Australia, two week
bucket list road trip

For the adventurous join a guided bridge climbing tour. If a bridge climb is not feasible there is a Sydney harbour bridge walk across the pedestrian path. Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with children is safe with secure fencing and a walking platform. There are two access points to get onto the pedestrian walkway. From The Rocks, Cumberland Street or near Milsons Point train station in the north. If the younger members have an issue with heights then test out the walk and you can always turn around and go back to where you entered the Bridge.

Sydney Harbour Bridge @Infrastructure Magazine

Sydney Harbour @Sydney

A harbour cruise is a must do activity.

Check out our detailed guide to the harbour.

Sydney’s relationship with the water embraces its harbour.

Sydney ticks all the boxes.

Wine glasses in a restaurant

Sail past the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, Opera House and more, be part of the bustle of one of the world’s great natural harbours and soak up the night sky atmosphere of Sydney lights.

This is often a special highlight for couples, it is quintessentially romantic to be part of the harbour with a dinner served under the night lights.

Overnight Sydney

Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Board the famous Kuranda Scenic Rail for a breath-taking journey on one of the world’s most scenic operational rail journeys to the charming town of Kuranda and a return journey by cable car across the canopy of the rainforest.

With the gondola cable car, you will get amazing birds-eye views so make sure not to forget your camera for those instagram photo moments.

There will be an opportunity to walk through the well known markets of Kuranda on your way to the railway station.

Cairns Botanic Gardens

Cairns Botanic Gardens is a relaxing late afternoon stroll after the heady joy of the Kuranda Rail. Traditional Aboriginal plant lore and detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna will engage all your senses with the colour and scent of the tropics.

The Cairns Botanic Gardens area is divided into four distinct areas: Flecker Gardens, Centenary Lakes, Mt. Whitfield Conservation Park and Tanks Art Centre.

Cairns overnight

Art Deco church Innisfail

Your journey will pass Mount Bartle, Queensland’s highest peak at 1622m height as you travel through the art deco town of Innisfail where there will be an opportunity to stretch the legs and take a quick wander along the main streets of Edith and Rankin.

Overgrown ruin in lush green rainforest, Paronella Park Castle

A detour onto Canecutter Way through sugar cane fields and forests will bring you to your next destination, the evocative ruins of a Spanish castle at Paronella Park.

Stories of the former owner will get you thinking about the transient nature of human endeavour.

Golden gumboot @Trip Advisor

Tully to find the “Big Objects” a instagram, photo moment with an enormous golden gumboot.

TYTO White Headed crane

The focus of your Ingham stop is TYTO Wetlands for bird watching fans.

The area embraces the endangered Eastern Grass Owl (TYTO capensis) as its emblem. With over 245 species of birds there is a tropical bird for everyone to engage with.

The range of brilliant colour, sights and sounds of tropical parrots is another special moment in your Green Way road trip. Perhaps a detour to the TYTO Regional Gallery is in order as well.

Great Barrier Reef @Buisness Insider

Half day exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. Your catamaran will moor at a large pontoon enabling you to spend your time based on a spacious activity platform. Dive, snorkel or stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the underwater viewing platform and semi-sub – dry feet, wet feet or fully soaked in the shallow ocean of the reef, the choice is yours.

Townsville overnight

Melbourne heritage stop

Departs every 12 minutes from Flinders Street Station and other designated stops. The tram has stops along its route. Information leaflets are available when boarding the tram. The tram is a heritage W class tram decorated in special maroon and green with yellow and gold trimmings.The tram tour passes lanes, alleyway street art, heritage sandstone buildings.Enjoy people watching while the tram circles the city.

Tram stops include:

• Australian Treasury, an ornate Victorian building reflecting Melbourne’s origins as a gold rush town.
• State Library of Victoria with its story about a bushranger known as Ned Kelly
• St Paul’s Cathedral as the cornerstone of Federation Square.
• Lunch on the southbank of the Yarra River

Healesville Sanctuary, Australia

Your afternoon is getting acquainted with Australian wildlife

You will travel through the Victorian countryside to the world renowned wildlife sanctuary Healesville. Parrots with vivid plumage, kangaroos lolling in the sun, the iconic koala and the native dog, the dingo are part of the conservation programme. The sanctuary is surrounded by native plantings and gives visitors a sense of the outback.

Sustainable tour activity

Your visit supports the efforts of the sanctuary to support Australian wildlife through the tensions of climate change and bushfires.

Melbourne overnight

Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail @Visit Mornington Peninsula

You will have an opportunity to wander among Sorrento’s galleries and boutique shops.

There will be a guided tour of the Sorrento-Portsea Artists Trail where the views that inspired the artists will be part of the experience.

Port Nepean National Park @David Mitchener

For heritage buffs an opportunity to visit the Point Nepean National Park with its precinct of heritage buildings will be a highlight. Immigration and quarantine regulations led to individuals being housed at Portsea while their health was evaluated. Personal stories are narrated through interactive, emotive exhibits. The peninsula has played an important role in shaping the early settlement and defence of Australia. You will explore military forts and tunnels and learn about the life of soldiers who were stationed in the stark chill underground bunkers.

Queenscliff stately home

You will have glimpses of historic Queenscliff to view heritage homes reflecting Queenscliff’s role as a seafaring community. Queenscliff’s strategic location at the entrance to Port Phillip was vital to the defence of Geelong and Melbourne port. You will pass Queenscliff’s legacy to maritime history building, Fort Queenscliff, now a museum.

Melbourne overnight

Bells Beach surfers Torquay

Torquay is synonymous with Bells Beach & Rip Curl Pro

Torquay, cresting and riding the waves is synonymous with Aussi beach culture and the famous Bells Beach & Rip Curl Pro. Surf culture is Torquay and you can purchase your obliquely swimmers at the Australian National Surf Museum gift shop.

The Museum celebrates surf culture and the development of the modern surf championships. Torquay is the official start of the Great Ocean Road.

Lorne Pier

Lunch, in a seaside town with a stroll along a pier (built 2007), children can spend time exploring the Lorne playground adjacent to the pier.

Perhaps visit the Great Ocean Road Heritage Centre, located in the Lorne Visitor Centre with its interactive displays about the area’s history.

Rock formations viewed from Teddy’s lookout

Teddy’s lookout has some of the best views along the Great Ocean Road. The lookout point is perched high above the coastline providing a birds eye view of the St George River swirling and meeting the Indian Ocean. Yet another instagram photo moment.

Otway National Park overnight