Two surfers carry surfboards into gentle waves on a sunny beach, with high-rise buildings towering along the coastline at Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland. © Tourism Australia

3 - 6 day itineraries

Find places to go and things to do in Australia with the help of our three to six-day itineraries.

Spend three days in Australia's major cities

A man and woman admiring the distant view of the city from St Kilda Pier, Melbourne, Victoria © Visit Victoria

3 days in Melbourne

Aerial view of Sydney Harbour reflecting the blue, pink and gold hues of sunset in Sydney, New South Wales © Destination NSW

4 days in Sydney

Underwater view of people swimming with dolphins with Temptation Sailing, Adelaide, South Australia © Tourism Australia

3 days in Adelaide

A man and woman kayaking with Riverlife along Brisbane River beneath Story Bridge with Howard Smith Wharves in the background in Brisbane, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

3 days in Brisbane

Group of tourists enjoying a rickshaw taxi ride across a bridge at night with Peddle Perth, Perth, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

3 days in Perth

A group of people in yellow kayaks paddle among boats in a marina with Roaring 40s Kayaking in Hobart, Tasmania © Tourism Australia

3 days in Hobart

A colourful sunset of purple and orange reflects across a calm resort pool, framed by silhouetted palm trees along the water at Darwin Skycity Pool at sunset, Darwin, Northern Territory. © Tourism NT, Dave Anderson

3 days in Darwin

Hot air balloons floating over a lake beneath a pastel sky, Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Tourism Australia

3 days in Canberra

Spend a long weekend around Australia

People laying on white sand beneath colourful umbrellas while others swim in the gentle waves and clear blue waters of Greenmount Beach in Coolangatta, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Trips and itineraries

3 days on the Gold Coast

Aptly named the Gold Coast, this sun-drenched city is punctuated with laid-back beaches, luxury hotels and world-class amusement...

Roebuck Bay, Broome, WA © Tourism Australia

Trips and itineraries

3 days in Broome

Broome offers a unique experience at every turn. Uncover dinosaur footprints, learn about the town’s pearling history and marvel...

Boroka Lookout over Halls Gap, Grampians National Park, VIC © Visit Victoria

Trips and itineraries

3 days in the Grampians

Where else can you stay in a treehouse cabin, explore scenic mountains, take a helicopter to lunch and land between 150-year-old...

Discover unique short breaks

The Ghan travelling along train tracks in the outback with the bright sun in the distance, Darwin, Northern Territory © Great Southern Rail

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Australia from the USA?

Getting to Australia is easier than you think, with direct flights available to several Australian cities, and easy onward flights to other Australian destinations.

Direct flights: You can fly non-stop from major US cities – including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH) and Honolulu (HNL). These flights land in major cities in Australia's east, like Sydney (SYD), Brisbane (BNE) and Melbourne (MEL).
Onward flights: From these gateway cities, you can take direct domestic flights to Australia's many unforgettable destinations, such as Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef and Perth.

What can I see in Australia in 3 to 6 days?

A 3 to 6-day trip is perfect for an immersive urban getaway or a focused regional escape.

In three to six days, you can:

Take a city break: Spend three to four days exploring vibrant urban hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Darwin, or Canberra.
Enjoy a regional escape: Take a short trip to experience the sun-drenched beaches of the Gold Coast, the coastal magic of Broome, or an outdoor mountain escape in the Grampians.
Plan a unique short break: Embark on bucket-list train journeys, including The Ghan outback rail and the Indian Pacific train, or explore a 6-day drive through Tasmania's Western Wilds.

What’s the best way to plan a short trip in Australia?

To maximise a short trip in Australia, it's best to focus on a single region or choose a structured route (like The Ghan train). A 3 to 6-day holiday is easy to plan:

Fly into a major city: Choose one capital city (like Sydney, Melbourne, or Adelaide) and explore the urban centre using public transport, or book guided day tours to nearby spots.
Rent a car for a long weekend: Focus on regional getaways close to major cities – such as exploring the Grampians or the beaches of Broome and the Gold Coast – which are ideal for short drives.
Book a unique short break: Let the transit be the journey by booking bucket-list rail itineraries, such as 3 days on board The Ghan or 4 days on the Indian Pacific train.

What types of short trips are included in this collection?

This collection features a variety of 3 to 6-day itineraries organized into three distinct travel styles:

Three days in Australia's major cities: Immersive urban guides for capital cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra.
Long weekends around Australia: Focused regional getaways highlighting beach and outdoor destinations like the Gold Coast, Broome and the Grampians.
Unique short breaks: Epic bucket-list transit journeys, including multi-day rail expeditions on The Ghan and the Indian Pacific train, alongside a 6-day journey through Tasmania's Western Wilds.