Budget-Friendly 18-Day Australia Highlights Itinerary from Adelaide to Cairns

Day 1: Adelaide Introduction

Adelaide, Australia on June 4, 2025

8:00am

Adelaide Central Market Breakfast

Start your day with fresh and affordable breakfast options at Adelaide Central Market, open from 7am to 3pm, offering a vibrant atmosphere and local produce stalls.
AUD10, 1h0m

9:30am

Adelaide Botanic Garden

Enjoy a relaxing walk through the beautiful, free-to-enter Adelaide Botanic Garden with its diverse plant collections.
AUD0, 1h30m

11:30am

South Australian Museum

Visit this free museum to explore natural history and Aboriginal culture exhibitions, perfect for budget travelers.
AUD0, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at La Moka Cafe

Enjoy affordable and tasty sandwiches and coffee at this cozy cafe near the market, open until 3pm.
AUD15, 1h0m

3:00pm

Stroll along River Torrens Linear Park Trail

Take a free scenic walk along the River Torrens to experience local nature and city views.
AUD0, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Africola

Enjoy affordable and delicious African-inspired cuisine at Africola. Reservations recommended; it closes around 9:30pm.
AUD30, 1h30m
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Day 2: Adelaide to Melbourne

Travel from Adelaide to Melbourne, Australia on June 5, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at The Flying Fig

Affordable, hearty breakfast with good coffee to fuel your travel day. Open 7am-3pm.
AUD15, 1h0m

9:00am

Fly Adelaide to Melbourne

Take a budget flight to Melbourne (~1.5 hours). Book in advance for the best fares.
AUD80, 1h30m

11:00am

Check-in and settle in

Arrive at accommodation in Melbourne and rest briefly before exploring. Choose budget hostels or Airbnb options.
AUD0, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Queen Victoria Market

Sample diverse and inexpensive foods from the wide range of vendor stalls at this famous market, open 9am-4pm.
AUD15, 1h0m

1:30pm

Federation Square and Walk along Yarra River

Explore Melbourne’s iconic public square and enjoy a leisurely free walk along the Yarra River.
AUD0, 1h30m

3:00pm

Visit National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Enjoy the vast free art collections at NGV International to explore Australia’s art culture.
AUD0, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at 8bit Pizza

Casual spot offering affordable gourmet pizzas and snacks close to the city center, open until 10pm.
AUD20, 1h30m
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Day 3: Melbourne City Day

Melbourne, Australia on June 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Brother Baba Budan

Grab a budget-friendly coffee and pastry at this well-loved Melbourne café, open from 7am.
AUD10, 1h0m

9:00am

Explore Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Visit these beautiful gardens for free; open 7am-7pm, perfect for morning stroll and picnic.
AUD0, 2h0m

11:30am

Melbourne Museum

Entry fee is low cost and you can discover history, culture, and science with engaging exhibits.
AUD15, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Brunetti

Enjoy Italian pastries and affordable meal options in this popular café, open till 6pm.
AUD15, 1h0m

3:00pm

Walk laneways and street art tour

Self-guided or join a free street art walking tour to experience Melbourne’s unique urban art scene.
AUD0, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Food Court in Chinatown

Enjoy budget-friendly Asian meals from multiple vendors open till late.
AUD15, 1h0m
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Day 4: Melbourne to Sydney

Travel from Melbourne to Sydney, Australia on June 7, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Hardware Societe

Start early with affordable French-inspired breakfast food, open from 7am.
AUD15, 1h0m

9:00am

Fly Melbourne to Sydney

Catch an early budget flight (~1.25 hours). Book tickets in advance to save.
AUD90, 1h30m

11:00am

Check-in and settle

Check into budget accommodation in Sydney and rest briefly.
AUD0, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Sydney Fish Market

Affordable seafood and fresh meals, open 7am-4:30pm weekdays.
AUD20, 1h0m

1:30pm

Walk Circular Quay and visit The Rocks

Free access historic area with views of Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
AUD0, 2h0m

4:00pm

Relax at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Free entry park offering spectacular harbour views, open until 8pm.
AUD0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Chat Thai

Popular budget-friendly Thai food close to the city, open till 9:30pm.
AUD20, 1h30m
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Day 5: Sydney Culture and Sights

Sydney, Australia on June 8, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Bourke Street Bakery

Enjoy award-winning pastries and coffee at reasonable prices, open 7am-5pm.
AUD12, 1h0m

9:00am

Sydney Opera House Tour

Take an affordable guided tour to learn about this iconic landmark, open times vary, book online.
AUD43, 1h0m

10:30am

Walk through Barangaroo Reserve

Free waterfront park area with stunning views and picnic spots.
AUD0, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Hungry Bear Café

Budget cafe offering sandwiches and light meals near Darling Harbour, open 7am-3pm.
AUD15, 1h0m

1:30pm

Visit Art Gallery of New South Wales

Free entry to see Australian and international art collections, open 10am-5pm.
AUD0, 2h0m

4:00pm

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

Popular scenic 6km free walk along the coastline with beaches and parks.
AUD0, 2h0m

7:00pm

Dinner at Bondi Trattoria

Casual Italian eatery at Bondi Beach offering affordable meals, open until 9:30pm.
AUD25, 1h30m
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Day 6: Sydney to Brisbane

