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10-Day Vibrant Sydney Festival and Australia Exploration Itinerary

Viewed by 92 travelers

Day 1: Arrival and Stay

Sydney, Australia on April 23, 2025

9:00am

Check-in at Hotel

Arrive in Sydney and check into your hotel to relax and refresh after your flight. Choose a hotel near the city centre to access festival events easily.
AUD0, 1h0m

10:30am

Breakfast at Bills, Surry Hills

Enjoy a delicious Australian-style breakfast featuring ricotta hotcakes or avocado toast, open from 7am to 3pm.
AUD25, 1h0m

12:00pm

Sydney Festival Welcome Event

Attend the official opening and welcome event at a key city venue to get introduced to the vibrant Sydney Festival happenings.
AUD60, 2h0m

3:00pm

Explore Darling Harbour

Stroll around Darling Harbour, enjoying scenic waterfront views and street performances related to the festival. Open all day.
Free, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Ternary

Dine at this waterfront restaurant featuring contemporary Australian cuisine, offering beautiful views of the city skyline, open till 10pm.
AUD50, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Sydney

Day 2: Festival and City Tour

Sydney, Australia on April 24, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Brewtown Newtown

Start the day with award-winning coffee and hearty breakfast including cinnamon scrolls or smashed avo, open from 7am.
AUD20, 1h0m

9:30am

Sydney Festival Outdoor Art Installation

Visit interactive outdoor installations showcased in major parks and plazas across Sydney as part of the festival.
Free, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Spice Alley

Savour a variety of Asian street food in this vibrant laneway market open 11am-9pm, ideal for quick and flavourful lunch options.
AUD25, 1h0m

1:30pm

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Explore contemporary and Indigenous Australian art, facilities open 10am to 5pm, admission free to permanent collections.
Free, 2h0m

4:00pm

Sydney Festival Performance at the Sydney Opera House

Attend a special festival show at the iconic Opera House, showcasing world-class theatre or dance. Check exact show times and book in advance.
AUD80, 2h30m

8:00pm

Dinner at Opera Bar

Dine with spectacular harbour views adjacent to the Opera House, serving modern Australian dishes, open late.
AUD60, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Sydney

Day 3: Harbour and Cultural Sites

Sydney, Australia on April 25, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at The Grounds of Alexandria

Experience breakfast in a trendy garden café known for fresh, local produce, open from 7am.
AUD30, 1h0m

9:00am

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Join a guided climb on Sydney Harbour Bridge for panoramic views, lasting about 3.5 hours. Important to book ahead. Open all year, starting from 7am.
AUD320, 3h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Circular Quay

Enjoy fresh seafood and light meals at one of the many cafés facing the water, open 11am to late.
AUD40, 1h0m

2:30pm

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

Explore cutting-edge exhibits of visual art from Australian and international artists. Open 10am to 5pm, free entry.
Free, 2h0m

5:00pm

Ferry Ride to Manly

Take a scenic ferry ride to Manly Beach, enjoy spectacular harbour views. Ferry operates till around 10pm.
AUD15, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Boathouse on Manly

Seaside dining with fresh seafood and beach views, open till 9:30pm.
AUD55, 1h30m

9:00pm

Return by ferry to Sydney

Evening ferry ride back to the city after dinner.
Included, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Sydney

Day 4: Blue Mountains Day Trip

Sydney, Australia on April 26, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Have a quick breakfast at your hotel before departing on a Blue Mountains day tour.
AUD20, 0h45m

8:00am

Depart for Blue Mountains Tour

Join a guided tour heading west to Blue Mountains National Park, famous for dramatic scenery, Three Sisters rock formation, open from dawn till dusk.
AUD150, 7h0m

12:30pm

Lunch in Leura Village

Lunch at a cosy café in Leura village featuring local fare, tour includes this stop.
AUD30, 1h0m

3:30pm

Return to Sydney

Tour bus returns you to Sydney by evening.
Included, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Din Tai Fung, Sydney CBD

Enjoy famous Taiwanese dumplings and Asian dishes, open till 9pm.
AUD45, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Sydney

Day 5: Fly to Melbourne

Sydney to Melbourne, Australia on April 27, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Grab a hearty breakfast before check-out and transfer to airport.
AUD20, 1h0m

