An Epic Australian Adventure: Explore iconic cities, coastal drives, reef dives, and surf towns on a perfectly packed Aussie itinerary

Australia is vast, wild, and unforgettable. On our 3 week adventure, we set out to experience the best the country has to offer—from iconic cityscapes to rugged island landscapes and world-class underwater wonders. Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or just dreaming for now, here's a look at our journey: starting in Sydney, winding through Tasmania, driving the Great Ocean Road, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, and finishing with some surf time on Bondi Beach.

First Stop: Sydney – Urban Views and Historic Charm

After a long-haul flight, we touched down in Sydney, bleary-eyed but excited. Our hotel had views of the legendary Harbour Bridge, and we wasted no time heading out to soak in the city's atmosphere.

As it happened, we were in Sydney on Australia's Independence Day. While there were great views of the Opera House, there were chain link fences blocking all access until the gates formally opened to allow people to rush to their chosen spots for the shows and fireworks. We went to the main harbor side entrance where dozens of people were blocked, and we were run off by security from trying to walk through the gate. So, we cut through a city park to the backside and a different gated entrance. There were only a couple of people on that side. As we approached the gate, we explained to the security guards we were not staying but just wanted a once in a lifetime photo on the steps.

He spoke into his radio and opened the gate for us to go in 5 minutes before the official opening time. Mission completed!

Highlights:

• Sydney Harbour Bridge: Enjoy the view or climb it for breathtaking views of the Opera House and harbor.

• The Rocks Neighborhood: This historic district is full of cobblestone streets, weekend markets, and pubs dating back to the 1800s. If you can, take a stroll through The Rocks Markets on a Saturday.

• Sydney Opera House: An icon in Sydney and where Cat uttered one of her better travel phrases, "Let's keep going until someone tells us to stop or we get arrested."

• Harbor Area: So many food and shopping options. Cat bought an authentic pair of Australian Ugg boots.

Second Stop: Tasmania – Nature, Markets, and Wildlife

Next, we hopped on a flight south to Hobart, Tasmania’s artsy capital. The island feels like a different world—lush, remote, and totally chill. We stayed a few blocks off the main harbor area and walked into downtown to visit the weekly market which was filled with food and arts. A local coffee shop introduced us to Flat Whites. Our main day on the island was exploring the island with a tour by I wander Tasmania. This full day tour took us to a wildlife sanctuary, national park, historic villages, and to the top of Mt. Wellington where Antarctic winds are blowing! https://iwandertassie.com/

Must-Sees:

• Salamanca Market (Hobart): Held every Saturday, this vibrant market is full of handmade crafts, fresh local produce, and tasty street food.

• Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary: A fantastic sanctuary where we saw our first kangaroos, wombat, and Tasmanian Devils (their ears become bright red when they smell food and become more aggressive. Check their website here: Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

  
  

Third Stop: The Great Ocean Road – Coastal Beauty and Iconic Rock Formations

From Hobart, we flew into Melbourne and rented a car for a legendary Australian road trip: the Great Ocean Road. This winding coastal drive is one of the most scenic in the world, filled with jaw-dropping cliffs, sleepy surf towns, and natural wonders carved by wind and sea.

We started from Torquay, the official gateway to the route, and spent a full day making our way west to the famous Twelve Apostles, stopping for walks, photo ops, and beach time before looping back to Melbourne.

Along the way we stopped at cafes and hikes along the route. On an isolated, rural highway looping back a faster route to Bells Beach, Cat suddenly screams, "Dad! Stop the car!" I brake as hard as I can and before the car stops, Cat has jumped out of the door and I see her in the rear view mirror running back down the road and stepping through the grass toward a fence. She saw her first Kangaroos in the wild! Little did we know that near Bells Beach we would see fields full of them.

Road Trip Highlights:

• Bells Beach: A must-see for any surfing fan. This iconic spot on the Rip Curl Pro circuit offers amazing views from the clifftop and a chance to watch seasoned surfers tackle monster waves.

• Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road: While we kept excellent communication on round-a-bouts, and making turns, there was only one incident. The GPS announced, "use the right lane to turn right at the light." So I got in the right lane, which is the wrong lane in Australia and put me straight into oncoming traffic. A quick adjustment to the left, through the intersection, and to the far left lane at the turn and we were back on track (only a few people honked).

• Twelve Apostles: These towering limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean are even more dramatic in person, especially at sunset. We took the opportunity to jump in the ocean before our drive back to the hotel.

• Flying Fox Bats: While arriving back at our hotel in Geelong at dusk we were SHOCKED to see swarms of bats with up to 3 feet wide wings flying out for a night of feeding. These can be viewed through the main city park in Geelong.

Pro Tips for the Drive:

• Plan for a full-day trip if you’re doing an out-and-back drive, or stay overnight in Port Campbell to take your time.

• Fill up on gas in Torquay or Lorne—there are long stretches with few stations.

Third Stop: Cairns – The Great Barrier Reef Up Close

From Tasmania, we flew north to Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The tropical heat hit us instantly—perfect weather for underwater adventure. We booked a combined scuba lesson and snorkel tour, ideal for beginners who want to explore deeper but still enjoy surface views.

On our first night, we scoped out where the ship was docked so we knew where we were going the next morning and had seafood for dinner.

The next day was a full day out to the reef with lectures on sea life and a demonstration of scuba basics. We had the opportunity for an intro to scuba class and snorkeling in two different areas of the Great Barrier Reef.

Reef Recommendations:

• Book with Reef Experience who offers full-day eco-certified trips with dive instruction, snorkel gear, and lunch. It is an easy walk to the Pier from anywhere in central Cairns. https://reefexperience.com.au/

• Rent a GoPro before you board the tour boat from Fitzroy Island Reef Experience store. We rented ours the evening before our snorkel trip so we did not have to worry about it on the day we were finding the boat. The rental store is in a strip center on your walk to the docks and cost $30 US versus $90 on the boat.

Read about Cat's panic and recovery during the scuba lesson ----> Here

Final Stop: Bondi Beach – Surf’s Up and Laid-Back Living

We circled back to the Sydney area and finished our trip with two relaxing days in Bondi Beach, the iconic surf town just east of the city. The golden sand, turquoise waves, and chilled-out vibe made it the perfect place to wind down.

Besides walking the beach and taking in the full experience of Bondi, the cafes were fantastic.

On our second day, Cat took surfing lessons. Others in her class were a girl from Miami who had quit her accounting job and was traveling, and a girl from Estonia who was there with her family.

Top Things to Do:

• Surf Lesson: Cat joined a beginner class with Let’s Go Surfing—the instructors were patient, funny, and had us catching waves in no time. https://letsgosurfing.com.au/lessons/bondi

• Bondi to Coogee Walk: This cliffside coastal walk is absolutely stunning, with tide pools, beaches, and ocean views along the way.

• Icebergs Pool: Swim laps in this ocean-fed pool or just grab a drink at the adjoining bar while watching the surfers.

• Lamrock Cafe: Great cafe overlooking the beach. We made friends with the owner, who was a former Australian soccer player, and waiter and waitress from Germany and France who were living in Australia for a while. https://www.lamrockcafe.com.au/

Final Thoughts

This Australia itinerary was the perfect balance of urban exploration, natural beauty, underwater magic, and beach relaxation. Every leg of the trip brought something unique, and we felt like we only scratched the surface of what Australia has to offer.

Travel Tips:

• Pack layers—Australia’s weather can vary wildly by region.

• Book reef tours early, especially in peak seasons (June–October for dry, clear weather in the north).

• Embrace the local coffee culture—Australia takes flat whites seriously!

If you’ve been dreaming of visiting Australia, consider this your sign to start planning. And if you’ve already been—what was your favorite spot? Let us know in the comments!

If you are pushing yourself to new adventures and want the peace of mind with access to worldwide emergency response, check out our post on Global Rescue here.