10-day coast to coast itinerary

Travelling to Cairns from the UK is straightforward, with options including one stopover for the most direct access, or two stopovers to include another Australian city in your itinerary.

• One stopover (fastest route): Fly from the UK through a major Asian hub like Singapore (SIN), then take a direct connection straight to Cairns (CNS).
• Two stopovers (multi-city route): Fly from the UK to global hubs like Dubai (DXB) or Doha (DOH) into an Australian gateway city – like Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL) – before taking a domestic flight to Cairns (CNS).

Getting to Cairns from China is convenient, often only requiring one stopover.

• Via regional hubs: Fly from China to a major Asian hub like Singapore (SIN) and onward to Cairns (CNS).
• Via Australian gateways: Fly from China to major Australian cities – such as Brisbane or Sydney – followed by a short domestic flight to Cairns (CNS).

Yes, this coast-to-coast Australian itinerary is a great option for families with teenagers or older children.

The itinerary requires driving between destinations and one major travel day from Cairns to Perth via an easy, five-hour direct flight, but the logistics are more than worth the effort. This journey is full of memory-making family activities like meeting koalas at the Kuranda Koala Gardens, snorkelling the world-famous Great Barrier Reef and swimming with giant whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park.

In Cairns, stay in either the city centre or along the Esplanade, where you'll have easy access to dining options and reef tours. In Perth, the city centre and Elizabeth Quay offer city convenience. In places like Port Douglas and Ningaloo, you’ll find a mix of resorts, boutique stays and nature-based accommodation.

The months from May to October are ideal for this coast-to-coast Australian itinerary, offering pleasant tropical weather and peak marine wildlife experiences.

You'll experience warm weather in tropical North Queensland and comfortable conditions in Western Australia, making it perfect for reef and outdoor experiences. If you're eager to swim with the giant whale sharks of Ningaloo Marine Park, be sure to visit between May and August. If you choose to travel later in September and October, you'll enjoy great weather as well as the annual migration of humpback whales.