How To Spend Two Weeks In Australia [5 Perfect Itineraries!]

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If you’re planning on visiting Australia on a two-week vacation, this is an ambitious holiday, but don’t let anyone deter you from taking the trip because it’s not a lot of time.

Australia is a huge country, the sixth biggest in the world in fact, and has so much to see and do. Although you won’t be able to explore it all, it’s totally possible to have an epic time in Australia in just 14 days – as long as you come prepared with an epic 2 week Australia itinerary!

As Australians who spent 18 months exploring our own backyard, we’ve travelled to almost every corner of the country and know where the best places are.

We’ve also learned not to try and cram too much in, so if you have two weeks at your disposal – focus on one area in Australia only.

Rather than spread out a two week itinerary across the entire country, we’ve put together several ideas for how to have a two week trip in Australia with separate itineraries for each region.

Each itinerary has been selected for adventurous travelers, wildlife lovers, city dwellers, nature lovers, beach bums, and more, so you will find the perfect itinerary for your travel style below.

Is 2 weeks enough for Australia?

First of all, let’s quickly answer the obvious question; is two weeks enough to visit Australia? The simple answer is, there is never enough time to see Australia. People can live there their whole life and not see it all.

But it’s entirely possible to have a great vacation in Australia in two weeks, you just won’t be able to see everything. If you can extend your trip to three weeks, you can pack all the highlights into one trip if you don’t mind taking a few internal flights – we have a three week itinerary for Australia here.

If you’re planning on visiting Australia with just two weeks at your disposal, you need to start by adjusting your mindset and be ok with not seeing it all.

Many travelers disregard the actual size of Australia until they arrive and end up regretting the choices they made in the planning stage.

I once had a British guy complain to me that he took a bus from Perth to Sydney and that it wasted three days of his trip, and all he saw was red desert. A little planning and common knowledge would tell you this!

As I said earlier, choose an area of Australia to explore and travel within it, so you don’t waste precious time traveling from A to B.

2 Week Australia Itineraries

The following suggestions are for a two week Australia itinerary, and they take into consideration various travel styles, budgets, and tastes.

These are how we would spend two weeks as a first time visitor to Australia, but you should use them as a guide and pick and choose the places and activities that suit you the most. Use this as a starting point to help you plan a trip to Australia.

Of course, your mode of transport and the distance you travel within Australia will affect how much time you have available in each place or region. The flight times are different each day, so make sure to look these up when putting your own 2 week Australia itinerary together.

For some parts of your trip you may need a rental car. We recommend Discover Cars as having the best booking platform for finding deals that is user friendly and backed by great customer service. I use them regularly for my car hire and love them. See rates and availability here.

These aren’t the only combinations, these are some of our favourites, and to be perfectly honest I could easily spend the whole two weeks travelling Australia in Sydney and Melbourne and still run out of time to do things there!

2 Week Sydney Itinerary

In Sydney, you don’t have to travel far to see iconic landmarks in Australia. You could easily spend a whole two weeks in the city. To prove my point, here is a quick two week itinerary for Sydney.

• Day 1: Take a tour of the Sydney Opera House and have a picnic in The Royal Botanic Gardens
• Day 2: In the morning, do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb followed by walking across the bridge and spending the afternoon at Luna Park Sydney, and visit Kirribilli Markets.
• Day 3: Spend the day shopping in Sydney CBD
• Day 4: Spend the day at Taronga Zoo
• Day 5: Do the Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach coastal walk and relax on Coogee Beach
• Day 6: Learn to surf at Bondi Beach and enjoy the surfer town vibes.
• Day 7-8: Take a getaway to Manly Island to see the Little Penguins
• Day 9: Explore The Rocks district and it’s vibrant arts scene
• Day 10-11: Take a trip to the Blue Mountains and see the Three Sisters rock formation, go hiking, and learn about aboriginal culture.
• Day 12-13: Go hiking and camping in Royal National Park.
• Day 14: fly home

2 Week East Coast Itinerary of Australia

• Start | End: Gold Coast or Brisbane to Cairns
• Distance: 1766 km

For beach lovers and fans of nature, I highly recommend you spend your two weeks staying on the East Coast.

This area in Australia is most suitable for adventurous travelers, beach lovers, and wildlife and nature lovers. This route takes you to some of Australia’s most famous tropical rainforests, including the oldest rainforest in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, remote islands, surf towns, and vibrant coastal cities.

If you have two weeks to spend in Australia, I recommend the following starting in Brisbane (or the Gold Coast if you have kids) and working your way up to Cairns. You can start the other way and work down if flights are convenient for you.

