This is the Best Australia Itinerary for 3 Weeks (2025)

Australia is a dream for many travellers – the country is experiencing a tourism boom and it’s easy to see why. From diving the Great Barrier Reef to surfing on Bondi Beach or soaking up the city vibes in Sydney and Melbourne, there are plenty of bucket list experiences to be had here. While it’s not the cheapest destination, the right travel tips can help you make the most of your trip. On my 3 week Australia itinerary, I flew into Cairns, then travelled to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. As a solo backpacker, I stayed in hostels and with local friends who gave me their top tips. This is what happened on my Australian adventure – and what you could do too.

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Planning your Australia itinerary for 3 weeks

Australia is a dream destination for solo travellers, thanks to its lively cities, natural wonders and endless opportunities for adventure.

During my three weeks Down Under, I explored Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. From scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef to soaking in Melbourne’s artsy vibes, it was an unforgettable journey.

This Australia itinerary for 3 weeks is perfect for solo backpackers. Read on for your week by week guide.

Week 1: Cairns – Tropical adventures and the Great Barrier Reef

Having flown in from Bali, my journey Down Under kicked off in Cairns. This small, laid-back city in tropical Queensland is considered the gateway to Australia’s underwater wonder, the Great Barrier Reef. That was to come.

Where to stay in Cairns for backpackers

Cairns is a backpacker’s paradise, with affordable and social accommodation where it’s easy to meet fellow travellers. Here are some of the best hostels:

I stayed at the Travellers Oasis. This superb hostel is a top choice for backpackers, thanks to its convenient location, useful amenities and outdoor pool. The staff are also super friendly and helpful.

The Mad Monkey Village is another great option. Clean, sociable and welcoming, its pool and palm trees will make you feel like you’re in a tropical paradise.

For the best accommodation deals in Cairns for your dates, check the map below:

Explore the Atherton Tablelands

The very entertaining Captain Matty of Barefoot Tours hosted my day trip around the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns.

First, he introduced us to the region’s unusual looking Cathedral Fig Tree. Then, we stripped down to our swimsuits and jumped into the cool falls. Despite being in the tropical north of the country, we needed to be brave as it was the winter.

The stunning Millaa Millaa Falls prompted dramatic wet-hair flicks in the style of a 1980s shampoo advert. Matty told us these falls were the location for the video to Peter Andre’s classic 90s pop tune, Mysterious Girl. With more waterfalls and even a cane toad to see, this was a fun way to get to know the area.

Preparing to dive the Great Barrier Reef

The next day it was time to explore even deeper waters: the Great Barrier Reef. No 3 week Australia itinerary is complete without diving or snorkelling this natural wonder.

Having passed my Open Water scuba diving certification in Malaysia, I was raring to go. I booked myself in for three dives, taken from a large white cruiser vessel.

I’d been fascinated by the Reef since I was a kid in school. However, I was sad to learn on this trip that it is now irreversibly dying. So now is a good time to check it out.

Dive day

In my dive group were two guys from Sydney, who were in Cairns to compete in the Iron Man triathlon. They were just warming up with this diving trip.

Our instructor, Kenzo, obviously loves his job. As well as doing all the usual diving hand signals, he’d clap his hands excitedly and blow water rings. He encouraged me to do an underwater somersault, even though I doubted I could.

On these dives, I fed a turtle, posed with a giant blue Maori Wrasse fish and spotted a giant clam. I also held a pineapple sea cucumber, saw two sharks, stingrays and barracuda. As a colourful backdrop to all this were orange and purple coral walls.

And I did a somersault!

I was already very impressed with my 3 week Australian itinerary and there was plenty more to come.

Week 2: Sydney – Iconic landmarks and Bondi Beach

After diving into Australia’s stunning nature, experienced city life in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and met up with friends here. First up, Sydney.

Sydney is a must-visit on any 3-week Australia itinerary, blending stunning harbourside views, great nightlife and cultural landmarks.

