A 7-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Australia in December 2023

1. Day 1: Sydney Opera House
   10 minutes (1.3 miles) from Central Business District

   Start your day with a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House. In the afternoon, explore the Royal Botanic Garden or take a ferry to Manly Beach for a stunning sunset view.

2. Day 2: Blue Mountains National Park
   1 hour 45 minutes (64 miles) from Sydney Opera House

   Take a day trip to the scenic Blue Mountains National Park to hike, see the Three Sisters rock formation, and ride the Scenic Railway. Make sure to bring a picnic lunch!

3. Day 3: Great Barrier Reef
   4 hours 30 minutes (1,382 miles) from Blue Mountains National Park

   Fly to Cairns and take a snorkeling or scuba diving tour of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the evening exploring the Cairns Esplanade and night markets.

4. Day 4: Daintree Rainforest
   2 hours 30 minutes (85 miles) from Great Barrier Reef

   Take a guided tour of the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. Visit Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge before returning to Cairns in the evening.

5. Day 5: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
   3 hours 30 minutes (1,969 miles) from Daintree Rainforest

   Fly to Ayers Rock and visit Uluru, one of Australia's most iconic landmarks. Take a guided tour of the area and watch the sunset over the rock. Spend the night camping or glamping in the park.

6. Day 6: Kings Canyon
   4 hours 30 minutes (200 miles) from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

   Drive to Kings Canyon and hike the Canyon Rim Walk for stunning views of the gorge. Visit the Garden of Eden waterhole before returning to camp for the night.

7. Day 7: Bondi Beach
   2 hours 50 minutes (1,175 miles) from Kings Canyon

   Drive back to Sydney and spend your last day at Bondi Beach. Surf, swim, or relax on the beach before catching your flight home.

Recommendations

Consider visiting the Taronga Zoo in Sydney or taking a day trip to the Hunter Valley wine region. Side trips to Melbourne or Brisbane are also possible with budget flights. To maximize your fun, try to book tours and activities in advance to save money and time. Lastly, try to sample local street food and craft beer for an authentic experience.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Sydney Opera House Tour (2 hours, $40)
• Blue Mountains National Park Day Trip (10 hours, $100)
• Great Barrier Reef Tour (8 hours, $150)
• Daintree Rainforest Tour (10 hours, $120)
• Uluru Guided Tour and Camping (2 days, $200)
• Kings Canyon Hike (5 hours, free)
• Bondi Beach Day Trip (8 hours, free)
• Total Estimated Costs: $710