Start your adventure in Cairns, where you can snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's largest coral reefs. Spend the day exploring the reef and its colorful marine life. For lunch, try some Australian seafood at the nearby Rusty's Market.
Explore the Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk among the trees and spot unique wildlife, such as the endangered cassowary bird. Take a dip in the Mossman Gorge and have lunch at Daintree Village.
Drive to Brisbane and spend the day at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where you can get up close and personal with koalas and other Australian animals. Take a stroll along the Brisbane River and enjoy the city's numerous parks and gardens.
Visit the Story Bridge Adventure Climb and climb to the top of this iconic Brisbane landmark. Enjoy panoramic views of Brisbane and the surrounding area. For lunch, try some modern Australian cuisine at Gerard's Bistro.
Drive to the Gold Coast and spend the day at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Get close to kangaroos, koalas, and other iconic Australian animals. For lunch, visit the nearby Balboa Italian Restaurant for some delicious pizza.
Visit the popular Surfers Paradise Beach and go surfing or simply soak up the sun. Go on a jetboat ride on the Gold Coast Broadwater and admire the scenic coastline. For lunch, try some fresh seafood at the nearby Peter's Fish Market.
Drive to Sydney and visit the iconic Sydney Opera House. Take a tour of the opera house and learn about its history and architecture. For lunch, try the famous meat pie at Harry's Cafe de Wheels.
Visit the Taronga Zoo, home to over 4,000 animals, including kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses. Take a ferry ride to Manly Beach and explore the nearby shops and restaurants. For dinner, try some fine dining at the Quay restaurant, located near the opera house.
Drive to Melbourne and visit the Great Ocean Road, a scenic coastal drive with stunning views of the ocean and rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles. For lunch, try some authentic Italian food at Grossi Florentino.
Take a hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley wine region and enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards and countryside. Visit the famous Queen Victoria Market and browse the various shops and stalls. For dinner, try some Asian fusion at Supernormal.
Drive to Adelaide and visit Kangaroo Island. Take a guided tour of the island and see kangaroos, echidnas, and other native animals in their natural habitat. For lunch, try some Kangaroo Island Honey ice cream at the Island Pure Sheep Dairy.
Take a hot air balloon ride over the Barossa Valley wine region and enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards and countryside. Visit the National Wine Center of Australia and learn about the country's wine industry. For dinner, try some gourmet pizza at Etica Pizza.
Drive to Perth and visit Rottnest Island. Take a bike ride around the island and snap a selfie with the native quokka. For lunch, try some seafood at Aristos Waterfront.
Visit the Pinnacles Desert, a unique desert landscape with thousands of limestone pillars. Take a sunset tour and enjoy the colorful sky over the desert. For dinner, try some Perth-style fish and chips at the Bluewater Fish Bar.
Visit the Swan Valley wine region and enjoy wine tasting and scenic views of the vineyards. Take a cruise on the Swan River and explore Perth's numerous parks and gardens. For dinner, try some modern Australian cuisine at Wildflower.
Since Australia is a large country, driving is the most convenient way to travel between destinations. However, this means that some days will be spent driving long distances, so bring comfortable clothes and music or audiobooks to keep yourself entertained. Alternatively, you can fly between cities, but this can be more expensive.
Estimated travel costs: Car rental $800, Gas $350
If you have more time, consider exploring the Australian Outback or going on a camping trip in one of the national parks. If you have less time, consider skipping Perth or Adelaide and spending more time in Sydney or Melbourne. Additionally, always check the weather and fire conditions before embarking on any outdoor activities.
The major airports in Australia are Sydney Airport (SYD) in Sydney, Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Brisbane, Melbourne Airport (MEL) in Melbourne, and Perth Airport (PER) in Perth. All airports are located within 30 minutes to an hour's drive from the city center.