We've lost count of how many visitors have planned a casual day trip from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, or assumed they could drive from Melbourne to Uluru "in a few hours." Australia's size is hard to grasp until you're here. This guide puts real numbers on the distances so you can plan an itinerary that's enjoyable rather than exhausting.
Just How Big Is Australia?
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by land area — 7.7 million square kilometres. That's roughly the same size as the contiguous United States (excluding Alaska), and larger than all of Western Europe combined. The east-to-west span is over 4,000 km. North-to-south is about 3,700 km.
The critical point for trip planning: most of Australia's attractions are spread along the coastline, which stretches over 35,000 km. The major cities sit on different parts of this coastline, separated by hundreds or thousands of kilometres of relatively empty land. You cannot casually visit "a bit of everything" in a week or two without flying between regions.
Key Distances and Drive Times
These are driving distances and approximate times on the fastest road route (not including stops). Add 15–20% for realistic travel with fuel, food, and rest breaks.
| Route | Distance | Drive | Flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney → Melbourne | 880 km | ~9 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| Sydney → Brisbane | 920 km | ~10 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| Sydney → Cairns | 2,500 km | ~28 hrs | 3 hrs |
| Brisbane → Gold Coast | 80 km | ~1 hr | — |
| Brisbane → Cairns | 1,700 km | ~19 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| Melbourne → Adelaide | 730 km | ~8 hrs | 1.5 hrs |
| Sydney → Perth | 3,930 km | ~41 hrs | 5 hrs |
| Alice Springs → Uluru | 450 km | ~5 hrs | 45 min |
| Cairns → Perth | 5,400 km | ~58 hrs | 6 hrs |
| Gold Coast → Cairns | 1,800 km | ~20 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
Comparisons That Make It Click
Abstract numbers don't always register. Here are comparisons that help visitors from different regions understand Australian distances:
For European visitors
Sydney to Melbourne (880 km) is like London to Edinburgh. Sydney to Brisbane (920 km) is like London to the south of France. Sydney to Perth (3,930 km) is further than London to Istanbul. You would not try to see London, Edinburgh, Paris, and Istanbul in one week — apply the same logic to Australia.
For North American visitors
Sydney to Melbourne is like New York to Charlotte. Sydney to Cairns is like New York to Miami. Sydney to Perth is like New York to Los Angeles. Brisbane to Cairns is like San Francisco to Portland, Oregon — except there's much less in between.
For UK visitors
The entire United Kingdom fits inside Queensland alone — with room left over. Australia has roughly 31 times the land area of the UK but only a third of its population. Most of that population lives in a handful of coastal cities separated by vast stretches of bushland and farmland.
Fly or Drive?
The general rule: if the drive is more than 5 hours and the drive itself isn't the experience, fly. Domestic flights in Australia are frequent and — if booked early — affordable.
Realistic Itineraries by Duration
Here's what you can realistically cover without spending most of your holiday in transit:
One Region, Done Well
Pick one region and explore it properly. A week is enough for Sydney + Blue Mountains, or Gold Coast + Brisbane + hinterland, or Cairns + reef + Daintree. Trying to combine regions in 7 days means you'll spend half your trip on planes and in airports.
Two Regions with Internal Flight
The sweet spot for a first visit. Examples: Sydney (4 days) + fly to Cairns (4 days) + reef. Or Gold Coast/Brisbane (5 days) + fly to Cairns (5 days). One internal flight connects two regions without eating your holiday in transit. This is what we recommend to most visitors.
Multi-Region or Road Trip
Three weeks lets you add a third region or slow down into a road trip. East coast road trips (Sydney → Brisbane → Cairns) need a minimum of 2.5–3 weeks to do enjoyably with stops. You could also add Melbourne, the Red Centre, or Tasmania with internal flights.
Queensland Distances — Where Cooee Tours Operates
Queensland alone is enormous — 1.85 million square kilometres, nearly seven times the size of the UK. Even within our home state, distances between the main tourist areas are significant:
| Route | Distance | Drive | Flight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane → Gold Coast | 80 km | 1 hr | — |
| Gold Coast → Byron Bay (NSW) | 95 km | 1.5 hrs | — |
| Brisbane → Sunshine Coast | 100 km | 1.5 hrs | — |
| Brisbane → Noosa | 150 km | 2 hrs | — |
| Gold Coast → Springbrook NP | 40 km | 1 hr | — |
| Gold Coast → Tamborine Mountain | 35 km | 45 min | — |
| Brisbane → Cairns | 1,700 km | 19 hrs | 2.5 hrs |
| Cairns → Daintree | 110 km | 2 hrs | — |
| Cairns → Port Douglas | 70 km | 1 hr | — |
The good news for southeast Queensland: the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Sunshine Coast are all within 1–2 hours of each other, and the hinterland rainforests and national parks are 30–60 minutes from the coast. Cooee Tours day trips operate from bases in these areas — everything we visit is within comfortable day-trip range with transport included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Australia compared to Europe or the US?
How long does it take to drive Sydney to Melbourne?
Can I drive from Sydney to Cairns?
How many days do I need for Australia?
Should I fly or drive between cities?
Plan Realistically, Enjoy More
The single best piece of advice for planning an Australian trip: pick fewer places and spend more time in each. The visitors who enjoy their holidays most are the ones who resisted the urge to cram everything in. Australia isn't going anywhere — you can always come back for the rest. For now, pick your region, check the distances, and give yourself enough time to actually be present in the places you visit.