Australia, also known as the land down under, is well-known for its deserts, kangaroos, spiders, and animals or species that could rarely be found anywhere else.
In fact, more than 80% of the species found in Australia are unique. But there’s more to Australia than unique animals and acres upon acres of dunes. For instance, there are incredible (and scary) wild animals that are unique to Australia. Aside from that, this is also where the Great Barrier Reef, which has the largest ecosystem in the world, is located.
If these facts aren’t enough to convince you yet, the island with the cleanest air can be found here as well, the island of Tasmania is a world heritage site and is a must-visit for people who plan to have a vacation for 2 weeks in Australia.
They have more than 60 separate wine regions which are perfect for wine connoisseurs. The perfect time to visit Australia is from September to November and March to May because these are the months wherein the weather isn’t extreme. If you want to explore this country in depth, you should stay for at least 2 weeks.
CHECK OUT: Best places to spend your 2-week holiday
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING AUSTRALIA
There are a few things you should keep in mind while in Australia to stay safe, plan your itinerary properly, and ensure you will have a great time.
Australians are also very respectful of the Aboriginal people so make sure to be mindful of their traditions, some tribes don’t want their photos taken and find it culturally inappropriate.
Ther emergency hotline in Australia is 000. We made sure that your 2 weeks in Australia itinerary was composed of the most interesting cities with scenic spots, cultural diversity, and tons of restaurants and bars. We hope that you’ll enjoy your stay here and make the most out of it.
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When is the best time to go to Australia
The best time to visit Australia depends on what you’re looking for. Peak season is during Australia’s summer from December to February, perfect for beaches and festivals but also crowded and pricier.
The rainy season varies by region; in the tropical North (like Cairns), it’s from November to April, bringing hot, humid weather and rain. In contrast, the South (like Sydney and Melbourne) has milder weather this time.
Winter, from June to August, is cooler and great for visiting the Outback or skiing in the southeastern mountains.
For good weather and fewer crowds, consider the shoulder seasons: March to May (fall) and September to November (spring), offering pleasant weather and moderate prices. Personally, these are the months I’d say the best time to visit Australia.
First, there are various types of summers in Australia but always make sure to wear sunblock wherever you go as it could get very hot and very dry. There are some areas where the data connection is slow so you must be prepared to go offline.
Waters in this country are shark-infested so make sure to stay learn about the flags when it comes to visiting bodies of water to know when it’s not safe to get on.
How to get around
Australia is a massive country, there’s no denying that. Therefore, making a decision on the best way to get around depends on the places you want to see.
For example, there’s only a 12-hour drive between Sydney and Melbourne, assuming you will have stops along the way, the best way to see these two cities is with a rented car. Now, Brisbane to Melbourne is a longer stretch, driving might take too much time during your 2 weeks in Australia.
Let’s say you want to see Perth and Sydney, that’s coast to coast. You definitely have to take a domestic flight, and then rent a car while in the city to have freedom of movement.
If you rent a car, remember that they drive on the left. In general, Australia recognises IDP or international driver’s permits and licenses for a period of time. Check first if your international driver’s license from your home country is accepted in Australia.
There are also trains, buses, and trams within the city to make moving around much easier. Overall, taking a domestic flight should be on your list especially if you’re visiting cities that are more than 6 hours to reach if you’re driving.
Cost of 14 days in Australia
Planning a 2-week vacation in Australia can vary in cost based on how fancy or simple you want it to be. For an affordable trip, it might cost around $1,500 to $2,500 per person if you stay in budget accommodations, eat out less, and enjoy free activities.
A mid-range vacation could be around $3,000 to $5,000 per person, with nicer hotels, some dining out, and paid attractions. You can also rent a car with this budget or go on guided tours.
For a luxury experience, expect to spend $8,000 to $15,000 or more per person, enjoying top hotels, fine dining, and exclusive experiences.
These numbers don’t include the main flight to Australia and back home, travel insurance, and travel accessories such as a new suitcase, hiking shoes, etc that will be used for your trip.
Language and Currency
Australian speaks English with a strong accent, but it is still quite easy to understand. Australia’s currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). In terms of currency, the size of the notes increases as the value decreases. paying with your bank card should be easy wherever in Australia you plan to go.
However, it’s still best to have some cash with you. The ATMs allow a $300-$1,000 limit per single transaction, but they also follow your bank’s withdrawal policy.