Day 1-2: Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is where Australians go to vacation, and there’s a reason for this. Flanked by golden sands on one side and high-rise buildings on the other, it’s the place to go for a vibrant beach vacation.

If you have two weeks, I would skip the Gold Coast if you don’t have children and want an intimate vibe, as there are better beaches further up the coast later in this itinerary.

If you do have kids, take them to theme parks such as MovieWorld and Dreamworld, as well as Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

If you’re travelling with friends, visit Surfers Paradise for nightlife, or head to the Gold Coast Hinterland for waterfalls and rainforest walks. Avid surfers may want to drive 3 hours south to Byron Bay for a day, but I would only do this if surfing is your thing, otherwise it will eat into your travel time too much.

Alternative Day 1-2: Brisbane

Brisbane is easier to access from international destinations, so it might be better to start your two weeks here. Brisbane is a large city known for its artsy vibes.

It has a large cultural precinct by the Brisbane River, and has a few great museums such as the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre and Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.

If you only have two weeks to spend in Australia I personally don’t think you should spend too much time here. Get yourself orientated and kick off the jet lag, and prepare to drive up the coast as soon as you can!

Day 3-4: Sunshine Coast

• Distance: 100 km
• Drive time: 1 hour 18 minutes

Pick up a rental car and drive north to the Sunshine Coast, an aptly named coastal area known for its beautiful beaches, pristine unspoiled nature, and wildlife.

Spend two days based in Noosa, a place known for being a whale watching hot spot, and enjoy the relaxing vibes of the town.

Get up early for a sunrise walk through Noosa National Park, following the coastal track past Tea Tree Bay and Hell’s Gates, and keep an eye on the treetops to see if you can spot some sleeping koalas and your eyes on the ocean for signs of humpback whales.

Then, head to Noosa Main Beach for some beach fun and enjoy boutique shopping along Hastings Street.

We personally loved stand-up paddleboarding on the Noosa River and watching a sunset with a drink at Noosa Heads Surf Club.

On your second day, venture inland to the Noosa Everglades, the second only everglade in the world (the other one is in Florida) and where you can kayak through the mangroves.

Then head on to Hervey Bay, where you will spend the night before getting up to travel to the next stop. Along the way, stop at waterfalls like Gardners Falls and stop to enjoy panoramic views over the Glass House Mountains.

Day 5-6: K’Gari (Fraser Island)

• Distance: 158 km
• Drive time: 1 hour 58 minutes from Noosa to Hervey Bay + 45 minute ferry

Wake up early on the fifth day to catch the 6:00am ferry from Hervey Bay to K’Gari. The Fraser Venture is the ferry service that connects the mainland to K’Gari, also known as Fraser Island.

It departs from River Heads (20 minutes south of Hervey Bay) three times a day and drops you off at Kingfisher Bay Resort on the western side, and takes approximately 45 minutes. See the timetable here.

Then, you can explore the world famous K’Gari Island, known for being the largest sand island in the world.

Pick up a 4X4 vehicle from Kingfisher Bay Resort, or book onto a tour, and head out on the 75-mile beach highway which doubles as both a highway and airstrip to explore this World Heritage-listed island.

Begin by exploring Rainbow Beach, and then head on to float down the crystal-clear, tea tree–infused waters of Eli Creek.

Drive up to see the rusting Maheno Shipwreck, and then drive on to see the bubbling Champagne Pools, a unique natural phenomenon where rock pools fill with water that look like bubbles.

Some other unmissable spots to admire are Indian Head, a rocky outcrop where you might spot manta rays or whales in season, and the lush freshwater lakes of Lake McKenzie.

It’s well worth staying one night on K’Gari, if only to hear the sounds of dingoes howling at night!

Day 7-9: The Whitsundays

• Distance: 800 km
• Flight time: 4 hours

There’s a bit of a distance between K’Gari and the next stop, so we recommend you catch a flight from Hervey Bay to the Whitsundays Airport on Hamilton Island.

There are two ways to do this – you can either drive back to Brisbane (4.5 hours) and get a direct flight, or you can get a flight from Hervey Bay via Brisbane to Hamilton Island, which takes 4 hours but is expensive.

The drive would take about 10 hours, which you can do if you want to. Either way, use the seventh day as your travel day.

Wake up bright an early on the eighth day for a full day cruise of the Whitsunday Islands, stopping by the world famous Whitehaven Beach and admiring its pure silica sand, and admire the swirling sandy silica of Hill Inlet.

Be sure to go for a snorkel through the Coral Sea at coral sites like Manta Ray Bay or Luncheon Bay, spotting reef fish, turtles, and maybe even a reef shark.

If you choose to stay on Hamilton Island, take some time to relax by the resort pool or take scenic helicopter flight over Heart Reef and the outer Great Barrier Reef.

