Singapore makes a brilliant stopover destination before heading on to Australia, offering the perfect opportunity to break up the long-haul flight and beat jet lag before continuing your journey. Enjoy three nights in Singapore and experience the very best this cosmopolitan city has to offer.

Our top pick for things to do in Singapore is a visit to Gardens by the Bay, best experienced in the evening when the Supertree Grove comes to life with its nightly light show. We’d also recommend a walk along Marina Bay, home to some of the city’s most impressive skyline views, while Chinatown and Little India offer a real taste of Singapore’s rich, multicultural food and culture scene. Travelling with family, or fancy a beach day? Sentosa Island combines relaxed coastline with the excitement of Universal Studios Singapore.

No visit to Singapore is complete without a Singapore Sling at the historic Raffles Hotel, or a meal at one of the city’s famous hawker centres. We especially love Maxwell Food Centre, known for serving up some of the best cheap eats in the city.

Paradox Singapore Hotel or similar

Say farewell to Singapore and fly on to Perth, where three nights await in one of Australia’s most laid-back and sun-soaked cities. Known as the “sunny city,” Perth offers the perfect gentle introduction to Australia, with wide open skies, riverside views and an easy-going pace of life.

Among the best things to do in Perth is a visit to Kings Park, home to landscaped gardens, lookout points and sweeping views over the Swan River and city skyline. A short drive away, Fremantle is well worth a half day, with buzzing markets, cosy cafes and centuries of maritime history to explore. For beach lovers, Cottesloe Beach is one of Perth’s most popular spots for a swim, a walk along the sand, or golden sundowners as the sun dips over the Indian Ocean.

No Perth itinerary is complete without a day trip to Rottnest Island, just a short ferry ride from the city. Here, visitors can hire a bike, explore hidden bays, and get up close with the island’s famously photogenic quokkas, often ranked among the best wildlife encounters in Western Australia.

Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar

With your car collected in Perth, the scenic drive down to Margaret River is one of the best road trips in Western Australia, and a highlight in its own right. A self-drive is an easy and enjoyable way to explore the region. Break up the journey to Margaret River with a stop in Bunbury or Busselton, both offering lovely coastal scenery and a great chance to stretch your legs along the way.

Arriving in Margaret River, spend four nights based in one of Australia’s best-loved wine regions. Famous the world over for its wine, Margaret River is well worth a day or two of cellar door visits, alongside sampling the region’s excellent local produce, with cheese, chocolate and olive oil trails all popular among visitors.

For nature lovers, a visit to Boranup Forest and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is a must, marking the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. The Margaret River Caves are also well worth exploring, while surfers will want to head to Prevelly Beach, one of the region’s most popular breaks.

Perth > Margaret River | 270 kms

Margarets Beach Resort or similar

Head back to Perth, drop your car at the airport, ready for your onward flight to Sydney. Arrive in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, set on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.

Among the best things to do in Sydney is a climb up the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, offering fantastic views over the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour below. For beach lovers, Sydney’s coastal beaches are hard to beat, with famous Bondi Beach a top spot to relax, swim or even learn to surf. Alternatively, hop on a ferry to Manly for one of Sydney’s most scenic harbour crossings, followed by a stroll along Manly Beach.

Back in the city centre, Darling Harbour is well worth exploring, home to cobblestone markets, boutique shopping and cafés by day, and a lively mix of bars and restaurants by night.

Paradox Sydney Hotel or similar

With your car collected in Sydney, hit the road for a scenic drive into the Blue Mountains, giving you the freedom to explore this dramatic landscape at your own pace. Just a couple of hours from the coast, the Blue Mountains offer a spectacular change of scenery, think ancient eucalyptus forests, deep valleys and sweeping cliff-top views as far as the eye can see.

Base yourself at the famous Hydro Majestic Hotel, a stunning Art Deco-style resort set in the village of Medlow Bath, known for its rich history and dramatic clifftop views over the Megalong Valley. Once a grand health retreat, today it remains one of the Blue Mountains’ most iconic places to stay.

Among the best things to do in the Blue Mountains is a stop at Echo Point to admire the Three Sisters, one of Australia’s most iconic rock formations, especially striking at sunrise or sunset when the cliffs turn a deep, golden red. For a real sense of adventure, hop aboard the Scenic World cable cars and railway, home to the steepest railway in the world, for a thrilling ride through the rainforest canopy and into the valley below. The charming village of Leura is also close by, worth a visit for its boutique cafes, quirky shops and beautifully kept gardens.

