Touch down and settle into your CBD hotel, then start the day with a relaxed coffee at Patricia Coffee Brewers or Hardware Société to shake off travel fatigue. Take a gentle orientation walk along the Yarra River toward Federation Square and Flinders Street Station, pausing to admire the river views and iconic architecture while snapping photos of the colourful St Paul's and the station clocktower.
After lunch at a laneway café (try Degraves Street or Centre Place for a lively atmosphere), wander the maze of laneways exploring Hosier Lane's famous street art and boutique shops on AC/DC Lane and Block Arcade. Drop into the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square or the nearby Melbourne Visitor Centre for maps and local tips, then relax with a glass of wine at Southbank while watching river traffic glide by.
As twilight falls, enjoy a casual gourmet dinner in Chinatown or along Flinders Lane — Chin Chin or Tonka offer vibrant modern Australian menus if you want something lively. Finish the evening with a cocktail at a rooftop bar such as Rooftop at QT or Siglo on the Treasury Gardens side, taking in panoramic city lights and setting the tone for the next days of exploring Melbourne's cafés, galleries and gardens.
Wake up to Melbourne’s celebrated coffee culture with a flat white at Industry Beans or St. Ali in South Melbourne, then cross the Yarra to explore the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) where rotating exhibitions and the Great Hall’s stained-glass ceiling set a cultured tone. Pause for a light mid-morning snack at the NGV Garden Café or stroll the riverside Promenade to enjoy sculptural public art and views back across to Flinders Street Station.
After a leisurely lunch at Southbank’s riverside restaurants (try The Meat & Wine Co or Cumulus Inc. for seasonal produce), walk to the Royal Botanic Gardens for an easy afternoon — wander the fern gullies, visit the Guilfoyle’s Volcano conservatory and take a punt or guided Aboriginal Heritage Walk if available. If you crave more art, detour to the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) in Southbank or browse boutique galleries in nearby South Yarra.
Return to the city for dinner in the fashionable Flinders Lane precinct — Moon Dog World or Tipo 00 offer lively, flavorful menus — then catch a performance at Arts Centre Melbourne or a live gig at the Corner Hotel if you want local nightlife. Finish with a nightcap on the Yarra River promenade or a stroll across the lit-up Princes Bridge to see the city glow, keeping the relaxed, artsy vibe flowing from today into tomorrow’s explorations.
Option A — Great Ocean Road: Depart early for a guided Great Ocean Road tour from Melbourne, stopping first at the windswept cliffs of Torquay and the iconic Bells Beach for a quick surf-spot photo; enjoy coffee and a pastry in Aireys Inlet before heading toward the dramatic coastal lookouts. Option B — Markets & Fitzroy: Sleep in a little and head to the Queen Victoria Market for breakfast bites — grab fresh fruit, sourdough and a Melbourne-style coffee — then wander nearby Carlton's Lygon Street or take the tram to Fitzroy to browse Rose Street Artists' Market and Brunswick Street vintage shops.
Option A — Great Ocean Road: Continue along the coast visiting the towering Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge with a scenic boardwalk stroll and interpretive signs; lunch in Port Campbell (try a local seafood pie) and a short rainforest detour at the Otways if time allows. Option B — Markets & Fitzroy: Lunch at a Fitzroy café such as Industry Beans or Naked for Satan, followed by street-art hunting around Brunswick Street and a relaxed afternoon in Edinburgh Gardens or grabbing craft beers at a local microbrewery like Stomping Ground.
Option A — Great Ocean Road: Return to Melbourne at dusk—arrive back in the CBD ready for a leisurely dinner; choose a neighbourhood favourite on Flinders Lane or in Chinatown to swap trip photos and unwind. Option B — Markets & Fitzroy: Head back into the city for dinner in Fitzroy or Collingwood — consider Garden State Hotel or Supernormal for a lively atmosphere — then cap the night with cocktails at a laneway bar or live music at The Night Cat, keeping the creative, local vibe flowing into tomorrow.
Check out of your Melbourne hotel and catch an early flight to the Gold Coast, aiming to arrive mid-morning; pick up a rental car or use the G:link + local transfers to reach Surfers Paradise. Once settled into your accommodation, stretch your legs with a beachside walk along Surfers Paradise Beach and grab a seaside coffee and açai bowl at Elk Espresso or Cafe Dbar to recharge after travel.
