Complete Australia: Self-Launched Melbourne to Cairns

Fly into Melbourne Airport and make your way into the city centre via the SkyBus (~£15) or Sunbus (~£4 from the nearby train station). Check into a central hostel like Space Hotel or Nomads Melbourne. Spend the evening exploring the laneways, grab a craft beer on Hosier Lane, and meet fellow travellers at your hostel's communal bar.

🚌SkyBus from Melbourne Airport to CBD (~£15) or train to Southern Cross (~£4)

🛏Space Hotel or similar central Melbourne hostel (~£25/night dorm)

• →Explore Melbourne's famous street art laneways
• →Visit Hosier Lane and Federation Square
• →Socialise at the hostel bar — open-mic or karaoke nights are common

Book a shared Great Ocean Road day-tour departing Melbourne via GetYourGuide or Viator (~£55–70pp). These cover Lorne, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park rainforest walk, and the iconic 12 Apostles. Alternatively, hire a car (split between 2–4 people) for greater flexibility (~£40/day). Overnight in Port Campbell.

🚌Shared day-tour from Melbourne (~£60) or hire car (~£40/day split)

🛏Port Campbell Hostel or Loch Ard Cottages (~£22/night dorm)

• →Drive or tour the Great Ocean Road
• →Rainforest walk in Great Otway National Park
• →View the 12 Apostles at sunset

Hire a car for this stretch or join a budget Grampians tour from Melbourne. Stop at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve (free entry) to spot emus, koalas, and kangaroos inside an ancient volcanic crater. Continue to Halls Gap in the Grampians — a stunning base for hikes and wildlife spotting.

🚌Hire car or shared shuttle (~£30–40/day)

🛏Grampians YHA Eco Hostel, Halls Gap (~£22/night dorm)

• →Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve walk — spot emus and koalas (free)
• →Drive through Grampians National Park
• →Evening wildlife walk around Halls Gap township

Rise early for the Pinnacle or Wonderland Loop hike with views over the Victoria Valley. Visit Mackenzie Falls (free, ~1hr walk). Then hit the road east towards Adelaide — a 4–5 hour drive or book a Firefly Express overnight coach (~£35). Arrive in Adelaide by early evening.

🚌Hire car return or Firefly coach Melbourne–Adelaide (~£35)

🛏Adelaide Central YHA or Goolwa Backpackers (~£22/night dorm)

• →Wonderland Loop hike to The Balconies viewpoint (free)
• →Mackenzie Falls walk
• →Indigenous rock art sites in the park

Adelaide is an underrated gem. Start with the Adelaide Central Market (free to browse, amazing food stalls). Visit the South Australian Museum (free) and stroll North Adelaide. Book a self-guided Barossa Valley wine tour via hire car or a shared day tour (~£45–55) — the valley is just 1 hour from the city. Return for dinner on Rundle Street.

🚌Walk/tram within Adelaide (free tram in city centre)

🛏Adelaide Central YHA (~£22/night dorm)

• →Adelaide Central Market food tour
• →South Australian Museum (free)
• →Barossa Valley wine tasting day trip (~£45–55 via shared tour)

Board the Greyhound coach or Firefly bus north towards Coober Pedy — the underground opal mining town (~9hrs, ~£45). Alternatively fly with Rex Airlines (~£80–100). Coober Pedy is famous for its underground homes (dugouts), surreal moonscape, and opal mines. Check into the famous Desert Cave underground hostel for the full experience.

🚌Greyhound/Firefly coach Adelaide–Coober Pedy (~£45) or Rex Airlines flight (~£90)

🛏Radeka Downunder Underground Hostel (~£22/night — a genuine underground hostel!)

• →Book coach or flight to Coober Pedy
• →Evening orientation walk around the moonscape landscape

Explore this one-of-a-kind Outback town. Visit the Old Timers Mine Museum (~£10), the underground Serbian Orthodox Church (free), and the Breakaways Conservation Park at sunset (~£8 permit). Book an opal mine tour via the visitor centre (~£15). The landscape is otherworldly — movie sets from Pitch Black and Mad Max were filmed here.