Visa
Travellers with a passport issued by the government of most countries in North America, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and French Guinea can enter and travel around Australia for up to 3 months per visit in a 12-month period. New Zealand citizens have freedom of movement in Australia (see SCV).
However, visitors from a visa-free list must apply for an ETA permit to enter and travel around Australia. This form should be applied beforehand as it will be asked before you board your plane. It’s recommended to start your application in advance since processing time might take a few days.
Other visitors must apply for an Australia visitor visa in advance. You can do this all online, which is quite convenient, but still takes about 7 to 20 days to process.
Other basic travel tips
PINNED MAP OF TOPS THINGS TO SEE IN AUSTRALIA
Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google
2 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA ITINERARIES TO CHOOSE FROM
I created these six itinerary options for those who are planning to stay for 2 weeks in Australia. This sovereign country is considered the largest country by area in Oceania and has a wide variety of climates and landscapes, including deserts, mountain ranges, and rainforests.
Their official sport is cricket so you should try to watch at least one match during your stay here. The first itinerary option contains the cities of Melbourne and Sydney.
TIP: Since the cities are repeated in some itineraries, I didn’t include the must-see places, instead, you can scroll down and see a massive list divided per city.
Itinerary #1: Sydney and Melbourne
Sydney is the largest and most populous city in Australia. It has a world-famous harbour and stunning scenery of the blue mountains, as well as culture, art, and nightlife scenes. With the diverse sceneries that you can see, you’ll certainly enjoy your stay here.
Melbourne on the other hand is Victoria’s vibrant capital. It has been voted as one of the most liveable cities in the world each year and has the largest tram system outside of Europe.
There are a few ways to get from Sydney to Melbourne and vice versa. You can take a 12-hour train, a 1.5-hour direct flight, or by car (as long as you make stops in between).
Itinerary #2: Sydney and Brisbane
Another itinerary option for your 2 weeks in Australia includes the cities of Sydney and Brisbane. Sydney has so much more to offer aside from the wonderful facts above about it.
It has more than 100 beaches, one of the tallest steel arch bridges could also be found here and it has the biggest harbour in the world.
Brisbane is famous for Queenslander architecture, outdoor dining culture, and jacaranda blossoms during spring. It is also a great spot for surfing, you can head to Byron Bay and Gold Coast.
I love this 2 weeks in Australia itinerary because it features the vibrant city of Sydney while offering a fun and adventurous surfing area of Brisbane. This is definitely a perfect itinerary for those who love to catch the waves.
To get from Sydney to Brisbane, you can either take a 14-hour train ride or an hour and a half direct flight. Again, you can take your rented car and make great stops in between that allows you to do sightseeing and stay in a smaller town along the way.
Itinerary #3: Melbourne and Cairns
I’m sure that this next fact would draw foodies to this city. Melbourne has the highest number of cafes and restaurants per number of people compared to any other city in the world.
If you are travelling with a young kid, there are many free things you can do in Melbourne with a child, especially outdoor activities.
Another monumental fact about Melbourne is that the workers successfully campaigned for an 8-hour workday here first. There are also many historical sites that you can visit in Melbourne.
Since it’s a busy city, you should probably wait until you get to Cairns before you enjoy the beach and the sun.
As for the city of Cairns, this wonderful city is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier reef. Aside from that, it has a swimming lagoon and national parks containing beaches and mountainous rainforests. There are also hiking trails that you can explore.
This itinerary for 2 weeks in Australia is a great mixture of city exploration and being with nature. You can take a direct flight from Melbourne to Cairns, which is about 3.5 hours.
Itinerary #4: Melbourne and Perth
2 weeks in Australia might not be a long time for a vacation, but it doesn’t mean you can’t visit both the east and west coasts. The next itinerary option for your stay in Australia in 2 weeks includes the cities of Melbourne and Perth.
Melbourne has been picked twice now, and for a good reason: because this city just has so much to offer. Fisherman’s bend in Port Melbourne is the only place that creates vegemite.
The first pizza restaurant in Australia can also be found here. Melbourne is also the fox capital of the world, with around six to 23 foxes per square kilometre.
Perth on the other hand, has sandy beaches, riverside, and other scenic cityscapes. Perth is the metropolitan city that you can imagine. Although Sydney and Melbourne are both busy cities, Perth has a different vibe.
Apart from its tall buildings, there are still many things to do in Perth such as going to shows, getting on a boat cruise, and even hiking and visiting botanical gardens. It’s a less popular destination in Australia. That means that the crowd is not as crazy as on the east coast.
