A great road trip through Australia visiting Melbourne, the great ocean road, Cairns, the opportunity for visiting the barrier reef and the coastal drive from Brisbane to Sydney, all in a little over 3 weeks. I've tried to make this trip busy but with time to see the attractions. There are many alterations you can make to this itinerary to double your time, but this is a great trip for those that don't want to use up too much annual leave either! Flights are from Manchester. The dates are 24/04-17/05 and I've been to Australia at this time and much prefer it than December or January when it is very busy.
I've included car hire in Melbourne and Brisbane-sydney but I would also suggest seeing if you can find more local providers too in Australia as you may get better deals. Hostels and Airbnb will likely reduce cost further and I've used both extensively in Australia with no issues.
25th April
You'll arrive into Melbourne today. You will spend 2 nights in the city of Melbourne, based at the Larwill which has fantastic reviews and is a studio so you have far more space than a hotel room. It is near to the zoo, but just on the outskirts of Melbourne near the free bus to the city so you are ideally located for a fantastic priced place to stay.
27th April
Collect your hire car from Melbourne and drive the great ocean road from Melbourne to Apollo Bay taking in sights such as Bells Beach and Kennet River. Stop en route at Lorne for some nice fish and chips. Overnight at Apollo Bay at the Beachcomber Motel. Again this has consistently good reviews and is a great price.
28th April
Drive Apollo Bay to Port Campbell via the 12 Apostles and more gorgeous coastal views on the GOR. Overnight at Port Campbell at the Parkview Motel. Make sure you view the Ottawa Lighthouse for nearby koalas.
29th April
Drive from Port Campbell to Port Fairy. Overnight at Port Fairy. This is a gorgeous place to visit too and I'd suggest allowing time to wander around Port Fairy too. You will stay at the Comfort Inn at Port Fairy. This has great reviews and rooms have a private bathroom.
30th April
Drive around 2 hours back to Melbourne today where you will spend a final night in the city. You will stay at the Pensione Hotel in Melbourne.
1st May
You will fly Melbourne to Cairns today. Upon arrival in Cairns you will head to the city staying at Heritage in Cairns. Cairns is worth a short visit and has a general backpacking vibe with cheap eats such as the nightmarkets You will only stay for one night before heading to Port Douglas.
2nd - 4th May
You'll head to Port Douglas today. There are a variety of options such as bus, taxi or self drive or even tours. I haven't included prices here as there are so many choices so you will need to price this up in addition to the cost. In Port Douglas you can head out to the barrier reef and there are many tours available or even to the 'jungle' of Cape Tribulation. You will stay at the Port Douglas Motel which has a Certificate of Excellence on Tripadvisor and great reviews.
4th May
You'll head back to Cairns airport for your afternoon flight to Brisbane. Again, depending on how you got to PD you could drive, taxi or bus back to the airport. In Brisbane you'll collect your hire car and drive to the Ibis Windsor. There is free parking and although it's a budget option it's ideal as you'll be heading out to the Gold Coast/Byron Bay the following day.
5th-7th May
You'll do the short drive to the Gold Coast today and then on to Byron Bay. There are a few different options you could make to this trip to visit Noosa and Fraser (which I highly recommend), but for the straightforwardness (if that's a word), you'll head to Byron Bay. You could also overnight at Gold Coast but I didn't like it, a bit Blackpool like. Instead overnight at Byrons Bay at Glenn Villa where you will stay for 2 nights.
7th-9th May
Continue the drive of the Pacific Highway Drive to Coffs Harbour, which will take you around 2 hours. You'll stay for 2 nights at the Royal Palms.
9th - 12th May
You'll drive from Coffs Harbour to Port Stephens today. It's a long drive but you will be able to make plenty of stops en-route to break up your journey and you will have 3 nights in Port Stephens to use as a base so no need to hurry! You'll stay in Hawks Nest in the Northern Shores of Port Stephens for 3 nights.
12th May
You'll do the drive to the Blue Mountains - Katoomba today. You are not far from Sydney once in Katoomba but it is well worth overnighting at the Blue Mountains as there are so many nice hikes/walks nearby. You'll stay at a highly rated B&B Lurline House whixh is a great base D'Or the Blue Mountains. Jenolan caves are also nearby and worth a short visit.
13th-17th May
You'll head to Sydney today. After returning the hire car you will be based at the Larmont, a great centrally located place for 4 nights.