🚌Local hire car or tour (~£35 for the day)

🛏Radeka Downunder Underground Hostel (~£22/night)

• →Old Timers Mine Museum tour (~£10)
• →Underground church visit (free)
• →Breakaways Conservation Park sunset drive (~£8 permit)
• →Opal fossicking/mine tour (~£15)

Take the Greyhound coach or a shared Outback tour up to Uluru (~5hrs from Coober Pedy, or fly via Alice Springs). Arrive at the Ayers Rock Resort area in Yulara. The Ayers Rock Resort Campground has hostel-style rooms. Watch the sun set over Uluru from the free sunset viewing area with a glass of wine — a classic Oz experience.

🚌Greyhound coach or shared tour transfer (~£45–60)

🛏Ayers Rock Resort Campground/hostel dorm (~£28/night)

• →Travel to Uluru
• →Uluru sunset viewing from the free dune carpark
• →Orientation stroll around Yulara resort village

Purchase your Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass (~£20, valid 3 days). Walk the full Uluru Base Walk (10.6km, free with pass) at sunrise for the most magical light. In the afternoon, drive or shuttle to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and hike the Valley of the Winds trail (7.4km) — one of Australia's great short walks. Attend the free Dot Painting cultural demonstration at the Cultural Centre.

🚌Free resort shuttle or hire car within the park

🛏Ayers Rock Resort Campground/hostel dorm (~£28/night)

• →Uluru Base Walk at sunrise (10.6km, included in park pass ~£20)
• →Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds hike (7.4km)
• →Cultural Centre and dot painting demonstration (free)
• →Uluru sunset viewing

Take the early morning Greyhound coach from Yulara to Alice Springs (~5.5hrs, ~£35). Arrive and check into a central hostel. Explore Alice Springs: visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service museum (~£10), Todd Mall, and Alice Springs Desert Park (~£18) for native wildlife in natural habitat enclosures. The town is a fascinating cultural crossroads.

🚌Greyhound coach Yulara–Alice Springs (~£35)

🛏Alice's Secret Travellers Inn or Toddy's Backpackers (~£20/night dorm)

• →Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum (~£10)
• →Alice Springs Desert Park (~£18) — bilbies, dingoes, nocturnal animals
• →Todd Mall evening stroll and local Aboriginal art galleries

Board the legendary Ghan train from Alice Springs to Adelaide — one of the world's great rail journeys (~20hrs, ~£120–180 for a budget seat/Red Service). The train cuts through the heart of Australia, offering incredible red desert views. Bring snacks, a good book, and enjoy the ride. Arrive in Adelaide the following morning.

🚌The Ghan train Alice Springs–Adelaide (~£120–180)

🛏Overnight on The Ghan train (seat/economy sleeper ~£120–180)

• →Board The Ghan — iconic Australia train journey
• →Watch the desert landscape roll by from the observation lounge
• →Chat with fellow travellers in the dining car

Arrive back in Adelaide on The Ghan in the morning. Freshen up, then catch a budget flight to Sydney with Jetstar or Tigerair (~£60–90, book in advance). Arrive Sydney afternoon, check into a King Street Wharf or Surry Hills hostel. Head to Darling Harbour for the evening — great free views and lively bar scene.

🚌Flight Adelaide–Sydney (~£70 Jetstar/Tigerair, book ahead)

🛏Wake Up! Sydney or Bounce Sydney hostel (~£28/night dorm)

• →Fly Adelaide to Sydney (~£60–90, book ahead with Jetstar)
• →Arrive and check into Sydney hostel
• →Evening stroll around Darling Harbour (free)

Sydney's big icons are mostly free or cheap. Walk across the Harbour Bridge (free) for panoramic views, or climb it via BridgeClimb (~£160 — splurge-worthy). Stroll around The Rocks historic precinct. Take the ferry to Manly (~£6 return via Opal card) for a beach day and surf. In the evening, catch the Sydney Opera House exterior lit up — gorgeous at dusk.

