Looking to go down under? Australia is an incredible country to visit for its world-class cities and stunning nature. Here's a two week itinerary to guide your journey.
Australia is way down under but it’s the perfect getaway for Americans and Europeans looking for a Western experience in the southern hemisphere. If you’ve got two weeks to get out of your home country and go to the southern most continent in the world, this is the itinerary for you.
After the United States elected Donald Trump to be the 47th president on November 2nd, 2024, Google searches for English-speaking nations to move to was at an all-time high. Of course, Australia ranked at the top of that list. After hearing about Australia for many years, I wasn’t quite interested until this most recent election. So, of course, I took the opportunity between December 2024 and February 2025 to check out this side of the world. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
If Europe, America, and Southeast Asia had a baby, it would be Australia. I found that cities like Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs looked a lot like America. I’m talking big houses, a sprawling cityscape, and big ol’ strip malls. While Sydney felt a lot like Europe. You wander by archeological sites sprinkled throughout the city like in Rome, but you get the ancient Greek architecture mixed with modern skyscrapers that you might be familiar with in many European cities. Then, there’s Tasmania, or Tassy, as the locals call it. This felt more like home. I’m from Colorado, USA, so of course, I wanted to see the mountains and rugged national parks that I’d read so much. Tassy certainly scratched that itch.
This trip allowed me to see a bit of an American-inspired city, a European-inspired city, and an island that looks a lot like what I’m used to. This itinerary will include exactly those elements: a bit of nature, a bit of city, and lots of exploration into spaces that tourists enjoy and some that tourists don’t often go. Whether you’re in one or all of these places, you’re going to love seeing these particular sites and I think they are the most culturally relevant and naturally inspiring places in these areas.
About Australia
We all know where Australia is, but do you actually know about Australia’s nature, people, culture, or history? Here’s a brief overview. Australia comprises not only the mainland but also a series of islands including Tasmania, just south of Melbourne. Its total landmass is about 2,968,464 square miles or 7,688,287 square kilometers, which makes it slightly smaller than the USA. However, most of Australia’s population lives on the coast. That’s because the center of the mainland is almost entirely comprised of desserts. I’m talking dry as a bone, with no major water sources, and tons of bushlands (or shrubby forestland). Most people couldn’t survive a week in the country's center due to the extreme heat. That’s why nearly 2 out of 5 Australians live in Melbourne or Sydney. To be exact, as of June 2023, 5 million people lived in Melbourne while another 5 million lived in Sydney.
Australia’s aboriginal history is super important to know to understand the country’s current situation. Before the arrival of Europeans in 1788, an estimated 750,000 aboriginal people occupied Australia. Their customs and cultural traditions created balance and harmony between the land and the people. The Aborigines had unique and sustainable ways of looking after the natural world that they occupied ensuring their people had what they needed to survive without taking too much from nature.
After the British colonists came to invade the land, they made it a home for the least savory people of the British Isles (or criminals and prisoners as some might say). A process of ethnic cleansing and land grabs shortly began under the leadership of Lieutenant James Cook. A series of important battles, negotiations, and concessions were made, but ultimately, the Europeans prevailed and now the entire continent of Australia is dominated by the descendants of people from the British Isles.
Nowadays, Australia’s cities, especially Melbourne and Sydney, have large Chinese, Indian, and other Southeast Asian populations. You’ll see that when you arrive. From Chinatown to the various Indian cultural hubs, you’ll discover that you will have no problem finding cuisine and cultures from nearly every corner of Southeast Asia.
Coming from America, I was admittedly ignorant of how diverse Australia was. It’s not the same Australia that James Cook arrived in in 1788. The colonial history, prison, and punishment system, as well as more recent immigration laws that allowed hundreds of thousands of Southeast Asians to immigrate to Australia, would make the country unrecognizable to the original inhabitants of the land. In the modern day, there are some beautiful places to see and learn more about Australia, its culture, nature, history, and landscape.
The cost to travel to Australia in 2025
As an American, I use the US dollar as my main currency. When I was traveling around Australia as of 2025, the conversion rate from AUD to USD was $0.64 to $1. This meant that everywhere I went, I felt like I was getting a 40% discount. For example, a dinner that cost $40 AUD was actually $25 USD.
