Hello all,
I am planning a 17-19 day trip between Australia and Indonesia in May, 2025 and was curious on some options with the itinerary. This is what I have so far and have questions in **, thank you!
Sydney (4 nights)
Day 1: arrive at 07:00 from USA, explore around town/ take it easy
-Sydney opera house
-Royal Botanic garden
-Sydney Harbor Ridge, possible time for 30 min ferry to Manly island
Day 2: Beaches/ City Highlights
-Bondi to Coogee beach
-Visit Darling Harbour and Sydney tower eye
-Is Sydney harbor sunset cruise worth it?
Day 3: Blue Mountain day trip
Day 4: *Hunter Valley Wine Region or surfing towns *? - would love to see the whale sharks somewhere
Cairns, Australia (3 nights)
Day 5: Morning flight to Cairns
-Spend day exploring around town
-Hartley's Crodcodile adventures- can hold koalas?
-aquarium or botanical gardens
Day 6: Great Barrier Reef tour
Day 7: Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
Hotels: ** Is it better to stay in Port Douglas or Cairns?** Port Douglas hotels look beautiful and right on the beaches but wasn't sure about access to tours from this location. Any favorite hotels? Looking for water views, under $200/night if possible.
Ubud (4 nights)
Day 8: Fly to Bali (DPS)
Day 9: Sights
-morning: Tegallalang Rice Terraces
-midday: Tirta Empul Temple
-Pura Gunung Kawa
-evening: Watch traditional Balinese dance
Day 10: Waterfalls
-Goa Rajah
- Kanto Lampo and Goa Rang Waterfalls
OR
- north Bali (would like to swim/ hike)
-Ulun danu temple
-Banyumala Twin waterfall / Aling-Aling waterfall
Day 11: Around town/options??
-Ubud Art market
-Sacred Monkey Forest sanctuary
-Saraswati Lotus
-local coffee plantation
-Campuhan Ridge walk at sunset, Karsa spa
-cooking class
Favorite hotels here? They all look wonderful!! Looking for lush/ peaceful and a good spa and under $225/night
Flores Island (3nights)
Day 12: Flight to Labuan Bajo
-*Is it worth it to do a short island-hopping tour: Kanawa Island (good snorkeling) or Bidadari Island *
Day 13: Komodo National Park, Pink Beach, manta point full day boat tour
-Rinca island too?
Day 14: Cunca Wulang Waterfall & Batu Cermin cave - worth it?
Kuta (3 nights) -if want to add on
Day 15: afternoon flight back to DPS
Day 16: Day trip to Nusa Penida (beaches/ snorkeling) OR Uluwata temple and Padang Padang beach
Day 17: Relax
Day 18: Fly out back to USA- thought it might be nice to chill at the end and relax at more villa style resort on the beach and one less stop if coming from Komodo airport on return.
Does this seem like a doable itinerary? Questions on hotels/ which tours might be better than others. Would you recommend an extra day somewhere, and if so, where? Any must see places in Ubud? Would love to drive/ hike to Mount Batur for the sunrise/hot springs but not sure if thats possible with this itinerary. Thank you so much.