Travel from Sydney to Brisbane, Australia on June 9, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Single O

Enjoy affordable specialty coffee with light breakfast options, open from 7am.
AUD15, 1h0m

9:00am

Fly Sydney to Brisbane

Take a low-cost flight (~1.5 hours), book in advance for better deals.
AUD85, 1h30m

11:00am

Settle into Brisbane Accommodation

Check into budget accommodation and freshen up.
AUD0, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Eat Street Northshore

Vibrant market offering a variety of budget-friendly food stalls, open from 4pm on some days, but check weekend daytime openings; if closed, head to South Bank eateries.
AUD20, 1h0m

1:30pm

Walk South Bank Parklands

Free recreational area with gardens, beaches, and walking paths along the Brisbane River.
AUD0, 2h0m

4:00pm

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens

Free entry; explore diverse plant species and riverside views.
AUD0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Grilled

Affordable casual dinners specializing in flame-grilled food, open until 9pm.
AUD20, 1h30m
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Day 7: Brisbane Exploration

Brisbane, Australia on June 10, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at King Arthur Café

Budget-friendly breakfast with vegan options, open from 7:30am.
AUD15, 1h0m

9:30am

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Entry fee moderate; interact with native wildlife including koalas and kangaroos, open 9am-5pm.
AUD40, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at nearby café

Enjoy a relaxed meal at the sanctuary’s café or nearby affordable dining options.
AUD15, 1h0m

2:30pm

Mount Coot-tha Lookout

Free entry viewpoint offering panoramic views over Brisbane.
AUD0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Visit Queensland Museum and Sciencentre

Free entry with interactive exhibits for all ages, open 10am-5pm.
AUD0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at The Charming Squire

Budget-friendly meals and a great atmosphere in Brisbane’s CBD.
AUD25, 1h30m
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Day 8: Brisbane to Cairns

Travel from Brisbane to Cairns, Australia on June 11, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at The Yiros Shop

Affordable Greek-style breakfast options, open 7am-3pm.
AUD10, 1h0m

9:00am

Fly Brisbane to Cairns

Take a budget flight (~3 hours). Advance booking recommended for best prices.
AUD100, 3h0m

12:30pm

Check-in Cairns Accommodation

Settle in budget accommodation options close to the city and Esplanade.
AUD0, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch at Rusty's Market

Fresh and cheap local produce and meals at this open-air market, open until 3pm.
AUD15, 1h0m

3:00pm

Cairns Esplanade Lagoon

Enjoy free access to this large swimming lagoon with nearby parks.
AUD0, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Chow Restaurant

Modern Asian fusion with affordable meal options, open till 10pm.
AUD25, 1h30m
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Day 9: Great Barrier Reef Day

Cairns, Australia on June 12, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Bayside Marketplace

Quick and budget-friendly breakfast options near the marina, open from 7am.
AUD10, 1h0m

8:00am

Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour

Full-day budget-friendly tour includes snorkeling gear and lunch. Book in advance; tours usually 8am-5pm.
AUD150, 9h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Gilligan’s

Casual and budget-friendly meals in lively Cairns, open till late.
AUD20, 1h30m
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Day 10: Cairns Nature

Cairns, Australia on June 13, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Caffiend

Affordable specialty coffee and light bites in a hip café, open 6:30am-3pm.
AUD12, 1h0m

9:00am

Visit Cairns Botanic Gardens

Free entry; explore tropical plants and rainforest trails, open daily.
AUD0, 2h0m

11:30am

Kuranda Skyrail Scenic Cableway

Moderate cost scenic ride offering views of the rainforest, book budget tickets in advance, open 8:30am-5:30pm.
AUD60, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch in Kuranda Village

Enjoy inexpensive meals at cafes in this charming village.
AUD15, 1h0m

3:00pm

Explore Kuranda Markets and Wildlife Park

Free to browse arts, crafts markets; small entry fee to wildlife parks showing native animals.
AUD10, 2h0m

6:00pm

Return to Cairns and Dinner at Tha Fish

Affordable seafood dishes in a casual setting, open till 9:30pm.
AUD25, 1h30m
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Day 11: Cairns Free Day

Cairns, Australia on June 14, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at The Raw Prawn

Offers budget-friendly breakfast and coffee options, open from 7am.
AUD15, 1h0m

9:30am

Relax and Enjoy Cairns Esplanade

Free entry; explore walking paths, public pools, and markets along the esplanade.
AUD0, 3h0m

1:00pm

Lunch at local café – Caffiend or nearby

Casual spot for light and affordable lunch options.
AUD15, 1h0m

2:30pm

Visit Cairns Museum

Low-cost entry showcasing regional history and indigenous culture, open 10am-4pm.
AUD10, 1h30m

4:30pm

Walk up The Green Ant Trail

A scenic, free bush walk close to the city, for nature lovers and to stretch the legs.
AUD0, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Perrotta’s at the Gallery

Casual Italian dining with budget-friendly options, open till 9:30pm.
AUD25, 1h30m
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Day 12: Cairns to Home Departure

Cairns, Australia on June 15, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at The Chambers

Enjoy affordable breakfast in a trendy café near the airport, open from 6:30am.
AUD15, 1h0m

9:00am

Prepare for Departure

Check out from accommodation and travel to Cairns Airport for your flight home.
AUD0, 2h0m
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