Background
Trip Planner Logo

Coast to City: A 12-Day Adventure in Australia

SHANKAR NATH

SHANKAR NATH

19 Jan 2024

Embark on an epic journey through the stunning Gold Coast, vibrant Sydney, and cosmopolitan Melbourne. Immerse yourself in breathtaking natural wonders, indulge in delicious cuisine, and experience thrilling attractions. Join us as we explore the best of Australia's coast and city in this unforgettable 12-day itinerary.

Trip to Gold Coast

Day 1Veggie Delights and Beachfront Bliss in Gold Coast
+

$416

·

$ 31

Govindas Pure Vegetarian
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$66
18 - 27 min

~

Directions

Burleigh Head National Park
Coastal headland area with shoreline & rainforest trails, plus wildlife viewing.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
Free
26 - 32 min

~

Directions

Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
Casual, open-air night market featuring many stalls, local artisans & live music performances.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Sea World
Oceanographic theme park with marine animals & polar bears, plus shows, rides & interactive tours.
3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
•
$263
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Le Jardin
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
•
$87
Day 2Market Hopping and Wildlife Encounters in Gold Coast
+

$375

·

$ 41

Nando's
Nando's is famous for its Portuguese flame-grilled,butterfly-cut chicken,which is marinated for 24-hours before being basted and cooked in Nando's famous PERi-PERi sauce!
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$60
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Carrara Markets
Weekend open-air market with vendors selling food, fashion & more, plus family & organised events.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

SkyPoint Observation Deck
A 230m-high observation deck & cafe offering sweeping Gold Coast views, plus nightlife on weekends.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
•
$94
30 - 36 min

~

Directions

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Native animals on display in natural surrounds, plus shows, encounters & a wildlife hospital.
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
•
$113
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Greenhouse Factory
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$108
Day 3Skywalks, Movie Magic, and Japanese Delicacies in Gold Coast
+

$478

·

$ 51

Tea & Niceties
Imagine a venue in the middle of a rainforest, where beautiful gardens enchant and a gentler, more romantic feeling of time and space awaits. This is the elegance that is Tea & Niceties, on majestic Tamborine Mountain in Queensland’s great south east.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$75
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
Treetop walk including steel bridges reaching up to 30m above the rainforest.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$94
34 - 41 min

~

Directions

Warner Bros. Movie World
Film-themed amusement park with thrill rides including rollercoasters & regular live stunt shows.
11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
•
$225
22 - 27 min

~

Directions

Broadwater Parklands
Spacious park featuring a marine-themed water play area for kids, plus BBQ grills & walking paths.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
Free
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

You Japanese Restaurant
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
•
$84
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

HOTA, Home of the Arts
Cultural complex with facilities hosting movies, concerts & other events, plus a gallery & bar/cafe.
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
•
Free
Day 4Teahouse Charm and Thrills in Gold Coast
+

$421

·

$ 31

The Old Teahouse Gallery/Cafe
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$75
56 - 68 min

~

Directions

Springbrook National Park
Huge park with walking tracks & campsites featuring rainforest, a natural bridge & waterfalls.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
Free
56 - 68 min

~

Directions

Dreamworld
Sprawling amusement complex featuring themed areas, with rides, attractions & a wildlife park.
1:30 PM - 7:30 PM
•
$244
8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Guzman Y Gomez
Our passion is creating delicious Mexican food with real ingredients!
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
•
$102

Budget breakdown: $4637 In total

Activities & Food:$4334
Transport:$304

Trip to Sydney

Day 1Veggie Delights and Beachfront Bliss in Gold Coast
+

$360

·

$ 10

Kirribilli Woodfire Kitchen
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$66
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Luna Park Sydney
Longstanding fun park reopened in 2004 after redevelopment, including a big top & a Ferris wheel.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$113
12 - 15 min

~

Directions

Sydney Opera House
Landmark, skyline-dominating arts centre for opera, theatre, music & dance, plus guided tours.
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$94
1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House embodies beauty, inspiration and the liberating power of art and ideas. it is a masterpiece that belongs to all Australians.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$87
Day 2Market Hopping and Wildlife Encounters in Gold Coast
+

$300

·

$ 20

The Gantry Restaurant & Bar
The Gantry Restaurant & Bar is a destination of sensory discovery. Look forward to a welcoming atmosphere at the most sought-after waterside dining locations in Sydney. Here you have front row seats to experience imaginative cocktails in a five star setting with unforgettable hospitality.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$60
20 - 29 min