Spend a relaxed afternoon sunbathing, swimming or trying a beginner surf lesson with Get Wet Surf School at the main surf beach, then head to Cavill Avenue for lunch — try Hurricane's Grill for seafood and ribs or Betty’s Burgers for a casual bite. Afterward wander the Esplanade and Broadwater Parklands, pop into the Q1 Observation Deck for panoramic coastal views, or browse the boutiques in The Oasis Shopping Centre.
As the sun sets, enjoy a beachfront dinner at Seascape Restaurant & Bar or Social Eating House + Bar, followed by cocktails at House of Brews or SkyPoint’s bar to take in the glittering coastline. If you’re up for nightlife, explore Cavill Avenue’s lively bars and live-music venues, keeping the upbeat holiday energy flowing into tomorrow’s hinterland or theme-park adventures.
Choose your pace: for high-energy fun, head to Dreamworld or Warner Bros. Movie World right when gates open to beat queues—savour a coffee from an onsite café, try the Big 9 Thrill Rides or family-friendly attractions, and snap photos with costumed characters. Alternatively, drive into the Gold Coast Hinterland to Springbrook or Lamington National Park, enjoy a morning rainforest walk to see waterfalls like Purling Brook Falls, and fuel up with brunch at a charming mountain café such as The Polish Place or O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards.
If you’re at the parks, continue with roller coasters, wildlife encounters at Australian Outback Spectacular or the Dreamworld Corroboree, and grab a casual lunch inside the park before catching a live show or water ride to cool off. If you chose the hinterland, take a canopy walk or the Tree Top Challenge, explore the Lost World lookout and Natural Bridge, then have a leisurely lunch at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat or a picnic amid the ancient beech trees.
Return to the coast for dinner in Burleigh Heads—try Rick Shores for modern Asian-inspired seafood with ocean views or The Fish House for an elegant beachfront meal—and stroll the Burleigh Esplanade at sunset. If you’re park-weary, unwind with cocktails and craft beer at Burleigh Brewing Company or casual eats and live music on James Street, letting the day’s thrills or tranquil mountain air settle into a relaxed night on the Gold Coast.
Start the day with breakfast at Commune Café or Paddock Bakery, then stretch your legs on the Burleigh Head National Park Oceanview track — keep an eye out for surfers below and seabirds as you climb to the Tumgun lookout for sweeping coastline views. After the walk, reward yourself with a flat white and acai bowl at Elk Espresso or The Tropic to soak up the relaxed local vibe.
Spend the afternoon wandering the Burleigh Esplanade and patrolled beach — try a beginner surf lesson with Get Wet Surf School or rent a stand-up paddleboard from Burleigh SUP to explore the headland from the water; afterward, browse boutiques and homewares along James Street before lunch at Rick Shores for modern Asian-inspired coastal dishes or The Fish House for refined seafood. If you prefer a quieter option, picnic on the grass near the park’s rainforest pocket and watch the tide change while sampling treats from a nearby deli.
As the sun lowers, enjoy a sundowner at Burleigh Pavilion or The Cambus Wallace rooftop with views across the ocean, then settle in for dinner at Justin Lane’s wood-fired Italian or The Tropic for seasonal plates and cocktails. Finish the night with craft beers at Burleigh Brewing Co. or live music at Justin Lane Social to carry the easygoing Gold Coast energy into tomorrow’s beach and shopping day.
Sleep in a little after yesterday’s relaxed Burleigh vibe, then stroll Broadbeach’s patrolled sands for a morning swim or a gentle surf with lessons available from Get Wet Surf School; refuel with brunch and excellent coffee at Commune Café or Elk Espresso. Afterwards, wander the Kurrawa Park and Broadbeach Foreshore, pop into the Sunshine Marketplace or Pacific Fair’s alfresco precinct for beachwear and local designer finds, keeping things unhurried and seaside-focused.
Spend the afternoon exploring Cavill Avenue’s lively shopping and entertainment hub—browse the boutiques and surf shops, grab a casual lunch at Betty’s Burgers or Hurricane's Grill, then relax with a riverside walk along the Nerang River to the Marina Mirage for more upscale stores and waterfront views. If you want a mellow cultural detour, catch a matinee at The Star Gold Coast’s cinema or visit the HOTA (Home of the Arts) precinct for rotating exhibitions and a riverside sculpture walk.
As daylight fades, dine at a beachfront restaurant such as Social Eating House + Bar or The Fish House for a more elevated option, then head to Cavill Avenue for lively bars and live music—try House of Brews for craft beer or SkyPoint Observation Deck & Bar for night-time skyline cocktails. If you’re up for dancing, finish the night at a popular club on Cavill or enjoy a relaxed late-night drink at Broadbeach’s rooftop bars, keeping the holiday energy buzzing into tomorrow.
