Roundabout in Australia
Your route
The itinerary
Cairns is the tropical launchpad for reef and rainforest, with warm turquoise water on one side and ancient Daintree jungle on the other. Expect long lazy days on reef boats, esplanade sunsets, and easy access to some of the world's oldest rainforest. It's a gentle, humid, laid-back start to the trip that sets the tone for wonder.
You touch down in Cairns as the tropical humidity wraps around you like a warm blanket. Shake off the travel, settle into your rhythm, and let the esplanade's lazy café culture ease you into this adventure.
- Cairns Esplanadea stunning 4.3km waterfront promenade perfect for a sunset walk or swim in the lagoon (entry free, best at golden hour).
- Cairns Aquariumexplore living coral and tropical fish in air-conditioned comfort; gives you a preview of what you'll see on the reef (allow 2 hours).
- Local café culture along Abbott Streetgrab an excellent flat white and soak in the laid-back vibe that defines this town.
🏨 Stays in Cairns
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A short scenic drive north, Port Douglas is a breezy, boutique town wedged between the reef and the world's oldest rainforest. Days here are for reef sailing trips, wildlife-spotting river cruises on the Daintree, and Four Mile Beach at dusk. It's more relaxed than Cairns and a favourite of returning travellers.
You roll into Port Douglas after a scenic coastal drive from Cairns, and the pace immediately shifts—this is where the reef feels close enough to touch and the rainforest watches from inland. Settle into this laid-back haven with an evening stroll along Four Mile Beach, one of Australia's most photogenic stretches.
- Four Mile Beacha sweeping crescent of pale sand fringed by palms and patrolled waters; best visited at golden hour (late afternoon) when the light turns magical and the crowd thins.
- Port Douglas Village Walkwander the compact town centre to get your bearings: colourful local cafés, art galleries, and a perfectly-sized marina perfect for sunset drinks.
- Sunset Drinks at a Beachfront Bargrab a cold one at any of the casual spots overlooking Four Mile Beach to ease into reef-town rhythm.
- Dinner at Local Restaurantthe town punches above its weight for food; seek out fresh seafood or Modern Australian fare within a short walk of the beach.
🏨 Stays in Port Douglas
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Flying into the desert's centre, Uluru rises impossibly red from the flat scrubland — a sacred, humbling sight best seen at sunrise and sunset. Days are spent walking the base track, learning Anangu culture, and stargazing under some of the darkest skies on Earth. It's the spiritual core of any Australian road trip.
You land in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, stepping out onto burnt-orange earth under an impossibly vast sky. The monolith itself rises before you—massive, ancient, humbling—and you'll want to catch the tail end of the day with your first sunset viewing.
- Uluru Sunset Viewing Areathe most iconic introduction to the rock, bathed in deepening crimsons as the sun drops; arrive by mid-afternoon to claim a good spot and watch the colour shift.
- Anangu Cultural Centrelearn the Dreamtime stories and deep significance of Uluru before exploring it yourself; allow 1–2 hours and pick up a guide booklet.
- Dinner at your accommodation or local restaurantsettle in with outback views and sample local produce; a quiet evening after travel is wise.
🏨 Stays in Uluru
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Fly south into Melbourne, a city of hidden laneways, world-class coffee, and a rotating cast of galleries, markets and rooftop bars. It's a great counterpoint to the desert — walkable, arty, endlessly liveable. Take a tram, wander Fitzroy and the CBD, and eat very well.
Touch down in Melbourne with the afternoon stretching ahead — swap the red centre for a city that hums with creative energy. Settle into your neighbourhood, grab a proper espresso, and let the laneways begin their seduction.
- Melbourne CBD & hidden lanewayswander Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane and Centre Place to discover street art, vintage shops and tucked-away eateries; best explored on foot, no time limit.
- Federal Coffee or Market Lane Coffeejoin locals for Melbourne's obsessive coffee culture; order a flat white and watch the baristas work; 20 minutes.
- Queen Victoria Marketproduce, flowers, vintage finds and takeaway food stalls create weekend buzz; arrive mid-morning for energy, mid-afternoon for deals; 1–2 hours.
- Fitzroy neighbourhood strolltree-lined Brunswick Street has bookshops, boutiques, galleries and a distinctly bohemian pulse; perfect for wandering and lingering in cafés; 2 hours.
🏨 Stays in Melbourne
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One of the world's great coastal drives, winding past surf beaches, rainforest pockets and the wind-carved limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. Base yourself in a small seaside town and take it slow, stopping at lookouts, koalas in the treetops, and fish-and-chip shops with ocean views. It's classic Australian road-trip country.
Leave Melbourne behind and begin one of the world's most celebrated coastal drives. The Great Ocean Road stretches before you—a ribbon of asphalt hugging dramatic cliffs, quiet beaches, and golden limestone formations rising from the sea. Take your time, pull over often, and let the journey itself become the destination.
- Great Ocean Road scenic route (Windy Point to Lorne)Wind through the Otway Ranges to reach the first proper views of the Tasman Sea; stop at lookouts every 20 minutes or so. Plan 2–3 hours of relaxed driving from Melbourne.