Day 10-11: Townsville & Magnetic Island

• Distance: 274 km
• Drive time: 4 hours

Catch the ferry from Hamilton Island to Airlie Beach as early as possible, as it’s a four hour drive to our next stop of Townsville. The ferry takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and has six sailings a day. See times here.

Pick up a hire car from Airlie Beach, and drive north to Townsville, aiming to get there mid-afternoon. Spend the remainder of the first day exploring Townsville. Walk along the Strand, breezy beachfront promenade lined with palm trees, or if you want to stretch your legs after the car ride, take the short but steep hike up Castle Hill—a granite monolith in the city center.

On the next day, take a day trip to Magnetic Island, also known as Maggie, and be sure to spend time relaxing on the shores of Horseshoe Bay, and hike the famous Forts Walk for WWII ruins and koala sightings.

For a unique way to get around the island, rent a topless convertible “Barbie Car” or e-scooter to explore the island.

Day 12-13: Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef

• Distance: 347 km
• Drive time: 4 hours

Wake up early on day 12 to drive to Cairns along the famous Bruce Highway. Stop by Wooroonooran National Park or Mission Beach for a lunch break before you reach Cairns by mid-afternoon.

Spend the rest of the day in Cairns riding the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda, then take the Scenic Railway back, or relax at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon and night markets.

On the thirteenth day, book onto a tour to go snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef with a reputable operator (choose an eco-friendly one like Passions of Paradise).

Day 14: Day Trip to the Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

• Distance: 139 km
• Drive time: 2 hours 41 minutes

Take a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world. It’s also the most biologically rich ecosystem on Earth.

Depart early (around 7:00 AM) to make the most of the day—either by joining a guided eco-tour or self-driving along the scenic Captain Cook Highway.

Your first stop should be Mossman Gorge, the southern gateway to the Daintree. Take a walk along the elevated rainforest boardwalk, and if time permits, join a guided Dreamtime Walk led by local Kuku Yalanji Indigenous guides or go kayaking along the river.

Continue north and cross the Daintree River via cable ferry, keeping an eye out for crocodiles and cassowaries, and be sure to stop in at the Daintree Discovery Centre for an aerial walkway, canopy tower, and to learn more about the rainforest by reading the interpretive exhibits.

Continue to Cape Tribulation, where two World Heritage sites—the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest—meet.

Head back to Cairns in the mid-afternoon stopping at scenic lookouts like Alexandra Range and perhaps grabbing a scoop of homemade ice cream from the Daintree Ice Cream Company.

2 Week Southern Australia Itinerary

• Start | End: Sydney to Adelaide
• Distance: 1374 km

Another region in Australia you might like to explore is Southern Australia. This region in Australia is suitable for any type of traveler, from city break lovers to wildlife and nature lovers.

It’s also easy to get to the Red Center from Southern Australia because of the famous Ghan train from Adelaide to Alice Springs, which takes 1 day (though it’s a travel day, you get some incredible desert views along the way).

Exploring the southern region of Australia, particularly the state of Victoria, also means you get to experience one of the world’s best scenic drives, The Great Ocean Road. Don’t miss the Twelve Apostles and all the lookouts with panoramic views.

Here’s our perfect two week Australia itinerary for Southern Australia:

Day 1-3: Sydney

Sydney is where most people start their adventures in Australia, and it’s well worth spending a few days there getting orientated and shaking off the jet lag.

Your first day will probably be a bit of a write-off because of your long flight here.

So, on day two, start your trip with a walk through the historic laneways of The Rocks District, a vibrant and artsy neighborhood in the CBD, followed by a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House.

In the evening, stroll around Circular Quay for harbour views and visit a rooftop wine bar in the evening.

On your third day, catch a ferry to Manly Beach to see the Little Penguins or walk the blissful Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, which is our favorite coastal walk.

You might also want to walk around the Royal Botanic Garden, or book onto a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb experience.

In the evening to day three, catch a direct flight to Melbourne so you can enjoy two full days there.

Day 4-5: Melbourne

• Distance: 878 km
• Flight time: 1 hour 30 minutes

You only need a couple of days in Melbourne to peel back its rich cultural layers and experience what makes this city so liveable.

Start by boarding the free tram and taking in the buildings and architecture as you ride, walk along famous laneways like Degraves Street and Hosier Lane and admire the street art.

Then, head to Federation Square, the most famous square in the city, then cross the Yarra River to stroll the Royal Botanic Gardens or catch a contemporary exhibit at the NGV.

As evening falls, settle into a rooftop bar or hidden speakeasy in Fitzroy or Collingwood.

