Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, and its destinations are spread out with completely different landscapes from north to south and east to west. It's challenging for a first-time visitor to plan a trip through traditional trip planner websites with endless must-do lists and recommendations. You have to do the itinerary on your own.
An AI trip planner can help. It can generate personalized itineraries automatically, and connect planning with real execution, like booking flights and hotels. With our free trip planner and the step-by-step roadmap in this article, you can be the best Australia Trip Planner.
Best Time to Visit Australia
Australia is huge and has six different climates due to its diverse terrain and vast land area. Whether you want to have a tour of rainforests, sandy plains, snowy alps, or sunny beaches, come to Australia. The best time to visit Australia depends on your preference, time, and budget.
For the Southern Cities
Southern cities in Australia, such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, are warm and sunny during Spring, from September to November, and Autumn, from March to May. These are great seasons for city exploring and outdoor activities like hiking and wine tasting. And also, it avoids the peak season in summer with the crowd and high prices. But summer from December to February is good for beach lovers, just be careful not to get heatstroke.
For the Tropical Northern Cities
For northern areas in Australia, such as Cairns, Darwin, and the Great Barrier Reef, the dry season, from May to October, and the wet season, from November to April, are the best times to explore northern Australia. The dry season is good for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback for its clear skies and less humidity. Though the wet season is hot and humid, it has more beautiful landscapes and waterfalls.
How Many Days for a Trip to Australia
For one or two cities, such as Sydney or Melbourne, and their surrounding areas or regional towns, 1 week is needed. A tour contains one or two major cities, and one coast needs 2 weeks to have a deeper exploration. For people who have more destinations and arrangements, more time is needed.
How to Plan Your Australia Trip with an AI Trip Planner
Hard to plan a trip to an unfamiliar country? Don't worry, using the best trip planner to generate a personalized itinerary through relaxed chatting. You just need to input your requirements, like budget, destinations, departure city, preferences, and co-travelers. iMean AI itinerary planner can not only customize your trip plan, but also compare the price of flights and hotels across the web, and provide you with bookable entrances. Here is the step-by-step roadmap for you.
Step 1: Input your requirements
Here is a simple prompt for you to start planning. You can also use your own words.
Prompt: My sister and I will be traveling from Singapore to Australia from the 10th to the 25th of February 2026. We're both in our early twenties and are eager to make the most of our trip! We're planning to visit 3 cities in 15days, 5 days in Melbourne, 5 days in Sydney, and 5 days in Brisbane with a budget ＄5000 each. We want to enjoy the culture and lifestyle of Australia, and we are both foodies. Outdoor activities are acceptable, but should be safe.
Step 2: Adjust the itinerary
After the itinerary is generated, what you should do is check and adjust the plan to make sure the final plan is exactly what you want. Whether you want to add or remove activities or adjust your budget, tell it what you need.
Step 3: Select your flights and hotels, and book them directly
Compared to traditional trip planner websites, with an AI trip planner, you don't need to compare the price of flights and hotels yourself, jumping between different tabs endlessly. The AI trip planner automatically scans the best options across the web and presents you with clear choices.
Step 4: Share your itinerary with your fellow travelers
Click the "share" button, and your fellow travelers who are not with you can also know the itinerary instantly. Moreover, they can check the travel plan anytime during the trip.
Here is the Australia itinerary I got for the 15-day adventure: Singapore → Melbourne → Sydney → Brisbane → Singapore
Where to Stay in Australia
It totally depends on what you want to experience. If you are interested in the city vibe or the history of Australia, you can go to vibrant cities like Sydney and Melbourne; if you want unique wilderness experiences, go to Uluru or Kakadu. Beach lovers just go directly to the Gold Coast and the Whitsundays. They won’t let you down.
For City Vibes and Culture
Sydney and Melbourne offer diverse experiences, from famous city landmarks to cultural vibes. In Sydney, you can admire the iconic Sydney Opera House from different perspectives and explore vibrant neighborhoods like Surry Hills. And Melbourne, the mecca of trendy and tasty, offers a vibrant dining scene along with exciting events and exhibitions waiting for you. However, it's worth noting that the two destinations can be expensive and crowded during peak seasons.