🚌Opal card for ferries and trains (~£6–10/day)

🛏Wake Up! Sydney or Bounce Sydney hostel (~£28/night dorm)

• →Sydney Harbour Bridge walk (free) or BridgeClimb (~£160 optional splurge)
• →The Rocks historic precinct exploration (free)
• →Ferry to Manly Beach (~£6 return) for a surf and swim
• →Sydney Opera House exterior at dusk (free)

Take the bus to Bondi Beach (~£3) and walk the famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk (6km, free) — one of the world's best urban coastal walks. Swim at Clovelly or Gordons Bay. Back in the city, head to Chinatown for a cheap and delicious dinner (~£8–12). Book a Sydney Opera House tour (~£30) if you want to go inside.

🚌Bus to Bondi (~£3), walk back to city or bus (~£3)

🛏Wake Up! Sydney or Bounce Sydney hostel (~£28/night dorm)

• →Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk (6km, free)
• →Swim at Clovelly Beach rock pool (free)
• →Chinatown dinner (~£8–12)
• →Optional: Sydney Opera House guided tour (~£30 via GetYourGuide)

Book a Greyhound coach or Premier Motor Service from Sydney to Byron Bay (~10hrs, ~£40–50). If you have time, break the journey in Coffs Harbour. Alternatively, take the XPT train part way. Arrive in Byron Bay — Australia's most easterly point and backpacker paradise. Check into a beach-side hostel and watch the sun set from Cape Byron Lighthouse (free).

🚌Greyhound/Premier coach Sydney–Byron Bay (~£45)

🛏Aquarius Backpackers or Arts Factory Lodge, Byron Bay (~£22/night dorm)

• →Greyhound or Premier coach Sydney to Byron Bay (~£40–50)
• →Cape Byron Lighthouse sunset walk (free)
• →Main Beach evening swim

Byron Bay is built for slow mornings and active afternoons. Take a beginner surf lesson on Main Beach (~£40 via local surf schools like Style Surfing). Cycle to Cape Byron Lighthouse for the best whale-watching headland in Australia (bike hire ~£15/day). In the evening, join the free drum circle at the beach — a Byron institution on full moon nights.

🚌Bike hire (~£15/day) or walk everywhere

🛏Aquarius Backpackers or Arts Factory Lodge (~£22/night dorm)

• →Beginner surf lesson on Main Beach (~£40)
• →Cycle to Cape Byron Lighthouse (bike hire ~£15/day)
• →Whale watching from the headland (seasonal, free)
• →Beach drum circle or night markets (free)

Take a short coach to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast (~1.5hrs, ~£15). The Gold Coast is theme park central — tickets to Wet'n'Wild or Dreamworld can be booked direct (~£45–60) or skip the parks and hit the free beaches. Surfers Paradise Beach is one of Australia's iconic strips — bodyboard hire is ~£10.

🚌Greyhound/Premier coach Byron Bay–Gold Coast (~£15)

🛏Surfers Paradise Backpackers or Bunk Surfers Paradise (~£22/night dorm)

• →Coach transfer Byron Bay to Gold Coast (~£15)
• →Bodyboard hire on Surfers Paradise Beach (~£10)
• →Optional: Dreamworld or Wet'n'Wild (~£45–60 book direct)
• →Cavill Avenue evening stroll and street performers (free)

Take the Translink train from Robina or Nerang to Brisbane (~1hr, ~£8). Brisbane is a vibrant, walkable city. Visit South Bank Parklands (free outdoor lagoon swimming pool), the Gallery of Modern Art (free), and stroll the Story Bridge. Rent a CityCycle bike (~£3/day) to get around. Book a Story Bridge Adventure Climb for a Brisbane version of Sydney's BridgeClimb (~£75 via GetYourGuide).

