Best time of the year to visit Australia?

"Paul" <paulXX RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:-YSdnbNIIIVZC5zfRVn-iQ@giganews.com...
 > Best time of the year to visit Australia?
 >
 > My wife and I (late 40's) are planning to visit Australia for the first
 > time.
 > We live near Los Angeles and are interested in a combined package flying
 > Quantas
 > and staying 4 nights in Sydney, 4 in Melbourne and 4 in Cairns-Great
 > Barrier Reef.
 >
 > We are considering going either in April (for her birthday) or in late
 > December, for the
 > holidays. We know December is the beginning of summer and should be warmer
 > than
 > April, but what about rain? We would not want to go in full rainy season,
 > if there is such
 > thing. And although we could look up the weather at many other sites, I
 > believe nothing is
 > better than to hear from people who have been there.
 >
 > The question is:
 >
 > How is the weather in April or December for the 3 cities we plan to visit?
 > Any additional comment or suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
 >
 > Many thanks
 > Paul
For the statistics, go to <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/" target="_blank">http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/</a>

April isn't bad normally for Sydney and Melbourne, though it does fluctuate
considerably in terms of rainfall and temperature.
In Cairns, neither month is ideal, on average, as you're either going into
or out of the tropical wet season. It should be quite humid, but in the
tropics you often get heavy showers with a fair amount of sunshine.

Regards

David Bennetts<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

December's great in the southern two-thirds of the country - where
Sydney and Melbourne are. It's not so great in the top third. It's in
the Tropics. Very hot and very humid, with loads of rain, maybe even a
cyclone. Afterall, it's their "Wet" season up there. Best time for
northern third is from late April to October. But you can luck out and
get some fine weather up north during the "Wet". You may not get any
rain at all, or if there is, it'll be heavy but brief, leaving you most
of the day to enjoy, although it'll still be quite humid. That's not to
say you won't get rain in Melbourne or Sydney during December either.
They can get a bit of odd, stormy summer weather during summer, like
yesterday - practically flooded out in Melbourne.

Be aware that during the "Wet", beaches near the shore in the northern
part (north of Tropic of Capricorn) are unsafe due to poisonous
jellyfish. Outer reef okay though. And beaches in Cairns are yukky,
mostly mudflats. Head 20km north and then all along there toward Port
Douglas, to get fantastic beaches. Some beaches have jellyfish nets, so
stick to those if you come in December and head north and want to enjoy
the beach.

Other tips: can't stress sunscreen enough. Our summer sun can be
lethal. Ozzie Osbourne described his 20 minute attempt to get a suntan
during a visit to Perth, as akin to being f****** nuked or napalmed.

As a rule, we don't tip, although I keep hearing that goes on, mostly
in the east. Grrrrr. I'd rather you didn't, as we don't exactly want
this encouraged. We have lots of BYO restaurants (not the posh ones),
so you can save a bit if you want to enjoy a good Aussie wine, or beer,
while eating out, by hitting the bottle-o (liquor store) first.
Restaurants will charge something for corkage.

Use Sydney's ferries as much as you can, it's actually a great way to
sightsee the harbour area which is so pretty. Lots to see and enjoy
there. Melbourne too - they have these great old-fashioned trams but
they're real, useful public transit, not tourist traps.
Have fun. Hope you have a great time.
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

dont forget the electrical storms during the tropical wet season are
some of the most spectacular you will ever see.

seems you live in a city, why bother with others during so short a
hoilday.
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

April is normally well out of the wet season nad cooled down, but still
geeen

April is best both north and south - go APRIL, vote 1 APRIL, in fact any
month that starts with the letter A. (unless its during Easter)