The flight between Melbourne and Sydney is a little over four hours. But once you land, it’s best to get a rental car, this will provide convenience when it comes to sightseeing and exploration on both cities.
Itinerary #5: Cairns and Adelaide
For those who are having a vacation in Australia in 2 weeks, the cities of Cairns and Adelaide are the next itinerary option. What I love about Adelaide is how it’s a bustling city and skyscrapers, Adelaide has its own charm.
The Cairns house the highest mountain in Queensland and of course, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Although Adelaide has some beaches, if you feel like the beach and tall buildings don’t seem to match, beaches in Cairns bring serenity and tranquillity.
It also has the world’s largest lava tubes and the world’s longest ferns. Adelaide is the cosmopolitan coastal capital of South Australia. It has renowned museums and hosts world-famous festivals.
Direct flights from Adelaide to Cairns or vice versa is available, but usually only a few times a day (it can even be as little as once a day). The flight is only about 3-hours.
Itinerary #6: Sydney, Cairns, and Darwin
Last but definitely not the least itinerary option consists of the cities Cairns, Darwin, and Sydney. Sydney is among the global cities in the world as more than ⅓ of its population was born overseas and around half of the citizens are first or second-generation immigrants.
Aside from the cultural diversity, it is also only 3 hours away from Canberra, Australia’s capital so if you want to explore the area as well, you wouldn’t have a hard time doing so.
The next city is the city of Darwin. It is a former frontier outpost and a gateway to the massive Kakadu National Park. It also has several beaches and museums.
Last is the city of Cairns. Despite its beachfront esplanade, Cairns is filled with mudflats abundant with native birdlife.
This itinerary is a little tight since you will need to get on a flight from Sydney to Cairns (3 hours), and then to Darwin (2.5 hours).
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Before you decide which itinerary or which cities you want to be included in your 2 weeks in Australia, check this list of what to do in each place.s Perhaps it will help you decide and visualise the kind of vacation you are looking for.
Sydney
- Royal Botanic Garden
- Bondi Beach
- Macquarie Street and the State Library of New South Wales
- Sydney Opera House – book your tour in advance or watch La Boheme
- Chinese Garden of Friendship
- Hyde Park
- Explore the city and Bondi Beach – get your bus ticket or join a half-day tour or join a crime tour
- Queen Victoria Building
- Sydney Tower- look at the tour price and reviews and enjoy a buffet feast at the tower
- Luna Park Sydney
- Taronga Zoo
- Blue Mountains – book a day trip with a cruise
- Darling Harbour
- Day trip to Katoomba Scenic World – get your hop-on, hop-off bus and park pas or bushwalk and lunch
- Cruise at Circular Quay
- Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
- Madame Tussauds – skip the line and get a ticket in advance
- St. Mary’s Cathedral
- King Street Wharf Darling Harbour
- Sydney Harbour – enjoy a sunset cruise or an all-inclusive dinner cruise
- BridgeClimb Sydney
- Art Gallery of New South Wales
- Day trip to Hunter Valley for wine, cheese, and chocolate tour
Melbourne
- Federation Square
- Arts Centre Melbourne
- Parliament House
- Melbourne Cricket Ground – a tour that you can join
- Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Day trip to Phillip Island – see the penguins and Moonlit Sanctuary or the one with Penguin and Koala tour
- Queen Victoria Market
- Docklands
- Immigration Museum
- Shrine of Remembrance
- Melbourne Skydeck – check the updated price
- Southbank & South Wharf
- National Sports Museum
- Eureka Tower
- Great Ocean and 12 Apostles – book a day tour from Melbourne
- South Wharf Area
- Polly Woodside – the country’s last surviving 19th-century ships
- Garden and Sporting Precinct River Cruise
- Ride Hot Air Baloon – check the tour price and reviews
- City Circle Tram
- Skydive Melbourne
- Luna Park in Melbourne
- Yarra River Cruise – enjoy a dinner cruise or balloon flight at sunrise or a bottomless brunch cruise
- Visit Yarra Valley and go on a Winery Tour
- National Tennis Centre (Rod Laver Arena)
- Williamstown Ferry Cruise – read the reviews and see the tour price
