48 days in Australia Itinerary

A modern metropolis of glassy skyscrapers, waterside boulevards, and lush residential neighborhoods, Perth sits on the edge of the Swan Coastal Plain.

Change things up with these side-trips from Perth: Fremantle Prison (in Fremantle) and Dolphin & Whale Watching (in Mandurah). There's lots more to do: stroll around Kings Park and Botanic Garden, explore the activities along Swan River, see the interesting displays at The Nostalgia Box Museum, and indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area.

To see maps, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Perth holiday maker site .

Birmingham, UK to Perth is an approximately 22.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight. You'll lose 8 hours traveling from Birmingham to Perth due to the time zone difference. Expect much hotter temperatures when traveling from Birmingham in January; daily highs in Perth reach 38°C and lows reach 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) early enough to travel to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Take a break from Melbourne with a short trip to The Great Ocean Road in Torquay, about 1h 20 min away. There's much more to do: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, take in the local highlights with Walking tours, admire the masterpieces at National Gallery of Victoria, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Melbourne Zoo.

For other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Melbourne itinerary planner .

Getting from Perth to Melbourne by flight takes about 6.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or drive. The time zone changes from Australian Western Standard Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time (Victoria), which is usually a 2 hour difference. Traveling from Perth in January, things will get little chillier in Melbourne: highs are around 32°C and lows about 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Sun) early enough to travel to Launceston.

Lying in the Tamar Valley and surrounded by forested hills, the grid-patterned city of Launceston boasts shaded avenues, vibrant street life, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

On the 25th (Mon), take in the exciting artwork at Design Centre Tasmania, look for all kinds of wild species at Cataract Gorge Reserve, and then stroll around City Park. Keep things going the next day: indulge your senses at some of the top wineries in the area and then see what you can catch with a fishing tour.

To see photos, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Launceston sightseeing planning tool .

You can fly from Melbourne to Launceston in 4 hours. Other options are to do a combination of flight and bus; or do a combination of ferry and car. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Melbourne in January; daily highs in Launceston reach 28°C and lows reach 12°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) so you can go by car to Port Arthur.

Surrounded by shark-infested waters and connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus of land, Port Arthur ranks among Australia's top historical sites and heritage areas.

On the 27th (Wed), hike along Three Capes Track and then enjoy the sand and surf at Stewarts Bay. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate the waterfront views at Pirates Bay/Eaglehawk Neck and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Port Arthur Historic Site.

To find reviews, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Port Arthur driving holiday planning app .

You can drive from Launceston to Port Arthur in 3.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a bus. In January, daily temperatures in Port Arthur can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Thu) early enough to drive to Hobart.

Snaking up the side of a rounded, tree-dotted hill, Hobart sits between Tasmania’s sprawling mountains and the vast estuary of the River Derwent.

Hobart is known for nature, historic sites, shopping, wildlife, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: look for all kinds of wild species at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, enjoy the sand and surf at Kingston Beach, examine the collection at Mawson's Hut Replica Museum, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

To find maps, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, use the Hobart tour itinerary planning website .

You can drive from Port Arthur to Hobart in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In January, daytime highs in Hobart are 26°C, while nighttime lows are 14°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 31st (Sun) so you can travel to Sydney.

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Sydney is known for nightlife, trails, shopping, beaches, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: catch a live performance at Sydney Opera House, take a stroll through The Rocks, admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and stroll through Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk.

For reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Sydney vacation app .

Traveling by flight from Hobart to Sydney takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus, ferry, and train; or do a combination of bus and ferry. Traveling from Hobart in January, things will get somewhat warmer in Sydney: highs are around 32°C and lows about 23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Newcastle.

While Newcastle is known for its coal exports, it's also made a name for itself with a cultural boom.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Sat): walk around Speers Point Park, get great views at Shepherds Hill Fort, then take in the pleasant sights at Newcastle Memorial Walk, then go for a stroll along the water at Watt Street Wharf, and finally see Off-Road Tours.

