Australia · Route map
The Ultimate All-Australia Great Circle
Embark on an epic, fast-paced lap of the continent combining iconic outer-state capitals, the Red Centre, and a scenic East Coast road trip.
- 1
Sydney
3 nights
Harbour views, iconic beaches, and coastal walks
- 2
Melbourne
3 nights
Laneway culture, world-class coffee, and arts
- 3
Adelaide
2 nights
Festival city vibes and nearby vineyard valleys
- 4
Uluru
2 nights
The spiritual heart of the Red Centre
- 5
Perth
3 nights
Sun-drenched beaches and relaxed urban living
- 6
Broome
2 nights
Where the red dirt meets turquoise sea
- 7
Darwin
2 nights
Tropical sunsets and rich Indigenous culture
- 8
Cairns
3 nights
Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
- 9
Bellingen
2 nights
Bohemian river town and ancient rainforests
- 10
Port Macquarie
2 nights
Coastal walks, koalas, and relaxed waterways
- 11
Port Stephens
2 nights
Immense sand dunes and resident dolphin pods
- 12
Hunter Valley
3 nights
Historic wine country and paddock-to-plate dining
- ✦12 stops · 29 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to Sydney
Arrive into Sydney Airport
Flight · Morning · Mascot
Express train to Circular Quay
Transfer · Morning · Sydney
A quick 15-minute journey lines you up with harbour views.
Tap on with your credit card to bypass terminal ticket queues.
Walk the Royal Botanic Garden
Excursion · Afternoon · Sydney CBD
Mrs Macquarie's Chair offers the absolute best free view of the Opera House.
Sunset drinks at Opera Bar
Excursion · Evening · Circular Quay
Arrive by 5 PM to snag a table right on the water edge.
Overnight in Sydney
Accommodation · Evening · Circular Quay
Sydney's Coastal Secrets
Ferry to Manly
Excursion · Morning · Sydney Harbour
Sit outside on the top deck starboardside for the best views.
Shelly Beach snorkel trail
Excursion · Morning · Manly
Look down to spot resident blue groper fish grazing on the rocks.
Spit to Manly walk
Excursion · Afternoon · Northern Beaches
A stunning 10km coastal bush trek.
Keep an eye out for ancient Aboriginal rock engravings along the path.
Dinner in Surry Hills
Excursion · Evening · Surry Hills
Tuck into spicy pasture-fed beef skewers at the bustling Porteño.
Overnight in Sydney
Accommodation · Evening · Circular Quay
Sydney Icons Done Right
Bondi to Bronte coastal walk
Excursion · Morning · Bondi
Grab a flat white at Tamarama Kiosk halfway along the track.
Sydney Harbour bridge climb
Excursion · Afternoon · The Rocks
Pre-booking is essential for this bucketlist experience.
The twilight climb yields both day views and the sparkling night skyline.
Explore historic Rocks lanes
At leisure · Evening · The Rocks
Sip a cold craft beer at the Lord Nelson, Sydney's oldest pub.
Overnight in Sydney
Accommodation · Evening · Circular Quay
Fly to Cultural Melbourne
Taxi to Sydney Airport
Transfer · Morning · Sydney
Fly Sydney to Melbourne
Flight · Morning · Melbourne
SkyBus to Southern Cross Station
Transfer · Afternoon · Melbourne CBD
Melbourne laneways coffee walk
Excursion · Afternoon · Melbourne CBD
Follow the scent of roasting beans down Degraves Street.
Overnight in Melbourne
Accommodation · Evening · Melbourne CBD
Bohemian Fitzroy & Gardens
Fitzroy vintage shopping crawl
Excursion · Morning · Fitzroy
Brunswick Street has the finest collection of local indie-designer boutiques.
Royal Botanic Gardens walk
Excursion · Afternoon · South Yarra
Book a traditional Aboriginal Heritage Walk led by a First Nations guide.
