The perfect 2-week Australia itinerary for first-time visitors

Three states in two weeks

I flew to Australia for the first time with only a fortnight to explore. The trip was action-packed, with dozens of iconic Aussie adventures. Over two weeks, I visited Sydney, Uluru, and even part of Western Australia. 

Each region has a completely unique character, so I got three very different perspectives on Australia in two weeks. It was the perfect introduction to Australia, and I can’t wait to go back and explore further.

Staying at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo 

I started my Australian adventure by flying into Sydney, where I stayed at The Wildlife Retreat in Taronga Zoo. It’s an unforgettable location! I stayed in a Wildlife Room, where I could see the kangaroo pen from my full-aspect window. I highly recommend this hotel for a night at the beginning of your stay in Sydney. 

The hotel is across the river from the city and not only allows an escape from the hustle and bustle of Sydney, but it also offers amazing views, impeccable dining, and amazing wildlife experiences all while benefiting the conservation of many endangered animals. It’s a no-brainer!

As part of the ultimate package, I had complimentary access to the zoo throughout my stay. I also had an evening sanctuary zoo walk included in my stay. The guide was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic that it was infectious! I learnt a lot and saw many animals I had never seen before, up close and personal. The package also included a shared feast at Me Gal restaurant, which felt like a high-end dining experience in a relaxed setting, with incredible views of the city.

Exploring Australia’s Red Centre 

Next, I flew from Sydney to Ayers Rock to explore incredible The Red Centre. It was a 3.5-hour flight, and you get some amazing views of Uluru as you come into land, so have your cameras at the ready. 

I stayed at Sails in The Desert Hotel, which is the most luxurious in the area, with spacious modern rooms and good on-site dining. Sails in the Desert is part of the Ayers Rock Resort, which consists of six different accommodation options and a resort village. It’s a brilliant base for exploring Uluru. 

All the hotels are accessible via a free shuttle bus that runs around the complex between mid-morning and midnight at 20-minute intervals. This means that you can get out to explore the different areas, dining options, and the Town Square. Be sure to check out The Outback Bar which has a great beer selection, live music every night, and a BBQ station and Bottle Bar.

Wintjiri Wiru sunset dinner

On my first evening, I did the Wintjiri Wiru Sunset Dinner, which is an immersion into the Angangu Culture. We began by watching the spectacular sunset with views of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta, whilst enjoying a cocktail and canapes. Next, we moved to an amphitheatre-style seating area, where were given a gourmet picnic hamper featuring native ingredients, which is paired with Australian wine or beer. 

As darkness fell, drones, lights, traditional music, and the Pitjantjatjara language enacted the Mala story under the desert sky. It’s an immersive storytelling experience and a unique dining experience that I will never forget.

Exploring Uluru 

The next morning, I was up early for an Outback Uluru Touring experience. First, we were taken to a special location with uninterrupted views to watch the sunrise over Uluru whilst enjoying a picnic breakfast of cereal, pastries, and hot drinks. 

After the amazing sunrise, we were taken on a short walk to explore Mutitjulu Waterhole, where we learned about the creation stories of Liru and Kuniya, before driving around the base of Uluru to experience the Mala Walk and learn about the Angangu people. 

In the afternoon, I went on the Kata Tjuta lookout and Walpa Gorge Walk. Kata Tjuta is even bigger than Uluru, and it’s very impressive. The Walpa Gorge Walk is a gentle relaxed walk of approximately 45 minutes, with incredible views and photo opportunities along the way.

A Night in the Field of Lights 

In the evening, I set off on my final tour of the day - A Night in the Field of Lights. This started in a remote desert location with more awe-inspiring views accompanied by fizz and canapes. It was delightful! 

Next, I was led to a beautiful dining area for a 3-course bushtucker-inspired menu, again paired with delicious wine. The meal was set up like a buffet station, with all dishes labelled so you could choose what you wanted from an array of dishes including kangaroo, emu and more. 

After dinner, we were joined by an astronomer, who explained the huge array of stars visible overhead. There is no light pollution, so the night skies are spectacular. Next, we went into the Field of Lights, where we were immersed in the breathtaking art installation by Bruce Munro. Made of thousands of sculptures with different coloured changing lights, and shapes, it creates the effect of a shimmering field of light.

Discovering Kings Canyon 

The next morning, we left bright and early to depart for Kings Canyon. The journey by road took 4 hours, and we stopped in some cool little cattle stations along the way. 

Upon arrival, we checked in to Discovery Kings Canyon and then headed straight out on the famous Kings Canyon Rim Walk. This is an iconic hike to the top of Kings Canyon; a 6-kilometre circuit descending into the Garden of Eden and the back up to the top, with staggering panoramic views. 

In the evening, we enjoyed a delightful feast prepared for us at the restaurant in Discovery and gave our aching legs a rest! It’s a great complex, which is home to another light installation, called Light Towers, by Bruce Munro. If you’re staying on-site, it’s definitely worth a look.

Sightseeing in Sydney 

The next day, I headed back to Ayers Rock Airport for my flight back to Sydney, this time to enjoy a few nights in the city and enjoy the famous Vivid Sydney festival. I stayed at the Park Royal Darling Harbour, which I highly recommend. It’s very stylish and spacious, with great restaurants nearby and easy access to the tram and The Rocks area. 

