sanctuary in every sense of the word. Operating without any government funding, it takes in wounded and other compromised animals and rehabilitates them.
After they are nursed back to health, the animals get to live out the rest of their days in safety and comfort in their natural habitat.
Bonorong is home to the Tasmanian Devil, kangaroos, and the Echidna, a mammal that lays eggs. The staff is very helpful and provides extremely informative tours.
You can even get pretty close to them, with the exception of the Tasmanian Devil. And, you may have a hard time seeing the Echidna because it is very elusive. It is definitely a must for your 2-week Australia itinerary.
MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) and the Maritime Museum
Now here is something sure to amaze you. Built into the side of a mountain near Hobart is a fabulous museum. MONA is the brainchild of Australian entrepreneur and art aficionado, David Walsh.
You need to take a 30-minute ferry ride to get there. The ferry leaves from the docks in downtown Hobart.
MONA is billed as a museum of modern art but it is much more than that. The museum brochure states, “But we must be honest with you: our goal is no more, nor less than to ask what art is, and what makes us look at it with ceaseless curiosity.
We don’t have the answer yet.” This place is unique, bizarre and delightful.
I’ve never seen anything like this. Definitely check this place out even if it means going out of your way. But don’t expect a typical museum visit.
For the lovers of maritime history, there is the Maritime Museum in downtown Hobart, a neat place to learn how the island was populated and its role in maritime history.
Kangaroo Island
Day trips to Kangaroo Island are very popular. Most originate in Adelaide, the closest big city and an outstanding destination in itself.
Kangaroo Island lies about 130 miles southwest of Adelaide, Australia making it the perfect destination for day trips. Melbourne and Sydney are a 3 and 3-and-a-half-hour flight away making it too far for day trips but certainly doable and worthwhile for multi-day trips.
The island is the third largest in Australia after Tasmania and Melville, with major industries being agriculture and tourism.
In 1802, the first Europeans arrived on Kangaroo Island lead by Matthew Flinders looking for water and fresh meat. They hunted and ate the small kangaroos they found and named the island after them.
There are lots of reasons why day trips to Kangaroo Island, or as the locals affectionately call it, KI, are a must on an Australia trip and should be included in any Australia itinerary.
Two top reasons are the wildlife and the unique natural rock formations on the island, an ideal area for a great backpacking day trip.
We booked with Sealink which combined ferry and bus transportation with a gourmet lunch in one of the areas landscaped locations.
Pick up is at 6 am from your hotel followed by a 90-minute bus ride and 45-minute ferry sailing to the island. Once there another bus takes you to the key attractions.
The company also offers a return to Adelaide by airplane shortening the day trip substantially. It may be a long day but it’s worth it.
PLACES TO VISIT ON A DAY TRIP TO KANGAROO ISLAND
The Remarkable Rocks
When in Kangaroo Island, make sure to visit the Remarkable Rocks. Now, before you ask what is so remarkable about a bunch of rocks, just look at them!
Wind and rain over millennia have carved the rocks into these bizarre formations. The whole place looks like a movie set for a science fiction epic. Words that come to mind are…otherworldly, surreal, Dali-esque.
These are just some of the interesting sights on Kangaroo Island and you’ve probably never seen anything like them.
Flinders Chase National Park
The Finders Chase National Park has many outstanding attractions including wildlife viewing. This is where I got my one and only sight of the elusive echidna in the wild!
Also wandering around blissfully oblivious to the humans are wallabies, hawks, koalas (actually koalas don’t wander much, they just sit in trees for hours) and, of course, the ubiquitous kangaroo.
If you like wildlife, a day trip, or even a one or two-night stay on Kangaroo Island, is a great option.
Cape du Couedic Lighthouse
Another must see sight in the park is the Cape du Couedic Light House with its sad and inspiring legend, (which I won’t spoil by revealing.)
The coastline of this part of Australia is very treacherous. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s many ships crashed into the coast and claimed multiple lives. The need for a fortified lighthouse was desperate.
