What to See in Australia in 15 Days: itinerary and guide with the essentials

In this post we are going to share with you everything we would have liked to know when we were searching what to see in Australia in 15 days before organizing one of our dream trips. First of all, you must be aware that traveling to Australia is not the same as visiting a small European country. From my point of view, you should select the places to visit in Australia depending on what your priorities are: cities, animals, beaches, surfing, snorkeling, etc. It is impossible to see the entire continent and its islands in 15, 20 or 30 days. In our case, we made a mix including a little of everything to leave with at least an idea of ​​what the country is like. We tell you!

Below, we share the content that you will find throughout this article about the route through Australia in 15 days what we did. Then, at the end, we mention more places What to see in Australia in 20 days or more.

How many days does it take to travel to Australia

As we see it, to explore Australia, given its vast extension and diversity, you should reserve at least 15 days (not counting flights). That is, if you want to know its main wonders, although they will always leave you wanting more. Besides, Please note that adjusting to the Australian time zone may take days, especially if you travel from Spain. With this, we share with you what for us, after much research, we believe is the best of Australia to visit.

The best places to see in Australia in 15 days

On a trip of 15 days, we suggest a route that combines cities, spectacular nature (including animals you can only see in this country) and unique experiences. Your itinerary may vary depending on the number of days available and the pace you like to take. We were a total of 15 nights that we divide between the best places to visit in Australia:

• Melbourne: 2 nights in YEHS Hotel Melbourne CBD
• Great Ocean Road: 1 night in Summers Rest Units
• Tasmania: 7 nights in Rydges Hobart + Cradle Mountain Hotel + BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet
• Whitsundays Islands / Airlie beach: 2 nights in Whitehaven Beachfront Holiday Units
• Sydney: 3 nights in The Great Southern hotel

1) Melbourne, one of the places in Australia to visit (2 nights)

In our case, we began our trip through Australia in Melbourne, a cosmopolitan city full of urban art, cafes and cultural offerings. We also highlight its character coastal with beautiful urban beaches such as Brighton Beach or St Kilda. You imagine bathe on a beach with black swans?Its markets and street food are another attraction, where the Queen Victoria market. The most hipster neighborhoods to visit are Fitzroy and Chapel Street. It also has various urban parks and its Botanical Garden where you can lie down and rest after exploring the city. If you want to know more about this city, take a look at our post about what to see and do in Melbourne.

2) The Great Ocean Road, one of the best places to visit in Australia (1 night)

Another stop essential parts of Australia is the famous ocean road "Great Ocean Road" which runs along part of the southern coast of the continent (state of Victoria). This You can do this route by driving from Melbourne or by hiring a one-day round trip. This coastal tour will take you through stunning landscapes, with stops such as the famous Twelve Apostles and Cape Otway National Park.

In this natural space you will have great chance of seeing koalas in their natural habitat. We tell you all the details about what to see on the Great Ocean Road, in the specific article for this part of the trip.

If you are interested, you can watch the video from our YouTube channel about it here. Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road where we were lucky enough to see koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, etc.

3) Tasmania, Australia, places to visit not very touristy (6-7 nights)

A flight from Melbourne will take you to Tasmania in just over an hour. Here awaits you island of stunning natural beauty, rich in history and with a gastronomic proposal difficult to find in other areas of Australia to visit. The island is not small, that is why we reserved at least 6 full days to explore it by car on our own. Within the places to see in Tasmania, we highlight the Cradle Mountain National Park where we saw the platypus and the wombat (koala family) in their natural habitat, a park full of trails, where you can't miss the drive to Dove Lake.

It is also essential to visit the small Bruny Island with exquisite wineries, albino wallaby and sea lion sightings. We also loved the Bruny Island Neck. On the other hand, also reserve a few days to explore the Freycinet National Park and its famous Wineglass bay. And finally, also reserve a day to tour the Tasman National Park. The island is a natural spectacle and we tell you about it in detail in our post about what to see in Tasmania.

4) Whitsundays Islands and Airlie Beach, a paradise to see in Australia (2 nights)

The Whitsunday Islands, a dream archipelago in the east coast of the country, were an unforgettable stop during our Australia itinerary in 15 days. To get to these paradise islands we fly from Hobart (Tasmania) – Melbourne – Proserpine. This is the closest airport to Airlie Beach, a coastal town that serves as a gateway to the Whitsundays. This group of 74 islands, located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, are known for their Turquoise waters, white sand beaches and rich marine biodiversity. Here, we had the opportunity to snorkel and visit the famous Whitehaven Beach, among other paradisiacal coves with a tour. You have all the information in our article on what to do in Airlie beach and Whitsunday Islands.