On day two, jump on a tram to St Kilda for a beachside walk and a peek at the penguins on the breakwater, or head north to Brunswick for vintage shopping.

If you’re a sports fan, be sure to take a tour of MCG, a sports stadium and cricket ground.

Day 6-8: The Great Ocean Road

• Distance: 258 km
• Drive time: 3 hours from Melbourne to Warrnambool

Just outside of Melbourne is one of the world’s most famous road trips – The Great Ocean Road.

This is one of Australia’s most iconic coastal adventures, where every bend reveals wild beauty and dramatic landscapes.

Begin in Torquay, just an hour out of melbourne, which is known as the surfing capital of Australia (nope, not Bondi Beach), and then enter the GOR.

Make a stop by Bells Beach and Lorne, and go hiking in rainforest and past waterfalls in Great Otway National Park.

For overnight stops, I recommend Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell.

Some postcard-worthy stops not to miss are the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

Day 7-9: The Grampians

• Distance: 98 km
• Drive time: 1 hour

At the end of the Great Ocean Road in Warrnambool, head inland toward the Grampians National Park to see the raw edge of southern Australia.

Make camp at Halls Gap, the gateway to the national park, and spend a couple of days hiking in the valleys surrounded by sandstone mountains and wildflowers.

Be sure to check out the gushing waterfalls like MacKenzie Falls and Silverband Falls.

Day 10-11: Adelaide

• Distance: 475 km
• Drive time: 5 hours

Head on to Adelaide, a city that’s oozing in laid-back charm and surrounded by nearby natural beauty.

Start your visit at the Central Market, where fresh produce and multicultural bites showcase the city’s foodie heart, before boutique shopping in the East End.

If you like museums and art, don’t miss the Art Gallery of South Australia.

For culinary experiences, head to Gouger Street for lively dining and top-notch restaurants, and where you can sample local wines.

Don’t go mad on wine though, as our next stop is the world famous wine region, the Barossa Valley.

Day 12-13: The Barossa Valley

• Distance: 74 km
• Drive time: 1 hour

Head into the Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley region for a couple of days wine tasting.

Tour some of the region’s most iconic wineries such as Penfolds, Seppeltsfield, and Yalumba, which are known for their crisp Shiraz and Riesling wines.

Explore the quaint towns of Tanunda and Angaston, and dip into the boutique shops, bakeries, and cozy cafés.

Day 14: Adelaide

Head back to Adelaide to fly home. You may need to fly back to Sydney to get a flight home, depending on where home it to you.

2 Week Red Center & Northern Territories Itinerary

• Start | End: Alice Springs to Darwin
• Distance: 1496 km

The Red Centre and the Northern Terrirtories is the adventure capitals of Australia and are suitable for nature lovers, adventurous travelers, culture vultures, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Here you can experience the wild and untamed outback desert, go hiking through rocky gorges looking for ancient aboriginal rock art, and spot native wildlife.

You could spend at least 5 days exploring Alice Springs Desert Park, Watarrka National Park, and Kata Tjuta National Park without even visiting Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock), that’s how much there is to do there!

Make sure you spend time admiring the unique rock formations in the parks such as the domes of The Olgas, Kings Canyon and the Telegraph Station Historical Reserve.

Here is our perfect two week itinerary for the Red Centre and Northern Territory in Australia:

Day 1-2: Alice Springs and West Macdonnel Ranges

Begin your trip in Alice Springs, which you can fly into from Sydney, Melbourne, and other major cities. You can also catch the legendary Ghan train from Adelaide, which takes a full day. It may be sitting on a train for 15 hours, but the scenery is amazing, and could be a wonderful start to your trip.

Spend the first two days getting orientated around Alice Springs and taking a day trip over to the West MacDonnel Ranges, just an hour and 20 minute drive away.

Before setting off, be sure to check out the vibrant Aboriginal art galleries in Alice Springs and visit the historic Telegraph Station.

Then head to the Ranges, and spend your afternoon hiking the ochre-hued cliffs of Simpsons Gap or cooling off in the peaceful waters of Ellery Creek Big Hole.

Drive along Namatjira Drive, stopping at breathtaking gorges like Ormiston and Serpentine, and enjoy a picnic in the ancient silence under ghost gums. Climb to the lookout at Mount Sonder at sunset to witness the changing colours over the desert plains.

Day 3-5: Kings Canyon, Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

• Distance: 446 km
• Drive time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Spend the next three days exploring the Outback region’s most famous natural landmarks. Go hiking in Kings Canyon and walk the legendary Rim Walk — a 6-kilometre loop that rewards early risers with dramatic views over sheer sandstone cliffs, the Lost City’s domes, and the lush Garden of Eden.

