Australia East Coast Adventure: Adelaide, Melbourne & Sydney (6 – 14 March 2026)

Day 1: Arrival & Exploration – Adelaide

Morning: Arrive at Adelaide Airport, collect your luggage and check into your city‑centre hotel.

Afternoon: Stroll through Adelaide Central Market to sample fresh produce, then wander the boutique shops of Rundle Mall.

Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner on lively Gouger Street, sampling local wines and cuisine.

Day 2: Adelaide Cultural Highlights

Morning: Explore the serene Adelaide Botanic Garden followed by a visit to the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Afternoon: Head to the seaside suburb of Glenelg Beach for a relaxing walk along the jetty and a quick lunch at a beachfront café.

Evening: Watch the sunset over the Gulf St Vincent and dine at one of Glenelg’s waterfront restaurants.

Day 3: Barossa Valley Wine Day Trip

Morning: Depart for the renowned Barossa Valley and begin with a tasting at Jacob’s Creek.

Afternoon: Visit additional boutique wineries, enjoying cellar door tours and regional cheese platters.

Evening: Return to Adelaide, freshen up, and savour a relaxed dinner in the city.

Day 4: Travel to Melbourne

Morning: Fly from Adelaide to Melbourne (≈1.5 h) and check into your hotel in the CBD.

Afternoon: Discover Federation Square and admire the architecture of Flinders Street Station.

Evening: Experience Melbourne’s famed laneway dining scene with a dinner in Degraves Street.

Day 5: Melbourne City & Gardens

Morning: Meander through the expansive Royal Botanic Gardens, stopping at the Shrine of Remembrance.

Afternoon: Browse the bustling stalls of Queen Victoria Market, sampling local street food.

Evening: Head to St Kilda Beach for sunset views and a seaside dinner on the pier.

Day 6: Great Ocean Road Adventure

Morning: Depart on a full‑day guided tour of the Great Ocean Road, stopping at Torquay for a quick surf‑break glimpse.

Afternoon: Marvel at the iconic limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles and explore the nearby rainforest walks.

Evening: Return to Melbourne, unwind, and enjoy a relaxed dinner near your hotel.

Day 7: Travel to Sydney

Morning: Fly from Melbourne to Sydney (≈1.5 h) and settle into accommodation in the CBD.

Afternoon: Tour the world‑famous Sydney Opera House and wander through the adjacent Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

Evening: Dine at Darling Harbour, enjoying waterfront views and a vibrant night atmosphere.

Day 8: Sydney Highlights

Morning: Experience the thrilling Harbour Bridge climb followed by a stroll through historic The Rocks precinct.

Afternoon: Take a ferry to Taronga Zoo for wildlife encounters and stunning harbour vistas.

Evening: Conclude the day with a sunset walk and dinner at iconic Bondi Beach.

Day 9: Departure

Morning: Free time for last‑minute shopping or a leisurely coffee in the city.

Afternoon: Transfer to Sydney Airport for your onward flight.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Adelaide Central Market – 2 h, $15
• Rundle Mall – 1 h, $0
• Adelaide Botanic Garden – 2 h, $0
• Art Gallery of South Australia – 2 h, $15
• Glenelg Beach – 3 h, $0
• Jacob’s Creek (Barossa) – 2 h, $30
• Barossa Valley Wineries – 2 h, $30
• Federation Square – 1 h, $0
• Flinders Street Station – 30 min, $0
• Royal Botanic Gardens (Melbourne) – 2 h, $0
• Queen Victoria Market – 2 h, $20 (food & souvenirs)
• St Kilda Beach – 3 h, $0
• Great Ocean Road Tour – full day, $120 (transport & guide)
• Torquay (stop) – 1 h, $0
• Twelve Apostles – 2 h, $0
• Sydney Opera House tour – 2 h, $42
• Royal Botanic Garden Sydney – 1 h, $0
• Darling Harbour – 2 h, $0
• Harbour Bridge climb – 2 h, $85
• The Rocks – 1 h, $0
• Taronga Zoo – 3 h, $48
• Bondi Beach – 2 h, $0
• Overall Total Estimated Cost – $405

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra night in Melbourne for a day‑trip to the Yarra Valley wine region, or spend an additional night in Sydney to explore Manly Beach and the vibrant Newtown neighbourhood. If you need to shorten the itinerary, combine the Adelaide and Barossa visits into a single day and replace the Great Ocean Road with a shorter coastal drive to the Mornington Peninsula, saving a full day while still enjoying scenic views.