5) Sydney, end of the route through Australia in 15 days

Another of the essential places to visit in Australia It is the wonderful city of Sydney and its Opera House. But this Australian city is not just the Opera House. It blew us away Bondi Beach and the coastal walk that starts from here, as well as Manly, Harbor Bridge, its markets, its spectacular Botanical Garden and the different neighborhoods such as Paddington or The Rocks. Also another of the things to see in Australia near Sydney are the Blue Mountains, but if you've been to Tasmania, I doubt you'll see wilder nature than there. You can read all the recommendations we have about what to see and do in sydney in our blog.

How we will tell you in our YouTube channel videos, know Australia is to discover a world of adventure, natural beauty and culture. With this guide what to see in Australia in 15 days, you are ready to prepare your trip with much more ease than I had searching for information.

What to see in Australia map (15 days)

Next, we share the map of the Australia itinerary in 15 days what we did. Below we continue with more recommendations about another tour of Australia what to do if you had more days.

More places to see in Australia in 20 days or a month

As you can imagine, 15 days are not enough if you are going to explore the main cities, travel the Great Ocean Road, visit the Whitsundays and take a route through Tasmania. Of course, In Australia there are more tourist places to visit. I wish I had had 3 weeks or a month to visit more places. If this is your case, below, we share more than 10 places to visit in Australia:

6) Byron Bay and the route along the east coast of Australia

Byron Bay, with its bohemian atmosphere and stunning landscapes, is a destination that many include in their routes through Australia. This jewel of the New South Wales coast It stands out for its famous surf beaches, local art and good weather. To get here, the closest airport is Home. You can fly from Sydney and start the route along the Gold Coast of Australia. There are many camper rental companies, although it is usually very expensive to return the vehicle to another point. After visiting the Gold Coast, you can follow the route from Brisbane to Cairns with the stops that we will mention below.

7) Brisbane, a city to visit in Australia

Brisbane, capital of Queensland, is another of the Cities to visit in Australia. Here you will find a mix of urban culture and natural charms. You can take this visit as a break from the road on your coastal route to the north, without spending much more than a day. Next, you We recommend resuming your road trip from Brisbane, it will take you through spectacular coastal landscapes. and Sunshine Coast and beaches like rainbow beach. From here, you can take a ferry to visit the island of Fraser Island or K'gari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8) Fraser Island or K'Gari island, one of the islands to see in Australia

La Fraser Island or K'Gari (paradise in the language of the aborigines) is known for being the largest sand island in the world with about 1.630 km2. It stands out for its extensive biodiversity and unique landscapes. Here you can tour ancient rainforests that grow in the middle of sand dunes, explore dreamy freshwater lakes such as Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora), and observe the abundant wildlife, including dingoes (Australian wild dog). Another of the most photographed places on Fraser Island is the boat aground on Maheno beach: the Maheno Shipwrerk. Finally, if you like the camper life, you will love Fraser Island, since It has numerous campsites.

From Fraser Island you can continue exploring the east coast with stops such as 1770 Camping and Yeppoon until you reach Airlie beach. We already recommended this place at the beginning of this article in case you had fewer days to visit Australia. We went by plane, but it catches you on the way to Cairns. Airlie beach itself is not that big of a deal, however, This is where numerous excursions to the Whitsundays Islands depart, one of the most paradisiacal you can see in Australia.. In addition, you can only go to the famous Whitehaven beach (on Whitsunday Island) on a tour.

9)Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is another of the islands that can be seen in Australia on the way to Cairns. With more than 50% of the island declared a national park, it is a paradise for nature lovers. Here you will have again opportunity to see koalas in the wild and explore their marine life. Magnetic Island combines adventure and tranquility, being also an island that lends itself well to hiking. You can arrive by ferry from the coastal town of Townsville and spend the day or even spend the night, since the chances of seeing wild animals in action are greater when the sun goes down.

10) Mission beach and Etty Bay, destinations in Australia where you can see the causario bird

If one of the reasons you travel to Australia is to see its fauna, you should definitely go to Mission beach to try to see the bird Causarius, one of the most dangerous and largest in the world. But at the same time, one of the most impressive things to see in Australia. Very close to Mission beach we have also read that you can see them easily and freely in Etty Bay. This area of ​​Australia, of course, also has incredible landscapes and beaches, but at this point in the trip, we understand that you will already have accumulated quite a few. As you can see in the following photo, the causario or cassowary is very similar to the ostrich, In fact, it is his family. However, this one looks more like a dinosaur.

11) Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, two essential things to see in Australia

Cairns is one of the most touristy places to visit in Australia. And this tropical city is the gateway to two of: the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, both World Heritage Sites. If you are a lover of adventure and nature, it is essential to do diving or snorkeling among its colorful reefs. Very close you can also explore dense rainforests with crocodiles or simply relax on its beautiful beaches. Cairns also offers lively nightlife and diverse cuisine, making it perfect for a complete Australian experience.

