Map of Places

Notes:

Type I adapter needed.
This itinerary includes multiple rental cars and hotels in different areas of the country.

Day 1: Sydney

Arrival & Check-In

Arrive as early as possible in Sydney from your flight.
Take an Uber to Holiday Inn Express by Airport (1 night) to drop off luggage.
- Shuttle is available for $10/person, but Uber may be cheaper for groups.
- Lockers for baggage at the hotel are first-come, first-served (usually full by 10:00 am).
- Pack swimsuit, towel, and snorkel with you in a day bag for later in the day.

Sightseeing: Sydney Opera House & Harbor

Take an Uber to the Sydney Opera House, walk around it and take photos of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
Optional: Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb (time-consuming & expensive, but offers a birds-eye view).
Walk to Hickson Road Reserve and Dawes Point Reserve for additional viewpoints of the Opera House.

Spit Bridge to Manly Walk

Take an Uber to the Spit Bridge for the start of this 6.2 mile walk.
- A mixture of paved and dirt paths, some uphill & stairs.
  - Wildlife: water dragons, birds, ocean views.
  - Detour: ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs.
- Clontarf Marina – last food/water stop until the end.
- Manly Beach & nearby Shelly Beach snorkeling.
  - Wildlife: Hawksbill & Green sea turtles, Port Jackson sharks, weedy sea dragons, eels, groupers.
  - Conditions vary; check currents & visibility.
Local restaurant in Sydney or Manly for dinner.
Take an Uber back to the Holiday Inn Express for the night.

*Baral Marrjanga, Mossman River Lookout, Mount Demi Trail, and the Rainforest Circuit Track.*

Day 2: Sydney → Cairns

Take the earliest flight to Cairns.
Pick up your pre-booked rental car from Simba; there is a free airport payphone to call for pickup at the airport.

Scenic Drive & Rainforest Hikes:

Drive along Captain Cook Highway; grab food at the IGA for a picnic lunch for today and tomorrow.
- Stops:
  - Rex Lookout: panoramic views Trinity Bay.
  - Yule Point: more panoramic ocean views.
  - Mossman Gorge Visitor Center: get a ticket for the shuttle bus to the gorge and back to the visitor center (you cannot drive in the park).
    - Hike the 2.28-mile loop combining Baral Marrjanga, Mossman River Lookout, Mount Demi Trail, and the Rainforest Circuit Track.
      - Wildlife: rainforest birds, skinks, spiders, possible cassowary.

Daintree Rainforest

Take the Ferry to Daintree National Park (world’s oldest rainforest, cassowary habitat, where the rainforest meets the ocean). (Book ferry upon arrival).
- Stops:
  - Mount Alexandra Lookout
  - Jindalba Boardwalk: 1.9 mile, easy boardwalk loop.
  - Madja Boardwalk: 0.86 mile, boardwalk through the mangroves.
  - Picnic lunch: Dubuji Picnic Area and 1.5 mile boardwalk known for cassowary sightings.
  - Short hike: Kulki Rainforest Trail (forest & ocean views).
Drive back to Port Douglas, take the ferry back across the river, for dinner in town near your accommodation the Coral Beach Lodge (3 nights).

Day 3: Great Barrier Reef (Snorkel/Scuba)

Book with Quicksilver Dive Company (snorkel, scuba, or mixed).
- Full-day tour (approx. 8:00–4:30) with breakfast pastries & lunch included.
- Three reef stops for diving/snorkeling.
  - Wildlife: coral, fish, occasional sharks, and sea turtles.
Upon returning back to land you can spend your time walking around Four Mile Beach or walking the Flagstaff Hill walking trail to the lookout.
Dinner in Port Douglas at The Courthouse.

