28 days in Cairns, Darwin & Brisbane Region Itinerary

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Head to Funstuff by Lynda and With Sugarfor plenty of shopping. Get some historical perspective at Historic Village Herberton and McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Cairns: Palm Cove Beach (in Palm Cove), Hartley's Crocodile Adventures (in Wangetti) and Port Douglas (Shaolin Port Douglas, Sunday Market Port Douglas, &more). Spend the 16th (Mon) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Spend the 23rd (Mon) exploring nature at Daintree National Park. Next up on the itinerary: tour the pleasant surroundings at Esplanade Boardwalk, kick back and relax at Trinity Beach, see Trail Bike Adventures, and explore the world behind art at Cairns Art Gallery.

To find more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Cairns road trip tool.

Zurich, Switzerland to Cairns is an approximately 25-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from Zurich to Cairns is 9 hours. In July in Cairns, expect temperatures between °C during the day and °C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 27th (Fri) to allow time for travel to Darwin.

The smallest of Australia’s state capitals, Darwin has nevertheless become an attractive and important urban center, being simultaneously one of the country’s most modernized cities and a gateway to both the Top End region and South East Asia.

Head to Crazy Acres and Parap Marketfor plenty of shopping. Take a break from the city and head to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Litchfield National Park. And it doesn't end there: tour the pleasant surroundings at Mindil Beach, take in the architecture and atmosphere at St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Cathedral, look for all kinds of wild species at Crocosaurus Cove, and explore the striking landscape at Berry Springs Nature Park.

To see ratings, photos, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Darwin journey maker website.

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Darwin takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 0.5 hours traveling from Cairns to Darwin due to the time zone difference. When traveling from Cairns in July, plan for somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Darwin: temperatures range from °C by day to °C at night. On the 2nd (Thu), you're off to Moreton Island.

Off Queensland's southeastern coast, Moreton Island offers steep dunes and beaches.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): visit a coastal fixture at Cape Moreton Lighthouse.

To find other places to visit, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Moreton Island trip planner.

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Darwin to Moreton Island. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 0.5 hours traveling from Darwin to Moreton Island. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Darwin in August, with highs in Moreton Island at °C and lows at °C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 3rd (Fri) to allow enough time to travel to Brisbane.

Queensland’s biggest town and state capital, Brisbane has an attractive, manicured image based around its riverside aesthetic as well as the contrast between its high-rise center and extensive urban greenery.

Step out of the city life by going to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Shorncliffe Beach. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Newstead House and Fort Lytton National Park. Step out of Brisbane to go to Wacol and see Wolston Farmhouse, which is approximately 34 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: stroll around South Bank Parklands, admire the natural beauty at Roma Street Parkland, get to know the fascinating history of St Helena Island National Park, and see where the action happens at Suncorp Stadium.

Find out how to plan Brisbane trip without stress by asking Inspirock to help create an itinerary.

The Route module can help you plan travel from Moreton Island to Brisbane. In August, daily temperatures in Brisbane can reach °C, while at night they dip to °C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Thu) early enough to travel back home.