12) Daintree National Park

Another of the places to see in Australia, very close to Cairns, is the Daintree National Park, a place where nature shows its splendor. You can't miss Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge, where the jungle meets the sea, creating a unique view. In addition, the park has numerous walks through the jungle to discover the fauna and flora of the area.

And in Daintree / Cairns we suggest you finish your road trip through Australia and leave the car. From Cairns you can search for flights to connect with one of the following places in Australia to visit.

13) Uluru or Ayers Rock and Kings Canyon, more icons of Australia to see

Visiting Uluru and Kings Canyon is to immerse yourself in the Australian heart. Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, it is an imposing msacred onolith for the Anangu aborigines, offering a show to change color during sunrise and sunset. To get to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you can fly to Ayers rock airport from cities like Melbourne or Sydney.

On the other hand, about three and a half hours by car from Uluru, you can visit Kings Canyon. A Hiking the Rim Walk will take you to spectacular views of the canyon and desert landscape. These two places are not only natural wonders, but they are also windows into Australia's ancient history and culture.

14) Kangaroo Island, another island to see in Australia in 20 days or more

Kangaroo Island, in Adelaide, is a hidden treasure of Australia, it is a must-see destination for its natural landscapes and wildlife. Here you can come face to face with koalas, kangaroos and sea lions in their natural habitat. The island offers a mix of impressive rock formations, such as Remarkable Rocks, and serene beaches with crystal clear waters. It is also famous for its local production of honey, wine and fresh seafood. A trip to Kangaroo Island is another of the things to do in Australia, It will all depend on the time you have and your budget.

Finally, the entire northern and western coast would remain to be explored, given that the country is immense. However, our recommendations end here by compiling the places in Australia to visit more important. Now it's your turn to choose your route depending on the number of days available and your budget. One thing is clear, the plane connections in the country are quite good and highly recommended if you want to save time traveling.

The best routes to travel to Australia and budget

If you're looking for cheap tickets to Australia From Europe, you can now throw in the towel. The continent is very far away and requires at least two long-haul flights. In our case, the best route to travel to Australia that we found was with Qatar Airways and we did. Madrid – Doha (about 7-8 hours) + Doha – Melbourne (about 13-14 hours). We also did the return trip with Qatar, but returning from Sydney. The company allows you to book multi-destination flights from its own website. The total price of these trips was €1.718 and we booked it about 6 months in advance. We also know that Emirates offers similar combinations. Next, we share the budget for our route through Australia in 15 days.

Best time to travel to Australia

La Best time to visit Australia depends on your interests and the region you plan to explore, as the country is huge. Remember that the seasons in Australia are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere and in the European summer it is the middle of the Australian winter. We We travel in November and the weather was great in all the destinations we visited. In any case, the The months of September to November and March to May are ideal, since the temperatures are pleasant and there is less influx of tourists.. That is, you can enjoy outdoor activities without the intense heat of summer or the cold of winter (in some regions). If you are visiting the tropical north, such as the Great Barrier Reef, consider going during the dry season, from May to October, to avoid monsoon rains.. Plan your trip with this in mind!

Travel insurance for Australia

To live this adventure with peace of mind, especially taking into account the money it costs to travel to Australia, we recommend take out travel insurance. We always vWe travel with IATI, in this way, we enjoy the trip without thinking about possible accidents, lost luggage, illnesses, flight delays, etc.. If you are going to do adventure sports, we recommend the IATI Mochilero, it is the one we booked. We have a 5% discount on all your policies and also for any destination, not just Australia.

Unlimited data with Holafly eSIM

In addition to insurance, an essential tool for traveling freely around Australia is the internet. Holafly offers unlimited data in the country and it was the company with which we hired him. Holafly's operation is simple, it offers virtual eSIMs that are activated as soon as you arrive at the destination using a QR code. The truth is that it was great throughout the trip and, without a doubt, we recommend it. You can also benefit from a 5% discount on Holafly for your next Australian adventure or to any destination for being our reader.

And here ends our article about what to see in Australia and guide so you can organize your trip on your own. We hope it has been helpful to you. To discover more places, visit the more destinations section of our blog localguidegrancanaria.com. Plan your next trip with us!

Ruth González

Hello! I am Ruth, Canarian with a traveling soul. With training and experience in the tourism and digital marketing sector. In this blog I tell you all the tips you need to get to know the most authentic side of Gran Canaria on your own. I also share my travel guides to all the places in the world that I am visiting so that you can discover the destinations like a local and save time planning. In addition to traveling, I love gastronomy and sports. I run and hike in the mountains with my “dog-children” (Silver and Plata). In all these adventures my partner accompanies me, Jorge, which you will also see a lot on this blog.