Want to Visit Australasia

Australia

Duration 21 days Cost ~EUR 5,500 for two Season September-November (spring) or March-May (autumn) Currency AUD (Australian Dollar) USD 1 USD = 1.42 AUD Lang English

“The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”

— John Muir

Australia is a continent of extremes — ancient red deserts, tropical rainforests, coral reefs visible from space, and effortlessly livable cities. Its unique wildlife and Indigenous heritage spanning tens of thousands of years make it unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Why I Want to Visit

The Great Barrier Reef, the red glow of Uluru, the Great Ocean Road, and Sydney’s harbour are all bucket-list experiences. I’m also drawn to Indigenous culture and the chance to encounter kangaroos, koalas, and platypuses in the wild.

Planned Itinerary

Twenty-one days to cover the highlights across this vast continent:

Sydney (4 days) - Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi to Coogee walk, Manly Beach, the Rocks, Blue Mountains day trip
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef (4 days) - Outer reef snorkeling and diving, Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda village
Uluru and the Red Centre (3 days) - Sunrise/sunset at Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Aboriginal Dreamtime stories
Melbourne (4 days) - Laneways and street art, food and coffee scene, Phillip Island penguin parade, Fitzroy live music
Great Ocean Road (3 days) - Twelve Apostles, Otways rainforest, wild koalas, Lorne and Apollo Bay
Tasmania (3 days) - Cradle Mountain hikes, Port Arthur convict ruins, Hobart food trail and Salamanca Market

What I’m Most Excited About

Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef before climate change reshapes it
Watching Uluru shift through shades of red at sunset
Rounding a bend on the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles
Encountering kangaroos, koalas, and wombats in the wild

Where to Eat

Quay (Sydney) — Celebrated fine dining at the Overseas Passenger Terminal with Opera House views. ~AUD 250-400. 📍 Maps
Chin Chin (Melbourne) — Buzzing Southeast Asian restaurant on Flinders Lane with bold, shareable dishes. ~AUD 30-60. 📍 Maps
Mr. Wong (Sydney) — Atmospheric Cantonese restaurant in a heritage CBD building with dim sum rivaling Hong Kong. ~AUD 50-100. 📍 Maps
Lune Croissanterie (Melbourne) — Precision bakery in Fitzroy widely considered to make the world’s best croissants. ~AUD 8-20. 📍 Maps
Saint Peter (Sydney) — Nose-to-tail seafood restaurant in Paddington where fish is aged and cured like premium beef. ~AUD 80-150. 📍 Maps

Where to Stay

QT Sydney ★★★★★ (Sydney) — Bold design hotel in the historic State Theatre building with dramatic interiors. ~AUD 350/night. Book
The Hotel Windsor ★★★★★ (Melbourne) — Grand Victorian-era hotel overlooking Parliament House. ~AUD 300/night. Book
Ovolo Woolloomooloo ★★★★ (Sydney) — Hip boutique hotel in a converted heritage wharf with oversized loft rooms. ~AUD 250/night. Book
YHA Melbourne Central ★★ (Melbourne) — Modern hostel on Flinders Street with rooftop terrace in the heart of the laneways. ~AUD 40/night. Book

Tours & Excursions

Sydney Harbour Cruise — Scenic cruise past the Opera House. 2h, ~AUD 50. Book
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel & Dive Tour — Catamaran to the outer reef for snorkeling. 9h, ~AUD 250. Book
Blue Mountains Day Trip from Sydney — Three Sisters, scenic walks, Scenic Railway, and villages like Leura and Katoomba. 10h, ~AUD 120. Book
Melbourne Street Art & Laneways Tour — Guided walk through hidden laneways exploring world-famous street art. 3h, ~AUD 40. Book
Uluru Sunset Tour — Guided sunset viewing with Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. 4h, ~AUD 100. Book