Despite that, I found Australia to be extremely expensive in terms of accommodations. Good luck finding a hotel in Melbourne or Sydney for less than $100 USD a night. If you weren’t ready to spend $1,000 a week on accommodations, then you were relegated to hostels. Hostels, or group accommodations, were very abundant in the big cities. You could find very nice hostels for a fairly affordable rate such $30 USD or $40 USD a night. However, you were sharing a room and often times a bathroom with 3-8 or even more people.
Many Americans, especially adults, would find this very uncomfortable and I totally understand that. However, the Europeans I met didn’t seem to mind as much. So keep that in mind, as you’re building your itinerary for Australia, you’ll soon discover the hotels are extremely expensive even in USD and that hostels might be the best option for solo or budget travelers.
How to get around Melbourne, Sydney, and Tasmania
Depending on where you’re going, I recommend using rideshare apps like Uber to get to and from the airport while in the big cities. But sometimes even the local bus and train can be fabulous options.
Australia’s public transportation was excellent in both Melbourne and Sydney. You don’t need a special transportation card as most trains, buses, and trams allow you to tap your credit card (think Apple Pay) as you get on and off transportation. The cost was also very low. I found myself spending perhaps $1-2 USD for roundtrip transportation all around the city. Public transportation was also very timely. I almost never encountered a late ride and if it was late, another one would come within 5-15 minutes. So if you’re spending time in the big cities, don't be afraid of public transport.
For Tasmania, that’s a whole other story. Since Tasmania is an island known for its rugged terrain and nature parks, I recommend renting a car for the most convenient transportation. There is a public bus that can take you to certain parts of the island, particularly national parks, however, I found the schedule to be very sparing and sometimes restrictive in terms of routes. You’ll find more ease, access, and fun if you’re able to rent a car. If you’re an American, you will have to get used to driving on the opposite side of the street on the opposite side of the car. It was a mind-blowing experience for me but after day two, I got used to it!
As for getting around the other areas of Australia, I still think a car or an organized tour is going to be the best option. For example, a half-day tour of the Great Ocean Road (more on that later), with a guided tour bus was the cheapest and most convenient option versus driving. However, if you’re seeking to drive from Melbourne to Sydney while traversing the Gold Coast, and hitting some of the other cities in between, I recommend driving.
Entering Melbourne
Melbourne Airport (MEL), was not a difficult airport to land in. It’s not huge and can easily be navigated. Many international routes go here and I suggest it for Americans especially if you're flying in from California airports like San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX). Melbourne is a great place to land and gives you good access to visiting Tasmania later on in your trip.
Where I stayed in Melbourne
This is a tricky question as I’ve had experience in staying in both the suburbs and the downtown area, or CBD as they call it. Personally, I think staying in an Airbnb outside of the CBD is more relaxing and offers a better quality of life if you’re staying for 3-7 days. However, if you’re staying for less than 3 days in Melbourne, stay in the CBD or downtown.
You’ll have better access to the top sites without taking a train or a tram to commute. When I stayed in Melbourne, I stayed at the Space Hotel, a hostel/boutique hotel. I would NOT recommend it. There were just too many dormy, college-kid vibes for me. However, there are better hostel chains that I would recommend such as YHA. If you are going to opt for a hotel in the CBD, do keep in mind that $100 USD a night is considered on the cheaper end and you will end up paying quite a bit for a nice hotel.
What to do in Melbourne in 5 days
Of all of the cities in the world I’ve seen, Melbourne was one of my favorites for its mix of art, culture, history, and nature. I recommend spending 5 days in Melbourne so you can get the most out of the city.
Take a leisurely stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanical Garden was one of my favorite places in Melbourne. This green oasis in the city is 100% free of charge and features world-class botanical areas with local and imported plants. I often judge a botanical garden by how many actual signs they possess showing the plants’ names, regions, and history. The Royal Botanic Garden did very well in this regard. It’s a super relaxing place to hang out, read a book, have a picnic, and people-watch.
See world-class art at the National Gallery of Victoria
This iconic art museum is a must-see while in Melbourne. The National Gallery of Victoria has floors of free art exhibitions featuring world-class artists from around the world. You’ll historical paintings from European artists and more modern exhibits from local Aborigine artists. You could easily spend 3 hours in here and still feel like you didn’t see it all. I highly recommend visiting in the earlier hours to beat the crowds.