Day 4: Great Barrier Reef (Second Day)

In the morning, drive to Rex Smeal Park to spot the spectacled flying foxes that live in the trees.
Then start your second full day of scuba/snorkel with Quicksilver Dive Company.
- Take your ticket from day 1 back to the office to get refunded for 10% off your day 2 tour if your ticket has this deal.
- Scuba the first two stops and snorkel the last (to allow time for dive-surface interval as recommended due to going to higher elevations tomorrow).
When you return to land, walk the service trail right behind the accommodation (there were signs stating dingoes may be present).
Dinner at the Central Hotel Pub, look for the lorikeets at dusk.

Day 5: Atherton Tablelands

Wake up early and start your drive to Youngaburra Platypus Viewing Platform.
- The earlier the better for platypus sightings.
Visit Crater Lakes National Park: walk the Lake Eacham 1.9-mile Rainforest Loop
- Wildlife: musky rat kangaroo, turtles
Drive to Curtain Fig National Park: walk the Curtain Fig Tree boardwalk.
Lunch at Gallo Dairyland (burgers and assorted chocolates, the kitchen closes at 2pm).
After lunch drive to Malanda Falls for a short woodland walk (watch for pademelons).
Nerada Tea Plantation: drive by search for tree kangaroos. Look for a long hanging tail in the tree. Do not give up too easily, it took us a couple tries to spot one!
Waterfalls Trail Loop: Ellinjaa Falls, Zillie Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls
Optional: eat dinner at a nearby restaurant if you have time, we chose quick sandwiches to go searching again for the tree kangaroos back at the tea plantation.
Prebook a night hike with Eyes on Wildlife Guide Patrick for nocturnal wildlife.
- You can see possums, gliders, owls, lizards, and spiders on short night walks with flashlights.
Return to the Platypus Viewing Platform to search again if you did not see the platypus earlier.
Head to your accommodation Birds 'n' Bloom Cottages (1 night).

Day 6: Adelaide → Kangaroo Island

Get up early and look for platypus again at the viewing platform and then drive back to the Cairns airport and drop off your rental car.
Take your morning flight to Adelaide & pick up your pre-booked rental car with East Coast Car Rentals (ensure ferry permission as not all rental companies allow ferry use with their vehicles).
Drive to the Botanic Park Adelaide to look for the Grey Headed Flying Foxes that live in the trees there.
Head to Adelaide Central Market for lunch (closes at 3pm).
Drive to Cape Jervis and the ferry port via Fleurieu Peninsula scenic route (~1:40 minute drive without stops).
Stop along the way and do some of Punch Bowl Lookout Trail to see Western Grey Kangaroos.
Take your pre-booked SeaLink Ferry to Kangaroo Island (book a round trip ticket with your return date) (~45 min boat ride, arrive to the ferry 30 min early).
For dinner pack something or stop en route for a quick pick up of food, as you will arrive on the island late, after the restaurants close.
Drive, carefully on Kangaroo Island at night due to the wildlife everywhere, to your accommodation in Kingscote, Villas on the Bay (3 nights).

*Seal Bay Conservation Park Guided Tour*

Day 7: Kangaroo Island – Flinders Chase National Park

Drive to Flinders Chase National Park (arrive at opening).
Start the day with the Platypus Waterholes Walk (2.8 miles) (best in the early AM) start at the Rocky River Campground.
Lunch at the visitor center, they have a cafe or you can bring a packed lunch.
Next drive to Admirals Arch and walk the boardwalk to see the Australian Fur Seals.
- Lookout for goannas along the boardwalk.
Drive to Remarkable Rocks and walk the boardwalk to the naturally sculpted boulders.
Drive back to the Rocky River Campground to do the Woodland Walk (0.6 mi) and Heritage Trail (1.1 mi) – look for echidnas & koalas.
Then drive to Snake Lagoon and hike some of the Snake Lagoon Hike & Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail to Rocky River (4–5 mi round trip depending how far you go, platypus spotting).
Take the Scenic North Coast Road drive back to Kingscote (kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, cliff views).
- Very bumpy road with some washboards in areas so be prepared to drive slow and give yourself plenty of time.
- Can stop at Snelling and Stokes Bay Beach to look for cockatoos.
For dinner stop at a gas station or bring a packed meal.
Head back to your accommodation for the night.

