Australia: Sydney & Melbourne in 8 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Sydney Opera House, the Bondi coastal walk, the Blue Mountains, Melbourne’s café laneways, the Twelve Apostles and the penguin parade.
AustraliaCity breakNatureFamilyFood
Length8 days / 7 nights
CitiesSydney, Blue Mountains, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island
CurrencyAUD Australian dollar
Best time to goSpring (Sep–Nov) and autumn (Mar–May) are ideal; Dec–Feb is peak summer with fierce UV.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive in SydneyDay 2 Bondi × Darling HarbourDay 3 Blue Mountains day tripDay 4 Taronga Zoo × fly to MelbourneDay 5 Melbourne lanewaysDay 6 Great Ocean Road day tripDay 7 Brighton × penguin paradeDay 8 Fly home
Day 1Arrive in Sydney
08:00🚗 Transport
Arrive at Sydney Airport
Type / No.Flight
LocationSydney Airport 🧭
Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor in advance; biosecurity is strict — declare all food.
11:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out14:00 / 10:00
LocationCircular Quay / CBD 🧭
12:00📍 Sight
The Rocks & Sydney Harbour Bridge
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationSydney Harbour Bridge 🧭
📸 Photo spot
14:00🍽 Food
15:30📍 Sight
Sydney Opera House tour
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationSydney Opera House 🧭
🎟 Book ahead
17:30📍 Sight
Royal Botanic Garden & Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at sunset
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationMrs Macquarie's Chair 🧭
🌙 Night view📸 Photo spot
Day 2Bondi × Darling Harbour
09:00📍 Sight
Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationBondi Beach 🧭
About 6 km — the UV is intense.
🧴 Sunscreen🚶 Lots of walking📸 Photo spot
12:30🍽 Food
15:00📍 Sight
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium or WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationSEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium 🧭
👶 Kid-friendly
19:00🍽 Food
Day 3Blue Mountains day trip
08:00🚗 Transport
10:00📍 Sight
11:30📍 Sight
Scenic World (the world’s steepest railway)
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationScenic World 🧭
📸 Photo spot
14:00🍽 Food
16:30🚗 Transport
Day 4Taronga Zoo × fly to Melbourne
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
09:00📍 Sight
Ferry to Taronga Zoo for koalas
Suggested time3 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationTaronga Zoo 🧭
👶 Kid-friendly📸 Photo spot
12:30🍽 Food
15:00🚗 Transport
18:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out14:00 / 10:00
LocationMelbourne CBD 🧭
The CBD free tram zone makes life easy.
19:30🍽 Food
Day 5Melbourne laneways
08:30🍽 Food
09:30📍 Sight
Hosier Lane street art & Federation Square
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationHosier Lane 🧭
📸 Photo spot
12:00📍 Sight
Queen Victoria Market
Suggested time2 hrs
LocationQueen Victoria Market 🧭
Closed Mondays and Wednesdays.
🍜 Must-eat🛍 Shopping list
15:00📍 Sight
18:00📍 Sight
Melbourne Skydeck (Eureka)
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationMelbourne Skydeck 🧭
🌙 Night view
Day 6Great Ocean Road day trip
07:00🚗 Transport
Great Ocean Road tour (or self-drive)
Type / No.Bus / coach
LocationGreat Ocean Road 🧭
A 12-hour day; drivers must be comfortable driving on the left.
14:00📍 Sight
Twelve Apostles & Loch Ard Gorge
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationTwelve Apostles 🧭
Very windy on the coast.
📸 Photo spot
20:30🚗 Transport
Day 7Brighton × penguin parade
09:30📍 Sight
Brighton Beach bathing boxes
Suggested time1 hr
TicketsFree
LocationBrighton Bathing Boxes 🧭
📸 Photo spot
11:30📍 Sight
Puffing Billy steam railway
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationPuffing Billy Railway 🧭
👶 Kid-friendly
14:30🍽 Food
18:30📍 Sight
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationPenguin Parade Phillip Island 🧭
No photos or video allowed; it gets cold — bring a jacket.
👶 Kid-friendly🎟 Book ahead⚠️ Heads-up
Day 8Fly home
09:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
11:00🚗 Transport
Head to the airport and fly home
Type / No.Flight
LocationMelbourne Airport 🧭
Aim to reach the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight.
🎟 Book these before you go
- Day 1｜Sydney Opera House tour
- Day 4｜Ferry to Taronga Zoo for koalas
- Day 6｜Great Ocean Road tour (or self-drive): A 12-hour day; drivers must be comfortable driving on the left.
- Day 7｜Puffing Billy steam railway
- Day 7｜Phillip Island Penguin Parade: No photos or video allowed; it gets cold — bring a jacket.
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Sydney, Blue Mountains, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney High / low | 26° 19° | 26° 19° | 25° 18° | 23° 15° | 20° 12° | 18° 9° | 17° 8° | 19° 9° | 21° 11° | 23° 14° | 24° 16° | 25° 18° |
| Melbourne High / low | 26° 14° | 26° 15° | 24° 13° | 20° 11° | 17° 9° | 14° 7° | 14° 6° | 15° 7° | 17° 8° | 20° 10° | 22° 11° | 24° 13° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does Australia: Sydney & Melbourne in 8 Days take?
It’s planned as 8 days / 7 nights with 35 stops (16 sights and 8 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
We recommend booking or buying ahead: Sydney Opera House tour, Ferry to Taronga Zoo for koalas, Great Ocean Road tour (or self-drive), Puffing Billy steam railway, Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
How do I make this template my own?
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Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.