🚌Translink train Gold Coast–Brisbane (~£8), CityCycle bike (~£3)

🛏Base Backpackers Brisbane or Brisbane City YHA (~£24/night dorm)

• →Train Gold Coast to Brisbane (~£8)
• →South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach (free swimming)
• →Gallery of Modern Art GOMA (free)
• →Optional: Story Bridge Adventure Climb (~£75 via GetYourGuide)

Spend the morning at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (~£25 entry), the world's largest koala sanctuary — you can hold a koala (~£18 extra) and handfeed kangaroos. Get there by MiCat ferry from South Bank (~£15 return, scenic). In the afternoon, explore Fortitude Valley's independent shops and New Farm Park. Evening food scene: book a table at Southbank's restaurant strip.

🚌MiCat ferry (~£15 return) or bus to Lone Pine

🛏Base Backpackers Brisbane or Brisbane City YHA (~£24/night dorm)

• →Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (~£25 entry + £18 koala hold optional)
• →MiCat ferry from South Bank (£15 return — scenic approach)
• →New Farm Park afternoon walk (free)
• →Fortitude Valley evening food and bar scene

Fly Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast Airport) with Jetstar (~£60–80) or take the overnight Greyhound (~£70, ~14hrs). Proserpine to Airlie Beach is a short shuttle (~£10). Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsundays. Check in to a hostel, browse the sailing operators on the main strip, and book your Whitsunday sailing trip for tomorrow.

🚌Jetstar flight Brisbane–Proserpine (~£70) + shuttle to Airlie (~£10)

🛏Magnums Backpackers or Airlie Beach YHA (~£20/night dorm)

• →Fly or coach Brisbane to Airlie Beach
• →Book Whitsunday sailing trip for tomorrow (~£180–220 for 2 nights)
• →Evening at Airlie Beach lagoon (free, stunning sunset views)

Board your Whitsunday sailing trip — book via Airlie Beach Sailing (prosail.com.au) or GetYourGuide. Budget 2-night trips on a maxi yacht or catamaran start from ~£180–220pp and include accommodation, meals, and snorkelling gear. Sail to Whitehaven Beach (consistently rated one of the world's best beaches) and snorkel the outer reef.

🚌Sailing vessel — included in tour price

🛏Aboard maxi yacht or catamaran (included in sailing trip price)

• →Board 2-night Whitsunday sailing trip (~£180–220pp, book via Prosail or GetYourGuide)
• →Whitehaven Beach visit — pure silica sand, turquoise water
• →Snorkelling the outer Whitsunday reef

Your second day aboard — more reef snorkelling, island hopping, and sunset sails. This is the highlight for most East Coast travellers. Your skipper will take you to the best spots based on conditions. All meals typically included on these trips. Return to Airlie Beach in the afternoon.

🚌Sailing vessel return to Airlie Beach (included)

🛏Return to Airlie Beach — Magnums Backpackers (~£20/night dorm)

• →Reef snorkelling — spot coral, fish, turtles
• →Hill Inlet Lookout — iconic swirling sand view (usually included in trip)
• →Sunset sailing back to Airlie Beach

Take the Greyhound coach from Airlie Beach to Townsville (~3hrs, ~£25). Townsville is the base for diving the SS Yongala — one of the world's best wreck dives. Check into a hostel, and if you're a diver (or want to learn), book your Yongala dive trip for tomorrow (~£175 for a day dive trip from Adrenalin Dive). Non-divers can visit the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Aquarium (Reef HQ, ~£18).

🚌Greyhound coach Airlie Beach–Townsville (~£25)

🛏Civic Guesthouse or Nomads Townsville (~£20/night dorm)

• →Coach Airlie Beach to Townsville (~£25)
• →Reef HQ Aquarium — largest living coral reef aquarium (~£18)
• →Book SS Yongala wreck dive or snorkel trip for tomorrow (~£175 via Adrenalin Dive)

If diving: spend the day on the SS Yongala wreck dive trip — a full day including 2 dives on the wreck, rated one of the world's top 10 dives (~£175). If not diving: take the Greyhound to Mission Beach (~2hrs, ~£20), a laid-back rainforest-meets-beach town where you can do Australia's highest tandem skydive over the reef (~£175 via Skydive Mission Beach).

