Arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and transfer to your hotel in the CBD or Darling Harbour, where you can check in, freshen up and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a nearby café such as Bills or The Grounds of the City. Take a short orientation walk to acquaint yourself with the neighbourhood — pop into Pitt Street Mall for a quick browse or stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden for your first views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour.
Spend the afternoon settling in with a relaxed harbour-side experience: board a short ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for panoramic harbour views, or opt for a guided walking tour of the Opera House precinct and The Rocks to learn about Sydney’s history and convict past. Pause for lunch at a waterfront eatery like Quay or Opera Bar (reservations recommended) and enjoy a gelato or coffee while watching ferries and sailboats glide across the water.
As evening falls, take a gentle harbour stroll along the promenade from Circular Quay toward the Harbour Bridge, capturing sunset photos of the illuminated Opera House sails. Dine at a nearby restaurant in The Rocks or Barangaroo — try modern Australian cuisine or fresh seafood — then finish the night with a drink at a rooftop bar overlooking the harbour, setting the tone for the adventures to come.
Start your day with a guided tour inside the Sydney Opera House to learn about its history and architecture, then wander the Royal Botanic Garden for sweeping harbour views and photo opportunities of the sails. Pause for brunch at Opera Bar or Botanic House, enjoying fresh seafood or modern Australian dishes while watching ferries cross Circular Quay.
After lunch, take the short climb or pedestrian walk across the Harbour Bridge for panoramic city and harbour vistas — consider visiting the Pylon Lookout for interpretive displays and better photo angles. Return to The Rocks to explore the weekend markets (if running), visit the Museum of Contemporary Art or the historic Susannah Place Museum, and stop at a local café for a flat white and a pavlova-style dessert.
As dusk falls, board an early evening harbour cruise from Circular Quay to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge illuminated from the water, or dine at Quay or a waterfront restaurant in Barangaroo for a memorable meal. Finish with a leisurely stroll along the promenade toward Darling Harbour or across the Cahill Walk for nighttime skyline views before heading back to your hotel to rest for tomorrow's coastal adventure.
After two days of harbour highlights, start the morning with a coastal transfer to world-famous Bondi Beach and fuel up at a beachside café like Speedos or Bills Bondi before setting out. Embark on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk, stopping to admire the dramatic cliffs, sculpted rock pools at Mackenzies Bay and the panoramic vista at Tamarama Headland — keep your camera handy for crashing surf and local sculptures along the trail.
Pause in Bronte for a relaxed lunch at Bronte’s Pavilion or a picnic on the grassy reserve, then continue the walk to Coogee, cooling off with a swim in the protected Coogee Pavilion rockpool or the ocean if conditions allow. Explore Solar Beach and Wylie's Baths, or detour to the coastal promenade cafés for an iced coffee and people-watching before winding down on the golden sands of Coogee Beach.
Return to the city as the sun begins to dip and freshen up back at your hotel, then head out for dinner in Darlinghurst or Surry Hills to sample Sydney’s lively dining scene — try a modern Australian menu or a relaxed seafood spot. If energy allows, end the night with a leisurely cocktail at a rooftop bar or a stroll through Circular Quay to see the harbour lights, keeping the rhythm of your Sydney exploration going.
Leave Sydney after an early hotel pickup and enjoy a scenic drive through the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, arriving at Echo Point in Katoomba to take in the iconic Three Sisters and sweeping Jamison Valley vistas. Stretch your legs on the short Prince Henry Cliff Walk toward Scenic World, where you can ride the Scenic Railway or Skyway for dramatic cliff-face and rainforest views while learning about the area’s geology and Aboriginal history.
After a picnic lunch in the conservation reserve or a hearty meal at a local café in Leura, explore Leura Village’s boutiques and gardens before heading to the nearby Wentworth Falls for a moderate walk to lookouts and waterfalls — keep an eye out for lyrebirds and native parrots along the trail. If time allows, visit the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah or take a guided wildlife-spotting walk with a ranger to learn about local eucalyptus forests and endemic species.