"David Bennetts" <davibenne-nospam DeleteThis @yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:X%hMd.53$Z%5.2519@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
 >
 > "Paul" <paulXX DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:-YSdnbNIIIVZC5zfRVn-iQ@giganews.com...
  > > Best time of the year to visit Australia?
  > >
  > > My wife and I (late 40's) are planning to visit Australia for the first
  > > time.
  > > We live near Los Angeles and are interested in a combined package flying
  > > Quantas
  > > and staying 4 nights in Sydney, 4 in Melbourne and 4 in Cairns-Great
  > > Barrier Reef.
  > >
  > > We are considering going either in April (for her birthday) or in late
  > > December, for the
  > > holidays. We know December is the beginning of summer and should be
warmer
  > > than
  > > April, but what about rain? We would not want to go in full rainy
season,
  > > if there is such
  > > thing. And although we could look up the weather at many other sites, I
  > > believe nothing is
  > > better than to hear from people who have been there.
  > >
  > > The question is:
  > >
  > > How is the weather in April or December for the 3 cities we plan to
visit?
  > > Any additional comment or suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
  > >
  > > Many thanks
  > > Paul
<font color=purple> > For the statistics, go to <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/</font" target="_blank">http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/</font</a>>
 >
 > April isn't bad normally for Sydney and Melbourne, though it does
fluctuate
 > considerably in terms of rainfall and temperature.
 > In Cairns, neither month is ideal, on average, as you're either going into
 > or out of the tropical wet season. It should be quite humid, but in the
 > tropics you often get heavy showers with a fair amount of sunshine.
 >
 > Regards
 >
 > David Bennetts
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

Look at getting a Sydney pass to get around Sydney
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.sydneypass.com.au" target="_blank">www.sydneypass.com.au</a>
Freda

"GTRad" <gtradcliffe DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1107422670.230680.224240@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
 > December's great in the southern two-thirds of the country - where
 > Sydney and Melbourne are. It's not so great in the top third. It's in
 > the Tropics. Very hot and very humid, with loads of rain, maybe even a
 > cyclone. Afterall, it's their "Wet" season up there. Best time for
 > northern third is from late April to October. But you can luck out and
 > get some fine weather up north during the "Wet". You may not get any
 > rain at all, or if there is, it'll be heavy but brief, leaving you most
 > of the day to enjoy, although it'll still be quite humid. That's not to
 > say you won't get rain in Melbourne or Sydney during December either.
 > They can get a bit of odd, stormy summer weather during summer, like
 > yesterday - practically flooded out in Melbourne.
 >
 > Be aware that during the "Wet", beaches near the shore in the northern
 > part (north of Tropic of Capricorn) are unsafe due to poisonous
 > jellyfish. Outer reef okay though. And beaches in Cairns are yukky,
 > mostly mudflats. Head 20km north and then all along there toward Port
 > Douglas, to get fantastic beaches. Some beaches have jellyfish nets, so
 > stick to those if you come in December and head north and want to enjoy
 > the beach.
 >
 > Other tips: can't stress sunscreen enough. Our summer sun can be
 > lethal. Ozzie Osbourne described his 20 minute attempt to get a suntan
 > during a visit to Perth, as akin to being f****** nuked or napalmed.
 >
 > As a rule, we don't tip, although I keep hearing that goes on, mostly
 > in the east. Grrrrr. I'd rather you didn't, as we don't exactly want
 > this encouraged. We have lots of BYO restaurants (not the posh ones),
 > so you can save a bit if you want to enjoy a good Aussie wine, or beer,
 > while eating out, by hitting the bottle-o (liquor store) first.
 > Restaurants will charge something for corkage.
 >
 > Use Sydney's ferries as much as you can, it's actually a great way to
 > sightsee the harbour area which is so pretty. Lots to see and enjoy
 > there. Melbourne too - they have these great old-fashioned trams but
 > they're real, useful public transit, not tourist traps.
 > Have fun. Hope you have a great time.
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

Think about this.

It is summer in Oz now!

1st February Melbourne's max. temp. was 36º
2nd February was max. temp. 13º
3rd February was the wettest day in over 150 years. Official fall was 155 mm
i.e. 155 litres per square metre. Wild weather with much flooding and
damage.

Are you sure you want to visit Melbourne?

Ross

"Paul" <paulXX.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:-YSdnbNIIIVZC5zfRVn-iQ@giganews.com...
 > Best time of the year to visit Australia?
 >
 > We live near Los Angeles and are interested in a combined package flying
 > Quantas
 > and staying 4 nights in Sydney, 4 in Melbourne and 4 in Cairns-Great
 > Barrier Reef.
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

"Ross" <rwanddem.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42030b72$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
 > Think about this.
 >
 > It is summer in Oz now!
 >
 > 1st February Melbourne's max. temp. was 36º
 > 2nd February was max. temp. 13º
 > 3rd February was the wettest day in over 150 years. Official fall was 155
 > mm i.e. 155 litres per square metre. Wild weather with much flooding and
 > damage.
 >
 > Are you sure you want to visit Melbourne?
 >
 > Ross
 >
You should base your decision on averages rather than extremes. Average
annual rainfall for Melbourne is 653 mm.
By comparison Sydney is 1217 mm and Cairns 2003 mm (see <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.bom.gov.au" target="_blank">www.bom.gov.au</a>) .
So are you sure you want to visit Cairns?