Day 8: Kangaroo Island – Wildlife & Adventure

Early morning, before your tour, head to Bales Bay to walk along the shore and lookout for seals.
Then head to your Seal Bay Conservation Park Guided Tour (45 min, pre-booked): this is the only way to get up close to the endangered Australian Sea Lions.
- You can walk the boardwalks after the tour for more sea lion viewing.
Head to the Little Sahara Dunes: free to visit, but you can rent a sand board and go sand-boarding.
- VERY tiring, we rented 1 board for 5 people for the shortest option of time and it was plenty for us.
Have lunch at the Vivonne Bay General Store: get the famous whiting burger!
After lunch Kayak the Harriet River (pre-book the 1–4 pm slot) – koala sightings along the river.
Walk the Vivonne Bay jetty & optional snorkeling.
- Weedy Sea Dragons are known to frequent here.
On your way back to the accommodation, stop at Duck Lagoon Camping area for a casual stroll for koala spotting along the Cygnet River.
Have dinner at Kangaroo Island Fresh Seafoods Cafe.
Return to your accommodation for the evening.

Day 9: Kangaroo Island – Scenic & Local Farms

Arrive right at opening to Emu Bay Lavender Farm.
- Try some lavender ice cream & jam and shop for lavender scented items.
Stop at the Salt Lagoon.
Head to Cliffords Honey Farm.
- Sample different flavor infused honeys, honey flavored ice cream, and honey brewed beer and other beverages.
Drive to the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse for outside views of Australias oldest active lighthouse.
Hike some trails at the Chapman River Campground at Lashmar Conservation Park. We saw many Black Swans here.
Drive to Dudley Wines for lunch & wine tasting, with great valley views.
- Try the flatbread pizza and hit some golf balls into the wine valley below.
Drive toward Penneshaw for your ferry back to the mainland.
- Before the ferry, in the Penneshaw area walk Christmas Cove for possible penguins sightings.
- Visit Baudin Conservation Park.
  - Hike Iron Stone Hill Trail and look for the glossy black cockatoos (2.7 miles).
Grab dinner/snacks at the IGA as there are only a few restaurants nearby.
Board the ferry to Cape Jarvis (with your pre-booked round trip ticket).
Then start the drive back to your hotel in Adelaide for the night at Adelaide Riviera Hotel (1 night).

*Archers Knobb & Springlawn Lagoon Trail*

Day 10: Tasmania – Cradle Mountain National Park

Head to the airport for your early flight to Launceston.
Upon arrival pick up your rental car.
Start your drive to Cradle Mountain National Park. First stop at Cataract Gorge.
- Take a short stroll & have lunch here at the onsite restaurant.
- Honestly, this was one of the more crowded places we stopped and was not anything special. Its a good stop if you’re hungry and to break up the drive but if you are short on time you can skip it.
Along the drive stop at Tamar Island Wetland Reserve and walk the boardwalk to look for birds & snakes.
Stop at Notley Fern Gorge and hike the 0.8 mile loop (look for pademelons & wallabies).
Drive to Narawntapu National Park. Hike the Archers Knobb & Springlawn Lagoon Trail (~5 mile round trip, this is a decently steep hike to the top with some switchbacks).
- Wildlife spotted here Yellow-tailed black cockatoos, pademelon, and wallabies.
- In this park you can drive to the ocean where they have a whale skeleton on display that washed up.
Finish your drive to your accommodation in Cradle Mountain (3 nights).
For dinner either buy some food to make at the accommodation or stop along route, we got in very late and were hungry as there was nowhere to eat around, so we highly suggest getting food early en route.