For other places to visit, reviews, ratings, and more tourist information, read Newcastle travel website .

Getting from Sydney to Newcastle by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. In February, daytime highs in Newcastle are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Sat) early enough to travel to Gold Coast.

A city of towering skyscrapers, sandy beaches, and tree-lined streets, Gold Coast has an unpretentious air complemented by a citywide focus on sports and the arts.

Take a break from Gold Coast with a short trip to Watersports Guru in Kingscliff, about 42 minutes away. There's much more to do: observe the fascinating underwater world at Sea World Theme Park, get in on the family fun at Warner Bros. Movie World, kick back and relax at Surfers Paradise Beach, and cool off at Dreamworld.

Planning Gold Coast trip won't be overwheling when you use's Insprock itinerary maker.

You can fly from Newcastle to Gold Coast in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of flight and train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in February, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Tue) so you can go by car to Brisbane.

Queensland’s biggest town and state capital, Brisbane has an attractive, manicured image based around its riverside aesthetic as well as the contrast between its high-rise center and extensive urban greenery.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Brisbane: Podie Pie (in Nambour), Mooloolaba (Mooloolaba Beach & SunJet Simulations) and Caloundra Regional Art Gallery (in Caloundra). The adventure continues: stroll around South Bank Parklands, admire the natural beauty at City Botanic Gardens, get great views at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt. Coot-tha, and admire the masterpieces at Queensland Art Gallery.

To find reviews, ratings, maps, and tourist information, use the Brisbane online trip itinerary maker .

You can drive from Gold Coast to Brisbane in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. In February in Brisbane, expect temperatures between 33°C during the day and 24°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Sat) early enough to travel to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Please note that visitors are no longer allowed to trek up Uluru.

Located right in the center of Australia, the national park boasts perhaps the country's most iconic natural symbol and a sacred place for the region's indigenous people--as well as Kata Tjuta, a collection of 36 red rocks forming an equally distinctive sight.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is known for nature, museums, outdoors, trails, and classes. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take in the dramatic natural features at Uluru, make a trip to Field of Light, tour the pleasant surroundings at Kuniya Walk, and explore the activities along Mutitjulu Waterhole.

To find photos, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park trip planner .

Getting from Brisbane to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park by flight takes about 5.5 hours. Other options: drive. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Brisbane in February: highs in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park hover around 43°C, while lows dip to 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Tue) to allow time to travel to Cairns.

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Change things up with a short trip to Palm Cove Beach in Palm Cove (about 32 minutes away). Next up on the itinerary: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, see Off-Road Tours, and pause for some photo ops at Cairns Cenotaph.

To find reviews, traveler tips, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Cairns online trip builder .

Traveling by flight from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Cairns takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in February, expect nights in Cairns to be about the same, around 28°C, while days are a bit cooler, around 36°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Cape Tribulation.

A lush headland that's part of the forested Daintree Region, Cape Tribulation was so named by Lieutenant--later Captain--Cook in 1770, when his ship ran aground in the area.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Cape Tribulation: Daintree Tea (in Daintree), Cow Bay (Walu Wugirriga Lookout, Cow Bay Beach, & more) and Bloomfield Waterfall (in Bloomfield). Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Myall Beach, identify plant and animal life at Daintree National Park, enjoy the sand and surf at Cape Tribulation Beach, and trot along with a tour on horseback.

To find reviews, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, refer to the Cape Tribulation trip maker .

Getting from Cairns to Cape Tribulation by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in February, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Port Douglas.

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

Explore Port Douglas' surroundings by going to Daintree (Tranquility Falls & Elizas Gallery). The adventure continues: see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, explore and take pictures at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, and identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.

To see traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Port Douglas tour itinerary planner .

You can drive from Cape Tribulation to Port Douglas in 2 hours. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in February, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Mon) early enough to travel back home.