- Bells Beach, Winki Pop and AngleseaHome to international surfing competitions; perfect for a photo stop even if the swell isn't up. The turquoise water and sandy curves are worth a 15-minute pause.
- Lorne beachside townA charming, laid-back Victorian seaside settlement with fish-and-chip shops, cafés, and a sheltered swimming beach. Walk the pier at golden hour or grab dinner with a view.
- Koalas in the OtwaysSpot them snoozing in eucalyptus trees along roadside walks (especially the Erskine Falls walk, 30 minutes return). Visit early morning for the best chance of seeing them awake.
🏨 Stays in Great Ocean Road
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Australia's purpose-built capital breaks up the long drive north with excellent free museums, the National Gallery, and a leafy lakeside setting. It's an easy, unhurried stop — good coffee, wide boulevards, and a chance to understand the country's history and politics before pushing on to Sydney.
You'll roll into Australia's purpose-built capital after your long drive from the Great Ocean Road, ready to swap dramatic cliffs for graceful, tree-lined boulevards. Canberra reveals itself as a thoughtfully designed city with an easy rhythm — wide streets, excellent coffee, and plenty of culture to explore at your own pace.
- Lake Burley Griffin Circuit Walka serene 8-km stroll around the city's jewel, dotted with galleries, museums, and leafy parks (takes about 2 hours, best in late afternoon light)
- Parliament House toursa free or casual walk through Australia's political heart, with informative guides and views from the rooftop terrace (allow 1–1.5 hours)
- National Gallery of Australiaworld-class collections from Aboriginal art to contemporary works, spread across light-filled galleries you can spend 2 hours or half a day exploring (free general admission)
- Canberra Museum & Gallerya sharp overview of the city's design history and Australia's political timeline, perfect for understanding the country before Sydney (1–2 hours)
🏨 Stays in Canberra
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The trip's grand finale: that unmistakable Harbour Bridge and Opera House skyline, ferries crisscrossing sparkling water, and golden beaches like Bondi just a bus ride from the centre. Spend your last days harbourside, coastal walking, and soaking up the buzz of Australia's biggest city before flying home.
You've driven out of Canberra's quieter embrace, and suddenly Sydney unfolds before you—the Harbour Bridge arching dramatically above, the Opera House's gleaming white shells catching the afternoon light. By evening, you'll be harbourside, feeling the electricity of Australia's largest city hum beneath your feet.
- Sydney Harbour viewpoint from Mrs Macquarie's Chaira postcard-perfect vantage point where the Bridge and Opera House frame perfectly, best visited late afternoon when light turns golden
- Circular Quay precinct walkstroll past busking musicians, watch ferries load and unload, grab a coffee or early dinner at one of the harborside restaurants with unbeatable views
- Royal Botanic Gardenan unexpected tranquil escape with harbour views woven throughout, wildflowers blooming depending on season, takes 1–1.5 hours for a gentle loop
🏨 Stays in Sydney
checking live prices…What does the trip cost?
Typically $10,326.09–$15,217.39
🔄 Prices are indicative
Estimates are shown in your currency and are a guide only. Lines marked "live" use today's found prices; everything is confirmed on the provider's site.
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Flights
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CairnsEconomyBookingsActivities & experiences
Cairns Aquarium entryGetYourGuide Full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tourGetYourGuide Daintree Rainforest guided walk with naturalistGetYourGuide Mossman Gorge entry and swimmingGetYourGuide Private transfer or rental car to Port DouglasGetYourGuide Great Barrier Reef Full-Day Snorkelling TripGetYourGuide Daintree River Wildlife CruiseGetYourGuide Mossman Gorge Guided Rainforest Walk (optional)GetYourGuide Lunch at Local RestaurantGetYourGuide Guided sunset experience with local guideGetYourGuide Guided base-track walk with cultural commentaryGetYourGuide Evening stargazing & astronomy tourGetYourGuide Guided sunrise viewing experienceGetYourGuide Dinner at a laneway restaurant or rooftop barGetYourGuide NGV International or special exhibitionsGetYourGuide Lunch or dinner at Prahran or Fitzroy restaurantsGetYourGuide Private transfer or coach tour to Great Ocean RoadGetYourGuide Brunch at a laneway café or Fitzroy restaurantGetYourGuide Fish and chips dinner with ocean viewsGetYourGuide Twelve Apostles viewing platform and walksGetYourGuide Parliament House guided tourGetYourGuide Dinner at a Circular Quay restaurantGetYourGuide Bondi Beach swim or surf lessonGetYourGuide Fish and chips by the beachGetYourGuide Sydney Opera House guided tourGetYourGuide BridgeClimb SydneyGetYourGuide Ferry to Manly (return)GetYourGuide Brunch at Manly Beach caféGetYourGuide Transfer to Sydney AirportGetYourGuideSome links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. You always complete your booking on the provider's own site. Photos via Wikimedia Commons.