Australia itinerary for 3 weeks: cities, reef and outback

Three weeks is a good length for a first trip to Australia. It is long enough to see a city, the reef, the outback and a stretch of coast without rushing, but short enough that you need to make choices. The itinerary below is the classic balanced route, followed by alternatives depending on your interests and season.

We do not quote prices or schedules. Domestic flight times, tour departures and park conditions change, so check them with operators and official sources when you book.

Before you start

• Visas: most visitors need a visa or electronic travel authority. Check the Department of Home Affairs.
• Season: this route works best between about April and October, when the north is dry and the Red Centre is comfortable. See our guide to the best time to visit Australia.
• Flights: you will need three or four domestic flights. Book early for the best choice of times.
• Pacing: each flight takes most of half a day once you include transfers, so the itinerary allows for this.

Week 1: Sydney and the Blue Mountains

Days 1–4: Sydney. Recover from the long-haul flight with a gentle first day around Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Garden. Over the next days, take a ferry to Manly, walk from Bondi to Coogee, climb or walk across the Harbour Bridge and explore neighbourhoods such as The Rocks and Surry Hills. Our post on how many days you need for Sydney's icons has more detail.

Day 5: The Blue Mountains. Take a day trip by train or tour to the Blue Mountains for lookouts over the Jamison Valley, the Three Sisters and bushwalks. Stay a night if you want to walk more.

Day 6: Fly to Cairns. Use the afternoon to settle in and stroll the Esplanade.

Week 2: The reef, the rainforest and Uluru

Day 7: The Great Barrier Reef. Take a full-day reef trip from Cairns or Port Douglas to the outer reef or a coral cay. Choose a reputable operator that follows marine park rules. See our Great Barrier Reef page.

Days 8–9: The Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Drive or tour north to the Daintree, crossing the Daintree River by ferry. Walk the rainforest boardwalks, look for wildlife and stay overnight north of the river if you can. Visit Mossman Gorge on the way back.

Day 10: Free day or second reef trip. Snorkel or dive again, take a scenic flight or visit the Atherton Tablelands.

Day 11: Fly to Uluru. Flights from Cairns to Ayers Rock Airport are limited, so check schedules. You may need to connect. Watch your first sunset over Uluru.

Days 12–13: Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Walk the Uluru base walk, visit the Cultural Centre, explore Kata Tjuta's Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge, and watch sunrise and sunset. Climbing Uluru is not permitted. See our Uluru-Kata Tjuta page.

Week 3: Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road

Day 14: Fly to Melbourne. Spend the evening in the laneways and at a restaurant.

Days 15–16: Melbourne. Explore the laneways, Queen Victoria Market, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens and neighbourhoods such as Fitzroy and St Kilda.

Days 17–19: The Great Ocean Road. Drive west along the Great Ocean Road, stopping at surf beaches, rainforest walks in the Otways and wild koala spots. Stay at least one night near Port Campbell to see the Twelve Apostles at sunset or sunrise. Return inland or continue to the Grampians.

Day 20: Phillip Island. Visit Phillip Island for the evening penguin parade.

Day 21: Depart.

Alternative routes

Swap Melbourne for Tasmania

Replace week 3 with a Tasmanian road trip: Hobart, Freycinet and Wineglass Bay, then Cradle Mountain. See our Tasmania in 10 days itinerary for a fuller version.

Add Western Australia

Swap the Daintree or Melbourne for Perth, Rottnest Island and the south-west. See our south-west WA route. Distances are large, so allow at least five days.

A slower east coast

Skip Uluru and drive or travel overland between Brisbane and Cairns, taking in K'gari, the Whitsundays and the reef. See our east coast in 2 weeks.

Focus on the outback

Spend more time in the Red Centre with Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges. See Red Centre in 7 days.

Practical tips

• Book Uluru early. Accommodation at Yulara is limited and fills up in peak seasons.
• Do not drive long distances on arrival day. Jet lag and driving on the left are a risky mix.
• Watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk when driving in rural areas.
• Carry water and sun protection everywhere, especially in the outback and on the reef.
• Check park passes. Some parks require entry passes. See our national parks guide and national park passes post.

Shorter or longer?

If you have only 10 days, cut the Daintree and the Great Ocean Road. See our first trip in 10 days. If you have a month or more, add Tasmania, Western Australia or Kakadu. Our guide to how many days you need in Australia compares the options, and the Australia bucket list has more ideas.