Return toward Sydney in the late afternoon with a stop in the charming roadside village of Glenbrook for a cuppa or early dinner at a riverside bistro, soaking in the last of the mountain air before the drive back. Arrive in Sydney around dusk; unwind at your hotel and reflect on the day’s dramatic panoramas, preparing for tomorrow’s transfer to Canberra.
Board your comfortable coach after breakfast in Sydney and enjoy the scenic drive through the Southern Highlands, pausing in Goulburn or Mittagong for a stretch and coffee at a local café. Arrive in Canberra before midday and begin with a guided orientation at the Australian War Memorial to connect with the nation’s history and catch the poignant Last Post ceremony if timing allows.
After lunch at the National Arboretum’s café with views across the landscape, take a relaxed stroll among the sculpted forests and visit the Bonsai Collection before descending to Lake Burley Griffin for a lakeside walk. Stop by the National Gallery of Australia or the Questacon science centre for a short visit—both offer quick, enriching introductions to the capital’s cultural scene.
Check into your Canberra hotel and freshen up, then head to the lively Kingston Foreshore for dinner at a waterfront restaurant serving modern Australian cuisine and fresh local produce. Finish the evening with a twilight walk along the lake to admire Parliament House silhouetted on the hill and to set the tone for tomorrow’s deeper explorations of Australia’s institutions.
Start your day at the Australian War Memorial to explore evocative galleries and, if timing permits, attend the moving Last Post ceremony; follow this with a short drive up to Mount Ainslie Lookout for sweeping views over Canberra’s planned city grid and Parliament House. From there, head to the National Gallery of Australia to browse Indigenous and international collections—don’t miss the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art wings and the NGA’s sculpture garden for great photo stops.
After lunch at the National Gallery café or a nearby Braddon eatery, cycle or walk along Lake Burley Griffin’s foreshore towards Commonwealth Park, pausing to enjoy the lakeside sculptures and the Captain Cook Memorial Jet. Visit Questacon — the National Science and Technology Centre — for hands-on exhibits if you’re in the mood for playful discovery, or take a guided tour of Parliament House to learn about Australia’s political life and step onto the public galleries (pre-booking recommended).
As evening falls, make your way to Kingston Foreshore for a waterfront dinner at a restaurant serving local produce and Tasmanian wines, then take a twilight stroll along the lake to view the lit-up Old and New Parliament Houses reflected in the water. Finish the night with a relaxed drink at a nearby bar or return to your hotel to pack up and rest before the scenic coach transfer to Melbourne the next day.
After breakfast, board the comfortable coach for the scenic southbound drive toward Melbourne, winding through rolling countryside and the historic towns of Yass and Gundagai — enjoy commentary on regional history as you pass farmland and rolling hills. Pause mid-morning for a comfort stop and a chance to stretch your legs at a charming country café (suggested stop: Gundagai Bakehouse) where you can sample fresh pastries and tea while taking in the rural landscape.
Continue the journey through Victoria’s rustic countryside, stopping for lunch in the Murray River region or at a quaint township such as Wagga Wagga or Wangaratta depending on the route, with time to explore a local market or bakery and pick up artisanal snacks. Arrive in Melbourne in the late afternoon and check into your hotel in the CBD or Southbank, then take a short orientation stroll along the Yarra River to get a first glimpse of the city’s laneways and riverside vibe.
For your first Melbourne evening, head to Federation Square and nearby Degraves Street or Hosier Lane to soak up the city’s café culture and street art, then enjoy dinner on Southbank at a riverside restaurant like The Meat & Wine Co or Melbourne institution Rockpool Bar & Grill. Finish the night with a leisurely walk across the crown-shaped Princes Bridge to admire the lit skyline, or sample a craft cocktail in a hidden laneway bar to whet your appetite for tomorrow’s deeper exploration of Melbourne.
