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Two-week Melbourne + Sydney Australia Holiday (Manchester → Melbourne; Sydney side-trip) — 23 Dec 2025 to 5 Jan 2026

Viewed by 242 travelers

Day 1: Outbound Flight

Manchester, UK on December 23, 2025

10:00am

Manchester Airport - Check-in

Arrive 3 hours before your long-haul flight to clear security, check baggage, and handle any last-minute paperwork and COVID or entry requirements if applicable.
GBP0, 3h0m

12:30pm

Airport Lunch / Coffee

Grab a reliable meal and hydrate before the flight — choose an airport restaurant that stays open late to avoid inflight hunger.
GBP10, 1h0m

3:30pm

Depart Manchester (international flight)

Long-haul overnight flight to Melbourne. Expect ~22-26 hours total travel time with at least one connection; check airline boarding times and transit visa rules.
GBP0, Overnight

Day 2: Arrive Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia on December 24, 2025

8:00am

Arrive in Melbourne & transfer to hotel

Arrive (likely on 24 Dec local time), clear immigration and customs, take SkyBus/taxi to CBD and check into your hotel or leave luggage if early.
AUD20, 1h30m

9:30am

Breakfast: Hardware Société or Market Lane Coffee

Enjoy a Melbourne-style café breakfast — excellent coffee and brunch in the CBD; many cafes open normal hours on 24 Dec.
AUD25, 1h0m

11:00am

Stroll Federation Square & Flinders Street

Light orientation walk by the Yarra River, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square to get your bearings and quick photos of the city heart.
AUD0, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch: Chinatown or Degraves Street

Casual lunch in laneway eateries offering quick Asian or Italian-style meals — relaxed option before a busy evening.
AUD20, 1h0m

3:00pm

Royal Botanic Gardens (walk)

Gentle afternoon walk in the gardens — open most days early to dusk (check seasonal hours); peaceful and a great way to shake off travel fatigue.
AUD0, 1h30m

6:30pm

Dinner: Book a Christmas Eve option (hotel or pre-booked restaurant)

Many restaurants offer special Christmas Eve menus; book ahead — if unavailable, hotel dining is your reliable fallback.
AUD60, 1h30m

Day 3: Christmas Day

Melbourne, Australia on December 25, 2025

8:00am

Leisurely Morning / Hotel Breakfast

Most shops and many attractions are closed on 25 Dec; plan a relaxed morning and rely on hotel breakfast or a pre-booked Christmas meal.
AUD30, 1h30m

10:00am

Walk St Kilda Beach or Brighton Bathing Boxes

Outdoor spaces are still accessible on Christmas Day — head to St Kilda for a beach walk or Brighton to photograph the colorful bathing boxes.
AUD0, 2h0m

1:00pm

Christmas Lunch: Hotel or pre-booked restaurant

Many fine-dining and hotel restaurants run fixed-price Christmas lunches; book weeks in advance. If fully booked, look for takeaway picnic options.
AUD90, 2h0m

4:00pm

Relax at the Royal Botanic Gardens or local park

Spend a calm afternoon outdoors — gardens are open (facilities limited), ideal for reading or a stroll while restaurants are closed.
AUD0, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner: Hotel or room service

Most restaurants close; best to have hotel dinner or pre-ordered meal. Confirm opening times in advance to avoid disappointment.
AUD50, 1h0m

Day 4: Boxing Day

Melbourne, Australia on December 26, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast: Local café (many open today)

Boxing Day sees many eateries reopen — enjoy a café breakfast to fuel a busy day of shopping or events.
AUD25, 1h0m

9:30am

Boxing Day Sales / Bourke Street Mall or Chadstone

If you want shopping, head to Bourke Street Mall or take a 30–40 min tram to Chadstone (large mall). Expect crowds and longer opening hours.
AUD0, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch: Return to CBD laneways

Grab lunch in the lanes (Degraves, Centre Place) and continue exploring Melbourne’s street art around Hosier Lane.
AUD25, 1h0m

3:00pm

MCG precinct & National Sports Museum (if open)

Check Boxing Day Test schedule — attending a cricket match is a quintessential Aussie experience if there’s a Test or limited-overs fixture.
AUD30, 3h0m

7:00pm

Dinner: Chinatown or Southbank

Dine on Southbank with river views; many restaurants will be open for Boxing Day evening service.
AUD50, 1h30m