Then head to a nearby eco-camp and spend the night under a canopy of stars – if you want to be truly Australian, opt to sleep in a swag bag!

Wake up early for sunrise over Uluru, also known as Ayres Rock, and watch the vibrant red monolith glow in the light of the morning sun.

Visit the Cultural Centre to gain insight into Anangu traditions, before walking around the base trail to see ancient rock art.

The next day, explore Kata Tjuta’s Valley of the Winds, another spiritual landscape made of towering domes and wind-sculpted trails.

Day 6-7: Alice Springs to Darwin via Katherine Gorge

• Distance: 1496 km
• Drive time: 2 days 1 night

If you didn’t catch the Ghan on the way to Alice Springs from Adelaide, now’s your chance! Take the train from Alice Springs to Darwin, stopping at Katherine Gorge along the way.

This is a two day, one night experience, and allows you to travel in comfort whilst watching the landscape change from red desert to grassy bushland.

Day 8-9: Darwin

Darwin is the biggest city in Australia’s Top End, and two days is just enough to soak in the tropical city’s laid-back energy.

Spend the morning strolling along the waterfront precinct and visit the Wave Lagoon, the only safe place to swim in Darwin (salties live in the ocean), and then spend the afternoon visiting the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Spend an evening watching a fiery sunset at Mindil Beach and visit the iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market.

The second day you can take a morning cruise on Darwin Harbour or visit the Darwin Military Museum, and shop at Parap Village Markets if it’s a weekend.

Day 10: Litchfield National Park

• Distance: 106 km
• Drive time: 1 hour 11 minutes

Just an hour’s drive out of Darwin is Litchfield National Park, a refreshing national park all about waterfalls, swimming holes, and lush monsoon forest.

You may be sad that this two week itinerary doesn’t have any beaches or places where you can swim, so this is your chance to plunge into a natural swimming pool that’s croc-free.

Start early and hike a short trail to Florence Falls, where a double cascade tumbles into a cool, croc-free pool, then hike the rainforest loop before heading to Buley Rockhole, a series of natural spa-like pools ideal for a lazy soak.

Don’t miss the Wangi Falls, one of the park’s most iconic swimming spots (season permitting), and the eerie fields of magnetic termite mounds.

Day 11-13: Kakadu National Park

• Distance: 151 km
• Drive time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Lots of people visit Kakadu National Park in a day, and while you can do that on a tour, it still baffles me why people do that. It’s Australia’s second largest national park, and has so much to see and do, so definitely give it the time it deserves.

Over the course of three days, be sure to visit Ubirr in the north and take a short climb up to see ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries and panoramic views over the Nadab floodplain.

Spend the night in Jabiru or in an eco-lodge, and visit the south of the park to explore Nourlangie’s towering sandstone shelters, home to more sacred rock art and stories of the Bininj people.

One of the most iconic things to do in Kakadu National Park is join a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise near Cooinda, gliding past crocodiles, jabirus, and lotus-dotted wetlands.

For a more cultural experience, join a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise for a firsthand introduction to local traditions and Dreaming stories.

Another popular thing to do is go for a swim (yes you can swim in Kakadu, despite it being home to 10,000 crocs) at Maguk or Gunlom Falls if conditions allow!

Day 14: Darwin

• Head back to Darwin and fly home.

2 Week South Australia and Tasmania Itinerary

• Start | End: Melbourne to Adelaide to Tasmania
• Distance: 927 km roughly

Ahh Tasmania. No one ever thinks to add Tasmania to their 2 week Australia itinerary and to be honest, I can see why.

Tasmania is quite a large island and has so much to see, you could spend the entire two weeks there.

If you want to add Tasmania onto your two week trip to Aus, then you’ll have to be ok with seeing less of the mainland. You can’t take a trip to Tasmania without giving it some time.

Tasmania is definitely a trip for nature and wildlife lovers. Here is our suggested two week itinerary for Australia including Tasmania:

Day 1-6: Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, back to Melbourne

Another alternative to South Australia you can do is to add a week in Tasmania to your itinerary instead of Adelaide and the Barossa Valley.

If you prefer nature over wine, and clean air over cities, then this would be a nice alternative.

Use the itinerary above for a six day route from Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road and back again, and then catch a direct flight to Tassie…

Day 7-14: Tasmania

• Distance: 800 km
• Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes to Hobart

A week isn’t a long time to spend in Tasmania, so if you can add on additional days, try to spend at least 9 days exploring the island state.

The good news is it’s not a huge state, and you can easily base yourself in Hobart for the first half of the trip, and Launceston for the second.

From Hobart, it’s an easy day trip to Freycinet National Park, Bruny Island, The Bay of Fires, and Port Arthur Historic Site.

