A group of people climbing a city bridge during sunset, Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Brisbane, Queensland © Story Bridge Adventure Climb

Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Brisbane, Queensland © Tourism Australia

13-day itinerary for foodies and design lovers

With a love of innovation and creativity, Australia’s cities are bursting with design-driven experiences and artful eateries.

Trip Overview

13 days

car, plane

1,457km (905mi)

The must-do experiences

Taste your way through Australia’s top restaurants and cafés
Explore innovative design and heritage landmarks
Stay at art-inspired, boundary-pushing hotels

Day 1: Brisbane

Begin your trip in the capital city of Brisbane. More specifically, it's centre of cool: Fortitude Valley.

The Johnson, Brisbane, QLD © The Johnson

12 of the best hotels in Brisbane

Find the best lodgings in the heart of Queensland’s vibrant capital or in one of its fascinating inner-city neighbourhoods.

Read time • 6min

Day 2: Brisbane's New Farm

Take the ferry over to the leafy green New Farm to explore its heritage-listed homes, farm-to-fork eateries and unique design-led experiences.

Kangaroo Point picnic, Brisbane, QLD © Brisbane Marketing

Guide to Brisbane

Queensland’s sunny capital offers up laidback charm and urban energy with a dash of adventure.

Read time • 4min

Day 3: Brisbane's South Bank

Get your cultural fix at South Bank, the central arts precinct of Brisbane.

Day 4: Brisbane to Sydney

1.5hrs 754km (468mi)

Discover your creative flair in the harbourside city of Sydney today, about a 90-minute flight from Brisbane.

Hyatt Regency Sydney, Sydney, NSW © Hyatt Regency

Where to stay in Sydney

Whether you want to stay in a converted brewery, a luxury hotel on the harbour or an edgy loft-style room above one of the city's most popular nightspots, Sydney has a huge range of top-quality hotels.

Read time • 8min

Day 5: Sydney Harbour

Experience Sydney Harbour’s renowned restaurants and striking architecture today.

A city harbour during sunset with boats, a tall arched bridge and jacarandas in the foreground, Sydney Harbour, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

Guide to Sydney

A city of iconic attractions and brilliant beaches, Sydney is a destination you'll never forget.

Read time • 4min

Day 6: Sydney's Marrickville

Splashed with street art, food stores and international restaurants, Marrickville is a food and design lovers' dream. Get to know the suburb with these experiences.

Bennelong Restaurant and Bar, Sydney, NSW © Brett Stevens/Bennelong

Top 10 Sydney restaurants with a view

If you like your meals served with a healthy helping of postcard-perfect views, these restaurants fit the bill.

Read time • 5min

Day 7: Sydney's centre and surrounds

Embark on a journey of fine food, modern art and historic design from Sydney’s city centre to the Hawkesbury River.

Day 8: Sydney to Canberra

1hrs 236km (147mi)

From Sydney, it's a 55-minute flight (or three-hour drive) to Australia's capital city of Canberra – no stranger to design.

Guide to Canberra

Find a mix of history, art and the outdoors in Australia's capital city.

Read time • 4min

Day 9: Canberra

There's no need to go far today. Explore Acton and its edgier side, NewActon – one of Canberra's trendiest neighbourhoods.

Day 10: Canberra to Melbourne

1.5hrs 467km (290mi)

Fly just over an hour from Canberra to Melbourne. Make a beeline for South Yarra, an affluent suburb brimming with boutiques and historic architecture.

Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Where to stay in Melbourne

Whether you are looking for a buzzing city hotel or a discrete neighbourhood hideaway, Melbourne’s best hotels have you covered.

Read time • 6min

Day 11: Melbourne

Feed your inner creative in the heart of Melbourne today.

Guide to Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia's mecca for all things trendy and tasty. With exquisite dining, exhilarating sport and abundant art experiences, there are plenty of brilliant things to do in Melbourne.

Read time • 4min

Day 12: Melbourne's suburbs

Embark on a gastronomic tour across the city today, from South Melbourne to the edgy Fitzroy.

Day 13: Melbourne

Spend your last day in style with these must-do Melbourne experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Brisbane from the USA?

Getting to Brisbane from the United States is easier than you think, with non-stop options for the most direct route, and one-layover options to add another Australian city to your itinerary.

Direct flights: Fly non-stop from east coast US cities including Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). Seasonal flights may also be available from Dallas (DFW).
Connecting flights: Fly into another gateway Australian city – like Sydney (SYD) or Melbourne (MEL) – before hopping on an easy domestic flight to Brisbane (BNE).

How do I get to Brisbane from the UK?

Travelling to Brisbane from the UK is straightforward with several one-stop options available.

Via Perth: You can fly direct from London Heathrow (LHR) to Perth (PER) on Australia's west coast, then take a cross-country domestic flight to Brisbane (BNE).
Via international hubs: Fly via major hubs like Singapore (SIN) or Dubai (DXB) before continuing on to Brisbane (BNE).

How do I get to Brisbane from China?

Getting to Brisbane from China is easy, with direct and one-stop options available.

Direct flights: Non-stop flights to Brisbane (BNE) are available from Shanghai (PVG) and Guangzhou (CAN).
One stopover: You can also connect through major Asian hubs or Australian cities like Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL), followed by a short domestic flight to Brisbane (BNE).

Which cities are included in this food and design itinerary?

This journey begins in Brisbane and takes you through Sydney and its surrounding regions, including Marrickville and the Hawkesbury River, before continuing to Canberra and finishing in Melbourne.

Is this Australia itinerary for foodies and design lovers a good option for families?

While this 13-day itinerary is designed for adults seeking high-end experiences and sophisticated dining, many portions are easily adapted for families of school-aged children and teenagers.

Kids will especially love climbing the Story Bridge Adventure Climb in Brisbane, exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney and strolling through the busting food stalls at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.

How do I travel between cities on this itinerary?

While it's possible to drive between some of Australia's major cities, flights maximise your time to explore. This itinerary uses three direct flights:

Brisbane (BNE) to Sydney (SYD)
Sydney to Canberra (CBR) and
Canberra to Melbourne (MEL)

Explore more nearby

Bright neon lights and people fill out Supernormal, Melbourne © Trader House Restaurants, Nikki To

Places to go

Top restaurants in Melbourne

Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane, Queensland © Brisbane Marketing

Places to go

Brisbane's best museums and galleries

Pt. Leo Estate, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria © Visit Victoria

Places to go

Guide to the Mornington Peninsula