10-Day Australia Itinerary (13–23 Sep): Sydney, Melbourne & Gold Coast
13 September (Saturday): Arrive in Sydney, Australia
I will land early morning in Sydney and begin my Australian adventure! After clearing immigration, I
will grab an Opal public transportation card and head to the hotel.
Accommodation: Travelodge Hotel Sydney (three-star, centrally located and budget-friendly)
Morning:
Hotel check-in and freshen up
Walk to Circular Quay to see the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
Relax at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Lunch: Enjoy fish and chips or ramen at Sydney Cove Oyster Bar.
Afternoon:
Take a ferry to Taronga Zoo to meet kangaroos and koalas, with scenic harbour views
Explore the historic The Rocks neighbourhood.
Dinner: Thai cuisine Chat Thai Haymarket
Evening: Sunset stroll around Darling Harbour
14 September (Sunday): Bondi Beach and Coastal Walk
Today is all about experiencing the iconic Australian beach culture.
Morning:
Take a public bus to Bondi Beach
Do the scenic Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk
Relax on the beach or dip in the water
Lunch: sushi rolls at Bondi Trattoria
Afternoon:
Ferry to Manly Beach.
Visit the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Dinner: Explore options in Chinatown, such as Dixon House Food Court
Evening: Enjoy classic amusement at Luna Park Sydney.
15 September (Monday): Blue Mountains Day Trip
Today, I will take a full-day excursion to one of New South Wales’ most famous natural sites.
Tour Includes:
Scenic lookout over the Three Sisters at Echo Point
Guided walks in Blue Mountains National Park
Visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park to feed kangaroos
Lunch: Included in the day tour or enjoy a picnic meal
Evening: Return to Sydney → Dinner at Friggitoria
16 September (Tuesday): Fly to Melbourne and Explore
Morning domestic flight from Sydney to Melbourne
Accommodation: Best Western Melbourne City
Afternoon:
Visit Flinders Street Railway Station, Federation Square, and St. Paul's Cathedral
Take a ride on the City Circle Tram
Relax along the Southbank Promenade
Dinner: Hella Good (Greek souvlaki)
17 September (Wednesday): Great Ocean Road Adventure
Today is a bucket-list day trip on one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal drives.
Tour Highlights:
Coastal towns such as Torquay and Bells Beach
Rainforest walk in Great Otway National Park
Photo stop at the iconic Twelve Apostles
Visit Loch Ard Gorge
Lunch: Café stop in Apollo Bay.
Dinner: Return to Melbourne in the evening → Grab dinner on Lygon Street (Melbourne's Italian
precinct)
18 September (Thursday): Explore Melbourne
Relax and explore more of Melbourne
Queen Victoria Market for shopping and street snacks
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne or Street Art Laneways tour
Visit Eureka Skydeck (observation deck)
Dinner: Budget-friendly eats on Little Bourke Street or Shanghai Street Dumplings
19 September (Friday): Fly to Brisbane and Explore South Bank
Morning flight to Brisbane (approximately two and a half hours). Purchase a Go public transport card
on arrival.
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street (central, modern, and affordable)
Afternoon:
Walk along South Bank Parklands
Explore the Gallery of Modern Art (free)
Enjoy a stroll on the Brisbane Riverwalk
Dinner: at riverside burger bar
20 September (Saturday): Day Trip to the Gold Coast – Surfers Paradise
Take a morning train or bus from Brisbane to the Gold Coast (approximately one and a half hours)
Activities:
Relax at Surfers Paradise Beach
Walk along the beachfront Esplanade
Visit SkyPoint Observation Deck.
Lunch: Poke bowls at a local café
Dinner: Dine at Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club.r
21 September (Sunday): Wildlife and Waterfalls
Morning: Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – meet lorikeets and take a photo with a koala
Afternoon:
Visit Springbrook National Park for waterfalls and nature
Relax at a local beachside café
Dinner: Wrap up the Gold Coast visit with Betty’s Burgers.
22 September (Monday): Return to Sydney + Wind Down
Afternoon flight from the Gold Coast Airport to Sydney
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Sydney Airport or Metro Hotel Marlow.
Evening Options:
Take a final scenic walk to Observatory Hill Lookout
Shop for souvenirs at Pitt Street Mall
Dinner: Indian cuisine at Masala Kitchen.
23 September (Tuesday): Fly Back to India
Early morning international flight for home from Sydney to New Delhi, India. My bags are
packed with memories, souvenirs, and a big smile.
Flight Information
I will be booking my round-trip flight from Delhi to Sydney, departing on September 13, 2025
and returning from Sydney on September 23, 2025.
Regards
Sahil Sharma
05 May 2025