Take a ferry boat through the Port Phillips
If you’re looking to get scenic views of Melbourne from the waterfront, I do recommend taking a ferry tour through Port Phillips. The tour costs about $20 USD and lasts about an hour. You’ll jump on a small ferry boat and be transported through the waterways where a very lively captain will narrate the historical and economic history of Melbourne’s ports. It’s fun, relaxing, and a low-cost experience that gives you good insights into Melbourne’s economic and cultural history.
Lay out on the beach
Melbourne in the summertime is a fantastic place to be for beach lovers. However, the beach you choose to visit can make or break your experience. St. Kilda’s is a very popular beach area (think Venice Beach if you’re from California) where all of the tourists go. You’ll see rollerbladers, a Ferris wheel, and all of the beachfront attractions you’d expect.
However, the locals I was with recommended going to quieter beaches up the coast such as Williamstown. These beaches are frequented mostly by locals, are way less busy, and often have many beautiful sandy beach spots to enjoy. So hit the beach, but maybe opt for a quieter corner.
Get some shopping done at the Queen Victoria Market
If you’re a fan of farmer’s markets or grand bazaars like those found in Turkey and Israel, I recommend doing your shopping at the Queen Victoria Market. When I say they have everything, I mean they have everything. From small electronics and fashion to food and restaurants. Whatever you are looking for, the Queen Victoria Market has it. If you’re in town in the summertime (December-February), every Wednesday they have a night market that’s even more fun with live music, street performers, food vendors, and more. I highly recommend grabbing your week’s groceries from here versus a traditional grocery store. The produce is of a higher quality and often much cheaper than your typical supermarket.
Get the download on Australia's convict history at the Melbourne Old Gaol
No trip to Australia is complete without visiting Victoria's oldest prison. The Melbourne Old Gaol is centrally located in downtown Melbourne and was home to some Britain's worst prisoners. The cost is around $25 USD or $40 AUD and you can spend as long as you want. Wander in and out of real prison cells reading stories of the original prisoners there. I warn you, some stories will break your heart. You’ll read histories of children and women who were imprisoned for being poor and nothing else. It’s a heartbreaking, spooky, but enlightening history that’s worth exploring while you’re in town.
Take a trip down to the Great Ocean Road
If you have at least a day to spend on the road, I highly recommend taking a tour down the Great Ocean Road. This highway is fairly new as most of the coastal cities on the southern part of Australia were isolated or historically hard to reach. On this tour, you’ll spend about 12 hours on a cozy tour bus traveling through numerous coast cities seeing natural wonders like the 12 Apostles, Apollo Bay, and and several nature parks. Along the route, I was struck by gorgeous ocean cliffs with sky-blue water. But I was also delighted to kangaroos and koalas in the wild. It was a fantastic day trip that was definitely worth every penny. I used Wildlife Tours Australia as my guide company and highly recommend them.
Sip on some wine in the Yarra Valley
For the wine connoisseurs out there, I highly recommend visiting the Yarra Valley. This is one of many wine-making regions in Australia and I found that visiting even just one winery was a magical experience. There are tours that can take you to several wineries in one go, however, I opted for a singular wine-tasting experience at Helen Hill’s Estate. The wine tasting cost me about $10 USD and I was able to enjoy 4 varieties, two white and two reds. I left feeling buzzed and happy all the way home.
Entering Tasmania
If you’re traveling to Tasmania, you’ll probably land at Hobart Airport (HBA). Hobart is the capital city of Tasmania and is the hub for traveling in and out of the island. As mentioned earlier, of all the 14 days you’ll spend in Australia, Tasmania is one of the places I’d recommend getting a rental car. I personally used Bargain Car Rentals in the Hobart airport and could not recommend them enough. I had a great experience with them and the price was right at $250 USD for a 4-day rental. Once you land in Hobart, grab your rental car and take the 15-30 min drive to your accommodation, which I recommend to be in Hobart.
Where we stayed in Tasmania
If you’re just arriving in Tasmania, I recommend staying in Hobart for at least one day. If you wish to stay closer to the national parks, the drive can be 1-5 hours away from the city. Plus, who wants to fumble in the dark to set up their tent or get lost on their first day? That’s why I strongly recommend staying somewhere in Hobart on day one and then venturing out if you desire. Personally, I stayed at the North Hobart Apartments primarily because they had kitchens, were centrally located, and were fairly affordable. From there, I did day trips to and from the different national parks. Accommodations closer to the national parks were pretty expensive so unless you’re camping, it might be better to do day trips like I did from Hobart to the various nature areas.
