16 days in Australia Itinerary

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Sydney is known for nightlife, trails, shopping, beaches, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: wander the streets of Darling Harbour, take in the views from Sydney Harbour Bridge, take in nature's colorful creations at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and kick back and relax at Bondi Beach.

To see photos, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Sydney online travel route planner .

Sacramento, USA to Sydney is an approximately 20-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train, subway, and flight; or do a combination of bus and flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Sacramento to Sydney is 18 hours. When traveling from Sacramento in February, plan for a bit warmer days in Sydney, with highs around 80°F, while nights are much warmer with lows around 68°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sat) to allow enough time to travel to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Change things up with a short trip to The Great Ocean Road in Torquay (about 1h 35 min away). Next up on the itinerary: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, steep yourself in history at Parliament House of Victoria, meet the residents at Melbourne Zoo, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at St Joseph's Church.

Before you visit Melbourne, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Melbourne takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and shuttle; or drive. Traveling from Sydney in February, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Melbourne, with lows of 57°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) so you can travel to Cairns.

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Cairns is known for wildlife, adventure, trails, parks, and fun & games. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, take a leisurely stroll along The Jack Barnes Bicentennial Mangrove Boardwalk, get interesting insight from Tours, and take in nature's colorful creations at Botanical Gardens.

To see photos, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Cairns road trip planning tool .

Getting from Melbourne to Cairns by flight takes about 6 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train. In February, Cairns is a bit warmer than Melbourne - with highs of 88°F and lows of 75°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can catcht the bus to Port Douglas.

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

On the 23rd (Sun), identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, and then stop by With Sugar. Keep things going the next day: look for all kinds of wild species at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, then learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and then explore the gorgeous colors at Opal Reef.

For traveler tips, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Port Douglas tour itinerary planner .

Traveling by bus from Cairns to Port Douglas takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle. In February, daytime highs in Port Douglas are 88°F, while nighttime lows are 75°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) to allow enough time to travel back home.