I did the perfect 8 -day route for Australia: what I did, chronology

Many travel guides suggest spending two or three weeks in Australia, but I only had eight days.
To make the most of my trip, I planned in advance and I made sure to take time for my essential places.
I had to have downtime and see the highlights of Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

As a American, I spent decades dreaming of visiting Australia. Last November, I finally reserved my trip.

When planning my eight -day vacation, I carefully designed an itinerary so that I can maximize every moment but I still have time to breathe.

I know that it would be impossible to see the whole vast continent had to offer in a short trip. After all, many online travel guides suggest that visitors devote at least Two or three weeks to see Australia.

However, I tried to adapt a variety of activities and places in my schedule, including stops in half of the six states in Australia: Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

With my strategic route, I think I proved that even eight days in Australia is worth it.

Day 1: I arrived in Melbourne and I took a few steps.

I arrived in Melbourne in the morning.

Jill Schildhouse

My flight from Qantas Airlines arrived in Melbourne at 9:30 am

Immediately, I went to my hotel so that I could register and take a well necessary shower after my long trip. I chose a hotel in the heart of the city, which was essential to optimize my busy route.

Then, I reserved a cruise at 1 p.m. along the Yarra river with a picnic to obtain a line of earth. It was the ideal way to see the city and take advantage of how its landscape has turned into a high -throid buildings in green parks along the way.

Afterwards, I walked a few houses at the National Gallery of Victoria, the oldest art museum in Australia. I explored various exhibitions, including powerful collections of First Nations artists.

On the return, I checked a colored street art on the beloved and Instagrammable Bluestone track of Hosier Lane.

Day 2: I saw some protruding facts in Victoria and dinner in Melbourne.

Colorful painted buildings on Brighton Beach — Brighton Beach was full of colors.

Jill Schildhouse

The next morning, I made a tram trip about 20 minutes from my hotel at the Queen Victoria market, where I had a flat white and the croissant while walking all the food stands.

Then, I did a 45 -minute tour in Brighton Beach (I reserved a driver through my hotel), and I was able to put my feet in the sand a little. I was fascinated by the lively shades of the many beach huts bordering the shore.

I continued towards the superb Mornington de Victoria peninsula and Point Leo Estate, where I spent the afternoon sipping Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir during a fresh seafood lunch. Walking in the 330 acres sculpture park that day was also a real treat.

Once back in Melbourne, I dined at the emblematic Supernormal on Flinders Lane. I was breathtaking by the complex flavors of the Asian inspiration of chef Andrew McConnell – The media threshing is real.

Day 3: I gave myself up for the Gold Coast and I plunged.

Rectangular sandwiches with caviar, onion and herbs on the plate — I took tea in the afternoon near Melbourne beach.

Jill Schildhouse

A two -hour flight from Melbourne to Gold Coast airport transported me to Queensland, which has some of the most beautiful ribs I have ever seen.

After registering on Langham Gold Coast beach and taking advantage of an adorable Paddington theme on the bear theme in his Palm Court hall, I walked from top to bottom of the virgin golden sand between Broadbeach and Paradise surfers.

I spent a little time looking at intrepid surfers attacking the waves. Then it was time for a massage with a sowing of acupressure ear at the Chuan Spa, known for his philosophy of oriental well-being.

In the evening, I dined on the service of the hotel room while looking at a lightning storm over the ocean from my balcony.

Day 4: I interacted with fauna and I had tasty bites in Queensland.

Koala in the tree — I was so excited to hold a koala.

Jill Schildhouse

It was the day I got the most excited: Queensland is one of the few places in Australia where people are allowed to hold koalas – and it was my chance!

I headed for Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where I looked at the silly Capybara and Dingo, fed on curious kangaroos in hand, and I left a male koala very with the musk smell snuggling in my arms.

Subsequently, I went to the Rick Shores restaurant for dinner on his legendary insect breads in Moreton Bay (a type of lobster roller) while looking at the families to frolic on the neighboring beach.

The dinner was at your heart, where I had the best Cantonese cuisine that I had outside of Hong Kong.

Day 5: Once in Sydney, I gave myself downtime.

Swimming pool surrounded by loungers, palm trees — I gave myself time to relax in the sun.

Jill Schildhouse

After a lazy morning at the pool and on the beach, I took a 90 -minute flight from Brisbane to Sydney.

By registering at my hotel at the end of the afternoon, I decided to eat and go to bed early to save my energy for the busy days to come.

It was my only real day of rest.

Day 6: I ventured just outside Sydney to enjoy nature in New South Wales.

Cable car suspended above the mountains — The views from the cable car were incredible.

Jill Schildhouse

For the sixth day, I had reserved a one -day group visit through Oz Trails of the Blue Mountains (about 90 minutes from Sydney).

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as “the Grand Canyon of Australia” and has gorges, sandstone cliffs and a forest of Eucalypt.

Our many fabulous tour stops included the Sydney zoo (where I fed Wallabies), the Govetts Leap Lookout, Cahills Lookout and Katoomba Falls.

The culmination of the day was the past hours at Scenic World, where we drove a cable car on the picturesque cable. I had an epic view of the Jamison valley and the huge rock formations of Three Sisters.

My group also crossed the tropical forest via the picturesque gateway and took the panoramic railway defying gravity (its 52 degree slope makes it the rail of the most steep passengers in the world).

Day 7: It was time to see more Sydney himself.

View of the water bridge in Australia — I really liked walking through Sydney.

Jill Schildhouse

It was finally time to see Sydney himself, so I took the 15-minute walk from my hotel to the city center.

Then, I made a 90 -minute guided walking visit to find out more about the historic district of the rocks, then I continued my own exploration of Barangaroo and Circular Quay.

I entered stores and shops, I visited the Australian contemporary art museum, and I came across the outdoor market of the weekend filled with crafts and street food. This is where I bought all my memories.

Day 8: I appreciated more Sydney and I checked Bondi Beach.

Of course, my visit would not be complete without a stop at the emblematic Sydney Opera.

I did a morning tour with a guide that detailed the history and architecture of the building. I was so inspired that I bought an impulsive a ticket for “Oscar”, a ballet on Oscar Wilde, for this evening.

Later, I really enjoyed seeing a show in such a magnificent place.

In the afternoon, I headed for the famous Bondi beach, a crescent of white sand dotted with bathers and surfers all living their best life – Australia to its best.

For me, eight days in Australia was perfect.

Author Jill Schildhouse on the beach in Australia wearing a hat — I saw a lot of what I had hoped to see during my trip to Australia.

Jill Schildhouse

While I ride my return flight the next morning, I could not believe how much I wrapped in eight days.

I certainly lived a lot in this swirling adventure to fall in love with the charm, beauty and warmth of Australia – and that left me wanting to come back and explore even more one day.

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