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Title: Three Girls, One Unforgettable Australian Adventure: A 10-Day Self-Drive Itinerary (Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island & Sydney)

Meta Description: Discover the ultimate 10-day Australia self-drive itinerary for three friends. From the Great Ocean Road to Kangaroo Island, this guide covers costs, tips, and hidden gems.

🇦🇺 Three Girls, One Unforgettable Australian Adventure: A 10-Day Self-Drive Odyssey Through Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island & Sydney

There’s something magical about a trip that feels orchestrated by the universe itself. When the sun is warm, your friends are free, flights are affordable, and a long weekend aligns perfectly with a friend living abroad, you don’t hesitate—you pack your bags and go. That’s exactly how three of us ended up on a whirlwind 10-day journey across Australia, a trip that would become the happiest of our lives.

From crashing into a kangaroo on a highway at night to stumbling upon the most breathtaking sunset at the Twelve Apostles, from spontaneous detours to a pink lake to discovering that the best moments are never planned—this Australia road trip taught us one thing: everything happens for a reason.

Here’s our story, complete with all the practical tips you’ll need if you want to recreate this epic 10-day Australia itinerary.

✈️ Pre-Trip Planning: The Essentials for Your Australia Road Trip

🛩️ Flights – Scored Like Champions

We booked a multi-city route to maximize time and minimize cost. Here is the Australia travel budget breakdown for flights:

Total: ~¥3,079 per person – a steal for three domestic flights plus an international round trip.

🛂 Visa – Faster Than Expected

We applied through a trusted agent on Taobao (China Youth Travel flagship store). The official processing time was 14 working days, but we received our Australian tourist visa in just one week. Customer service was excellent, answering every question patiently.

📱 SIM Card – Stay Connected

A 10-day, 7GB data SIM card cost only ¥56 per person. Perfect for navigation, social media, and emergency calls.

🚗 Car Rental – Freedom on Wheels

We booked through ACE Rent a Car for 6 days with one-way drop-off and full insurance: 477 AUD total.

• International Driving Permit: We used a Taobao translation service (around ¥50) and printed the certified document. Easy.
• Pick-up: After landing, we called the rental company, and a shuttle bus picked us up from the airport.
• Pro tip: Always buy full insurance. You never know when a kangaroo might jump in front of your car.

🏠 Accommodation – Where We Stayed

All bookings were made via Booking.com. The Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island stays were the highlights—book early, especially in peak season.

🚢 Kangaroo Island Ferry – Book Early!

We booked through Sealink and paid 470 AUD for 3 passengers plus a car.

• Why book early? The ferry has limited vehicle space. We booked a month in advance and still only got a midday slot.
• Important: You must buy a ticket for your car too.

🗺️ Our Route – The Perfect 10-Day Australia Loop

Most first-timers head to the Gold Coast, Cairns, or the Great Barrier Reef. We chose Adelaide and Sydney for one simple reason: a photo of Glenelg Beach at sunset that I saw online. It was love at first sight. My friend in Australia confirmed it was doable via the Great Ocean Road itinerary, and the plan was born.

Most itineraries recommend 4 days for Melbourne to Adelaide, but we condensed it to fit our schedule. It worked perfectly.

🌟 Day-by-Day Highlights of Our Australia Self-Drive Trip

Day 1: Chongqing → Melbourne – The Journey Begins

The 10-hour overnight flight flew by—sleep, eat, repeat. I was so excited I couldn't stop taking selfies at the airport. A customs officer even caught me mid-pose and asked to see my photos. Embarrassing? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

Day 2: Brighton Beach & Rainbow Houses

After landing, we met my friend Yunyun (who was running late—classic) and her friend Vann. We grabbed a quick brunch at The Hardware Societe, a trendy spot in Melbourne. As a Chongqing native who lives for spicy food, I found it decent but not satisfying. I was already dreaming of hotpot.

By sunset, we reached Brighton Beach. The famous rainbow bathing boxes lined the shore like a row of colorful crayons. The water was crystal clear, and seagulls dotted the sand. The wind was fierce, but the beauty made up for it.

I even recreated a photo from 2015—same pose, same friend, three years later. We laughed about what kept our bond alive. The answer: shared adventures and a lot of good food.

That night, we cooked hotpot at home, played guitar, and sang. Perfect first day.

Day 3: Great Ocean Road – Lighthouses, Apostles & a Kangaroo Collision

We woke up late (around 10 AM) and hit the road by noon. The weather was glorious.

First stop: Split Point Lighthouse (the one with the cute red top). We parked halfway up and hiked to the viewpoint, where we spotted Eagle Rock and dramatic coastal cliffs. A spontaneous photo of my friends turning back toward the camera became one of my favorite shots of the trip.

Next: The Twelve Apostles. We arrived just before sunset, around 5:30 PM. The Gibson Steps were already closed, so we couldn't walk down to the beach. But what we saw from the viewing platform was pure magic. The sky turned gold, then pink, then fiery orange. I had seen countless photos of the Apostles under blue skies, but this sunset version was far more stunning.

The kangaroo incident: After sunset, we drove toward Mount Gambier (3 hours away). It got dark fast. Then, a kangaroo jumped out. My friend Lily swerved slightly to avoid a direct hit, but we still felt a violent thud. A piece of the car flew off. We pulled over, shaking. The rental company was closed, and roadside assistance couldn't locate us. So we did what any resourceful traveler would do: we wrapped the broken bumper with my beach towel and turned our car into a "burger car." We drove the last 80 km looking like a mobile joke, but we made it.