Vivid Arts Festival and Harbour Views

On the day I arrived in Sydney the city was hosting a Vivid arts festival. This event saw its buildings – including the Sydney Opera House – spectacularly lit up with graphics, animated to music.

Another day I saw the Opera House close up and met my friend Matt at the waterfront Opera Bar. Though I had to fend off the hungry sea birds intent on diving in to snatch our potato wedges!

There is also the Sydney Harbour Bridge, of course. One evening we dined at the Glenmore pub’s rooftop terrace which has a great view of this famous landmark.

Where to stay in Sydney

Sydney has a wide range of hostels catering to solo travellers, from lively party spots to relaxed, homey stays. The best areas for backpackers depend on your vibe—Central Sydney is ideal for sightseeing, while Bondi is perfect for beach lovers.

Central Sydney

YHA Sydney Harbour is a fabulous hostel choice. Located in The Rocks, it has unbeatable views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from its rooftop terrace. It’s modern, clean and quiet – and the ideal base for exploring Sydney.

Wake Up! Sydney Central is another good hostel for location and atmosphere, right next to Central Station. It’s modern, social without being too chaotic, and has an on-site café and bar where travellers can easily connect.

If you prefer something quieter but still central, The Pod Sydney is a wonderful option. Its capsule-style dorms give you extra privacy, making it a great mix of hostel affordability with hotel-like comfort.

In Sydney, I was able to exercise daily thanks to my new Bikram yoga practice – read my review of the brilliant Bikram Yoga Darlinghurst studio in central Sydney.

Bondi

For those wanting to stay by the beach, Wake Up! Bondi Beach is a top pick with incredible ocean views and a great social scene. It’s perfect for surfers, yoga lovers, and anyone wanting to wake up steps from the sand.

I stayed with my friend Amanda in the Bondi beach area, a relaxed neighbourhood full of cafes and restaurants. It was such a treat to be living by the sea again. I enjoyed a walk along the front and watching the surfers tackle the huge frothy waves.

Day trip from Sydney: Blue Mountains

Escape the city with a day trip to the Blue Mountains. Join a guided tour or take the train to explore waterfalls, hiking trails and the iconic Three Sisters rock formation.

Week 3: Melbourne and Adelaide – Arts, culture and wine

Melbourne and Adelaide offer a perfect blend of culture and relaxation. They’re ideal for the final stretch of your 3 week Australia itinerary.

Melbourne’s arts and laneways

I had heard Melbourne was a city of arts, culture and sport, and I wasn’t disappointed. There were so many exhibitions and events advertised, I was spoiled for choice. Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital, with laneway street art, quirky cafes and galleries galore. A great bar I visited with local friends in the city centre (CBD) is the eccentric and chic Ampere.

Where to stay in Melbourne for backpackers

When it comes to accommodation, backpackers are spoiled for choice, with hostels that cater to different vibes and budgets. Here are some great options:

The centrally located Space Hotel is a hybrid between a hotel and a hostel. As well as private rooms, there are modern dorms equipped with individual power points, reading lights and lockers. Guests love its rooftop deck and hot tub with views over Melbourne. There’s also an on-site gym, cinema and communal kitchen.

The Mansion Melbourne is a boutique-style hostel, only a 10-minute walk from the CBD. Housed in a historic building, it offers clean, spacious dorms, a chic lounge and an outdoor terrace. Close to Carlton Gardens, it’s perfect for exploring the city’s museums and nightlife.

Located near the University of Melbourne, is Mad Monkey Melbourne. This modern hostel has a rooftop terrace, gym and runs social events like pub crawls. It’s a short tram ride or 20-minute walk away from the CBD.

Explore the map below to find the best accommodation deals in Melbourne for your dates:

Australian Centre for the Moving Image

I visited the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) with my friend Naomi, who’s from Melbourne. Here, we saw costumes from over 100 Hollywood classic and modern movies.