******Breakdown
Long haul flights Man-Mel-Syd-Man £553.39 x 2 @ Expedia
2 nights at the Larwill, Melbourne £98.94 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
Car hire in Melbourne £58.61 @ holidayautos.com
1 night at the Beachcomber Motel in Apollo Bay £43.07 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
1 night at Port Campbell at the Parkview Motel £55.58 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
1 night at the Comfort Inn Port Fairy £59 @ booking.com
1 night in Melbourne after GOR £55.55 at hotels.com use code EML2016
Flights for 2 Melbourne to Cairns $350 AUD/£170.61 @ Virgin Australia
1 night in Cairns £53.29 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
2 nights at the Port Douglas Motel £101.82 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
Flights for 2 Cairns to Brisbane $278 AUD/£135.51 @ Virgin Australia
Hire car Brisbane to Sydney £105.50 @ Argus Car Hire
1 night in Brisbane at the Ibis Windsor £36.15 @ hotels.com
2 nights in Byron Bay £98.66 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
2 nights at the Royal Palms in Coffs Harbour £81.85 @ hotels.com use code
EML2016
3 nights at Hawks Near nr Port Stephens £123.09 at hotels.com use code EML2016
1 night at Lurking House, Blue Mountains £47 @ booking.com
4 nights at the Larmont by Lancelot £266.24 @ Expedia use code AFFJANDIA
Total pp £1328.62
Top comments
mjb1975
5 Jan 1627#3
kent84
5 Jan 164#5
Thanks for the effort but it seems very unnecessary. That route is incredibly specific and not likely to be ideal for many people, and even if you have no desire to plan anything yourself I wouldn't say it's the best route to take anyway.
The Manchester flights are pretty good value though, it's rare to find them that cheap.
If anyone can get these pictures to appear rather than the link that would be helpful!
mjb1975
5 Jan 1627#3
sammboy
5 Jan 16#4
hot for the effort op...
kent84
5 Jan 164#5
Thanks for the effort but it seems very unnecessary. That route is incredibly specific and not likely to be ideal for many people, and even if you have no desire to plan anything yourself I wouldn't say it's the best route to take anyway.
The Manchester flights are pretty good value though, it's rare to find them that cheap.
rachelandgromit to kent84
5 Jan 16#7
There are so many variations of this itinerary but this a good basis to seeing some of Australia. You could always add Uluru but it's likely to be expensive.
muffboy
5 Jan 16#6
I'm in, missus is working, any offers?
kent84
5 Jan 161#8
Well yes, but Australia is expensive! And the only reason you should see so much in just 3 weeks is if you are never going back again, in which case you should really see the Outback.
That was kind of my point though - it's fine as a rough guide, but then that makes all the timings etc unnecessary, which was more my criticism than adding in Uluru (and is what people will vote it hot for). For example, if you're only spending 5 days in Queensland I wouldn't go to Port Douglas at all, let alone for over half of it!
Sorry as this is rather critical, I still appreciate the effort!
fishmaster
5 Jan 162#9
I'm going to Uluru dressed as Captain Kirk, then I can hear them say "eh good, welcome to Ayre's Rock". Then I can say "rock, it rhymes with spock". I thank you.
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
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Opening post
I've included car hire in Melbourne and Brisbane-sydney but I would also suggest seeing if you can find more local providers too in Australia as you may get better deals. Hostels and Airbnb will likely reduce cost further and I've used both extensively in Australia with no issues.
25th April
You'll arrive into Melbourne today. You will spend 2 nights in the city of Melbourne, based at the Larwill which has fantastic reviews and is a studio so you have far more space than a hotel room. It is near to the zoo, but just on the outskirts of Melbourne near the free bus to the city so you are ideally located for a fantastic priced place to stay.
27th April
Collect your hire car from Melbourne and drive the great ocean road from Melbourne to Apollo Bay taking in sights such as Bells Beach and Kennet River. Stop en route at Lorne for some nice fish and chips. Overnight at Apollo Bay at the Beachcomber Motel. Again this has consistently good reviews and is a great price.
28th April
Drive Apollo Bay to Port Campbell via the 12 Apostles and more gorgeous coastal views on the GOR. Overnight at Port Campbell at the Parkview Motel. Make sure you view the Ottawa Lighthouse for nearby koalas.
29th April
Drive from Port Campbell to Port Fairy. Overnight at Port Fairy. This is a gorgeous place to visit too and I'd suggest allowing time to wander around Port Fairy too. You will stay at the Comfort Inn at Port Fairy. This has great reviews and rooms have a private bathroom.
