How Long to Stay in Australia

Australia has all the ingredients for a memorable vacation, from sophisticated cities to magnificent landscapes and astonishing wildlife. The idyllic, seemingly endless coastline is a playground for beach lovers, divers, and surfers. The outback entices hikers and outdoor enthusiasts — as do the thousands of national parks. Meanwhile, cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth dominate lists of the best places to live. However, planning a trip to Australia when there’s so much on offer can be tricky. Read on for some ideas to help you create your perfect Australia itinerary.

For a country as enormous as Australia, a five days’ stay can only help you scratch the surface. But you can still make the most of your 5 days in Australia if you are willing to focus on a couple of destinations and let go of others for some other time. In five days you could take a road trip on the Great Ocean Road or enjoy a city break in Sydney or Melbourne. For an outback experience, you could pair Uluru and Alice Springs. If you have your heart set on the Great Barrier Reef—Cairns or the Whitsunday Islands would be the perfect five day vacation. Whether it is hiking, wine-tasting or adventures, make your pick for a 5-day Australia tour and enjoy it to the fullest.

Put simply, Australia is huge. Its size means that when planning a 7-day trip to Australia or less, it is incredibly important to choose just one or at most, two destinations and to stick to that decision, however tempting the various sites further afield might be, lest you want to spend most of your time traveling. With a one-week Australia itinerary, this means heading to either the west coast around Perth, the east coast at Sydney or Cairns, or the country’s equally wonderful Red Center at Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park and its surrounding landscapes. 

Dreaming of an Aussie outback adventure or an epic coastal road trip? With just 8 days in Australia, you can explore some of the most interesting destinations. Check out some of Australia’s finest beaches and bush on a coastal road trip between Sydney and Melbourne. Get off the beaten path with a journey up Western Australia’s wild Indian Ocean coast or dive deep into the outback of South Australia. For wildlife enthusiasts, there is Kakadu National Park to explore. You could also spend your 8-day Australia tour exploring Tasmania or journey up the Queensland coast following the Great Barrier Reef. The options are endless. 

At nearly 500 kilometers, the journey from the almost exact center-point of Australia at Alice Springs to Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) is one filled with the spirit of the outback. One of the Northern Territory’s most famous towns, ‘Alice’ started out life as a simple repeater station for the transcontinental telegraph line.Now a hub for those wishing to learn more about Aboriginal Australia and the country’s ‘Red Center’, it is also just a short distance from natural spectacle and true wilderness, be it the reds and oranges of nearby gorges or the beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Meanwhile Uluru, at the other end of the trail, leaves even the most jaded of travelers in awe of its majesty and ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors. While on an Australia tour, don't miss a trip from Alice Springs to Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park, which takes you to the true heart of the Red Center. 

Renowned for its unique wildlife, stunning tropical beaches and aboriginal culture, a trip to Australia has something to offer for all types of travelers. We recommend you spend at least 10 days here. But what are the best places to visit in Australia in 10 days, you ask? Ideally, you want to visit the country's main areas such as the east coast with cities like Sydney and Melbourne, where you can go sightseeing and visit museums. Perth and its surroundings in the west coast are perfect for relaxing on white sand beaches. Meanwhile, hikers and nature lovers will find plenty to love about in the Great Australian desert. 

With just 6 days in Australia, you can either race through the highlights or delve into a specific region for a richer experience. Focusing on a particular area allows you to truly appreciate Australia’s breathtaking wilderness, where you can immerse yourself in stunning landscapes and discover the local flora and fauna. Consider driving, hiking, and unwinding in some of the country’s most picturesque spots. Along the way, take the opportunity to learn about the local Aboriginal culture by exploring ancient rock art and sampling bush tucker cuisine.

As one of the largest counties in the world, and home to unique wildlife, unrivaled beaches, world-class wines and vibrant cities, Australia has it all. While 14 days should be enough time to see most countries, with two weeks in Australia you won’t see it all, but you can explore a region or two in depth. Choose to spend a 14-day Australia trip on an outback adventure or stick to the sand and surf on its extensive coastline. You could get off-the-beaten-path in Tasmania or explore the untouched rainforests of the York Peninsula. Of course there are the cosmopolitan cities—Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne that can be paired with island trips to K’gari (Fraser) Island and Kangaroo Island. When the trip route allows, squeeze in wine tasting in Margaret River or the Barossa Valley.

A vast island continent stretching nearly 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific and with over 25,000 kilometers (16,000 miles) of coastline, Australia is a country that demands time to be properly explored. With three weeks in Australia, you’ll have time to recover from the jetlag and discover the best Oz has to offer. Beach bums might want to follow the trail of exquisite coastline from Sydney to Cairns. If you’re seeking solitude and the great outdoors, the vast state of Western Australia beckons. With the help of a few internal flights, you could check off multiple bucket list destinations like Sydney, The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru. 

Have less than two weeks, but still looking to discover a bit of Australia? No problem, 12 days is plenty to tick some items off the bucket list. Both of Australia’s Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts offer outstanding opportunities for adventurous road trips. Frequent domestic flights make it easy to hop between distant destinations such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef. A 12-day trip of Australia is also the perfect duration to tackle some of its smaller states. In Victoria, you could explore Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and drive the Great Ocean Road. In Tasmania, you’d have time to check off highlights such as Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires and Port Arthur. South Australia, though large, has many attractions reasonably close together — Adelaide, the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island would be a great option if you don’t want to spend too much time on the road. 

Australia is brimming with natural wonders and unforgettable experiences, enough to fill a lifetime of exploration. If you have just nine days, the key to making your holiday memorable is to focus on a specific region to make the most of your time without feeling rushed. Consider a city break with nearby natural attractions, such as Melbourne’s arts scene combined with the stunning Great Ocean Road, or Sydney’s iconic Opera House alongside the breathtaking Blue Mountains. For wildlife lovers and thrill-seekers, delve into Tasmania or Queensland for rainforest hikes and dramatic cliffside treks.

While spending 11 days in Australia may not be enough to explore all the mesmerizing landscapes and vibrant cities, it is just enough time to get a taste of the country. Immerse yourself in the culture and urban vibe of Sydney, explore the Great Barrier Reef, or delve into the natural beauty of the Australian Outback. On an 11-day Australia tour, you can discover renowned attractions and hidden gems, whether you choose to focus on a couple of popular cities or hop between multiple destinations.

Four days is not enough time to explore a country as massive as Australia, but if that is all the time you’ve got, then we’ve got you covered. On a 4-day trip in Australia, travelers can explore up to two destinations. First time visitors can spend the days spending iconic attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef. Alternatively, they can also choose to explore one destination in depth such as Tanzania or the Outback. Spending 4 days in Australia may be a short getaway but when planned well, it can offer an unforgettable adventure.