~

Directions

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Iconic structure opened in 1932, offering a BridgeClimb & the Pylon Lookout, hosting exhibitions.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$75
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Harbourside haven for city wildlife with a rose garden, fernery and 'Jurassic Jungle' for kids.
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
•
Free
14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Australian Museum
Founded in 1827, Australia's oldest museum has expansive zoological and anthropological collections.
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
•
$56
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Riley St Garage
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$108
Day 3Skywalks, Movie Magic, and Japanese Delicacies in Gold Coast
+

$328

·

$ 10

Manjits Wharf
Elegant & inviting; with a sumptuous decor awash in the hues of India's signature spices and country. The senses were meant to be indulged under the 120-glass-cylinder-chandelier and mirrored ceiling
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$75
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Glass viewing tunnels allow patrons to observe Australia's freshwater & marine aquatic environments.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$113
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Powerhouse Museum
Founded in 1879, this museum has state-of-the-art exhibitions on futurology, transport and ecology.
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
$56
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Sydney Fish Market
Large marketplace featuring shops for seafood, deli items, wine & baked goods, plus restaurants.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Social Brew Cafe
Social Brew Cafe is a stylish spot, with great service, as well as that aforementioned delicious feed.
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$84
Day 4Teahouse Charm and Thrills in Gold Coast
+

$402

·

$ 30

Planar Restaurant
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$75
6 - 9 min

~

Directions

Darling Harbour
Waterfront destination housing many of Sydney's major attractions & hosting large-scale events.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$56
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Contemporary, modern & indigenous art displayed in a classical-style building, founded in 1871.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$38
18 - 22 min

~

Directions

Taronga Zoo Sydney
Harbourside animal attraction with over 350 separate species & a ferry service to the city centre.
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
$131
11 - 14 min

~

Directions

Jugemu & Shimbashi
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
•
$102

Budget breakdown: $4637 In total

Activities & Food:$4334
Transport:$304

Trip to Melbourne

Day 1Veggie Delights and Beachfront Bliss in Gold Coast
+

$341

·

$ 10

Nando's
Nando's is famous for its Portuguese flame-grilled,butterfly-cut chicken,which is marinated for 24-hours before being basted and cooked in Nando's famous PERi-PERi sauce!
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$66
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
Interactive multilevel aquarium housing 10,000+ animals, including sharks & saltwater crocodiles.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
•
$113
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Melbourne Skydeck
Gold-plated observation deck on the 88th floor with panoramic city views & a protruding glass cube.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$75
7 - 10 min

~

Directions

National Gallery of Victoria
Public gallery with vast, varied collection of noted Australian and international art and artefacts.
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
Free
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Carlton Gardens
Landscaped Victorian-era park now containing the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
Free
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

The Catfish
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
•
$87
Day 2Market Hopping and Wildlife Encounters in Gold Coast
+

$225

·

$ 28

Cafe Notturno
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$60
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Melbourne Museum
Modern building of an institution founded in 1854 containing dinosaur and regional history exhibits.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
•
$56
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Melbourne Cricket Ground
Home of Australian football and the National Sports Museum, also serving as a music venue and more.
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
•
Free
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria - Melbourne Gardens
36-hectare botanic garden founded in 1846, planted with Australian species and non-native gardens.
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
Free
9 - 11 min

~

Directions

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
•
$108
Day 3Skywalks, Movie Magic, and Japanese Delicacies in Gold Coast
+

$253

·

$ 28

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$75
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Puffing Billy Railway
Historic 1900 steam train with open-air carriages & routes within the scenic Dandenong Ranges.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$94
10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Dandenong Ranges National Park
This scenic forested area filled with birds offers multi-use trails, picnic areas & a playground.
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
•
Free
41 - 50 min

~

Directions

Brighton Bathing Boxes
Iconic & much-photographed group of 96 brightly coloured wooden beach huts from the early 1900s.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
•
Free
5 - 6 min

~

Directions

Holy Bowly
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
•
$84
Day 4Teahouse Charm and Thrills in Gold Coast
+

$440

·

$ 19

Cherry Tree Cafe
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
•
$75
7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Healesville Sanctuary
Zoo dedicated to Australian wildlife offering indoor & outdoor playgrounds, plus cafes & shops.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
•
$113
67 - 81 min

~

Directions

Luna Park Melbourne
Enduring amusement park known for its perimeter roller coaster and giant, ornate carousel.
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
•
$150
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Sister of Soul
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
•
$102

Budget breakdown: $4637 In total

Activities & Food:$4334
Transport:$304