Itinerary #1: Melbourne & Sydney for Families
Split your week in Australia between Melbourne and Sydney as you take in the two cities' top family-friendly sights. Get close to nature at an animal park and a live Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, learn about Australia's gold rush days at a living history museum, and enjoy old-fashioned family fun at a famous amusement park and on a Sydney Harbour catamaran cruise.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Melbourne, Free Day to Explore | Melbourne |
| Day 2 | Phillip Island and Penguin Parade | Melbourne |
| Day 3 | Sovereign Hill Day Trip, Ballarat | Melbourne |
| Day 4 | Arrive in Sydney, Free Day to Explore | Sydney |
| Day 5 | Visit Luna Park | Sydney |
| Day 6 | Taronga Zoo, Lunch Cruise around Sydney Harbour | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Depart Australia |
Arrive in Melbourne and spend your first day in Australia exploring the city with your family. You'll have the next morning free before heading to Phillip Island in the afternoon. There, your family will encounter kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, birds, and, of course, koalas at Maru Koala and Animal Park. Look for seals and birds at the Nobbies and delight as you watch a parade of tiny penguins come ashore. At Sovereign Hill, step back in time to gold rush days. Check out a mine and pan for gold with the kids as you interact with costumed interpreters.
In Sydney, spend a day exploring, swimming, or surfing together. The following day, you'll have plenty of time for fun and thrills at Luna Park, Sydney's art deco-themed amusement park. On your final day in Sydney, spend the morning at Taronga Zoo and ride the Sky Safari cable car before embarking on an afternoon catamaran cruise, complete with swimming time, to see the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water. Learn more
Itinerary #2: Australian Family Holiday: Brisbane & Gold Coast
Begin your family-friendly vacation week in Brisbane by taking a river cruise to a koala sanctuary and spending a day at the iconic Australia Zoo. Then, head to Gold Coast for an Aquaduck tour, a theme park visit, and free time to explore the city's attractions and beaches.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Brisbane | Brisbane |
| Day 2 | River Cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary | Brisbane |
| Day 3 | Australia Zoo Day Trip | Brisbane |
| Day 4 | Travel to Gold Coast & Aquaduck Tour | Gold Coast |
| Day 5 | Free Day | Gold Coast |
| Day 6 | Dreamworld Day Trip | Gold Coast |
| Day 7 | Depart Brisbane |
Upon arriving in Brisbane, you'll have free time to walk around the River City or hike up Mount Coot-tha with your family. Spend the next day on a river cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, home to over 130 koalas as well as kangaroos, raptors, and other animals. Day 3 takes you to Australia Zoo, founded by the Irwin family, for a day of conservation shows, interactions with wildlife, and family memories.
On Day 4, transfer to Gold Coast and get to know the city and the Nerang River that runs through it on an Aquaduck tour. Kids get a chance to "drive" the Aquaduck, so have your camera ready. You'll have the following day free for surfing, sightseeing, or, perhaps, an external climb at the Q1 Building, Gold Coast's highest point. Before heading home, spend your last day on the Gold Coast at Dreamworld, one of the area's best-known theme parks. Learn more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Itinerary #3: Family-friendly Sydney, Uluru & Melbourne
Visit some of Australia's most famous sights on this weeklong trip to Sydney, Uluru, and Melbourne. Enjoy the rides at Luna Park, Sydney's art deco theme park, take a surf lesson at Bondi Beach, and meet the animal residents of Taronga Zoo. Head to the outback for an unforgettable visit to Uluru, then transfer to Melbourne, where you can discover the city at your family's pace.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sydney, Free Day to Explore | Sydney |
| Day 2 | Visit Luna Park, Surf Lesson at Bondi Beach | Sydney |
| Day 3 | Visit Taronga Zoo | Sydney |
| Day 4 | Sydney to Uluru, Family Dot Painting Workshop | Uluru |
| Day 5 | Uluru Sunrise and Guided Walk | Uluru |
| Day 6 | Uluru to Melbourne, Free Day to Explore | Melbourne |
| Day 7 | Depart Melbourne |
Your seven-day family adventure begins in Sydney. You'll have your first day free to explore the city, perhaps with a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden or a swim at Coogee. The next day, spend the morning on roller coasters and family rides at Luna Park, then head to Bondi Beach, where your older children can take a surf lesson while the younger kids splash and play on the beach. On Day 3, head to Taronga Zoo to learn about Australia's unique animals and discover how the zoo's conservation projects help creatures in the wild.
Next, you'll fly to Uluru, where you'll participate in an Anangu dot painting workshop with your school-age children. You'll be up early the next day for a sunrise viewing of Uluru, a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park's Cultural Centre, and a ranger-guided walk along Uluru's base. Older children can also bike the 7-mile (11 km) loop around Uluru. On Day 6, you'll fly to Melbourne, where you'll have all day to wander along the city's laneways, view street art, or head to Birrarung Marr and stroll along its riverside paths. Learn more
More Great 1-Week Australia Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Australia? Check out these other one-week Australia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.
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