Lesson learned: Don't drive at night in rural Australia. Wildlife is everywhere.

Day 4: Mount Gambier → Adelaide – The Burger Car & Glenelg Sunset

We woke up to blue skies again. After calling the rental company, they agreed to swap our car in Adelaide. Relief!

We briefly stopped at Blue Lake in Mount Gambier—more like a reservoir, but worth a quick photo.

The drive to Adelaide was scenic, and our beat-up car attracted stares everywhere. We didn't care. We sang, laughed, and took photos in a lush green field during a break.

In Adelaide, we exchanged our car and headed to Glenelg Beach on a whim. Best decision ever. The sunset was the most beautiful of the entire trip. The sky turned pink, and the beach was alive with people playing soccer, volleyball, and even kids wrestling. It felt like a postcard.

That night, we drove to Cape Jervis (1.5 hours from Adelaide). The moon was huge and round. At our accommodation, Lily saw another kangaroo and froze—she was still traumatized from the collision. We laughed until we cried.

Day 5: Kangaroo Island – Wildlife, Honey & Stargazing

We woke up late, made breakfast (and set off the smoke alarm—oops), and explored the property before heading to the ferry.

Ferry tips: - Arrive 30 minutes early - Driver takes the car onboard; passengers walk separately - Journey: 45 minutes - Bring motion sickness pills if needed

Kangaroo Island highlights: - Seal Bay Conservation Park: Watch sea lions basking on the beach. - Honey Farm: Taste the world’s only pure Ligurian honey. - Flinders Chase National Park: See the iconic Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. - Stargazing: The island has zero light pollution. We saw the Milky Way with our naked eyes.

We stayed at Sunrise on Falie Court, a cozy cottage with a fireplace. It was our favorite accommodation of the trip. We made pasta, drank wine, and played cards until midnight.

Day 6: Kangaroo Island → Adelaide – A Relaxed Return

We took the morning ferry back to Cape Jervis. The weather was perfect, so we stopped at Deep Creek Conservation Park for a short hike. The views of the ocean were stunning.

Back in Adelaide, we checked into the Watermark Hotel Glenelg and spent the afternoon swimming and sunbathing at the beach. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant and walked along the jetty at sunset.

Day 7: Pink Lake & Sydney – A Spontaneous Detour

We woke up early and drove 2 hours north to Bumbunga Lake, a natural pink salt lake. It was even more vibrant than the photos. We took a thousand photos and left footprints in the salt.

We flew from Adelaide to Sydney in the afternoon. The flight was only 2 hours. We checked into a hostel in Darlinghurst and met a friend for dinner. The city lights were magical.

Day 8: Sydney – Opera House, Bondi & Fish Market

We started the day at Bondi Beach for sunrise. The surfers were already out. We walked the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, which took about 2 hours. The views were incredible.

Next, we took the bus to Sydney Fish Market for lunch. We ordered a seafood platter: prawns, lobster, oysters, and salmon sashimi. It was fresh and delicious.

In the afternoon, we walked to the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. We took the ferry to Manly Beach for a different perspective of the harbor.

We ended the day with dinner in Chinatown and a nightcap at a rooftop bar in Darlinghurst.

Day 9: Sydney → Melbourne – Last-Minute Shopping

We flew back to Melbourne in the morning. We spent the afternoon shopping at Queen Victoria Market and Chadstone Shopping Centre.

We had a farewell dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant in the city. The food was spicy and satisfying—a perfect end to the trip.

Day 10: Melbourne → Chongqing – Home Sweet Home

We took the morning flight back to Chongqing. The 10-hour flight felt long, but we spent it watching movies and reminiscing about the trip.

We landed at night, exhausted but happy. The adventure was over, but the memories would last a lifetime.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is 10 days enough for a Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney road trip? A: Yes, if you plan carefully. We condensed a 4-day drive into 2 days by driving late. It's tight but doable. We recommend at least 12 days if you want more time on Kangaroo Island.

Q: How much did this Australia trip cost per person? A: Approximately ¥6,000–¥7,000 per person, including flights, accommodation, car rental, food, and activities. Excluding shopping.

Q: Is it safe to drive the Great Ocean Road at night? A: No. Wildlife (especially kangaroos) is very active at dusk and night. We hit a kangaroo on the highway. Drive during daylight hours whenever possible.

Q: Do I need an International Driving Permit in Australia? A: Yes. We used a Taobao translation service (¥50) and printed the certified document. It was accepted by ACE Rent a Car.

Q: What is the best time of year for this Australia itinerary? A: The Australian summer (December–February) offers long days and warm weather. However, it's peak season and accommodation books up fast. Autumn (March–May) is also lovely with fewer crowds.

🔗 Internal Linking Suggestions

• [Link: Best Great Ocean Road stops for a 2-day drive]
• [Link: Complete guide to Kangaroo Island wildlife]
• [Link: Budget travel tips for Australia from Asia]
• [Link: How to get an Australian visa from China]
• [Link: Top 10 things to do in Sydney on a budget]

🚀 Ready to Plan Your Own Australian Adventure?

This self-drive Australia itinerary proved that the best trips are the ones you take on a whim. Whether you're traveling with friends, family, or solo, the Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, and Sydney offer an unforgettable mix of nature, wildlife, and city life.

Don't wait for the perfect moment. Book your flights, grab your friends, and hit the road. Australia is waiting.

Have questions about this itinerary? Drop them in the comments below!