Day 5: Great Ocean Road

Depart from Melbourne, VIC on December 27, 2025

6:30am

Depart for Great Ocean Road day trip

Leave early for a full-day guided or self-drive tour to the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and coastal lookouts; many tours run daily and depart around 6–7am.
AUD150, 12h0m

8:30am

Breakfast stop in Torquay / Lorne

Short coastal town stop for coffee and breakfast; turns the long trip into a scenic experience.
AUD20, 45m

12:30pm

Lunch near Apollo Bay

Lunch in Apollo Bay or a packed picnic with coastal views — good refuel point before more lookout stops.
AUD25, 1h0m

4:30pm

Sunset at Twelve Apostles and return to Melbourne

Arrive at the Twelve Apostles for dramatic limestone views around sunset; most tours return late evening to Melbourne.
AUD0, 4h30m

9:30pm

Late dinner / hotel

Return to Melbourne; choose hotel dining or a late-night restaurant — you’ll be tired after a long day.
AUD40, 1h0m

Day 6: Fly to Sydney

Melbourne → Sydney, Australia on December 28, 2025

7:00am

Domestic flight to Sydney

Take a morning flight (Melbourne Tullamarine to Sydney Kingsford Smith ~1h30m). Book early to secure good fares and times.
AUD120, 3h0m

10:00am

Arrive, transfer to hotel & light brunch

Check into your Sydney hotel or drop luggage, then have brunch near Circular Quay to maximize sightseeing time.
AUD30, 1h30m

12:00pm

Circular Quay: Opera House & The Rocks

Walk around Circular Quay to view the Opera House and The Rocks historic area; harbour atmosphere and weekend markets often active.
AUD0, 2h0m

3:00pm

Museum of Contemporary Art (The Rocks) or short harbour ferry

MCA usually open 10am-5pm; take a short ferry to Darling Harbour or Barangaroo for varied waterfront scenes.
AUD15, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner: Darling Harbour seafood restaurant

Enjoy fresh seafood with harbour views; dinner venues are lively and open later in Sydney’s tourist quarter.
AUD60, 1h30m

Day 7: Bondi Coastal Walk

Sydney, Australia on December 29, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast: Bondi café

Start with breakfast at a Bondi cafe — popular surfside spots open early for coffee and brunch.
AUD25, 1h0m

9:00am

Bondi to Coogee coastal walk

Scenic ~6 km cliff-to-beach route with views, rock pools and cafes — allow 2–3 hours with stops for photos and swims.
AUD0, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch: Coogee or Bondi

Lunch at a beachside café; seafood, salads and bowls are local favorites and help you cool down after the walk.
AUD30, 1h0m

3:00pm

Return to CBD: Sydney Tower Eye or shopping

Afternoon option to visit Sydney Tower Eye (open 9am–9pm typically) for city views or explore Pitt Street Mall shopping.
AUD30, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner: Barangaroo or Circular Quay

Eat in Barangaroo or Circular Quay for harbour nightlife and a range of cuisines, book if you prefer a specific restaurant.
AUD60, 1h30m

Day 8: Taronga + Manly

Sydney, Australia on December 30, 2025

8:30am

Ferry to Taronga Zoo

Catch a morning ferry from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo; the zoo typically opens ~9:00am and is best visited in the cooler morning hours.
AUD50, 4h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Taronga or return to city

Have lunch at the zoo café or ferry back to the city for many dining choices at Circular Quay or The Rocks.
AUD25, 1h0m

3:00pm

Ferry to Manly for beach time

Take the ferry to Manly for a relaxed afternoon on the beach and a stroll along the Corso; ferries run frequently.
AUD10, 3h0m

7:00pm

Dinner: Manly seafood or back in CBD

Dine in Manly on fresh seafood or return to the CBD for more variety; evening ferries give great night-time harbour views.
AUD50, 1h30m

Day 9: New Year's Eve

Sydney, Australia on December 31, 2025

9:00am

Plan your NYE viewpoint or cruise

If you plan to watch fireworks from a vantage point or a harbour cruise, aim to arrive very early; major vantage points fill by midday.
AUD0, All day

12:00pm

Lunch & Rest

Have a leisurely lunch and rest — you’ll need energy for the long evening; many restaurants operate special NYE menus and require pre-booking.
AUD40, 1h0m

5:00pm

Settle into your chosen NYE spot / board cruise

If you booked a harbour cruise, board in the early evening; if viewing from land, arrive at your selected public vantage point far in advance and expect crowds.
AUD200, 6h0m