Fly from the Gold Coast to Sydney in the morning and take a taxi or train to your CBD hotel, then head straight to Circular Quay to stretch your legs with views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House; grab a coffee and breakfast pastries at Opera Bar’s lighter options or at The Grounds of the City nearby. If time allows, wander the ferry terminals and catch a short commuter ferry to Darling Harbour for a quick photo pass and a sense of Sydney’s bustling waterfront life.
After lunch at the historic Glenmore Hotel rooftop in The Rocks for sweeping harbour vistas, explore The Rocks’ cobbled laneways and weekend markets — pop into the Museum of Contemporary Art for a dose of Australian art or join a free walking tour to hear convict-era stories and heritage architecture. Stop by Circular Quay’s ferry kiosks to book a harbour cruise or a Manly ferry for tomorrow, then relax with a gelato from Gelato Messina as you watch ferries glide past the Opera House.
As evening falls, dine at Quay or Bennelong if you want a special harbour-front meal, or choose casual waterfront fare at Cargo Bar or The Glenmore’s rooftop for more relaxed vibes while enjoying the sunset over the bridge. Finish the night with a twilight stroll across the pedestrian promenade, a cocktail at Opera Bar, or a nightcap in one of The Rocks’ atmospheric pubs, setting a scenic, iconic tone for the rest of your Sydney stay.
Start the day at Circular Quay with an early visit to the Sydney Opera House — join a 9am guided tour to explore the Concert Hall and learn about its daring architecture, then grab a flat white and a pastry at Opera Kitchen or The Grounds of the City to fuel up. From there, stroll across the Opera House forecourt toward the Harbour Bridge and take the short, scenic walk on the Cahill Walkway for postcard views of the bridge and city skyline.
Catch a mid-day ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay for fish-and-chips at Doyles on the Beach and a relaxing harbour-side walk to South Head Lookout, or instead head to The Rocks for lunch at The Glenmore rooftop before tackling the Harbour Bridge Climb (book ahead) for panoramic harbour vistas. Afterward, transfer to Bondi — follow the coastal Bondi to Bronte walk for clifftop views, stop for a swim at Bondi Beach, and enjoy a late-afternoon coffee or gelato at Bike Café or Bondi Icebergs Café.
As the sun sets, dine in Bondi at Icebergs Dining Room & Bar or Sean's Panorama for ocean-facing modern Australian cuisine, then wander the beachfront promenade and watch surfers under the twilight sky. Return to Circular Quay for a nightcap at Opera Bar or The Glenmore rooftop to reflect on the harbour lights and tomorrow’s Blue Mountains or Manly options, keeping the itinerary’s momentum and scenic highlights alive.
Option A — Blue Mountains: Depart early by train from Central or join a guided tour to arrive at Katoomba mid-morning; wander the Echo Point lookout for sweeping views of the Three Sisters and take the short Prince Henry Cliff Walk to soak in dramatic sandstone escarpments and rainforest gullies. Option B — Manly: Catch a morning ferry from Circular Quay to Manly, enjoy breakfast on the Corso at The Pantry Manly or Sjoeka for great coffee, then stroll the North Head walking tracks for panoramic harbour views and a snapshot of Sydney’s coastal contrasts.
Option A — Blue Mountains: After a light lunch at a café on Katoomba Street or the conservation-minded Yellow Deli, explore Scenic World — ride the Scenic Railway or Skyway for close-up canyon views and walk through Jamison Valley, stopping at Govetts Leap or Wentworth Falls if time allows. Option B — Manly: Spend the afternoon relaxing on Manly Beach or renting a stand-up paddleboard from Manly SUP, then walk the scenic Shelly Beach to Freshwater trail and enjoy a seafood lunch at Hugos Manly or The Boathouse Shelly Beach.
Whether mountain or seaside, return to the CBD in the early evening to consolidate luggage and freshen up at your hotel; enjoy a final Sydney dinner with harbour views — consider casual seafood at Nick’s Seafood Restaurant in The Rocks or a special send-off at Bennelong if you’ve got time. Finish with a relaxed drink at Opera Bar or a quiet stroll along Circular Quay to watch the lights on the Harbour Bridge before heading to the airport or preparing for departure, closing out your 10-day Australian adventure on a scenic, memorable note.