Start your day with a guided walking tour of Melbourne’s laneways—begin at Degraves Street for a strong flat white and a pastry, then wander through Hosier Lane and Centre Place to admire ever-changing street art and boutique shops. Pause at Flinders Street Station for photos, stroll across to Federation Square and pop into the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia to sample Indigenous and Australian artworks that set the cultural tone for the city.
After lunch at one of Federation Square’s riverside cafés or a lively eatery in nearby Federation Court, take a leisurely riverside walk along the Yarra River toward Southbank, stopping to browse the Southbank Promenade and the riverside galleries. Consider a short cruise from Southbank to see Melbourne’s skyline from the water, or explore the Royal Botanic Gardens’ nearby trails for a peaceful green interlude before returning to the CBD.
As evening falls, relish Melbourne’s vibrant dining scene with dinner in Chinatown or a modern Australian meal on Southbank—book a table at a riverside restaurant to watch the city lights twinkle over the Yarra. Finish the night with a cocktail in a hidden laneway bar (try the Nicholas Lane area) or a stroll across Princes Bridge to take in the illuminated skyline, setting you up for tomorrow’s Great Ocean Road adventure.
Settle in for an early departure from Melbourne and enjoy the coastal drive west along the iconic Great Ocean Road, pausing first at the seaside town of Torquay to stretch your legs and marvel at the surf culture at Bells Beach. Continue through the scenic coastal villages, stopping for morning tea in Lorne and taking a short walk to Erskine Falls for a refreshing rainforest experience before the dramatic seaside sights unfold.
After lunch in Apollo Bay—sample fresh local seafood at a harbour café—follow the winding cliff-top road to the spectacular Gibson Steps and the Twelve Apostles lookout, where you’ll walk the boardwalks for up-close views of the limestone stacks and crashing Southern Ocean waves. Include time to visit Loch Ard Gorge to learn its shipwreck history and to snap photos from the Razorback and Thunder Cave viewpoints, soaking in the raw coastal scenery and interpretive signage along the way.
Begin the return drive at dusk with a final stop at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch for sunset photos, then relax on the coach as you head back toward Melbourne, enjoying the coastal twilight and countryside lights. Arrive in the city late evening—freshen up at your hotel and consider a low-key dinner on Southbank or a nightcap in a laneway bar to reflect on the day’s dramatic vistas.
Ease into the day with a relaxed breakfast at Higher Ground or a laneway café in Degraves Street, then head to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) to browse world-class exhibitions and the Australian collection at the Ian Potter Centre. Finish the morning with a gentle wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens—take the Ornamental Lake loop and the Guilfoyle’s Volcano conservatory for a peaceful green interlude.
After a riverside lunch on Southbank or at the Arbory Bar & Eatery, choose your pace: explore the Melbourne Museum and the adjacent Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton for natural history and cultural displays, or stroll through Fitzroy’s eclectic Brunswick Street for boutique shopping and street art. If you prefer something quieter, take a short tram to the Fitzroy Gardens to visit Cook’s Cottage and relax under the plane trees with a coffee from a nearby café.
Return to the CBD for an early evening aperitif in a hidden laneway bar such as Eau De Vie or Section 8, then enjoy a memorable dinner at Chin Chin for lively modern Thai or at Cumulus Inc for seasonal Australian cuisine. Close the night with a leisurely walk along the Yarra River to admire the lit skyline or a rooftop cocktail at The Rooftop at QT, reflecting on the laid-back charms of Melbourne before tomorrow’s travel to Hobart’s Derwent River region.
After breakfast in Melbourne, board your flight to Hobart and enjoy aerial views of Tasmania’s rugged coastline as you land at Hobart International Airport. Transfer to your accommodation in Hobart or the nearby Derwent River region, drop off luggage and take a short orientation walk through Salamanca Place to browse the sandstone galleries and boutique shops, with a coffee at Pilgrim Coffee or Daci & Daci Bakers to settle in.
Spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the Derwent River precinct: visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for local history and maritime exhibits, then stroll down to the waterfront at Constitution Dock to watch fishing boats and sample fresh oysters from a stall or enjoy a seafood lunch at Mures Lower Deck. If time allows, drive or take a short tour up to kunanyi / Mount Wellington for panoramic views over Hobart and the river—an excellent preview for tomorrow’s cruise scenery.
Return to Salamanca or Battery Point for a relaxed evening meal—choose a restaurant such as Franklin or The Glass House for contemporary Tasmanian cuisine and local wines—and wander the historic streets as the lantern-lit cottages glow. Pack any essentials for your Derwent River cruise tomorrow, enjoy a nightcap at a cosy waterfront bar, and rest up for the scenic day on the water ahead.
Board your Derwent River cruise mid-morning from Constitution Dock and glide past Salamanca Wharf and the battery-point cottages while your skipper points out historic shipyards, shipwreck sites and the industrial reaches upstream; enjoy a freshly brewed coffee on deck and listen for seabirds as you pass the Hobart waterfront. If weather allows, the cruise will skirt the estuary to offer sweeping views of kunanyi / Mount Wellington and the snapper-studded sandbanks that frame the city, providing perfect photo opportunities and a relaxed farewell to Tasmania’s maritime heart.
Disembark for a leisurely waterfront lunch at Mures Upper Deck or a nearby seafood restaurant, savouring local oysters and Tasmanian rock lobster before a short stroll through Salamanca Place to pick up last-minute artisanal treats and gallery pieces. If time permits before your transfer, visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for a final look at colonial and maritime exhibits or take a scenic drive to the Cascade Brewery precinct for a guided tour and tasting of local brews.
Collect your luggage and transfer to Hobart International Airport with scenic views of the Derwent as the sun sets behind kunanyi, reflecting on the trip’s highlights from Sydney’s harbour to the Great Ocean Road and Tasmania’s peaceful riverscapes. For those with later departures, enjoy a final dinner in Hobart — try Franklin or The Glass House for a last taste of Tasmanian produce — then board your evening flight or settle in at your accommodation as your Australian adventure draws to a warm close.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport transfer to CBD (taxi/Uber) | AUD $45-70 |
| Bills or The Grounds of the City (breakfast) | AUD $20-40 per person |
| Pitt Street Mall (orientation & shopping) | Free (shopping extra) |
| Royal Botanic Garden (walk & views) | Free |
| Ferry Circular Quay to Manly (short harbour ferry) | AUD $7-12 (Opal card adult single) |
| Guided walking tour of Opera House precinct & The Rocks | AUD $20-45 per person (depends on operator) |
| Lunch at Quay or Opera Bar | Quay: AUD $120-250 per person (fine dining); Opera Bar: AUD $25-60 |
| Harbour stroll & sunset photos around Circular Quay/Harbour Bridge | Free |
| Rooftop bar drink (Sydney CBD/Barangaroo) | AUD $15-30 per drink |
| Sydney Opera House guided tour (inside) | AUD $42-48 per adult (approx.) |
| Royal Botanic Garden (second visit) | Free |
| Harbour Bridge pedestrian walk / Pylon Lookout | Bridge walk free; Pylon Lookout AUD $15-20 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art or Susannah Place Museum (The Rocks) | MCA: Free (special exhibitions extra AUD $10-30); Susannah Place Museum: AUD $6-12 |
| Evening harbour cruise (short evening cruise) | AUD $40-90 per person (depends on operator and inclusions) |
| Bondi Beach (transfer & café breakfast) | Public transport/ride: AUD $3-10; Breakfast AUD $15-30 |
| Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk | Free |
| Bronte Pavilion or picnic lunch | AUD $15-30 |
| Coogee Pavilion rockpool/swim | Free (pool access included with beach) |
| Dinner in Darlinghurst or Surry Hills | AUD $30-70 per person |
| Blue Mountains day trip (guided coach from Sydney) | AUD $100-160 per person (including transport; Scenic World tickets extra) |
| Echo Point / Three Sisters lookout | Free |
| Scenic World (Railway / Skyway / Cableway) | AUD $45-60 per adult (combined rides ticket) |
| Leura Village (lunch / shopping) | Lunch AUD $20-40; shopping extra |
| Wentworth Falls walk | Free |
| Glenbrook riverside bistro stop | AUD $15-35 |
| Coach transfer Sydney to Canberra (comfortable coach) | AUD $35-70 per person (one way, depending on operator) |
| Australian War Memorial (entry & Last Post ceremony) | Free |
| National Arboretum (visit & café lunch) | Café lunch AUD $15-30; entry free |
| Lake Burley Griffin lakeside walk | Free |
| National Gallery of Australia | Free general entry (special exhibitions AUD $10-30) |
| Kingston Foreshore dinner | AUD $30-60 per person |
| Mount Ainslie Lookout | Free |
| Questacon (National Science & Technology Centre) | AUD $20-30 per adult |
| Parliament House guided tour | Free (pre-booking recommended) |
| Coach transfer Canberra to Melbourne (scenic bus) | AUD $70-140 per person (one way, depending on operator and class) |
| Mid-route café stops (Gundagai, Wagga Wagga etc.) | AUD $5-20 per stop |
| Melbourne Yarra River orientation stroll | Free |
| Federation Square / Degraves Street / Hosier Lane (evening) | Free (dining extra AUD $20-80) |
| Melbourne laneways guided walking tour | AUD $20-40 per person |
| Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia | Free (special exhibitions extra) |
| Yarra River short cruise (Southbank) | AUD $15-30 per person |
| Great Ocean Road day tour (from Melbourne) | AUD $110-180 per person (depends on operator; includes commentary, some stops; food extra) |
| Torquay / Bells Beach stop | Free |
| Erskine Falls short walk | Free |
| Lunch in Apollo Bay (seafood) | AUD $20-40 |
| Gibson Steps & Twelve Apostles lookouts | Free (parking on self-drive may cost AUD $3-8) |
| Loch Ard Gorge | Free |
| Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch (sunset stop) | Free |
| National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) | Free (special exhibitions AUD $10-40) |
| Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne | Free |
| Melbourne Museum & Royal Exhibition Building | AUD $15-25 per adult |
| Cook's Cottage (Fitzroy Gardens) | AUD $6-10 |
| Flights: Melbourne to Hobart | AUD $80-220 per person (one way, advance fares vary) |
| Transfer Hobart Airport to Salamanca/Derwent region | Taxi/Uber AUD $30-50; shuttle AUD $15-25 |
| Salamanca Place stroll & coffee (Pilgrim Coffee / Daci & Daci) | AUD $5-20 |
| Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery | Free (donations welcome; some exhibitions paid) |
| Constitution Dock / Mures Lower Deck (oysters / seafood lunch) | Oysters AUD $3-5 each; lunch AUD $25-60 per person |
| kunanyi / Mount Wellington drive & lookout | Fuel/transfer AUD $20-60 (if shared tour, AUD $30-60 per person) |
| Dinner Franklin or The Glass House (Hobart) | AUD $40-120 per person (depends on menu and wine) |
| Derwent River cruise (mid-morning) | AUD $40-120 per person (short cruises cheaper; private charters much higher) |
| Mures Upper Deck waterfront lunch | AUD $30-70 per person |
| Cascade Brewery tour & tasting | AUD $25-40 per person |
| Transfer to Hobart International Airport (return) | Taxi/Uber AUD $30-50; shuttle AUD $15-25 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | AUD $3,200 - 6,200 per person (estimated range) |