From Launceston, it’s easy to check out Cradle Mountain and Liffey Falls.

2 Week Western Australia Itinerary

• Start | End: Broome to Margaret River
• Distance: 2496 km

If it’s sun, surfing, and beaches you’re after, then you’ll enjoy the Western region of Australia the most.

If it’s your first time in Australia, then the west coast might not be the best option as many of Australia’s top landmarks are in the east or Red Centre.

However, if you’ve already been to Australia and fancy a surfing vacation or an off the beaten path adventure, then you will have an incredible time exploring the Western region.

Here is our ideal two week itinerary for Western Australia:

Day 1-2: Exmouth

Begin your two week trip in Western Australia in the coastal town of Exmouth, which offers a combination of marine wonder and rugged outback adventure.

Start with a morning swim with the majestic whale sharks if you happen to be visiting from March to August, as this is during their seasonal migration.

These gentle giants frequent the Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is accessible from the town of Exmouth.

Then, spend the afternoon snorkeling at Turquoise Bay, where the clear waters and abundant sea life await.

On your second day, venture into Cape Range National Park to explore the dramatic limestone gorges. Hike through Yardie Creek Gorge, where you may spot some happy rock wallabies grazing beneath the shade.

Have a relaxing afternoon exploring the town of Exmouth, admiring views from Vlamingh Head Lighthouse and see if you can spot migrating humpback whales.

Day 3: Coral Bay

• Distance: 152 km
• Drive time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Just a short drive from Exmouth is Coral Bay, where you can once again visit the Ningaloo Reef, this time by leisurely snorkelling straight from the shore!

If you’d rather a deeper marine encounter, join a guided tour to swim alongside the resident manta rays. We did this experience and it’s one that we still talk about regularly.

In the afternoon, take a quad bike adventure to explore the rugged dunes and spot local wildlife.

Day 4-5: Kalbarri National Park

• Distance: 636 km
• Drive time: 6 hours 21 minutes

Take the long coastal drive south to Kalbarri National Park, a halfway point between Coral Bay and Perth.

This coastal park is known for its breathtaking landscapes, especially the Murchison River Gorge, which runs for nearly 80 kilometres.

Find a nice place to camp for the night here and relax after the long drive. Catch a sunset from Eagle Gorge Lookout or Island Rock Lookout, or simply enjoy the dark skies at night.

Day 6: The Pinnacles

• Distance: 365 km
• Drive time: 4 hours

Drive further South and stop by The Pinnacles, a unique natural phenomenon inside Nambung National Park, where the wind has caused unique rock formations.

These rock formations are special because the limestone pillars have been weathered to create a kind of mushroom shape, with the lower layers eroding faster than the top.

Some of these towers are 3.5 metres tall.

Day 7-9: Perth

• Distance: 188 km
• Drive time: 2 hours

Perth is a vibrant city in Western Australia and has a small town, coastal charm about it.

Spend a couple of days here explorign the city, soaking in the tranquility of Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, and enjoying the foodie scene of the Northbridge neighborhood.

Be sure to check out the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the WA Museum Boola Bardip, both located in the Perth Cultural Centre.

Take a leisurely walk along the Swan River at Elizabeth Quay, or head to Cottesloe Beach to witness a stunning Indian Ocean sunset.

Venture to Fremantle, a historic port city with a bohemian flair, and browse the vibrant Fremantle Markets, or take a guided tour of the Fremantle Prison, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 10: Rottnest Island

• Distance: 30 km
• Drive time: 30-90 minutes

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is a short ferry ride from Perth and can be explored in a day or an overnight stay.

Catch the boat from Fremantle and arrive at Thomson Bay Settlement—the island’s main hub.

Rent a bike to explore the car-free island, and be sure to stop off for a swim and snorkel at The Basin, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, and Pinky Beach, a family-friendly beach.

Visit Wadjemup Lighthouse, the island’s highest point, and enjoy dinner at one of the local eateries.

Be sure to keep your eyes on the look out for quokkas!

Day 11-13: Margaret River

• Distance: 275 km
• Drive time: 3 hours

The Margaret River region was one of our favorite areas on our 18 month road trip, it has world-class wine and gourmet dining, a craft beer scene, ancient forests and pristine beaches.

Spend a couple of days in this region exploring the vineyards and sampling local produce – if you can, time your visit for the Margaret River Farmers Market, where you can sample local produce and artisanal goods.

Go hiking amongst the towering karri trees of Boranup Forest, or take a relaxing swim at the turquoise waters of Hamelin Bay.

Watch a sunset or catch the waves at Surfers Point, or explore Ngilgi Cave and watch a didgeridoo performance.