30th April
Drive around 2 hours back to Melbourne today where you will spend a final night in the city. You will stay at the Pensione Hotel in Melbourne.
1st May
You will fly Melbourne to Cairns today. Upon arrival in Cairns you will head to the city staying at Heritage in Cairns. Cairns is worth a short visit and has a general backpacking vibe with cheap eats such as the nightmarkets You will only stay for one night before heading to Port Douglas.
2nd - 4th May
You'll head to Port Douglas today. There are a variety of options such as bus, taxi or self drive or even tours. I haven't included prices here as there are so many choices so you will need to price this up in addition to the cost. In Port Douglas you can head out to the barrier reef and there are many tours available or even to the 'jungle' of Cape Tribulation. You will stay at the Port Douglas Motel which has a Certificate of Excellence on Tripadvisor and great reviews.
4th May
You'll head back to Cairns airport for your afternoon flight to Brisbane. Again, depending on how you got to PD you could drive, taxi or bus back to the airport. In Brisbane you'll collect your hire car and drive to the Ibis Windsor. There is free parking and although it's a budget option it's ideal as you'll be heading out to the Gold Coast/Byron Bay the following day.
5th-7th May
You'll do the short drive to the Gold Coast today and then on to Byron Bay. There are a few different options you could make to this trip to visit Noosa and Fraser (which I highly recommend), but for the straightforwardness (if that's a word), you'll head to Byron Bay. You could also overnight at Gold Coast but I didn't like it, a bit Blackpool like. Instead overnight at Byrons Bay at Glenn Villa where you will stay for 2 nights.
7th-9th May
Continue the drive of the Pacific Highway Drive to Coffs Harbour, which will take you around 2 hours. You'll stay for 2 nights at the Royal Palms.
9th - 12th May
You'll drive from Coffs Harbour to Port Stephens today. It's a long drive but you will be able to make plenty of stops en-route to break up your journey and you will have 3 nights in Port Stephens to use as a base so no need to hurry! You'll stay in Hawks Nest in the Northern Shores of Port Stephens for 3 nights.
12th May
You'll do the drive to the Blue Mountains - Katoomba today. You are not far from Sydney once in Katoomba but it is well worth overnighting at the Blue Mountains as there are so many nice hikes/walks nearby. You'll stay at a highly rated B&B Lurline House whixh is a great base D'Or the Blue Mountains. Jenolan caves are also nearby and worth a short visit.
13th-17th May
You'll head to Sydney today. After returning the hire car you will be based at the Larmont, a great centrally located place for 4 nights.
******Breakdown
Long haul flights Man-Mel-Syd-Man £553.39 x 2 @ Expedia
2 nights at the Larwill, Melbourne £98.94 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
Car hire in Melbourne £58.61 @ holidayautos.com
1 night at the Beachcomber Motel in Apollo Bay £43.07 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
1 night at Port Campbell at the Parkview Motel £55.58 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
1 night at the Comfort Inn Port Fairy £59 @ booking.com
1 night in Melbourne after GOR £55.55 at hotels.com use code EML2016
Flights for 2 Melbourne to Cairns $350 AUD/£170.61 @ Virgin Australia
1 night in Cairns £53.29 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
2 nights at the Port Douglas Motel £101.82 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
Flights for 2 Cairns to Brisbane $278 AUD/£135.51 @ Virgin Australia
Hire car Brisbane to Sydney £105.50 @ Argus Car Hire
1 night in Brisbane at the Ibis Windsor £36.15 @ hotels.com
2 nights in Byron Bay £98.66 @ hotels.com use code EML2016
2 nights at the Royal Palms in Coffs Harbour £81.85 @ hotels.com use code
EML2016
3 nights at Hawks Near nr Port Stephens £123.09 at hotels.com use code EML2016
1 night at Lurking House, Blue Mountains £47 @ booking.com
4 nights at the Larmont by Lancelot £266.24 @ Expedia use code AFFJANDIA
Total pp £1328.62
Top comments
The Manchester flights are pretty good value though, it's rare to find them that cheap.
All comments (54)
screen shots
If anyone can get these pictures to appear rather than the link that would be helpful!
The Manchester flights are pretty good value though, it's rare to find them that cheap.
That was kind of my point though - it's fine as a rough guide, but then that makes all the timings etc unnecessary, which was more my criticism than adding in Uluru (and is what people will vote it hot for). For example, if you're only spending 5 days in Queensland I wouldn't go to Port Douglas at all, let alone for over half of it!
Sorry as this is rather critical, I still appreciate the effort!