Australia is vast, varied and impossible to see in a single trip — but two weeks is an ideal amount of time to experience its highlights without rushing. This itinerary is designed for travellers who want to combine Australia’s most popular cities with a meaningful nature experience, all while keeping travel logistics practical.
This version focuses on Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with a short but unforgettable Great Ocean Walk experience built into the journey. It avoids unnecessary backtracking and makes smart use of domestic flights and scenic rail travel.
Rather than a rigid day-by-day schedule, use this as a framework you can adapt to your own interests.
Days 1–3: Fly into Brisbane – River City & Subtropical Highlights
Start your Australian holiday in Brisbane, Queensland’s capital and one of the country’s fastest-growing cities. With its warm climate and outdoor lifestyle, Brisbane is an easy introduction to Australia.
Top things to do in Brisbane:
- Walk along South Bank Parklands, home to riverside paths, gardens and swimming lagoons
- Visit Roma Street Parkland, a lush inner-city oasis
- Explore the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens along the river
- Enjoy views from Story Bridge, especially at sunset
Brisbane’s relaxed pace makes it a great place to recover from long-haul flights before moving on.
Days 4–7: Sydney – Harbour, Beaches & Iconic Sights
Next, fly from Brisbane to Sydney, Australia’s most recognisable city. Sydney’s natural harbour, coastal walks and famous landmarks make it a must-visit.
Highlights to include:
- Walk around Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay
- Visit the Sydney Opera House (or dine there if booked ahead)
- Explore The Rocks, Sydney’s historic precinct
- Take the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk for ocean views and beaches
- Optional experiences such as harbour kayaking or the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
If wildlife is high on your wish list, a visit to Sydney Zoo offers an ethical way to see many of Australia’s iconic animals — a great complement to wildlife sightings later on the Great Ocean Walk.
Days 8–10: Fly to Avalon Airport & Walk the Great Ocean Walk
From Sydney, fly to Avalon Airport, the closest airport to the Great Ocean Walk and an easy gateway to Victoria’s southwest coast.
Instead of tackling the full 104 km trail, this itinerary includes a short Great Ocean Walk experience, perfect for first-time walkers or those combining walking with city travel.
A popular option is a 3-day Great Ocean Walk section, such as Aire River to the Twelve Apostles, which delivers the most dramatic coastal scenery with minimal logistical complexity.
- Johanna Beach
- Milanesia Beach
- Gables Lookout
- The iconic Twelve Apostles coastline
This section offers a rare chance to experience Australia away from crowds — walking through remote landscapes where kangaroos, koalas, seabirds and rugged cliffs define the journey.
👉 Helpful planning resources:
- A complete guide to the Great Ocean Walk
- Family-friendly activities on the Great Ocean Road
- Best time of year to visit
Days 11–14: Train to Melbourne – Culture, Food & Farewell
After completing your walk, travel to Melbourne via Camperdown, where the train journey is a fast and comfortable way to reach the city — often quicker than driving.
Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital and a perfect place to end your trip.
Top Melbourne experiences:
- Explore laneways filled with street art, cafés and bars
- Visit the National Gallery of Victoria and Royal Exhibition Building
- Wander around Federation Square and Flinders Street Station
- Enjoy Melbourne’s internationally renowned food scene
Melbourne also offers easy day trips and excellent public transport, making it a stress-free final stop before flying home.
Departure: Fly Home from Melbourne Tullamarine
Finish your journey by flying home from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, Australia’s second-busiest international airport with extensive global connections.
Why This Two-Week Itinerary Works
This route:
- Starts gently in Brisbane
- Showcases Australia’s most iconic city in Sydney
- Delivers a true nature immersion on the Great Ocean Walk
- Ends with culture, food and history in Melbourne
By flying into Brisbane and out of Melbourne, you avoid unnecessary backtracking and experience Australia in a logical, north-to-south flow.
Prefer to Travel the Other Way?
This itinerary also works perfectly in reverse. Many travellers choose to fly into Melbourne and out of Brisbane, especially if flights or travel deals make that more convenient.
In that case, you would:
- Start in Melbourne
- Travel to the Great Ocean Walk via Avalon Airport
- Fly to Sydney
- Finish your trip in Brisbane
The experiences remain the same — only the order changes — making this a flexible itinerary that adapts easily to your travel plans.
Planning Your Great Ocean Walk Experience
Including a short Great Ocean Walk within a broader Australian itinerary gives you something many visitors miss: time on foot in a wild, unspoilt landscape.
Whether you’re considering a Hike the Cape 3-day walk, a 3-day walk ending at the 12 Apostles, a longer itinerary, or need help coordinating transport and accommodation, the Walk91 team is always happy to help.
Australia is a country that rewards curiosity and slower travel. We hope this itinerary helps you experience its cities, coastlines and wild places in one unforgettable trip.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Two weeks is a great amount of time for a first visit. While Australia is vast, a two-week itinerary allows you to experience major cities, iconic landscapes and at least one immersive nature experience — such as the Great Ocean Walk — without feeling rushed.
Yes. This itinerary works just as well in reverse. Many travellers choose to fly into Melbourne and out of Brisbane, depending on flight availability or pricing. The experiences remain the same — only the order changes.
Avalon Airport is the closest airport to the Great Ocean Walk, making it an efficient gateway to Victoria’s southwest coast. Flying into Avalon reduces travel time compared to returning to central Melbourne before heading west.
No. Most visitors include a short section of the Great Ocean Walk within a longer Australian itinerary. A 2–3 day walk delivers dramatic coastal scenery and wildlife encounters without committing a full week.
Yes. When broken into shorter sections and walked pack-free with accommodation arranged, the Great Ocean Walk is suitable for first-time multi-day walkers with a reasonable level of fitness.
Common sightings include kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, echidnas and a wide variety of seabirds. With patience and good timing, walkers may also spot seals offshore or even a platypus in freshwater areas.
After finishing your walk, travelling to Melbourne by train via Camperdown is a fast and comfortable option — often quicker and more relaxing than driving.
Both options work well. Starting in Brisbane offers a gentle introduction with warm weather and outdoor spaces, while starting in Melbourne lets you experience the Great Ocean Walk early in your trip. Flight availability usually determines the best option.
Yes, with some adjustments. Families often shorten walking sections, choose gentler Great Ocean Walk segments, and include more beach and wildlife stops. You can also explore family-friendly activities along the Great Ocean Road.
Planning the walk is much easier with local support. Transport, accommodation, luggage transfers and route advice can all be arranged so you can focus on enjoying the walk rather than logistics.
About the Author
Walk91 is a locally owned Great Ocean Walk operator based in Apollo Bay, Victoria. Our team lives and works on the Great Ocean Road and provides self-guided Great Ocean Walk support throughout the walking season, drawing on first-hand knowledge of trail conditions, logistics, and safety planning.
CONTACT US to start planning your Great Ocean Walk Adventure!
T: +61 3 5237 1189 Or BOOK A CALL Email: info@walk91.com.au