Day 11: Cradle Mountain National Park

Inside Cradle Mountain National Park take the shuttle to hike Dove Lake Circuit (3.7 mi, easy loop clockwise from the parking lot).
Take Dove Lake Circuit to Lake Lila Track → Ronny Creek Boardwalk → Ronny Creek Parking Lot.
Shuttle to Interpretation Center → do Pencil Pine Trail
Lunch: Cradle Mountain Lodge
Hike Knyvet Falls Trail (1.7 mi, easy hike)
Do King Billy Walk/Enchanted Forest Walk starting at the lodge.
Night time wildlife spotting is an activity to do here. Tasmanian devils, wallabies, quolls, wombats and more nocturnal wildlife are everywhere, drive slowly and carefully.

Day 12: Cradle Mountain National Park

If you choose, you can sleep in a little this day and still have time for all the activities.
Inside the park, shuttle to Hike Ronny Creek Boardwalk → Lilac Pools → Wombat Pools → Marions Lookout → Overland Track (5 mi, difficult, some is uphill but views are rewarding).
Lunch at Cradle Mountain Lodge
5:30 PM Devils @ Cradle night feeding tour (pre-booked)
- Go early because you can walk around independently to see all the animals before your tour.
Nocturnal animal search on Ronny Creek Boardwalk.
Late dinner, buy food from the park store.

Day 13: Melbourne → Dandenong National Park

*Ringtail Possum - Rhyll Inlet Wetlands Boardwalk*

Wake up early and drive back to the airport for your early morning flight to Melbourne.
Upon arrival in Melbourne pick up your rental car at Thrifty.
Drive to Dandendong National Park.
- Sherbrooke Falls Trail (1.7 mi, easy)
- Olinda Falls Trail
Picnic lunch (pick up food from a gas station en route for your picnic lunch).
Hike Valley Picnic Ground → Eagles Nest Trail (3.5 mi, moderate, swamp wallabies).
Optional: National Rhododendron Garden for free if time
Next, drive to Flinders Pier where there is optional snorkeling (weedy sea dragons).
Dinner at Flinders Hotel The Deck.
Overnight at your Airbnb (1 night).

Day 14: Phillip Island

Early in the morning drive to Philip island and do Cape Woolamai Hike (5.6 mi, coastal).
- Start early enough to make it to the pelican feeding.
At 12:00 PM watch the Pelican Feeding at Fishermans Co-Op and then have lunch at the restaurant.
Explore San Remo Jetty and look for stingrays.
Forest Caves Beach Walk
Rhyll Inlet Wetlands Boardwalk (ringtail possum spotting)
Cowes Beach
Oswin Robert Koala Reserve
Nobbies Center & Boardwalk exploration
Attend pre-booked 7 PM Penguin Parade at Summerland Beach
- Arrive 1 hour early for better seats and to explore visitor center and have a snack/drink at the cafe.
Overnight at an Airbnb in Coronet Bay (1 night).

*Eastern Grey Kangaroo - Anglesea Golf Course*

Day 15: Great Ocean Road – Melbourne

Drive the Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Great Otway.
Stops:
- Bells Beach
- Anglesea Golf Course: take the kangaroo golf cart tour, can book upon arrival.
- Hutt Gully Lookout
- Urquhart Bluff Lookout
- Lunch in Lorne
- Erskine Falls
- Teddy’s Lookout
- Kennett River Nature Walk (koalas and kangaroos)
- Apollo Bay Beach
Dinner in Apollo Bay.
Overnight at your Airbnb (2 nights).

Day 16: Great Ocean Road & Otway National Park

Continue the drive with these stops:
- Maits Rest Rainforest Walk
- Cape Otway Lightstation
- Triplet Falls Hike (1.7 mi)
- Hopetoun Falls
- Beauchamp Falls
- Picnic lunch at Lake Elizabeth and then hike to the lake.
- Stop and view the 12 Apostles
- Loch Ard Gorge Beach
Have dinner at 12 Rocks Cafe in Port Campbell.
On the way back to the Airbnb stop at Melba Gully Walk, do this at night to see the glow worms.
Overnight at your accommodation.

Day 17: Melbourne → Departure

Wake up early and drive back to Melbourne to return your rental car for your flight back to Sydney for your fight home.

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