How many days do you need in Sydney, Cairns & Brisbane?
- Most travelers spend 9-11 days in Sydney, Cairns, and Brisbane combined
- Visiting Sydney, Cairns, and Brisbane in 7 or 8 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 12 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Melbourne, Hamilton Island, and Uluru
How Many Days to Spend in Sydney
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Recommended Itineraries for Sydney, Cairns & Brisbane
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Brisbane, Welcome to Brisbane, Spirits of the Red Sand Aboriginal Dinner Experience | Brisbane |
| Day 2 | Australia Zoo Guided Tour - Full day | Brisbane |
| Day 3 | Brisbane to Cairns, Welcome to Cairns!, Cairns Aquarium | Cairns |
| Day 4 | Full-Day Marine World Outer Great Barrier Reef | Cairns |
| Day 5 | Full Day Mossman Gorge Adventure Day | Cairns |
| Day 6 | Cairns to Sydney, Welcome to Sydney, Harbor Experience Cruise | Sydney |
| Day 7 | Sydney Guided Bike Tour - Shared Tour, Sydney Opera House Tour | Sydney |
| Day 8 | Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day | Sydney |
| Day 9 | Depart Sydney |
Discover Australia's east coast with three of its most glowing cities. Start in Brisbane with a visit to the Australia Zoo, which houses over 1,200 wildlife species. Head to Cairns, a tropical paradise with sparkling waters and white sandy beaches. Snorkel in a sheltered lagoon near the Great Barrier Reef, followed by viewing this natural wonder from up close in a glass-bottomed boat. Next is Sydney, where you'll visit the most iconic sites of this dynamic, multicultural metropolis. Read more
How to travel between Sydney, Cairns & Brisbane
How to get from Sydney to Cairns
Sydney and Cairns are both on Australia's east coast, but Sydney is about 1,500 miles (2,400 km) south of the tropical northern Queensland city. Here's how to get from Sydney to Cairns. Read more
How to get from Sydney to Brisbane
Sydney and Brisbane are the two largest cities on Australia's east coast, and while they're quite close together by Australian standards, there are still 580 miles (940 km) between them. Here's how to get from Sydney to Brisbane. Read more
Map