Sydney is a lively multicultural city, and my favourite areas were The Rocks and Darling Harbour. I opted for a Princess Cruises Discovery lunch cruise, where I saw all the iconic sights from the comfort of a lovely boat and enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch. It’s a great way to get the sought-after Harbour Bridge and Opera House shots!

After my cruise, I was collected for an afternoon city tour. This trip was great because the guide asked us what we wanted to see. We decided that Bondi was the order of the day, so we headed to the iconic beach, got the classic surfer and lifeguard photos, and even had a paddle! 

In the evening, I was lucky enough to attend a hosted dinner at the Capella Sydney. I highly recommend this hotel if you are after a 5-star luxury experience in the city, and the food is to die for!

Exploring the Blue Mountains 

No trip to Sydney is complete without a trip to The Blue Mountains National Park, just a scenic one-hour drive from Sydney. We stopped en route at the Featherdale Wildlife Park for a hands-on Australian wildlife encounter, where we were able to feed kangaroos. 

Once we reached the Blue Mountains, we were taken by our guide to all the secluded lookouts, bush tracks, and pristine valley viewpoints. If you are looking for a delicious lunch, I highly recommend The Boiler Room. The food was amazing!

Vivid Sydney dinner cruise 

On my last evening in Sydney, I was lucky enough to experience the first night of the famous Vivid Light Festival. It’s an annual event that takes place for several weeks across May and June. What better way to see this than dining aboard a Captain Cook Cruises Vivid Dinner Cruise? The cruise was truly spectacular, as all the iconic sights were lit up with epic ever-changing lights and projections.

The journey to Western Australia 

The next day, I took an early flight to my final destination of the trip - Perth. It’s a 5-hour flight, which gives you plenty of time to sit back, relax and prepare for your next adventure.

Upon arrival, I went straight to Fremantle for an afternoon tour by Two Feet and a Heartbeat. This is a wonderful way to discover the quirky markets and music venues of the town, as well as the famous Fremantle Prison. 

In the evening, I had dinner at Rydge’s Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, before heading back to Perth. This hotel is great if you are planning to stay in the Fremantle area. If I had more time, I would include a night or two here.

Meeting the smiling quokkas 

The next day, I took the ferry over to the famous Rottnest Island, home of the quokka! I chose to cycle around the island, but you can also opt to walk or take the bus. Rottnest is truly beautiful, and there are some amazing beaches for a dip or snorkelling. Of course, you must also meet the friendly quokkas to get the much-anticipated quokka selfie! I also recommend lunch and a cocktail or two at Pinky’s Beach Club. 

Dinner at Heno & Rey 

Upon my return to Perth, I had dinner at Heno & Rey, set within the Intercontinental Perth City Centre Hotel. This meal was an exquisite feast of top-quality Spanish tapas. In fact, the whole hotel is fantastic. I highly recommend it for its central location, style, quality, and sense of luxury.

Exploring Margaret River 

The next day, we headed south to Margaret River, driving through farmland with grazing cattle and passing by coastal towns. On the way, we stopped at one of the region’s oldest breweries, Black Brewing Co, for a lunch and wine/beer/cider tasting experience. It was wonderful! 

We then continued to Mammoth Caves for a guided tour of its vast, gothic chambers. That night, we stayed in Busselton, at Abbey Beach Resort. Busselton is home to Busselton Jetty, which is the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s worth a look if you are in the area! 

The next day, we visited the Margaret River Chocolate Co., where there are lots of yummy chocolates to taste and purchase. This is a great place to buy gifts for your loved ones, or just for yourself! We then continued to Woody Nook Wines for a delightful wine-tasting session along with a divine lunch board.

Exploring Perth in depth 

On my return to Perth, I set off on my penultimate tour of the trip, Two Feet and a Heartbeat Walking Tour: Eat, Drink, Walk Perth Bar Tour. This tour took us to three totally contrasting bars that I would never have found on my own. 

Our guide told us behind-the-scenes stories and took us to secret sights between the bars. It’s a great tour to familiarise yourself with the city and discover the great drinking spots, including a Speakeasy bar within a bank building, called Foxtrot Unicorn. If you didn’t know it was there, you would walk right by without a clue! It’s great but - shh - don’t tell everyone. 

The following day, I headed out to explore Perth on another Two Feet and a Heartbeat tour called The Arcades and Laneways Tour. Our guide took us through Perth’s malls, ornate arcades, trendy laneways, back streets, and side alleys. It also has some awesome street art, so I definitely recommend it.

My final thoughts about Australia in two weeks

I feel as though two weeks was long enough to give me a brilliant, varied overview of Australia. By dividing my time between three different states, I found new landscapes and adventures around every corner. 

You don’t need to rule out Australia as a holiday destination if you only have a fortnight. If you’re up for a fast-paced and exciting adventure Down Under, two weeks is long enough to get a great introduction to Australia. 

Of course, if you have more time, you can extend your stay in each state or turn your trip into a round the world holiday by adding stopovers to/from Australia. Don’t delay - go and say g’day!

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