Fourteen days in Australia is enough to do the country justice without rushing — if you choose the right cities and connect them efficiently. This itinerary covers Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Gold Coast, Cairns, and Melbourne — the classic route that gives you iconic cities, beach, reef, and wilderness in two weeks.
This is built for Indian travellers coming from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru on a first Australia trip, with mid-range budget assumptions (₹3,50,000–₹4,50,000 per person excluding flights).
Quick Verdict: Fly into Sydney, fly out of Melbourne (open-jaw ticket). Internal flights connect the route without backtracking. The route flows: Sydney → Gold Coast → Cairns → Melbourne.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Before you fly:
- ☐ Australia Tourist Visa (Subclass 600) — apply 6–8 weeks ahead
- ☐ Flights booked (open-jaw: fly into Sydney, out of Melbourne)
- ☐ Travel insurance (get a quote here)
- ☐ Airalo eSIM for Australia activated (3 GB from ₹900)
- ☐ Hotel bookings for at least the first 2 nights in each city
- ☐ Zero forex credit card — essential for spending without markup
Days 1–4: Sydney (4 Nights)
Fly in: Air India DEL–SYD non-stop (14 hours) or via Singapore on Singapore Airlines.
Day 1 — Arrival Land morning, check into hotel (CBD or Darling Harbour area). Walk to Circular Quay after freshening up. Sunset at Opera Bar. Light dinner at the Rocks.
Day 2 — Icons
- Morning: Walk the Harbour Bridge pedestrian path (free) or book BridgeClimb (AUD 318, ~₹17,710) for sunset slot
- Afternoon: Sydney Opera House guided tour (AUD 45, ~₹2,507) + lunch at Café Sydney
- Evening: Explore The Rocks market (weekends) or Circular Quay
Day 3 — Bondi and Coastal
- Morning: Take bus to Bondi Beach, arrive before 9 am for photos
- 10 am: Surf lesson with Let’s Go Surfing (AUD 99, ~₹5,514) OR coastal walk Bondi → Coogee (free, 2 hrs)
- Lunch at Bondi (Speedos Café or Three Blue Ducks)
- Afternoon: Return via Paddington, explore Oxford Street boutiques
Day 4 — Blue Mountains Day Trip Early train from Central (7 am) → Katoomba (8:45 am). Scenic World (AUD 55, ~₹3,064). Three Sisters at Echo Point. Lunch in Katoomba. Return to Sydney by 7 pm.
Sydney accommodation: Mid-range hotel near Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, AUD 180–250/night (~₹10,026–₹13,925).
Days 5–7: Gold Coast (3 Nights)
Fly Sydney → Gold Coast: Jetstar or Virgin Australia, 1 hour 25 min, AUD 80–140 (~₹4,456–₹7,798).
Day 5 — Arrival + Surfers Paradise
- Check into Surfers Paradise hotel, walk the beach
- SkyPoint Observation Deck at sunset (AUD 32, ~₹1,782)
- Dinner on Cavill Avenue (excellent Indian options at Tandoori Oven)
Day 6 — Theme Park Day
Choose one: Warner Bros. Movie World (best overall) or Dreamworld (better for wildlife + thrills). Full day, arrive at opening. Entry AUD 109 (₹6,071).
Day 7 — Wildlife + Beach
- Morning: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (AUD 59, ~₹3,286) — hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos
- Afternoon: Burleigh Heads beach and coastal walk (free)
- Evening: Beachside dinner at Burleigh
Gold Coast accommodation: Apartment near Broadbeach, AUD 180–250/night (~₹10,026–₹13,925).
Days 8–10: Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef (3 Nights)
Fly Gold Coast → Cairns: Jetstar direct, 2 hours 15 min, AUD 100–180 (~₹5,570–₹10,026).
Day 8 — Arrival + Cairns Esplanade Afternoon arrival. Walk the free Esplanade Lagoon (a vast heated outdoor swimming lagoon on the waterfront). Cairns Night Market for dinner. Plan reef tour logistics.
Day 9 — Great Barrier Reef Full day outer reef cruise. Depart 8 am, return 5 pm. Quicksilver Cruises or Reef Magic from Cairns Cruise Terminal (AUD 245–290, ~₹13,647–₹16,153). Snorkelling, semi-submarine, lunch on the reef pontoon. This is the highlight of the entire trip for most people.
Day 10 — Daintree Rainforest Self-drive or guided tour to Cape Tribulation (2.5 hrs north). Daintree River crocodile cruise (AUD 28, ~₹1,559). Mossman Gorge walk (Aboriginal cultural experience, AUD 40, ~₹2,228). Return via the ferry crossing.
Cairns accommodation: Mid-range hotel or self-contained apartment, AUD 140–200/night (~₹7,798–₹11,140).
Days 11–14: Melbourne (4 Nights)
Fly Cairns → Melbourne: Jetstar direct, 3 hours, AUD 120–200 (~₹6,684–₹11,140).
Day 11 — Arrival + City Exploration Check into Melbourne hotel. Walk Federation Square and the Laneways (Hosier Lane, Degraves Street). Coffee at a Degraves Street espresso bar. Evening at the Queen Victoria Night Market (November–March) or Rooftop Cinema.
Day 12 — Great Ocean Road Day Tour Full-day guided tour (AUD 100–140, ~₹5,570–₹7,798) covering Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, koalas in the Otways. Depart 7 am, return 9 pm. Best day trip from Melbourne.
Day 13 — Melbourne Deep Dive
- Morning: Queen Victoria Market (Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun) — fresh produce, deli, food
- Afternoon: National Gallery of Victoria (free permanent collection) or Melbourne Cricket Ground tour (AUD 30, ~₹1,671)
- Evening: Fitzroy neighbourhood — dinner at a Lygon Street Italian or Brunswick Street restaurant
Day 14 — Phillip Island Penguins (optional) or Departure If your flight departs late: Phillip Island Penguin Parade tour from Melbourne (AUD 95–130 guided, ~₹5,291–₹7,241 including transport). The penguins appear at dusk year-round.
If departure is morning: shopping at DFO South Wharf (Melbourne’s best outlet centre, near the CBD).
Melbourne accommodation: 3–4 star hotel in CBD or South Yarra, AUD 160–250/night (~₹8,912–₹13,925).
Budget Summary (Per Person, Mid-Range)
| Category | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|
| Return international flights (economy) | ₹65,000–₹85,000 |
| Internal flights (3 sectors) | ₹20,000–₹32,000 |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | ₹85,000–₹1,10,000 |
| Activities and entry fees | ₹55,000–₹75,000 |
| Food and drinks | ₹45,000–₹65,000 |
| Transport within cities | ₹12,000–₹18,000 |
| Visa + insurance | ₹15,000–₹18,000 |
| Total per person | ₹2,97,000–₹4,03,000 |
What’s Not Included in This Itinerary
With 14 days you cannot do everything. What’s missing and why:
- Uluru — Requires an extra 2–3 days and internal flights from Sydney or Melbourne. Worth its own dedicated trip.
- Perth/Western Australia — A 4-hour flight from Melbourne, completely different landscape (quokkas, wildflowers, whale sharks). Best for a second Australia trip.
- Tasmania — Remote, requires an extra 3–4 days. The Bay of Fires is spectacular but needs its own trip.
- Whitsundays/Hamilton Island — Perfect addition if reef focus is strong; fly Sydney → Whitsunday Coast → Cairns.
Search India–Australia flights →
Book accommodation for the whole route →
Get travel insurance before departure → — comprehensive cover for 14 days from ~₹3,500
Activate Airalo eSIM for Australia → before boarding — data from ₹900 for 3 GB
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