South Australia

(Map depicts driving route, while flying route is what is in the itinerary)

Day 1 – Day 2: Flight from Atlanta to Sydney (SYD)

Similar to my last post, there is no easy way to get to Australia and it will take you at least 24 hours to get there. It’s back to Sydney as the first days for this post. One way from Atlanta to Sydney on Virgin Australia is $1,045 per person. Flights priced on 1/16/2017. (This is Australia’s summer time and one of the best times to go to South Australia). Another flight I found was to Melbourne for $858 per person on Virgin Australia priced for 1/29/2017.

Day 3 – 5: Exploring Sydney and battling jetlag

Once arrived in Sydney you will need a couple of days to adjust to the time change and fight off jet lag, especially when traveling with children. We take extra time in Sydney so that we get at least 2 full days (depending on how quickly you adjust to the time change) to enjoy Sydney.

Things to do: in Sydney there is so much to that you could easily fill up 4 days. Of course there is the famous Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera house as well as Bondi and Coogee Beach, Royal Botanic Gardens, Manly Beach and hiking around the area, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Hyde Park, Sydney Taronga Zoo, Sydney Tower, and Sydney Aquarium, a day trip to The Blue Mountains, golf, and honestly too much more to name them all!

Places to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney ($213/night), Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay ($167/night), InterContinental Sydney ($197/night), Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour ($178/night), Meriton Serviced Apartments ($125/night), and the average 1 bedroom 1 bathroom private airbnb is $217/night.

Day 6 – 8: Flight to Melbourne and exploring Melbourne (AVV)

The cheapest one-way flight from Sydney to Melbourne is $32 on Jetstar. Melbourne is bustling city with a chill attitude. There is plenty to do and see and is the perfect jumping off point for the next point of Tasmania.

Things to do: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Shrine of Remembrance, City Circle Tram, Port Campbell National Park, Melbourne Zoo, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, day tour of Phillip Island, and the Yarra River.

Places to stay: Crown Towers ($282/night), Alto Hotel on Bourke ($201/night), The Westin Melbourne ($345/night), Grand Hyatt Melbourne ($284/night), Art Series – The Blackman ($175/night), The Hilton Melbourne South Wharf ($200/night), and a one bedroom one bathroom private airbnb is an average of $161/night.

Day 9 – 11: Melbourne to Hobart, Tasmania (HBA)

The cheapest one-way flight from Melbourne to Hobart is $35 on Jetstar. Hobart is a beautiful coastal down with amazing harbor views and waterfront cafes. There is plenty to do an see but a couple of must dos are a day cruise around the Tasman Peninsula to Port Arthur Historic Site and a day trip (3 hours each way) to Wineglass Bay to enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Other Things to do: Mount Wellington, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, hike to Battery Point, Mount Nelson Lookout, Hobart food tour, or a Bruny Island Wilderness tour.

Places to stay: The Henry Jones Art Hotel ($223/night), Grand Chancellor Hotel Hobart ($167/night), Salamanca Inn ($227/night), The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel ($189/night), and a one bedroom one bathroom private airbnb is an average of $147/night.

Day 12 – 16: Perth (PER)

Perth in general reminds me of California for those of us on the East Coast of the US. It filled with great weather, vineyards, great restaurants, a lively music scene on top of beautiful beaches and amazing waters for snorkeling/scuba diving. The cheapest flight to Perth from Hobart is $156. However a flight that won’t take you all day is available for $229 on Qantas (trims 4 hours off your wait time).

Things to do: Kings Park & Botanic Garden, a tour of Pinnacles Desert, walking or cruising along Swan River, Perth Zoo, Wine tours and Tastings (is a must!), South Perth Foreshore, a tour to Wave Rock, a day tour to Rottnest Island (need to hang with the Koalas and Wallabys!), and snorkeling/scuba diving.

Places to stay: Alex Hotel ($122/night), Fraser Suites Perth ($164/night), COMO The Treasury ($391/night), The Richardson Hotel & Spa ($298/night), Duxton Hotel ($169/night), Hyatt Regency Perth ($128/night), and a one bedroom one bathroom private airbnb is an average of $133/night.

Day 17: Flight back to ATL

A one-way flight from Perth to ATL is $660 on Qatar airlines.

Prices:

Event Average Cost Flight ATL to SYD 1,045 3 nights in Sydney 274 Flight SYD to AVV 32 3 nights in Melbourne 345 Flight AVV to HBA 35 3 nights in Hobart 286 Flight HBA to PER 193 4 nights in Perth 401 Flight PER to ATL 660 Estimates Public Transport Expenses 250 Subtotal Base Cost 3,521

15 Breakfasts @ $8/meal 120 15 Lunches @ $13/meal 195 16 Dinners @ $18/meal 288 Estimated Excursions and Tours 985 Total Estimated Cost 5,109