I saw so much of Australia in just 8 days. This itinerary was my secret weapon for maximizing my short trip.
Many travel guides suggest spending two or three weeks in Australia, but I only had eight days.
To make the most of my trip, I planned ahead and made sure to make time for my must-visit spots.
I got to have downtime and see highlights throughout Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast.
As an American, I've spent decades dreaming of visiting Australia. This past November, I finally booked my trip.
While planning my eight-day vacation, I carefully crafted an itinerary so I could maximize every moment but still have some time to breathe.
I know it'd be impossible to see all the vast continent had to offer in one short trip. After all, many online travel guides suggest visitors dedicate at least two or three weeks to seeing Australia.
However, I tried to fit a variety of activities and places into my schedule, including stops in half of Australia's six states: Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales.
With my strategic itinerary, I feel I proved even just eight days in Australia is well worth the trip.
Day 1: I arrived in Melbourne and got some steps in.
My Qantas Airlines flight arrived in Melbourne at 9:30 a.m.
Immediately, I headed to my hotel so I could check in and take a much-needed shower after my long journey. I chose a hotel in the heart of the city, which was key to optimizing my busy itinerary.
Next, I had booked a 1 p.m. cruise along the meandering Yarra River with a picnic lunch to get a lay of the land. This was the perfect way to see the city and enjoy how its landscape morphed from a skyline of highrise buildings to green parks along the way.
After, I walked a few blocks to the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia's oldest art museum. I explored various exhibits, including powerful collections from First Nations artists.
On the walk back, I checked out some colorful street art on Hosier Lane's beloved and Instagrammable bluestone laneway.
Day 2: I saw some highlights in Victoria and had dinner in Melbourne.
The next morning, I took a roughly 20-minute tram ride from my hotel to the Queen Victoria Market, where I had a flat white and croissant while perusing all the food stalls.
Next, I took a 45-minute ride to Brighton Beach (I booked a driver through my hotel), and I was able to put my feet in the sand for a bit. I was mesmerized by the vivid hues of the many beach huts lining the shore.
I continued on to Victoria's stunning Mornington Peninsula and Point Leo Estate, where I spent the afternoon sipping pinot gris and pinot noir over a lunch of fresh seafood. Walking around the 330-acre sculpture park on this picture-perfect day was also a real treat.
Once I got back to Melbourne, I had dinner at the iconic Supernormal on Flinders Lane. I was blown away by the complex flavors in chef Andrew McConnell's Asian-inspired cuisine — the hype is real.
Day 3: I flew to the Gold Coast and dove right in.
A two-hour flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast Airport transported me to Queensland, which has some of the most beautiful coastlines I've ever seen.
After checking into the beachfront Langham Gold Coast and enjoying an adorable Paddington Bear-themed afternoon tea in its Palm Court lobby bar, I strolled up and down the pristine golden sand between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.
I spent some time watching some fearless surfers tackle the waves. Then, it was time for a massage with acupressure ear seeding at the Chuan Spa, known for its Eastern wellness philosophy.
In the evening, I dined on hotel room service while watching a lightning storm over the ocean from my balcony.
Day 4: I interacted with wildlife and had more tasty bites in Queensland.
This was the day I was most excited about: Queensland is one of few places in Australia where people are allowed to hold koalas — and this was my chance!
I made my way to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where I peered at silly capybara and dingo, fed curious kangaroos by hand, and let a very musky-smelling male koala snuggle into my arms.
Afterward, I went to Rick Shores restaurant to dine on its legendary Moreton Bay bug rolls (a type of lobster roll) while watching families frolic on the nearby beach.
Dinner was at T'ang Court, where I had the best Cantonese food I've had outside of Hong Kong.
Day 5: Once I got to Sydney, I gave myself some downtime.
After a lazy morning at the pool and on the beach, I took a 90-minute flight from Brisbane to Sydney.
Upon checking into my hotel in the late afternoon, I decided to just eat and go to bed early to save my energy for the busy days ahead.
This was my only real rest day.
Day 6: I ventured just outside Sydney to enjoy some nature in New South Wales.
For day six, I had booked a full-day group tour through Oz Trails of the Blue Mountains (about 90 minutes from Sydney).
This UNESCO World Heritage site is known as "the Grand Canyon of Australia" and has gorges, sandstone cliffs, and a eucalypt forest.
Our many fabulous tour stops included the Sydney Zoo (where I fed wallabies), Govetts Leap Lookout, Cahills Lookout, and Katoomba Falls.
The highlight of the day was the few hours spent at Scenic World, where we rode a cable car on the Scenic Cableway. I got epic views of the Jamison Valley and the enormous Three Sisters rock formations.
My group also went through the rainforest via the Scenic Walkway and took the gravity-defying Scenic Railway (its 52-degree incline makes this the steepest passenger railway in the world).
Day 7: It was time to see more of Sydney itself.
It was finally time to see Sydney itself, so I took the 15-minute walk from my hotel to the city center.
Then, I took a 90-minute guided walking tour to learn about the historic neighborhood of The Rocks, then continued my own exploration of Barangaroo and Circular Quay.
I popped into shops and boutiques, visited the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and happened upon the weekend open-air market filled with artisan crafts and street food. This is where I purchased all of my souvenirs.
Day 8: I enjoyed more of Sydney and checked out Bondi Beach.
Of course, my visit wouldn't be complete without a stop at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
I went on a morning tour with a guide who detailed the history and architecture of the building. I was so inspired that I impulsively bought a ticket to "Oscar," a ballet about Oscar Wilde, for that evening.
Later, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a show in such a gorgeous venue.
In the afternoon, I made my way to the famous Bondi Beach, a crescent of white sand dotted with sunbathers and surfers all living their best lives — Australia at its finest.
For me, eight days in Australia was perfect.
As I boarded my flight home the next morning, I couldn't believe how much I had packed into just eight days.
I certainly experienced enough on this whirlwind adventure to fall in love with Australia's charm, beauty, and warmth — and it left me eager to return and explore even more someday.
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