Sydney + Melbourne + Gold Coast | 9-Day Ultimate Australia Itinerary

From Sydney Harbour's morning glow to Melbourne's laneway coffee aromas, and Gold Coast's surfing thrills—this route captures the soul of Australia's East Coast! Here’s a local-approved guide with hidden gems & crowd-free tricks 👇 🗺️ Itinerary Breakdown 🔹 Sydney (3 Days) Day 1: Sydney Opera House → Royal Botanic Garden → Circular Quay Night Views Day 2: Bondi Beach → Diamond Bay → Darling Harbour Fireworks Day 3: Blue Mountains (Three Sisters → Scenic World Cableway) 🔹 Melbourne (3 Days) Day 1: Flinders Station → Hosier Lane → Queen Victoria Market Day 2: Great Ocean Road Drive (12 Apostles → Loch Ard Gorge) Day 3: Puffing Billy Steam Train → Brighton Bathing Boxes 🔹 Gold Coast (2 Days) Day 1: Surfers Paradise → Q1 SkyPoint → Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (Koala Cuddles!) Day 2: Warner Bros. Movie World → Springbrook Glow Worm Caves 📸 Must-Do Experiences SYDNEY ✔ Opera House Backstage Tour – VIP access to stage machinery! ✔ Watsons Bay – Ferry ride + cliff diving at The Gap 🌊 ✔ Paddington Markets – Handmade ugg boots & kangaroo leather wallets 🛍️ MELBOURNE ✔ ACMI Museum – Free motion-capture photo booth! 📽️ ✔ Point Ormond Lookout – Sunset turns the skyline golden 🌇 ✔ Degraves Street – Witchy café with coffee-ground fortune-telling 🔮 GOLD COAST ✔ Burleigh Hill – Fish & chips while watching pro surfers 🏄♂️ ✔ Pacific Fair – Tourist discount vouchers (show passport!) 🛒 🍴 Foodie Highlights SYDNEY 🥐 Top Impression – Lavender croissant + Sydney Harbour coffee 🐟 Sailors Thai – Tom Yum mussels in a heritage wharf MELBOURNE 🍫 Koko Black – Liquid-nitrogen hazelnut chocolate balls 🍷 Yarra Valley Winery – Shiraz + cheese platter (kids get grape juice!) GOLD COAST 🦐 The Fish House – Fresh Tasmanian oysters + lemon salt slushie 🍍 ELK Espresso – Eggs Benedict with grilled pineapple (Asian-friendly!) 📌 Pro Tips ❗ Avoid hotels near Southern Cross Station (Melbourne) – Train noise at night! ❗ Warner Bros. on rainy days? Roller coasters may close! ☔ #ZeroJetlagTravel #Australia #TravelAustralia #ExploreAustralia #TravelGuide #Wanderlust 🌏✈️