What to do in Tasmania in 4 days
When in Tasmania, focus on all things nature, animals, and history. I loved Tasmania for its nature preserves that gave me access to rare animals only found on the island as well as adventures through mountains and lakes. But, there’s also a prison history in Tasmania as well that’s worth exploring.
Visit Port Arthur for prison history
If you’re visiting Tasmania, you must visit Port Arthur. This UNESCO World Heritage Sites was one of the biggest prison complexes in Australia and is now a site of ancient ruins. It takes about an hour to drive there from Hobart and the cost to enter is about $30 USD or $48 AUD. But there, you’ll get to walk through ancient prison ruins, read individual prisoner stories, and even try out a ball and chain on your ankles. You could spend 1-3 hours here and feel like you saw it all. It’s a very dark yet enlightening experience that I think everyone should witness when visiting Tasmania.
See the Tasmanian Devil in real life
Not far from Port Arthur is the Tasmanian Unzoo. This open-air animal refuge houses an amazing array of Australian animals including kangaroos, various bird species, and of course, the Tasmanian Devil. As a child, I watched Looney Tunes and wanted to see the Tasmanian Devil my entire life. This experience at the Tasmanian Unzoo did not disappoint. I was able to get up close and personal with these incredible little animals that look a lot like dogs but with pointier teeth. It was a fantastic example of what an ethical zoo or animal refuge can look like. Your dollars are well spent here and you can rest assured the animals are treated well.
Get in some nature at Tasman National Park
Tasman National Park is also not too far from the Tasmanian Unzoo and Port Arthur. This nature park is a wonderful place to get in a hike with rewarding cliff-side views. I did a 2-3 hour hike that brought me to the top of a cliff with a gorgeous view of the ocean. It’s a very popular area for many hikers so be prepared to see lots of passerbyers. One thing to note is that Tasmania’s national parks are NOT free. If you want to visit, even if it’s for 5 days, you are forced to get a park pass for either 1 day at the cost of $46 AUD or $29 USD (if you have a vehicle — which you likely will) or 3 months at the cost of $93 AUD or $60 USD. Even if you’re only there for 5 days, you’ll end up having to pay $60 USD for an annual park pass. This was one of the most annoying costs of my trip but you essentially didn’t have a choice. I would not recommend dodging this fee as the park ranges do check and consequences could follow.
Hike some more at Lake St. Clair National Park
The most popular site to hike is the Cradle Mountain area, but I opted to go for a quieter more dispersed hiking area in Lake St. Clair National Park. This beautiful park is much closer to Hobart (about 3-4 hours versus 5-6 hours to Cradle Mountain) and has lots of amazing hikes that lead you to the top of mountains without having to see or interact with tons of people. I loved getting lost on one particular trail that brought me to a mountain peak. I saw 3 people on the entire 3-hour journey and it was heaven. The park pass you purchased will also be able to be used here. Overall, this national park was worth a visit and is much less crowded than Cradle Mountain.
Take a beach day at Wine Glass Bay
Wine Glass Bay is one of the most popular areas in Tasmania. Housed in Coles Bay and Freycinet Peninsula, this beach area name comes from the cove it sits that resembles the shape of a wine glass. Be treated to gorgeous golden sands, fresh cooling waters, and stunning views This is an iconic spot worth visiting if you’ve got a half-day to drive there. It takes about 2-3 hours to get there from Hobart so really take your time and enjoy the beach day.
Learn about female prisoners at the Cascades Female Factory History Site
Of all the prisons I visited from Melbourne to Tasmania, this one struck me the most. The Cascades Female Factory was for women only and was a truly historic and haunting prison. Most women were sent here for petty crimes in European like stealing bread or fruit when they were hungry. But many birthed children here and when released ended up living a life of prostitution and eventually returning to prison. The cost is about $35 AUD to $22 USD and it comes with a guided tour with a woman sharing deep and personal narratives about the women who lived in the prison. It is a haunting yet moving prison experience that I cannot recommend enough.
Entering Sydney
After your trip from the south comes to an end, you’ll be heading north to Sydney. You’ll likely land at the Sydney Airport (SYD) where you’ll find a very similar setup as you did in Melbourne. The airport is big but not too big and has lots of international flights and visitors. Much like Melbourne, I recommend taking your pic of a bus or train from the airport to the main CBD/downtown area. You do not need an Uber unless you have a ton of baggage or want to spend the money. Getting to Sydney can cost you as little as $4 AUD or $2.50 USD one way. It’s worth it, trust me!