One of my favourite pieces was the floor length silk dress made for Keira Knightley’s role in Atonement. This draped beautifully and its deep green hue represented the character’s dangerous jealousy and desire.

Also on display were the glamorous costumes from the movie of The Great Gatsby.

Neighbours

My former landlady hosted me for a couple of nights at her beautiful home in the residential suburb of Glen Iris. On my last day in Melbourne, I ventured out to a quiet little cul-de-sac in the nearby suburb of Glen Waverley.

This unassuming road has appeared many times on TV as ‘Ramsay Street’. It’s where the iconic Australian soap opera Neighbours was filmed.

I watched this show every day when I was a kid. It was fun to check out the TV homes of characters including Madge Bishop, Toadfish and Mrs Mangel. A friendly security guard showed me which was which.

One of the houses is owned in real life by a Neighbours fanatic. They bought the house for $867,000 in 2013 and moved from the UK to live there.

Day Trip: Great Ocean Road

Join a group tour to see the Twelve Apostles, rugged cliffs, and beaches along the Great Ocean Road. It’s a fantastic way to meet fellow travellers while taking in jaw-dropping scenery. Book your place here.

Adelaide’s relaxed charm

Adelaide was the perfect place to wind-down after these two busy cities.

Here, my Sydney friend Amanda and I met up with Dee and Kate, who live in Adelaide. We had a treat of a time. We explored nearby wine regions like Barossa Valley, took leisurely walks in the Adelaide Hills and enjoyed lazy afternoons with English breakfast tea and fantastic sushi.

There were also a lot of fun nights out. In fact, we almost missed our early morning flight from Adelaide to Sydney following one last big night out, after running to get to the gate in time. I thought the drama was over, but then we realised Amanda had accidentally left her house key in Adelaide. This meant we were locked out in the rain for most of the day until we should locate a spare.

Where to stay in Adelaide

Adelaide is a smaller, more relaxed city compared to Sydney and Melbourne, but it has some great hostels for solo travellers and backpackers.

The best area to stay is in or near the CBD, where you’ll be close to cafes, nightlife, and transport links for day trips to the Barossa Valley or the Adelaide Hills.

Tequila Sunrise Hostel is a fabulous, top-rated choice with a social vibe and free pancake breakfasts. It’s located close to Adelaide’s main train station, making it convenient for getting around. The dorms are pod-style, providing more privacy than traditional bunk beds.

YHA Adelaide Central is one of the best options, thanks to its clean dorms and friendly atmosphere. It has a spacious communal kitchen and social lounge areas.

Concluding your Australia itinerary for 3 weeks

Australia’s diversity means there’s something for every type of traveller. From diving with turtles in Cairns to soaking up Sydney’s harbour views and exploring Melbourne’s laneways, this 3-week Australia itinerary gave me unforgettable memories (and a few mishaps). Like me, you may well end your itinerary back in Sydney for your international flight.

On my final day in Sydney, I helped my friend Amanda move to a brand new city flat in the enviable location of Surry Hills. It turned out to be a momentous day for the country too.

While we were carrying boxes and catching the occasional TV update, Australian PM Julia Gillard was voted out of office in favour of former Labour PM Kevin Rudd by her own party in a surprise ‘win or leave political vote. It prompted much debate about whether Gillard had been treated differently by her peers and by the media because she is a woman.

A last minute surprise

My final adventure on this 3 week Australia itinerary was an unexpected one, as I headed to the airport to fly to New Zealand.

My flight from Sydney to Auckland in New Zealand was cancelled due to engineering problems. Communication was poor and it wasn’t until several hours later than I knew for sure that I’d been put onto a later flight.

However, the airline staff were kind enough to give us vouchers to spend in the airport. Along with a fellow stranded passenger, we thought it rude not to spend some of it enjoying some wine in the airport bar.

Having a good glug of fine Australian wine is probably a fitting way to say farewell to this fantastic country on my wonderful 3 week Australia itinerary.

Next up, discover the best itinerary for New Zealand.