12 days in Honolulu & Hilo Itinerary

In many ways much more Asian than American, Honolulu is Hawaii's largest city and its center of government, transportation, commerce, and tourism.

Explore Honolulu's surroundings by going to Haleiwa (Sunset Beach Park & Waimea Bay), Kailua Beach Park (in Kailua) and Turtle Bay Beach (in Kahuku). There's much more to do: go for a walk through Diamond Head State Monument, steep yourself in history at Iolani Palace, kick back and relax at Waikiki Beach, and appreciate the history behind USS Arizona Memorial.

For where to stay, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, read our Honolulu online driving holiday planner.

Melbourne, Australia to Honolulu is an approximately 14-hour flight. Traveling from Melbourne to Honolulu, you'll gain 20 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for warmer temperatures traveling from Melbourne in July, with highs in Honolulu at 36°C and lows at 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) early enough to travel to Hilo.

One of the island of Hawaii's major towns, Hilo contains a mix of Asian and Polynesian cultures and is known for its proximity to a national park encompassing two active volcanoes.

Get out of town with these interesting Hilo side-trips: Hula Daddy Kona Coffee (in Holualoa), Jagger Museum (in Volcano) and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku), Kilauea Iki Trailhead, &more). Next up on the itinerary: take a memorable tour with Tours, take an unforgettable tour with a helicopter tour, pick up some local products at Hilo Farmers Market, and get a taste of the local shopping with Banyan Gallery.

For maps, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Hilo visit planner.

You can fly from Honolulu to Hilo in 3.5 hours. In July, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) to allow time to travel back home.