15 days in Cairns, Melbourne & Sydney Itinerary

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.

Get out of town with these interesting Cairns side-trips: Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Palm Cove) and Safaris (in Port Douglas). Spend the 29th (Tue) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Next up on the itinerary: hike along Esplanade Boardwalk, explore the galleries of Underart Gallery, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, and take in the exciting artwork at Bones and Jones.

To find traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read our Cairns online trip itinerary planner .

Houston, USA to Cairns is an approximately 22-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight. Traveling from Houston to Cairns, you'll lose 16 hours due to the time zone difference. Expect much warmer temperatures when traveling from Houston in December; daily highs in Cairns reach 88°F and lows reach 73°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 1st (Fri) so you can travel to Melbourne.

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

Dedicate the 5th (Tue) to wine at some of the top wineries in the area. There's much more to do: admire the natural beauty at Royal Botanic Gardens, get lost in a book at State Library of Victoria, steep yourself in history at Old Melbourne Gaol, and admire nature's wide array of creatures at Melbourne Zoo.

Start your trip to Melbourne by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Melbourne takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Cairns in January, with highs in Melbourne at 81°F and lows at 58°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) early enough to 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, beaches, parks, and museums. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: listen to music at Sydney Opera House, take a stroll through The Rocks, pause for some photo ops at Mrs Macquarie's Chair, and meet the residents at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium.

For traveler tips, maps, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Sydney vacation planning app .

You can fly from Melbourne to Sydney in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of shuttle and flight; or drive. Traveling from Melbourne in January, expect a bit warmer with lows of 68°F in Sydney. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.