I saw so much of Australia in just 8 days. This itinerary was my secret weapon for maximizing my short trip.

A lot of travel guides suggested I'd need two or three weeks to experience Australia, but my itinerary helped me maximize my eight-day trip.

Jill Schildhouse

• Many travel guides suggest spending two or three weeks in Australia, but I only had eight days.
• To make the most of my trip, I planned ahead and made sure to make time for my must-visit spots.
• I got to have downtime and see highlights throughout Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast.

As an American...