11:59pm

Midnight fireworks

Watch Sydney’s world-famous fireworks over the harbour — iconic experience but very crowded; ensure safety and agreed meeting points if in a group.
AUD0, 30m

Day 10: New Year's Day

Sydney, Australia on January 1, 2026

9:00am

Late breakfast / Recovery

Start the New Year slowly — many businesses open later; enjoy a relaxed breakfast near your hotel.
AUD25, 1h0m

11:00am

Royal Botanic Garden & Mrs Macquarie's Chair

Peaceful New Year's Day walk with harbour views; outdoor spaces remain great for a quiet start to the year.
AUD0, 2h0m

2:00pm

Lunch: Picnic or cafe in the Domain

Pack a picnic or choose a café near the Domain — many museums may be closed or on reduced hours today.
AUD20, 1h0m

4:00pm

Optional short harbour cruise or ferry ride

Take a gentle ferry ride to enjoy skyline views without the NYE crowds — a restful way to end the day.
AUD25, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner: Casual restaurant near hotel

Book dinner in advance as some places operate reduced hours after NYE; check opening times today.
AUD45, 1h30m

Day 11: Return to Melbourne

Sydney → Melbourne, Australia on January 2, 2026

8:00am

Morning flight back to Melbourne

Fly back to Melbourne to continue your stay; domestic flights frequent and short (~1h30m).
AUD120, 3h0m

11:30am

Check-in and lunch in Melbourne CBD

Drop luggage and have lunch in the city; re-familiarize yourself with laneways and street art.
AUD30, 1h0m

2:00pm

Queen Victoria Market (open schedule varies)

Visit the Market for souvenirs, food and local goods — check the market’s seasonal hours (may have limited hours on holidays).
AUD0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner: Lygon Street (Italian precinct) or Southbank

Enjoy classic Italian on Lygon Street or riverside dining on Southbank to round off your return day.
AUD50, 1h30m

Day 12: Phillip Island

Phillip Island / Melbourne, Australia on January 3, 2026

10:00am

Drive or join tour to Phillip Island

Depart in the morning for Phillip Island (approx 90–120 minutes drive); daylight sightseeing includes beaches and the Nobbies Centre.
AUD90, 9h0m

1:00pm

Lunch in Cowes

Lunch in the main township of Cowes; try seafood or café fare before afternoon exploration.
AUD25, 1h0m

4:30pm

Nobbies Centre and Seal Rocks lookout

Visit boardwalks at the Nobbies for coastal panoramas and possible seal sightings; check the visitor centre hours.
AUD0, 1h30m

8:30pm

Penguin Parade at Summer Visitor Centre

The famous nightly little penguin parade runs after dusk; book reserve or general viewing and arrive early as seating is limited.
AUD35, 2h0m

Day 13: Melbourne Last Day

Melbourne, Australia on January 4, 2026

8:30am

Breakfast & Hosier Lane street art

Enjoy breakfast then wander Hosier Lane and nearby laneways for more street art and photos — great final souvenir snaps.
AUD20, 1h30m

10:30am

Eureka Skydeck or Melbourne Star

Get a final bird’s-eye view of the city from Eureka Skydeck (open daily, check seasonal hours) or the Melbourne Star observation wheel.
AUD25, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch: Chinatown or Southbank

A relaxed last lunch in a favourite spot — sample dumplings in Chinatown or riverside dining at Southbank.
AUD30, 1h0m

3:00pm

Last-minute shopping & pack

Return to your hotel to pack, do any last-minute shopping at local boutiques or nearby malls and confirm airport transfers.
AUD0, 2h0m

7:00pm

Farewell Dinner: Book a nicer restaurant

Celebrate your trip’s end with a reserved dinner at a top Melbourne restaurant — book ahead for the best options.
AUD80, 1h30m

Day 14: Return Flight

Melbourne, Australia → Manchester, UK on January 5, 2026

6:00am

Airport transfer & check-in

Arrange hotel transfer or taxi to Melbourne Airport; for international return flights arrive 3 hours before departure.
AUD20, 1h30m

9:00am

Depart Melbourne for Manchester

Board your long-haul flight home; flight times vary and may include connections. Confirm gate and terminal details the night before.
AUD0, Overnight

Onward

Arrival in Manchester (date/time varies)

Arrival date/time depends on airline routing and time zones; ensure onward transport at home is arranged.
GBP0, Varies
0
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