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.

Shop till you drop at Tanks Arts Centre and Funstuff by Lynda. Visiting Palm Cove Beach and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures will get you outdoors. Venture out of the city with trips to Port Douglas (Sunday Market Port Douglas, Four Mile Beach, & more), Daintree National Park (in Cape Tribulation) and Historic Village Herberton (in Herberton). Spend the 16th (Mon) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Next up on the itinerary: take in the architecture and atmosphere at St Monica's Cathedral, stop by Cairns Central Shopping Centre, browse the different shops at Smithfield Shopping Centre, and do some two-wheel cruising with Trail Bike Adventures.

Plan a Cairns trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

Zurich, Switzerland to Cairns is an approximately 23-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train, bus, and flight; or do a combination of train and flight. The time zone changes from Central European Time (CET) to Australian Eastern Standard Time (Queensland) (AEST), which is usually a 9 hour difference. In July in Cairns, expect temperatures between 30°C during the day and 20°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.

Get outdoors at Mindil Beach and Berry Springs Nature Park. Head to Parap Market and Crazy Acresfor some retail therapy. Take a break from Darwin with a short trip to Litchfield National Park in Batchelor, about 1h 20 min away. Spend the 29th (Sun) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. There's much more to do: identify plant and animal life at Crocosaurus Cove, see the interesting displays at Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, see the world from above with a helicopter tour, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Leanyer Recreation Park.

For reviews, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Darwin online holiday maker .

Traveling by flight from Cairns to Darwin takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Cairns in July, expect nights in Darwin to be about the same, around 22°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 36°C. You will leave for Moreton Island on the 2nd (Thu).

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

On the 3rd (Fri), enjoy the sea views from Cape Moreton Lighthouse.

To see other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Moreton Island driving holiday planning tool .

Use the Route module to find suitable travel options from Darwin to Moreton Island. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Darwin in August, with highs in Moreton Island at 25°C and lows at 11°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.

Escape the urban bustle at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Captain Cook Highway. Get some historical perspective at Wolston Farmhouse and Customs House. There's still lots to do: have some family-friendly fun at South Bank Parklands, explore the activities along The Brisbane River, steep yourself in history at Newstead House, and get great views at Mount Coot-tha Lookout.

To find ratings, where to stay, photos, and more tourist information, read Brisbane day trip app .

Traveling by car from Moreton Island to Brisbane takes 3 hours. In August, daily temperatures in Brisbane can reach 25°C, while at night they dip to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can travel back home.