With bushwalking trails to suit every fitness level, from gentle strolls to full-day hikes, the Blue Mountains offer the perfect balance of adventure and unspoiled peace and quiet

Sydney > Blue Mountains | 110kms

Hydro Majestic Hotel or similar

From the Blue Mountains, head back to Sydney for a flight to Cairns, the gateway to Tropical North Queensland. Collect your car at Cairns Airport for the scenic drive up to Port Douglas, following the Captain Cook Highway, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives, with rainforest on one side and the Coral Sea on the other.

Spend nine nights in Port Douglas allowing you to properly explore Tropical North Queensland, one of Australia’s most sought-after holiday regions. The Great Barrier Reef is the main draw here, and a full day boat trip to go snorkelling or diving is highly recommended for those wanting to experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge are also close by and well worth a day out, offering some of the best rainforest walks in Queensland. Four Mile Beach is right on the doorstep for relaxing between excursions, and the Port Douglas markets are a great way to spend a morning, browsing local crafts and produce.

There’s plenty of time to explore the wider region at your own pace with your car hire, including the Atherton Tablelands, known for its waterfalls, rainforest and quirky little towns. The car also covers the drive back down to Cairns at the end of the stay, ready to drop off before the onward flight to Brisbane.

Cairns > Port Douglas | 70 kms

Freestyle Port Douglas or similar

After the tropical adventures of Port Douglas, head back to Brisbane and spend three relaxed nights in the laid-back riverside city with plenty to see and do. Among the best things to do in Brisbane is a visit to South Bank Parklands, home to an artificial beach, riverside walks and a lively mix of restaurants and bars, perfect for unwinding after busy days of sightseeing. Culture lovers should head to the Queensland Art Gallery and Queensland Museum, both excellent and free to visit.

For a scenic way to see the city, hop aboard the CityCat ferry, offering some of the best river views in Brisbane at a fraction of the cost of a guided tour. With a little extra time, a day trip from Brisbane to the Gold Coast is well worth considering, known for its golden beaches and buzzing atmosphere. Alternatively, animal lovers shouldn’t miss Australia Zoo, located around 90 minutes north of Brisbane in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast. Made famous by the Irwin family, it remains one of Queensland’s top wildlife attractions, home to koalas, crocodiles and a wide range of native Australian species.

Oaks Brisbane Festival Suites or similar

Say a sad farewell to Australia as you head to the bright lights of Hong Kong for your final stop, a bustling, fast-paced city that makes for the perfect send-off before heading home.

Among the best things to do in Hong Kong is a visit to the historic Man Mo Temple, followed by a ride on the world’s steepest funicular railway up to Victoria Peak. The views over the Hong Kong skyline are unbeatable, especially at dusk, as the city lights begin to twinkle below. For an authentic taste of local life, head to Stanley Market, a vibrant, colourful spot perfect for picking up final holiday souvenirs and browsing local crafts.

No trip to Hong Kong is complete without a ride on the Star Ferry, a cheap and iconic way to cross Victoria Harbour, or an evening cruise past the city’s landmark buildings, when the skyline truly comes to life with its spectacular light displays, a real essential and not to be missed.

For a change of pace, spend a day on Lantau Island, home to the towering Tian Tan Buddha, one of the world’s largest seated bronze Buddhas. Ride the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for sweeping views over the mountains and South China Sea, then explore the nearby Po Lin Monastery. Those with extra time can continue on to Tai O, a traditional fishing village built on stilts, offering a slower, more traditional side of Hong Kong away from the city’s neon-lit streets.

Food lovers should make time for dim sum, one of Hong Kong’s most famous culinary experiences, while history buffs will enjoy a wander through the atmospheric Central and Sheung Wan districts. For a livelier evening, Temple Street Night Market is well worth a visit, known for its great street food, bustling stalls and lively atmosphere.

Harbour Grand Hong Kong or similar

It’s time to say goodbye to Hong Kong and begin the journey home, bringing this epic trip through Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong to a close. With memories, photos and plenty of stories to share, transfer to Hong Kong International Airport for your flight back to the UK after an exciting multi-destination holiday.