🚌Local taxi/rideshare to dive marina or Greyhound to Mission Beach (~£20)

🛏Civic Guesthouse Townsville or Mission Beach Treehouse Hostel (~£20/night dorm)

• →Option A: SS Yongala wreck dive day trip (~£175 via Adrenalin Dive, 2 dives)
• →Option B: Greyhound to Mission Beach + skydive over the Great Barrier Reef (~£175 via Skydive Mission Beach)
• →Evening: Strand esplanade walk and sunset at The Strand (free)

Take the Greyhound coach or fly to Cairns (~3hrs coach ~£35, or flight ~£60). From Cairns, book a shared shuttle or join a day tour to Cape Tribulation (~2.5hrs north, ~£40–50 shuttle return). Cape Tribulation is where the Daintree Rainforest — the world's oldest tropical rainforest — meets the Great Barrier Reef. An extraordinary dual World Heritage Site.

🚌Greyhound to Cairns (~£35) + shared shuttle to Cape Trib (~£45 return)

🛏PK's Jungle Village or Cape Trib Beach House (~£22/night dorm)

• →Travel to Cairns then onward to Cape Tribulation
• →Daintree Rainforest boardwalk (free)
• →Myall Beach swim (free — check for croc and jellyfish warnings, stinger season Oct–May)
• →Night jungle walk with a ranger (~£20 via Cape Trib Frog spotting tours)

Explore the Daintree with a guided Aboriginal cultural walk through Mossman Gorge (~£30 via Mossman Gorge Centre, includes shuttle). Swim in the crystal-clear Mossman River gorge rock pools — one of Queensland's great natural wonders. In the afternoon, take the Daintree Ferry (~£25 return) back south and spend a night in Port Douglas, a charming tropical town.

🚌Daintree Ferry (~£25 return) + local shared shuttle (~£20)

🛏Dougies Backpackers, Port Douglas (~£22/night dorm)

• →Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural walk (~£30 via Kuku Yalanji guides)
• →Swim in Mossman Gorge rock pools (free with gorge entry)
• →Daintree River wildlife cruise — spot crocodiles (~£25)
• →Port Douglas Main Street evening stroll (free)

Return to Cairns (1hr drive, ~£15 shuttle) and board a reef day trip. Book via Reef Magic, Sunlover Reef Cruises, or GetYourGuide (~£80–100 for a full-day trip including snorkel gear, semi-sub viewing, lunch, and reef education). Add an introductory dive for ~£40 extra. The Outer Great Barrier Reef is simply unmissable. Evening: Cairns Esplanade Lagoon swim (free) and Night Market.

🚌Shuttle Port Douglas to Cairns (~£15), reef boat included in tour

🛏Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel or Travellers Oasis Cairns (~£25/night dorm)

• →Full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkel cruise (~£85–100 via Reef Magic or Sunlover)
• →Introductory dive add-on (~£40 optional)
• →Cairns Esplanade Lagoon sunset swim (free)
• →Night Market at Cairns waterfront (free entry)

Your final morning in Cairns. If time allows before your flight, visit Kuranda Rainforest Village via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (~£45 one way) or Kuranda Scenic Railway (~£35 one way) — take one up and the other back for the full experience (~£70 combined). Otherwise enjoy a final swim at Palm Cove Beach (30min north by bus, ~£5) or browse Cairns' famous Night Market one last time. Depart from Cairns Airport.

🚌Taxi/rideshare to Cairns Airport (~£15)

🛏Check out — fly home from Cairns Airport

• →Optional: Kuranda Skyrail + Scenic Railway combo (~£70 book via Skyrail.com.au)
• →Palm Cove Beach final swim (free, bus ~£5)
• →Cairns Night Market last browse (free entry)
• →Depart from Cairns Airport