The Cape du Couedic Light House was built between 1906 and 1909 and it’s existence is credited with saving many lives.
The lighthouse has been restored and remodeled many times over the years, most recently in 2000.
Today it is possible to stay in the lighthouse in one of the three cottages with verandas overlooking the wild South Australia coast, just a few minutes walk to the nearby seal colony.
Admiral’s Arch
Admiral’s Arch provides a fantastic photo opportunity. Photography buffs and professionals wait for hours to get the perfect shot just right. The arch appears different depending on the time of day.
If you are looking for more in-depth tours, check out these local tours.
Melbourne and Sydney are a 3- and 3-and-a-half-hour flight away. That’s too far for day trips but certainly worthwhile for multi-day trips.
Adelaide
Last stop on this 2-week Australia itinerary is Adelaide, which can be visited before or after Kangaroo Island or independently. With a population of about 1.3 million, Adelaide is all about parks, sophisticated cuisine, museums, and friendly people.
The capital of the province of South Australia, Adelaide was a planned city designed in a grid layout surrounded by parks, one of the features that make is so pleasant. It is the perfect walkable city.
At every turn, you find inspiring architecture and world-class museums like the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum. Many of the museums are located in one complex making it easy to visit them.
Adelaide was the first city in Australia, if not in the world, to provide for the health and recreation of all its citizens. Robin Boyd Share on XYou can find many cute little restaurants offering some of the best food in Australia. Lemongrass Thai Bistro was a favorite. Find interesting restaurants in the Central Market District around Rundle Street where many of the best congregate.
You will be hard-pressed to make a choice.
Every year the city shows off its outstanding features by hosting several renowned festivals like the Festival of Arts and the Adelaide Film Festival.
Adelaide is definitely a city that cannot be missed in a 2-week Australia itinerary. And if you have the time, continue on to New Zealand for a unique experience, especially in the quirky city of Christchurch.
Here are some accommodation options for Adelaide.
We hope that we’ve answered your question, what can you see in Australia in two weeks?
Don’t go empty-handed to Australia. Do your homework before you go to ensure you maximize your time for the ideal two-week itinerary in Australia.
Here are a couple of guide books to get you started; My favorites are DK Eyewitness Australia Travel Guide, Fodor’s Australia and Australia Lonely Planet.
Which is your favorite Australian city, and what would you add for the perfect Australia itinerary for 2 weeks?
>>Download a PDF of our itinerary here!<<
BTW, if you are getting ready for your trip, make sure to take advantage of these useful, money-saving links to book your trip:
- Research and book your flight with Skyscanner. I have found them to be the best because they list all airlines including the budget ones. You are always sure of having researched all options.
- For car rental around the world, Discover Cars has flexible pickup and drop-off options, I recommend Discover Cars.
- Book your accommodation with Booking.com. I find they have a wide selection and a nice, user-friendly, transparent website.
- Protect your trip and, more importantly, protect yourself with travel insurance. I use Travelinsurance.com and have been very happy with them.
- Looking for a small group tour to unforgettable destinations with top professionals? Intrepid Travel is your choice.
- For more general tours to any destination or attraction, book with Viator. Check them out.
- Need a visa? Get your visa for all countries with Passport Visa Express.
- Looking for a cool walking tour to explore a city? My favorite walking tours are offered by Take Walks.
- Food and drink tours are the best way to enjoy a city. And Devour Tours are my favorite.
- Looking for a good VPN to protect your security, privacy and freedom online while traveling? Nordvpn is your best option.
- The best and most economical way to stay connected while traveling is with an Airalo eSIM.
I personally use, and can recommend, all the companies listed here and elsewhere on my blog. By booking through these sites, the small commission we earn – at no cost to you – helps us maintain this site so we can continue to offer our readers valuable travel tips and advice.
2 Responses
Great article thank you Talek,
If you are ever in Western Australia, get in touch for a coffee or maybe a vino or 2!
Thanks, Darren:
It’s always good to hear such a nice comment!
Warm regards,