Arts Precinct theater night
Excursion · Evening · Southbank
Overnight in Melbourne
Accommodation · Evening · Melbourne CBD
Great Ocean Road Highlights
Pick up hire car
Car hire · Morning · Melbourne CBD
Self-drive Melbourne to Bells Beach
Self-drive · Morning · Torquay
Drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.
Watch surfers at Bells Beach
Excursion · Afternoon · Torquay
Walk the dramatic clifftop track for a bird's-eye view of legendary waves.
Self-drive back to Melbourne
Self-drive · Afternoon · Melbourne CBD
Drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.
Drop off hire car
Car hire · Evening · Melbourne CBD
Overnight in Melbourne
Accommodation · Evening · Melbourne CBD
Onward to Festival Adelaide
Taxi to Melbourne Airport
Transfer · Morning · Tullamarine
Fly Melbourne to Adelaide
Flight · Morning · Adelaide
Shuttle to City Centre
Transfer · Afternoon · Adelaide CBD
Adelaide Central Market feast
Excursion · Afternoon · Adelaide CBD
Lucia’s Pizza & Spaghetti Bar has served epic Italian here since 1957.
Overnight in Adelaide
Accommodation · Evening · Adelaide CBD
Adelaide Hills Wilds & Vines
Cleland Wildlife Park stroll
Excursion · Morning · Adelaide Hills
Buy a bag of feed at the gate to hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos.
Wine tasting in Adelaide Hills
Excursion · Afternoon · Uraidla
The tasting room at The Lane Vineyard overlooks truly stunning rolling ranges.
Dinner in Adelaide's East End
Excursion · Evening · Adelaide CBD
Book well ahead for Africola's fiery peri-peri chicken and flatbread.
Overnight in Adelaide
Accommodation · Evening · Adelaide CBD
To Red Center Heart
Taxi to Adelaide Airport
Transfer · Morning · Adelaide
Fly Adelaide to Uluru
Flight · Morning · Yulara
Resort shuttle to hotel
Transfer · Afternoon · Yulara
Sounds of Silence dinner
Excursion · Evening · Yulara
Pre-booking is strictly necessary.
Keep warm; the desert temperature drops rapidly once the sun sets.
Overnight in Uluru
Accommodation · Evening · Yulara
Uluru Base & Valley Winds
Sunrise Uluru base walk
Excursion · Morning · Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Walk the Mala trail section to see ancient Mala cave paintings.
Valley of the Winds walk
Excursion · Afternoon · Kata Tjuta
Carry at least three liters of water; the track closes if heat peaks.
Field of Light sunset view
Excursion · Evening · Yulara
Climb up to the dune-top viewing area for the best perspective.
Overnight in Uluru
Accommodation · Evening · Yulara
Across to Western Australia
Resort shuttle to airport
Transfer · Morning · Yulara
Fly Uluru to Perth
Flight · Morning · Perth
Taxi to Perth hotel
Transfer · Afternoon · Perth CBD
Stroll Kings Park gardens
At leisure · Evening · West Perth
The state war memorial plaza offers unmatched panoramas of Swan River nightlights.
Overnight in Perth
Accommodation · Evening · Perth CBD
Rottnest Island Quokka Quest
Ferry from Perth to Rottnest
Transfer · Morning · Swan River
Sit outside for a breezy cruise past multi-million dollar river mansions.
Bike loop of Rottnest Island
Excursion · Morning · Rottnest Island
Pedal to Little Salmon Bay for world-class sheltered snorkeling.
Quokka selfie at Geordie Bay
Excursion · Afternoon · Rottnest Island
Never touch or feed them; instead lie flat to get eye-level.
Return ferry to Perth
Transfer · Afternoon · Swan River
Overnight in Perth
Accommodation · Evening · Perth CBD
Fremantle Heritage & Beaches
Train to Fremantle
Transfer · Morning · Fremantle
The heritage line is incredibly efficient and costs just pocket change.
Fremantle Markets historic walk
Excursion · Morning · Fremantle
Seek out the quirky fruit stands for cheap local passionfruit.