9:00am

Flight to Melbourne

Catch a morning flight from Sydney to Melbourne, approx 1.5 hours.
AUD100, 2h30m

11:30am

Check-in at Melbourne Hotel

Arrive in Melbourne and check-in at centrally located accommodation.
AUD0, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Hardware Société

Enjoy French-inspired breakfast/lunch dishes in a charming café, open till 3pm.
AUD35, 1h0m

2:00pm

Federation Square and ACMI Visit

Explore the iconic hub of Melbourne with contemporary exhibits at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Open 10am to 5pm.
Free, 2h0m

5:00pm

Explore Hosier Lane Street Art

Walk through Melbourne’s famous graffiti laneway, open all the time, vibrant and perfect for evening photography.
Free, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Chin Chin

Dine at Melbourne’s famous modern Thai restaurant with lively atmosphere, open till 11pm.
AUD60, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Sydney to Melbourne

Day 6: Melbourne Cultural Tour

Melbourne, Australia on April 28, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Industry Beans

Start with specialty coffee and innovative breakfast menu items, open from 7am.
AUD25, 1h0m

9:30am

National Gallery of Victoria

Visit Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum, open 10am to 5pm, free entrance to permanent collections.
Free, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Queen Victoria Market

Enjoy diverse food stalls and fresh produce at this historic market, open until 3pm Mon-Sat.
AUD20, 1h0m

1:30pm

Royal Botanic Gardens

Wander through lush gardens with lakes and native flora, perfect afternoon relaxation, open till sunset.
Free, 2h0m

4:00pm

Eureka Skydeck 88

Experience panoramic views of Melbourne from this observation deck, open 10am to 10pm.
AUD25, 1h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Attica

Reserve a table at one of Australia’s top fine dining restaurants specializing in local ingredients and innovative dishes, open evenings.
AUD150, 2h0m
Find Hotels in Melbourne

Day 7: Great Ocean Road

Melbourne to Great Ocean Road, Australia on April 29, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast at Hotel

Early breakfast and prepare for the day tour departure.
AUD20, 0h30m

7:00am

Great Ocean Road Full-day Tour

Enjoy a scenic coastal drive visiting the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and other natural highlights. Tour includes stops and typically runs 11-12 hours.
AUD140, 11h0m

7:30pm

Return to Melbourne and Dinner

Dinner at Hotel or nearby casual eatery for a relaxing end to the long day.
AUD40, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Melbourne to Great Ocean Road

Day 8: Fly to Cairns

Melbourne to Cairns, Australia on April 30, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Have a fulfilling breakfast before departing to the airport.
AUD20, 1h0m

9:00am

Flight to Cairns

Fly to tropical Cairns to access the Great Barrier Reef, approximately 3 hours flight.
AUD180, 4h0m

1:00pm

Lunch in Cairns Esplanade

Enjoy lunch at one of the many cafes along the waterfront, open throughout the day.
AUD30, 1h0m

2:30pm

Cairns Botanic Gardens

Explore tropical plants and rainforest species, open 7:30am to 6pm, a calm afternoon activity.
Free, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Ochre Restaurant

Sample native Australian cuisine including seafood and barramundi, open till 9:30pm.
AUD55, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Melbourne to Cairns

Day 9: Great Barrier Reef

Cairns, Australia on May 1, 2025

6:30am

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Fuel up early for the full day excursion to the reef.
AUD20, 0h30m

7:30am

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling/Diving Tour

Spend the day aboard a boat exploring the Great Barrier Reef coral ecosystems, included snorkelling or diving, tours run till approx 5pm.
AUD200, 9h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Salt House

Relax with dinner at this waterfront venue offering fresh seafood and sunset views, open till 10pm.
AUD60, 1h30m
Find Hotels in Cairns

Day 10: Relax and Departure

Cairns, Australia on May 2, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at The Raw Prawn

Enjoy a late breakfast at this popular café known for fresh seafood and relaxed atmosphere.
AUD40, 1h0m

10:00am

Esplanade Lagoon Swim

Spend a few leisure hours at this free public swimming lagoon, perfect for relaxation before departure.
Free, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at Waterbar & Grill

A final meal with views over the marina featuring Australian steaks and seafood.
AUD50, 1h0m

3:00pm

Transfer to Cairns Airport

Head back to the airport to catch your onward flight.
AUD0, 1h0m
Find Hotels in Cairns
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