Guide
How many days do you need in Australia?
How much you can realistically see in Australia in one week, 10 days, two weeks, three weeks and a month or more, with sample combinations, the time costs of distance and jet lag, and how to decide what to cut.
Published
Australia looks manageable on a map until you realise that flying from Sydney to Perth takes about as long as flying from London to Moscow. The single biggest planning mistake visitors make is trying to see too much in too little time. This guide sets out what is realistic in different trip lengths, with sample combinations, and explains how to decide what to leave for next time.
Why Australia takes time
- Distance. The mainland is roughly 4,000 kilometres from east to west. Most bucket-list regions are separated by flights, not short drives.
- Transit days. A domestic flight usually takes half a day once you include getting to and from airports, check-in and baggage.
- Jet lag. Long-haul visitors from Europe and North America often need a day or two to adjust.
- Experiences take time. A reef trip is a full day. Uluru deserves at least two nights to see sunrise and sunset and do the walks. The Great Ocean Road is best with an overnight stop.
A good rule of thumb is to allow at least two nights, and ideally three, in each region you fly to.
What fits in each trip length
| Trip length | Regions | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 1, maybe 2 | Sydney and the Blue Mountains; or Cairns, the reef and the Daintree |
| 10 days | 2 to 3 | Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru |
| 2 weeks | 3 to 4 | Sydney, the reef, Uluru and Melbourne |
| 3 weeks | 4 to 5 | Add the Great Ocean Road and the Daintree, or Tasmania |
| 4 weeks+ | 5+ | Add Western Australia, Kakadu or an east coast road trip |
One week
Focus on one region. Good options include:
- Sydney and the Blue Mountains: city icons, beaches and a mountain day trip.
- Cairns, the reef and the Daintree: reef trips and rainforest.
- Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road: city culture and a coastal drive.
- Tasmania: a short loop from Hobart to Freycinet.
Ten days
Ten days allows two or three regions. The classic combination is Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru. Read our first trip in 10 days and our comparison of Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef if you need to choose between them.
Two weeks
Two weeks is enough for Sydney, the reef, Uluru and Melbourne, or for a slower route along the east coast. See our east coast in 2 weeks.
Three weeks
Three weeks lets you add a road trip such as the Great Ocean Road or Tasmania, and the Daintree or K'gari. See our Australia itinerary for 3 weeks.
A month or more
With a month or more, you can explore Western Australia, the Top End and Kakadu, the Kimberley in the dry season, or take a long road trip. Working holiday makers and retirees often spend several months travelling.
How to decide what to cut
- Rank your must-sees. List the experiences you would regret missing most.
- Count the flights. Each new region costs half a day of transit. If a region needs a flight for just one activity, consider skipping it.
- Check the season. If your dates fall in the northern wet season, consider focusing on the south. If they fall in the southern winter, the north and Red Centre are at their best.
- Keep buffer days. Weather can delay reef trips and flights. A spare day protects the highlights.
- Choose depth over breadth. Two nights at Uluru with sunrise, sunset and the base walk is more rewarding than one rushed night.
Common time traps
- Driving between distant cities. Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane to Cairns are long drives. They can be wonderful road trips, but only if you have the time to enjoy the stops.
- Day trips that are really two days. Uluru from Sydney, or the Kimberley from Perth, are not day trips.
- Overpacked days. The sun is strong and distances are long. Allow time to rest.
- Ignoring school holidays. Accommodation can be scarce, which may force longer drives.
Sample routes
- 10 days: Sydney (4), Cairns and the reef (3), Uluru (3).
- 2 weeks: Sydney (4), Cairns and the Daintree (4), Uluru (3), Melbourne (3).
- 3 weeks: Sydney (5), Cairns and the Daintree (5), Uluru (3), Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road (6), plus travel days.
- 4 weeks: add Tasmania (6) or Perth and the south-west (6).
Plan your route
Use the Australia bucket list to choose your highlights, check the best time to visit Australia for your dates and browse our ready-made itineraries.
Frequently asked questions
How many days in Australia is enough?
For a first trip, two to three weeks lets you see three or four regions without rushing. Ten days works if you limit yourself to two or three regions. A month or more lets you add Tasmania, Western Australia or the Top End.
Is one week enough for Australia?
One week is enough for one region done well, such as Sydney and the Blue Mountains, or Cairns and the reef, or Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road. Adding a second region by air is possible but will feel rushed.
Is it worth going to Australia for 3 weeks?
Yes. Three weeks is a popular length for a first trip and allows a balanced route covering a city, the reef, the outback and a coastal drive.
How long does it take to fly between Australian cities?
Flights between major east coast cities take roughly one to two hours. Flights between the east coast and Uluru or Perth are longer, often around three to five hours. Allow extra time for airport transfers and check-in.
What should I cut if I don't have enough time?
Cut regions that need a separate flight before you cut days within a region. Choose either Uluru or a second reef or rainforest region, and keep at least two nights in each place.