Cottesloe Beach ocean dip
Excursion · Afternoon · Cottesloe
Grab an ice cream and watch the sun melt directly into the Indian Ocean.
Overnight in Perth
Accommodation · Evening · Perth CBD
Into the Kimberleys Base
Taxi to Perth Airport
Transfer · Morning · Perth
Fly Perth to Broome
Flight · Morning · Broome
Shuttle to Cable Beach
Transfer · Afternoon · Cable Beach
Sunset walk along Cable Beach
Excursion · Evening · Cable Beach
The sunset camel string makes for a spectacular photo from the dunes.
Overnight in Broome
Accommodation · Evening · Cable Beach
Red Cliffs & Pearl History
Explore Gantheaume Point
Excursion · Morning · Gantheaume Point
At very low tide, search the rock shelf for dinosaur footprints.
Chinatown heritage walk
Excursion · Afternoon · Chinatown
Pop into Sun Pictures, the world's oldest operating open-air cinema.
Matso's Brewery ginger beer
Excursion · Evening · Broome
Pair the fiery alcoholic ginger beer with some local threadfin salmon.
Overnight in Broome
Accommodation · Evening · Cable Beach
To Tropical Darwin
Taxi to Broome Airport
Transfer · Morning · Broome
Fly Broome to Darwin
Flight · Morning · Darwin
Taxi to Waterfront hotel
Transfer · Afternoon · Darwin
Mindil Beach Sunset Markets
Excursion · Evening · Mindil Beach
Grab a hot laksa bowl and sit directly on the beach sand.
Overnight in Darwin
Accommodation · Evening · Darwin Waterfront
Waterfalls of Litchfield
Pick up hire car
Car hire · Morning · Darwin
Self-drive Darwin to Litchfield
Self-drive · Morning · Litchfield National Park
Drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.
Swim at Florence Falls
Excursion · Morning · Litchfield National Park
Walk down the stairway to swim in the sheltered plunge pool.
Self-drive back to Darwin
Self-drive · Afternoon · Darwin
Drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.
Drop off hire car
Car hire · Evening · Darwin
Overnight in Darwin
Accommodation · Evening · Darwin Waterfront
Escape to Tropical Cairns
Taxi to Darwin Airport
Transfer · Morning · Darwin
Fly Darwin to Cairns
Flight · Morning · Cairns
Shuttle to Esplanade area
Transfer · Afternoon · Cairns
Swim in Cairns Lagoon
Excursion · Afternoon · Cairns Esplanade
This massive saltwater swimming lagoon is totally free and croc-safe.
Overnight in Cairns
Accommodation · Evening · Cairns Esplanade
Great Barrier Reef Snorkel
Outer Reef sailing tour
Excursion · Morning · Great Barrier Reef
Pre-booking is essential for this trip.
Take a motion sickness pill 30 minutes before boarding.
Reflect on Reef wonders
At leisure · Evening · Cairns
Stroll down the pier for a cold glass of Australian Semillon.
Overnight in Cairns
Accommodation · Evening · Cairns Esplanade
Ancient Rainforest Canopy
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway journey
Excursion · Morning · Kuranda
Stop at Barron Falls station to feel the roar of water.
Kuranda Koala Gardens visit
Excursion · Afternoon · Kuranda
Look for the tiny pademelon wallabies hopping around the pathways.
Overnight in Cairns
Accommodation · Evening · Cairns Esplanade
Fly to Bellingen Hinterland
Taxi to Cairns Airport
Transfer · Morning · Cairns
Fly Cairns to Coffs Harbour
Flight · Morning · Coffs Harbour
Pick up hire car
Car hire · Afternoon · Coffs Harbour Airport
Self-drive to Bellingen village
Self-drive · Afternoon · Bellingen
Drive takes roughly 35 minutes.
