This food & wine itinerary reshuffles the schedule around food & wine activities — local cuisine, wine tastings, and food tours. Mostly low-effort and walkable, with a mix of self-guided and guided activities. Includes 2 must-see landmarks across Sydney and Melbourne.
Highlights: Sydney Opera House Tour, Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Harbourside Fine Dining — Bennelong or Quay
This 10-day Australia itinerary is built around food and drink experiences — 15 activities focus on local cuisine, markets, cooking classes, and tastings across Sydney and Melbourne.
Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking
17+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 2 cities
Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out
Sydney
Sydney
Taste Sydney's multicultural food scene on a guided walking tour through Chinatown, Newtown, or the harbour markets
$98 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; autumn (Mar-May) and spring (Sep-Nov) most pleasant for walking 📍 Map
Dine at a hatted harbourside restaurant with Opera House and Harbour Bridge views
$142 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; best Oct-Mar for warm sunset dining on the harbour 📍 MapThe Rocks / Circular Quay / Surry Hills
Full-day tour to Hunter Valley — Australia's oldest wine region — with cellar door tastings and gourmet lunch included.
$98 Verified Mar 2026 Best Feb-May (harvest) and springThe Rocks / Circular Quay / Surry Hills
Pick naturally gluten-free fresh oysters, prawns, and sashimi straight from the world's third-largest fish market
$35 Year-round; open daily from 7am 📍 MapWalk King Street Newtown for vintage shops and Thai food, then Surry Hills for craft breweries and independent cafes.
Open year-round; markets on weekendsThe Rocks / Circular Quay / Surry Hills
Brunch on ricotta hotcakes or smashed avocado on GF toast at Bills, the café credited with inventing Australian-style brunch
$24 Year-round 📍 MapDine at Yellow, Sydney's award-winning plant-based fine dining destination in Potts Point
$110 Year-round; advance bookings essentialThe Rocks / Circular Quay / Surry Hills
Explore Newtown's plant-based cafe strip, one of Australia's densest vegan dining precincts
$20 Year-roundGuided evening pub crawl through Sydney's CBD bars and nightclubs — four venues with a drink at each stop.
$20 Verified Mar 2026 Open year-round; Fri-Sat busiest Book this tour →The Rocks / Circular Quay / Surry Hills
Tour the UNESCO-listed Sydney Opera House and explore its iconic sail-shaped performance halls.
$27 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring/autumn 📍 Map
Climb 134 metres to the summit of Sydney Harbour Bridge for 360-degree harbour panoramas.
$244 Verified Mar 2026 Best mild months 📍 MapThe Rocks / Circular Quay / Surry Hills
Melbourne
Melbourne
Browse Queen Vic Market's fresh produce, street food, and artisan stalls -- a Melbourne institution since 1878.
Night markets Nov-Mar 📍 MapVisit 3-4 boutique Yarra Valley wineries with guided tastings, gourmet lunch, and rolling vineyard scenery.
$113 Verified Mar 2026 Best Mar-May (harvest) and Sep-Nov (bloom)CBD / South Yarra / Fitzroy / Southbank
Morning at Queen Victoria Market, then Carlton Gardens and the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building.
$11 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring/autumn; market closed Mon/WedGraze naturally gluten-free deli produce, cured meats, and fresh produce at Melbourne's iconic heritage market
$22 Year-round; closed Mondays 📍 MapCBD / South Yarra / Fitzroy / Southbank
Tram to St Kilda Beach for a walk along the Esplanade, the heritage pier, and a visit to the penguin colony at dusk.
Best Nov-Mar (beach season)Eat at Smith & Daughters, Melbourne's iconic vegan Latin-inspired restaurant in Fitzroy
$30 Year-roundCBD / South Yarra / Fitzroy / Southbank
Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Melbourne!
Where You’ll Stay
Estimated total: $633–$951
Trip Budget Estimate
Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.
Typical range for Australia
$900 – $4,500 per person for 10 days
Similar Destinations
Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to Australia.
🧳 Practical Info for Australia
- Visa
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) or eVisitor visa required for most nationalities. Apply online before travel.
- Tipping
- Not expected. 10% for exceptional restaurant service is generous. No tipping for taxis or cafés.
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (A$ AUD). Cards accepted almost everywhere; contactless (tap) payments very common.
- Power
- 230V, Type I plugs (Australian three-pin). US/EU travelers need an adapter.
- Connectivity
- SIM cards at airports (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone). Good coverage in cities; remote/outback areas have limited signal.
- Emergency
- 000 (police, fire, ambulance), 112 from mobiles
✈️ Getting Around Australia
Domestic flights are essential — distances are huge. Qantas and Jetstar connect all major cities. Book early for $50-150 fares.
Car rental is ideal for road trips along the Great Ocean Road or Gold Coast. Drive on the left.
Sydney and Melbourne have good metro/tram systems. Use Opal (Sydney) or myki (Melbourne) cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 10 days enough for Australia?
10 days covers Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef or Uluru. Australia is continent-sized — focus on 2-3 regions rather than trying to see everything.
What is the best time to visit Australia?
September-November (spring) and March-May (autumn) are ideal for most regions. Northern Australia is best May-October (dry season).
How much does 10 days in Australia cost?
Budget: $90-130/day. Mid-range: $180-280/day. Luxury: $450+/day. Dining out is expensive but supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles) are reasonable.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Yes — most visitors need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) or eVisitor visa. Apply online before travel. Processing is usually quick.
How do I get between Australian cities?
Domestic flights are the most practical option (Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar). Sydney to Melbourne is 1.5 hours by air vs 9+ hours driving.