You cannot visit Margaret River without delving into the region’s renowned wine scene. Go for a tasting at Leeuwin Estate, famed for its Art Series Chardonnay, and the Voyager Estate for a guided wine tasting and a stroll through their manicured gardens.

If you love nature, hike a section of the Cape to Cape Track, for panoramic ocean views or visit Injidup Natural Spa, a rock pool where waves cascade over the rocks, creating a natural jacuzzi!

Day 14: Perth

Head back to Perth to fly home. You may have to fly back to Sydney if you are flying to North America, otherwise you can easily reach Asia from Perth.

Things to consider before you travel Australia in 2 weeks

Now you have been introduced to our suggested itineraries for weeks in Australia, it’s time to share with you some important things to consider before embarking on a short trip to Aus.

These will help you decide which itinerary is right for you and how to organise getting from A to B.

Australia is massive

Consider the fact that Australia is a huge country and it’s impossible to see it all in two weeks. In fact, it’s about the same size as the mainland USA minus Alaska.

Australia’s coastline stretches almost 50,000 kilometers and is linked by over 10,000 beaches. We haven’t been to every one yet, but to see all of Australia’s beaches would take years.

If you were to drive through the centre from Sydney to Perth, a 4,000-kilometre trip, and you drove for 8 hours per day, that’s a five-day trip!

We have a cattle station in South Australia the size of Belgium, and the world’s longest continuous fence – the dingo fence – built to keep sheep safe that runs for 5,530 kilometres through central Queensland and South Australia.

So, considering Australia is so vast, you need to really consider how to travel around in a short amount of time, and this may include catching internal flights.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip, do it right!

Because Australia is fairly isolated from most of the world requiring a long-haul flight, for many people it becomes a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

After spending four years living in the USA, I had so many people say to me, “Australia would be my dream trip, but it’s so far away, and I only get two weeks vacation per year.”

So the scenario usually plays out like this: those types of people never come, OR, because it’s their “once-in-a-lifetime trip” they want to cram everything into that two weeks and “see it all”, but in reality, they see a lot of airports and the back of the seat in front of them.

Because this may be your one and only chance to visit Australia, don’t try to cram everything in.

This is why we’ve prepared five separate two week itineraries – choose one part of it and explore via road trip. Don’t spend your vacation on planes and buses, rent a car and enjoy the scenery.

Whether we are visiting a continent or a country, our travel motto has always been “spend more time in fewer places“. Especially now that we travel with kids.

We highly recommend instead of racing from one end of Australia to the another, focus on one region or type of vacation.

Prioritise your attractions and bucket list places to visit

With only two weeks up your sleeve, you want to make sure you prioritize the things you want to see in Australia and the type of travel most suited to you.

When considering any trip, but particularly one such as this, there are some important questions you need to ask yourself. Do you prefer:

• Cities or country areas?
• Coastal or the outback?
• Adventure travel or food and wine?
• Relaxation or the party scene?
• Historical sites or sporting events?

The answers to these questions will go a long way towards making sure you give yourself the best chance to have a richly rewarding Australian travel experience.

You can pretty much do and see it all in Australia.

We have vibrant cities, quaint country towns, world-class wine regions, ancient rainforests, mountains to hike, amazing reefs to dive, stunning beaches for swimming, deserts to explore, and unique wildlife.

There is something for everyone.

But, with only two weeks travel time, you need to focus on one, maybe two types of experiences.

What cities in Australia should you see?

If you are after a city-style vacation, Australia has modern, vibrant, and diverse cities unique from each other filled with culture and natural beauty.

• On the east coast, we have the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane as well as the smaller cities of the Gold Coast and Cairns.
• In Southern Australia there are Adelaide and Hobart.
• Over on the west coast are Perth and Broome.
• In the Northern Territory is Darwin
• And in the Red Centre is Alice Springs.

Australia’s major cities showcase its outdoor lifestyle, multicultural precincts, shops, theatres, bars, cafe scene, and sporting culture.

Where do you go in Australia for food and wine?

For a food and wine vacation, you are well-catered to Down Under.

We have world-class wine regions such as the Barossa Valley in South Australia, the Hunter Valley and Mudgee in New South Wales, and Margaret River in Western Australia.

Or, you can drop into a country pub where you’ll be welcomed by the locals and can try one of their boutique beers.

You can also try our amazing seafood, kangaroo steak, or experience many of our farmer’s markets with their organic fruit and vegetables, cheeses, and chocolates.

Where are the best places in Australia for beaches and snorkelling?

Australia is an island nation, so a coastal vacation is a popular option.

With a stunning coastline of white sand beaches and abundant water activities, Australia is an iconic beach destination.