For Beaches and Reefs
You can go to the Gold Coast or Brisbane for beautiful coastlines, beaches, and laid-back seaside vibes. It's just a one or two-hour drive from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. Port Douglas is an ideal base for exploring pristine rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. There are multiple adventures to do, like going deep into the Great Barrier Reef or visiting the Daintree Rainforest. Best for beach lovers and adventure seekers, though Port Douglas has less nightlife than other major cities.
For Unique Nature and Outback
Uluru and the Daintree Rainforest are two unforgettable destinations with unique desert landscapes and ancient rainforest. At Uluru, you can feel the power of peace and spirituality created by the desert, especially when the sun rises or falls slowly. The ancient rainforest of Daintree, with lush vegetation and the Great Barrier Reef, offers travelers an immersive experience in nature. But transportation in these two destinations could be limited, so you'd better arrange it in advance.
Top Things to Do in Australia
Route 1: Melbourne Cultural Walk
🚩State Library Victoria → Hosier Lane → Carlton Gardens
- State Library Victoria
This is the state library of Victoria, Australia, which was established in 1854 and is the oldest public library in Australia, and also the first free library in the world.
- Hosier Lane
A 'free-to-paint' area that has not required permits or permission since the late 1990s. For street art lovers, it's definitely a must-see urban art hotspot.
- Carlton Gardens
A late nineteenth-century garden with dramatic tree-lined avenues, a majestic fountain, formal flowerbeds, and miniature lakes. The garden is free to enter, and you can walk, sit, or have a picnic here. But for special events held within the Royal Exhibition Building or at the Melbourne Museum, admission fees may be needed.
Route 2: Sydney Must-See Landmarks
🚩Sydney Opera House → St Mary’s Cathedral → Hyde Park
- Sydney Opera House
A multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. It is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous and distinctive buildings, with over 40 shows a week. You can book performance tickets and guided tours in advance on their official website.
- St Mary’s Cathedral
A Catholic Community in the Diocese of St. Cloud. It is free and open to the public. The Cathedral is open every day from 8 am until 5 pm. Please note that, in respect to the Sacred Liturgy, tours are not allowed during posted service times.
- Hyde Park
A large, central park known for its beautiful gardens, monuments, and relaxed atmosphere. It is close to Circular Quay, the Opera House, and other major Sydney landmarks.
Route 3: Classic Gold Coast Getaway
🚩MovieWorld → SkyPoint Observation Deck → Gold Coast Beach
- MovieWorld
Australia's No. 1 Theme Park! Best choice for a family with children. You can meet your favourite stars and Super Heroes, experience adrenaline-pumping thrill rides, and watch an array of world-class performances and shows.
- SkyPoint Observation Deck
The SkyPoint Observation Deck is located on levels 77 and 78 of the Q1 building and is the only beachside observation deck in Australia. With its 360-degree platform, you can enjoy the view of Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.
- Gold Coast Beach
It is famous for its 70+ km of golden surfing beaches like Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, and Coolangatta. A paradise for water activities lovers. Whether you are an adventure seeker or just want to enjoy the vacation with your family, you can find your own fun.
Transportation Tips for Australia
Australia is big, but convenient to get around. This is a transport guide for you.
Intercity Transportation
Australia has a significant number of airports, with estimates around 150-200 for public services. For long-distance transfer, flying is the best way to have a trip in a short time. Getting around by train is also convenient for spectacular rail journeys in Australia, such as The Ghan and Indian Pacific. It's not only for transportation, but also a good way to enjoy the scenery along the way. You can also take ferries because many cities are built around harbors, rivers, or coastal areas.
Innercity Transportation
Public transport and tourist bus services are economical ways of travelling around the city. Some services, such as Melbourne’s City Circle Tram, are completely free, and children generally pay a concession fee for most public transport services. But each Australian city operates its own public transport network, and services vary by region, so you'd better search on the web for your destination.
Notes:
After landing at the airport, you need to set up an eSIM for checking transit schedules, top up travel cards online, and accessing route updates in real-time. With an eSIM for Australian travelers, you can use navigation and payment apps with ease.
Final Thoughts
Australia is vast and diverse, offering unforgettable experiences from vibrant cities and cultural landmarks to golden beaches and unique outback landscapes. Planning a trip can feel overwhelming, but an AI trip planner makes it simple by generating personalized itineraries and booking options for you.
If you want a personalized, editable day-by-day itinerary for Australia, try iMean free AI trip planner.