Where I stayed in Sydney
Just like in Melbourne, Sydney has only two brackets of accommodations: either $100+ USD per night at a fancy hotel or $30-40 USD per night. As a solo traveler, I opted for a hostel. I stayed at YHA Sydney Harbor on the Rocks and I really enjoyed it. The Rocks is an archeological site where an older part of the city used to be. Today, it's packed with bars, restaurants, hotels, and so much to do. I loved staying at this YHA location for it’s proximity to the famous Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House.
What to do in Sydney in 5 days
When in Sydney focus on art, history, and culture. But of course, sprinkle in a little nature if you can. Sydney has some iconic sites that are worth the hype and I’ll make sure that you don’t miss them.
Get lost in the archeological history of The Rocks
If you’re staying in the CBD of Sydney, you’ll likely be very close to The Rocks. The Rocks are a historical site where the original European visitors lived in Sydney. Now, it’s a site called The Big Dig with tons of history and lots of ruins to explore. Modern day Sydney has been built around The Rocks and now you can enjoy lively nightlife, great bars, restaurants, and even some historical hotels. The Rocks are a must-see if you’re looking to get a historical look at Sydney’s early beginnings.
Take a tour or see a show at the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a must-see when in town. I know that’s obvious but what’s not obvious is that you can simply tour the facility. For about $40 AUD or $25 USD, you can go on a guided tour where a member of the Sydney Opera House will give you the history, architecture, and low-down on how the Opera House came to be. However if you’re one of the lucky ones like me, you’ll score tickets to sit inside the Opera House and actually enjoy a show. I managed to get front-row tickets to the famous Italian opera, La Traviata, where I was serenaded for two hours with magnificent music and singing. I highly recommend getting a ticket ahead of time (say 2-4 weeks before you arrive) to ensure you can enjoy the Sydney Opera House from within.
Take a beach day at Manly in the summer
There’s a healthy competition between Melbourne and Sydney on who has the most beautiful beaches. While Melbourne has a large variety, I think Sydney’s beaches, particularly the ones near Manly, are fantastic. Take a ferry across the bay and set up shop at one of Sydney’s most picturesque beaches. Of course, beach days are better in the summer, but even in winter, you can still enjoy a bundled-up stroll along Manly beach. The ferry costs about $8 AUD or $5 USD one way and takes about 20 minutes.
Get lost in the Art Gallery of New South Wales
I love a good art gallery, especially when it features world-class art and is 100% free. The Art Gallery of New South Wales is a fabulous example of a free art gallery that makes you feel like you should have paid. You can spend 3 hours in the gallery traversing multiple floors of incredible European art all the way to local pieces. The quality, setup, and abundance of art is magnificent and you can enjoy it all within a walking distance from your accommodation if you’re staying in the CBD area of Sydney. It’s 100% worth a visit, in my opinion.
Hike through the Australian bush at the Royal National Park
Unlike Tasmania, National Parks in Sydney don’t require a National Parks pass. Especially, if you’re coming by foot. The Royal National Park is about 1 hour south by train from Sydney. The train costs about $1 USD to get there and from there, you can spend 2-10 hours traversing through stunning bushland trails. I enjoyed getting lost amongst the birds, and trees, and wandering into watering holes where you could take a quick dip. With that, be sure to bring a bathing suit and lots of sunscreen so that you can enjoy the natural waters and bushlands that await you. Unfortunately, I did not see kangaroos or koalas but I know koalas can be spotted if you keep your eyes open.
See the great Blue Mountains
If you have the time, I recommend doing a day trip to the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are an iconic nature area about 45 min by car from Sydney. Now, I know I said you didn’t need a car in Sydney and I stand by that. You can always take an Uber or a tour to get you to the Blue Mountains. However, a one-day car rental might be a wise choice here. The Blue Mountains have kangaroos and tons of other animals all surrounded by soaring sandstone ridges and bushland. It’s a super lovely natural area to explore and I highly recommend allocating one day to do that.
Australia is a continent worth visiting
14 days is just scratching the surface when it comes to Australia. There’s a whole other coast and the Great Barrier Reef worth exploring. However, if you’re brand new to the continent, these two weeks gives you a good download on modern and historical Australia. I hope you find your way through all of the art, history, nature, and culture that Australia has to offer. Do share this itinerary with any and everyone who might be looking to explore Australia this year and beyond.
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