Overnight in Bellingen
Accommodation · Evening · Bellingen Village
Rainforest Skywalks & Rivers
Self-drive up Waterfall Way
Self-drive · Morning · Dorrigo
Drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
Dorrigo National Park Skywalk
Excursion · Morning · Dorrigo National Park
The canopy platform has dizzying views over old-growth forests to the coast.
Self-drive to Bellingen
Self-drive · Afternoon · Bellingen
Drive takes roughly 30 minutes.
Bellingen River swim
Excursion · Afternoon · Bellingen Village
The clear freshwater pool near the old bridge is a local favorite.
Overnight in Bellingen
Accommodation · Evening · Bellingen Village
South to Port Macquarie
Self-drive Bellingen to Port Macquarie
Self-drive · Morning · Port Macquarie
Drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.
Walk the painted breakwall
Excursion · Afternoon · Town Beach
Look down at the rocks; locals print beautiful hand-painted messages.
Sunset cruise on Hastings River
Excursion · Evening · Hastings River
Keep a close lookout for pods of playful estuary dolphins.
Overnight in Port Macquarie
Accommodation · Evening · Port Macquarie
Koala Sanctuary & Coastline
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Excursion · Morning · Port Macquarie
Join a morning tour to learn about rehabilitation of wild koalas.
Tacking Point lighthouse trek
Excursion · Afternoon · Tacking Point
This is one of the highest coastal lookouts to spot whales.
Overnight in Port Macquarie
Accommodation · Evening · Port Macquarie
Down to Port Stephens
Self-drive to Port Stephens
Self-drive · Morning · Shoal Bay
Drive takes roughly 2 hours.
Tomaree Head summit hike
Excursion · Afternoon · Shoal Bay
The steep trek rewards you with a heart-stopping 360-degree panorama.
Seafood on the marina
Excursion · Evening · Nelson Bay
The local flathead fillets are best enjoyed battered with fresh lemon.
Overnight in Port Stephens
Accommodation · Evening · Shoal Bay
Dolphin Bays & Giant Dunes
Stockton sand dunes adventure
Excursion · Morning · Anna Bay
Book a quad bike tour to conquer the hemisphere's tallest dunes.
Ferry to Tea Gardens
Excursion · Afternoon · Nelson Bay
Try the legendary fresh wild oysters at the riverside pub wharf.
Overnight in Port Stephens
Accommodation · Evening · Shoal Bay
Hunter Valley Vines & Valleys
Self-drive to Hunter Valley
Self-drive · Morning · Pokolbin
Drive takes roughly 1.5 hours.
Taste historic Semillon wines
Excursion · Afternoon · Pokolbin
Tyrrell’s Wines has incredibly deep roots and superb dry white varietals.
Watch wild kangaroos grazes
Excursion · Evening · Pokolbin
Walk through vineyard rows at dusk when mobs of kangaroos appear.
Overnight in Hunter Valley
Accommodation · Evening · Pokolbin
Hunter Cheese, Wine & Oils
Hunter Valley Cheese Factory tasting
Excursion · Morning · Pokolbin
The local goat cheese marinated in garlic is seriously addictive.
Private vineyard garden tour
Excursion · Afternoon · Rothbury
Audrey Wilkinson winery offers legendary historic valley views.
Overnight in Hunter Valley
Accommodation · Evening · Pokolbin
Sunrise Flight & Long Lunch
Sunrise hot air balloon flight
Excursion · Morning · Pokolbin
Pre-booking is essential for this experience.
The chilly early morning departure is well worth the glowing valley views.
Aged Shiraz degustation lunch
Excursion · Afternoon · Lovedale
The Muse restaurant celebrates stunning local paddock-to-plate produce.
Overnight in Hunter Valley
Accommodation · Evening · Pokolbin
Return to Sydney Departure
Self-drive Pokolbin to Sydney Airport
Self-drive · Morning · Mascot
Drive takes roughly 2.5 hours.
Drop off hire car
Car hire · Morning · Sydney Airport
Depart Sydney International Airport
Flight · Afternoon · Mascot
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