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Day trip to Healesville Sanctuary – ride Puffing Billy and see the rescued wild animals
Brisbane
- George Street
- The Cultural Centre
- Surf at Byron Bay and Gold Coast
- Australia Zoo – ride the famous Croc Express
- Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- Queensland Museum and Science Centre
- Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art
- Dracula’s Cabaret – book a night party on the Gold Coast
- South Bank Parklands
- Go ATV ride at Tangalooma – check the tour price
- Wheel of Brisbane
- State Library of Queensland
- Brisbane river cruise with lunch
- Museum of Brisbane
- Day trip to Moreton Island – do a kayak, snorkel, and sandboard tour or a dolphin and Tangalooma wreck Cruise
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – get your day pass
- Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha
- Story Bridge Avenue Climb
- Glass House Mountains National
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb – book a tour
- Roma Street Parkland
- For crime junkies, there’s a True Crime Tour
Cairns
- Great Barrier Reef
- Cairns Esplanade
- Cairns Botanic Gardens
- Kuranda and Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park
- Barron Gorge National Park
- Green Island
- Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
- Palm Cove
- Cairns Aquarium
- Walsh’s Pyramid
- Cairns Hot Air Balloon Trip
Adelaide
- North Terrace
- Adelaide Botanic Garden
- Cleland Wildlife Park
- Glenelg Area – book a Catamaran Sunset Cruise
- Adelaide Central Market
- Kangaroo Island – do a day tour
- Art Gallery of South Australia
- Book a River Torren Cruise
- BOUNCEinc Adelaide
- South Australian Museum
- Join an eco kayaking tour at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
- Cleland Conservation Park
- Mt Lofty and the Waterfall Gully Reserve
- Join the famous Barossa Valley wine tour
- JamFactory
- Adelaide Oval Rooftop Climbing
- Rundle Mall
- Brighton Jetty
Darwin
- Mindil Beach and Mindil Street Sunset Market
- Darwin Waterfront Precinct
- Stokes Hill Wharf
- Crocosaurus Cove
Perth
- Elizabeth Quay
- Hillary’s Boat Harbour
- Get a hop-on, hop-off bus pass for ease of travel within the city
- Perth Mint
- Mandurah Dolphin Watching
- Pinnacles Desert – do a sandboarding and 4WD day tour or a stargazing sunset tour
- RAC Arena
- Book a Murray River Cruise
- Art Gallery of Western Australia
- Swim with Wild Dolphins – read the reviews first
- Hyde Park
- Visit Rottnest Island and do a ferry tour with a bike or a ferry with a bus tour
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- Day trip to Swan Valley – for food and wine tasting or a Swan River lunch cruise
- The Bell Tower
- Book a romantic Perth Swan River Dinner Cruise
- Cottesloe Beach
- Margaret River – to see caves and visit a winery
ACCOMMODATIONS
I also included a list of places to stay regardless of your budget and travel style. This should help give you an idea of what accommodations in Australia are like and their costs:
Sydney
- Budget hostels: Wake Up! Sydney Central or Sydney Harbour YHA
- Mid-range hotels: Mariner’s Court Hotel or Meriton Suites
- Luxury Hotels: Sofitel Darling Harbour or Radisson Blue Plaza or Shangri-La
Melbourne
- Budget hostels: Space Hotel or Flinders Backpackers
- Mid-range hotels: The Victoria Hotel or Atlantis Hotel
- Luxury Hotels: The Langham or Crown Towers
Brisbane
- Budget hostels – Breeze Lodge or Brisbane YHA
- Mid-range hotels – Royal On The Park or Meriton Suites
- Luxury Hotels – Emporium Hotel or W Brisbane
Cairns
- Affordable:
- Midrange:
- Luxury:
Adelaide
- Budget hostels – Tequila Sunrise Hostel or Adelaide Central YHA
- Mid-range hotels – ibis Adelaide or Hotel Grand Chancellor
- Luxury Hotels – Mayfair Hotel or Pullman
Darwin
- Affordable:
- Midrange:
- Luxury:
Perth
- Budget hostels – Hostel G or Spinners Hostel
- Mid-range hotels – Doubletree by Hilton or Great Southern Hotel
- Luxury Hotels – The Westin or The Ritz-Carlton
SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN AUSTRALIA
Planning a vacation in Australia is not easy. It’s so big and there is so much to see and do. But don’t let the limited time stop you from visiting this stunning place. Perhaps, right now, you can only visit 2-3 cities, on your next visit you try a new place.
I hope that you found this list of itineraries for 2 weeks in Australia helpful. Enjoy your trip which you very much deserve.