15 days in Australia Itinerary

A city of towering skyscrapers, sandy beaches, and tree-lined streets, Gold Coast has an unpretentious air complemented by a citywide focus on sports and the arts.

Spend the 12th (Sat) exploring the fascinating underwater world at Sea World Theme Park. There's lots more to do: kick back and relax at Surfers Paradise Beach, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, stroll through Burleigh Heads Beach, and get in on the family fun at Warner Bros. Movie World.

For photos, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Gold Coast trip maker site.

Melbourne to Gold Coast is an approximately 4.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Melbourne in December, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 22°C in Gold Coast. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) so you can drive to Brisbane.

Queensland’s biggest town and state capital, Brisbane has an attractive, manicured image based around its riverside aesthetic as well as the contrast between its high-rise center and extensive urban greenery.

Venture out of the city with trips to Mooloolaba (HMAS Brisbane, Boat Tours & Water Sports, &more). There's lots more to do: stroll around South Bank Parklands, look for all kinds of wild species at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, get great views at Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout, and explore the activities along The Brisbane River.

To see photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read Brisbane trip app.

You can drive from Gold Coast to Brisbane in an hour. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In December in Brisbane, expect temperatures between 32°C during the day and 23°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Airlie Beach.

Very much a town with an emphasis on the tropical lifestyle, Airlie Beach offers exotic surroundings with palm trees and charming, sandy beaches.

On the 18th (Fri), discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

To see where to stay, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Airlie Beach itinerary planning website.

You can fly from Brisbane to Airlie Beach in 5 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of train and bus. Traveling from Brisbane in December, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 28°C in Airlie Beach. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Fri) early enough to ride a ferry to Hamilton Island.

A trip to Hamilton Island takes you to a car-free destination mostly covered in bushland.

Kick off your visit on the 19th (Sat): take in the exciting artwork at Hamilton Island Art Gallery, then go for a stroll along the water at Hamilton Island Marina, and then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 20th (Sun): bet on your favorite at Go-Kart Racing Track, then stroll through Catseye Beach, and then get outside with Jetryder.

You can plan Hamilton Island trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.

Ride a ferry from Airlie Beach to Hamilton Island in 2 hours. December in Hamilton Island sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 28°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sun) 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.

Change things up with these side-trips from Cairns: Port Douglas (Port Douglas Court House Museum, Scuba & Snorkeling, &more), Palm Cove (Palm Cove Beach & Spas) and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Wangetti). And it doesn't end there: hike along Esplanade Boardwalk, get great views at Wrights Lookout, and enjoy the sand and surf at Trinity Beach.

To see traveler tips, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Cairns online travel planner.

Fly from Hamilton Island to Cairns in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus; or do a combination of ferry and bus. In December, daily temperatures in Cairns can reach 36°C, while at night they dip to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.