You can swim, sail, surf, kayak, dive, snorkel, go boating, parasail, sandboard, and then end the day with a beach BBQ.

Some of our coastal highlights are:

• Taking in the sunset riding a camel along Cable Beach at Broome, Western Australia
• Learning to surf on the Gold Coast or Byron Bay
• Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
• Swim with dolphins
• Go whale watching in Hervey Bay
• Take a 4WD on Fraser Island
• Eat fish and chips at Bondi Beach

With the majority of Australia’s population living near the seaboard, the coastal lifestyle is where it’s at.

Can you visit the Outback on a two week vacation to Australia?

You can visit the outback on a two week vacation, but be prepared to spend the vast amount of your time there.

The outback is Australia’s Red Centre and heartland. It’s where you experience the real vastness and dramatic landscapes of Australia, as the top end of the Northern Territory.

Experience life under the stars or on a cattle station, go horse riding, camping, and sing songs around the campfire. You can marvel at waterholes, rivers, gorges, and creeks that make their way through our massive outback deserts.

A visit to the outback is something unique and I, would encourage most travelers to put it on their list.

However, visiting the Outback requires some level of planning, so if you only have two weeks in Australia, you might only have time to see the Outback and one or two other places.

Where are the best places to go for Aboriginal Experiences in Australia?

To have an aboriginal experience would mean spending time with the world’s most ancient living culture. Aboriginal Australians are said to have been on the island for at least 50,000 years.

Experience first hand their culture through myths and storytelling, dance and music, art and traditions. You could:

• View ancient rock engravings and paintings
• Witness ceremonies, dances and songs dating back thousands of years
• Visit important spiritual centres with local guides who will tell you stories about the Dreamtime
• Learn bush survival skills
• Taste the world’s oldest cuisine
• Support Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs and help create sustainable employment.

Where should I go to see wildlife in Australia?

Australia is a great destination for wildlife and nature experiences. From tropical rainforests to red-stone deserts, the wildlife that inhabits these areas is unique and diverse.

Get up close and personal with kangaroos in the wild, see koalas on the Great Ocean Road, or spot whales, turtles, seals, and saltwater crocodiles.

It’s not all about deadly animals in Australia, there are several native animals in Australia and it’s possible to see them in the wild with some patience and knowing where to look.

If you’re looking to see some wildlife on a two-week Australia trip, you might want to base yourself on the East coast in winter where there’s a high chance of seeing whales migrating, or head to Kakadu National Park, a world-heritage site in the Northern Territory to see saltwater crocs.

You can see wildlife on a trek through the mountains or on a canopy walk in the trees in the ancient Daintree Rainforest, or look out for dingos on a four-wheel-driving trip on the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island.

Where is the best place to go for adventure in Australia?

If you’d like a bit of an adventure on your vacation, then Australia is tough to beat.

There are white water rafting trips, camel and surfing safaris, crocodile spotting, many places to go scuba diving, bicycle tours, horseback adventures, kayaking expeditions, and week-long coastal walks.

There are also camping, and four-wheel-driving adventures such as the Gibb River Road in Western Australia, or for the ultimate Outback experience try a five day outback safari through the amazing Flinders Ranges.

If you’re looking for adventure on your two week Australia vacation, then you’ll want to head to either the East Coast or the Red Center for more remote or adrenalin-fueled adventures.

Remember to pick a destination before booking a flight to Australia

Once again, because your vacation time is short, you want to be smart with your flights by choosing the closest destinations to your origin to save time.

If you are coming to Australia from North America, it will make sense to concentrate on the East Coast and the Red Centre.

If you are coming in from the UK or Asia, you may be better off hitting the West Coast.

Weigh up the pros and cons of how practical your destination choices are. There’s no point spending a good chunk of your vacation time in airports and on planes.

Give yourself time to absorb your experiences and create lifelong memories, not memories of planes and packing.

Before You Go

As you can see, putting together a two week itinerary for Australia is not a simple task.

There is no “one shoe fits all” approach to putting an itinerary together, so I hope this guide helped you plan where to start.

Before you go, try to book internal flights in advance. The prices of flights go up dramatically when you book them too late, so try to book these as early as you can.

And above all, have the best time in Australia! No matter which of these two-week itineraries you pick, I know you’re going to have an incredible adventure.

More Australia Travel Tips

Are you looking for more inspiration about traveling in Australia? Then you might find these guides helpful:

• Outstanding National Parks in Australia
• A Visit to Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia
• Things to do on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
• Best Road Trips in Australia
• Stunning and Adventures Things to do in Queensland
• Amazing Things to do in Western Australia
• Places to Put on your Australian Bucket List
• Things to know before visiting Australia

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