Adventure across Australia in 18 days
Sydney - Adelaide - Alice Springs - Perth
This epic 18-day trip takes you all the way across Australia, a monumental distance of over 3,000 kilometres. Heading from east to west (although you can go in reverse if you prefer), this itinerary gives you an all-Australian experience of golden beaches, rolling outback dunes and iconic city skylines.
Days 1 - 6: Sydney
Sydney Harbour, although famous around the world for its sparkling waters and iconic buildings, is just the beginning of your adventures in Sydney. Home to mountain ranges, secluded bays, and rolling vineyards, there’s more to this city than meets the eye.
Our recommendations:
- Uncover Sydney’s hidden bars
Fake shops, secret knocks, and basement speakeasies all make for an unforgettable night out in Sydney and a welcome change from the usual tourist hotspots. - Drop into the Jenolan Caves
Take a day trip out to the UNESCO World Heritage area of the Blue Mountains and descend into the Jenolan Caves. Deep limestone chasms are carved out by underground rivers and lined with stalactites. - Paddleboard from Sydney Harbour to Shark Island
One of the best ways to experience Sydney. Grab a stand-up paddle board from Rose Bay and glide out into the harbour for 20 minutes until you reach Shark Island (safer than it sounds) for unbelievable views of the city skyline.
Days 6 - 10: Adelaide
Adelaide has worked hard to shake its title of the ‘City of Churches’. As one of the only places in the world you can cage dive with great white sharks and with a thriving restaurant and live-music scene, adventure can be found around every corner.
Our recommendations:
- Kayak through a ship graveyard on the Port River
Pick up a paddle and glide through mangrove-lined waterways into the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary before steering into an old ship graveyard. - Catch a game at the Adelaide Oval
Grab a ticket to a game of cricket in this 53,000-seater stadium and soak up the atmosphere in one of Australia’s favourite games. If cricket’s not your thing, you can also climb the Oval on a tour for amazing views of the city. - Cage dive with Great White Sharks in Port Lincoln
Add Port Lincoln to your itinerary with Qantas Explorer and enjoy effortless, discounted flights to Port Lincoln – a must-see destination that’s one of the best places in the world to cage dive with the ocean’s most notorious fish.
How to get there:
Fly (Non-Stop) from Sydney to Adelaide with Qantas or Jetstar (1h 20min) and save with Qantas Explorer
Days 10 - 13: Alice Springs
Your gateway to Australia’s Red Centre, Alice Springs is a town of constant surprises. Bigger and busier than you would imagine, Alice Springs is one of the best places to base yourself while exploring the dusty red canyons, gorges and dunes of outback Australia.
Our recommendations:
- Cycle into the Alice Springs Desert Park
Rent a bike and head over to the Desert Park conservation area. Here, you’ll find a number of plants, birds and animals that fill the desert with more life than you can imagine. - Take a scenic flight around Uluru
Uluru is a must-see for anyone making the trip out to central Australia. With a power that must be seen to be understood, it’s worth hopping on a helicopter to fully appreciate this iconic Australian monolith. - Air balloon over the MacDonnell Ranges
Treat yourself to a sunrise that will take your breath away as you float silently across the outback, watching the sun splash across the rugged MacDonnell ranges.
How to get there:
Fly (Non-Stop) from Adelaide to Alice Springs with Qantas or Jetstar (2h 10min) and save with Qantas Explorer
Days 13 - 18: Perth
Far away from Australia’s busier east coast, Perth has a more laid-back atmosphere with its picture-perfect beaches, outstanding cuisine, and thriving arts scene.
Our recommendations:
- Snap selfies with quokkas on Rottnest Island
Hop on a ferry to Rottnest and discover the home of Perth’s infamous, friendly Quokkas. The island itself has lots to offer with superb bike tracks, hidden swimming spots and marine sanctuaries. - Surf into the sunset at Cottesloe Beach
Perth’s most popular beach for swimming, snorkelling and surfing fringes the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Stick around for sunset and enjoy uninterrupted views as it melts into the horizon and paints the sky with an unforgettable light show. - Feast on local flavours in Fremantle
Just a short train ride from Perth, Fremantle city is an old port town that’s now brimming with craft breweries, indie restaurants, street art and music.
How to get there:
Fly from Alice Springs to Perth via Melbourne with Qantas (8h) and save with Qantas Explorer
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Important information
Disclaimer: # Qantas Explorer fares must be booked in conjunction with a Qantas international fare to Australia or New Zealand, and have the same validity as your international ticket. Savings are based on a comparison with the year-round fare. At times, there may be sale fares available that may be cheaper than the Qantas Explorer fare for that routing. To include Qantas Explorer fares for your trip to Australia or New Zealand, you can choose the multi-city option when making your booking.
Disclaimer: Prices based on payment at qantas.com. Prices exclude carrier charges, fees and taxes, which will vary depending on your departure and destination points. Prices may fluctuate if taxes or foreign exchange rates change. Fares may not be available on all flights or days. Some flights are operated by partner or subsidiary airlines. Additional airport taxes and fees may be required for alternative routings. Offer is subject to availability at the time of booking.
Disclaimer: View the Qantas Explorer fare rules