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
Book Australia tours before you go
Guided tours and attraction tickets in this area often sell out in peak season. Compare Australia tours and experiences and check each option’s cancellation policy before you pay. Book early for school holidays and long weekends. Prices shown are the operator’s own.
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