Regards

David Bennetts<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

who cares about the weather, you will have a great time depending on your
adventurous spirit.
cheers
Jeff
"David Bennetts" <davibenne-nospam.RemoveThis@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:UQQMd.227$p37.8421@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
 >
 > "Ross" <rwanddem.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:42030b72$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
  >> Think about this.
  >>
  >> It is summer in Oz now!
  >>
  >> 1st February Melbourne's max. temp. was 36º
  >> 2nd February was max. temp. 13º
  >> 3rd February was the wettest day in over 150 years. Official fall was 155
  >> mm i.e. 155 litres per square metre. Wild weather with much flooding and
  >> damage.
  >>
  >> Are you sure you want to visit Melbourne?
  >>
  >> Ross
  >>
 > You should base your decision on averages rather than extremes. Average
 > annual rainfall for Melbourne is 653 mm.
 > By comparison Sydney is 1217 mm and Cairns 2003 mm (see <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.bom.gov.au" target="_blank">www.bom.gov.au</a>) .
 > So are you sure you want to visit Cairns?
 >
 > Regards
 >
 > David Bennetts
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

Agree with you Jeff and David
And to save confusion the original poster further, the shoulder period
around Autumn (In Oz thats March - May) is the best average calm weather
over the Eastern Seaboard.
If travelling from the tropics to good ole Melb late April would be a good
time to do it.

Big Kev
--
Email - drop the second "s" in "travsubs".



"Jeff" <hanj.RemoveThis@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:MSQMd.228$p37.8531@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
 > who cares about the weather, you will have a great time depending on your
 > adventurous spirit.
 > cheers
 > Jeff
 > "David Bennetts" <davibenne-nospam.RemoveThis@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
 > news:UQQMd.227$p37.8421@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
  > >
  > > "Ross" <rwanddem.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
  > > news:42030b72$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
   > >> Think about this.
   > >>
   > >> It is summer in Oz now!
   > >>
   > >> 1st February Melbourne's max. temp. was 36º
   > >> 2nd February was max. temp. 13º
   > >> 3rd February was the wettest day in over 150 years. Official fall was
155
   > >> mm i.e. 155 litres per square metre. Wild weather with much flooding
and
   > >> damage.
   > >>
   > >> Are you sure you want to visit Melbourne?
   > >>
   > >> Ross
   > >>
  > > You should base your decision on averages rather than extremes. Average
  > > annual rainfall for Melbourne is 653 mm.
  > > By comparison Sydney is 1217 mm and Cairns 2003 mm (see <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.bom.gov.au" target="_blank">www.bom.gov.au</a>)
..
  > > So are you sure you want to visit Cairns?
  > >
  > > Regards
  > >
  > > David Bennetts
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

I'd like to thank you all for your input and information.
Now I know more than when I started planning this vacation,
but still undecided.
I am trying to arrange the best first trip to Australia in 12 nights,
chosing from Quantas vacations.

Ross asked: Are you sure you want to visit Melbourne?
The answer is: No, I'm not sure. It may be more attractive to use
those 4 days to visit Adelaide with it's vineyards and Kagaroo Island
to see indigenous wildlife instead.

And David Bennets asked: Are you sure you want to visit Cairns?
And no, I'm not sure. But I think it would be a shame to go to
Australia and not to visit the Great Barrier Reef
(my wife and I enjoy snorkeling).
Deadly jellyfish and weather extremes (plus kids vacationing) are
good reasons not to go in December, but April instead.

The trip as planned by Quantas is: Arriving at Adelaide (2 nights),
then ferry to Kangaroo Island (2 nights); plane to Cairns (4 nights);
plane to Sydney (4 nights); return home. Hotels and transportation
are included in the package and there are optionals such as 1/2 day
sightseeing in Sydney; full day rainforest visit in Cairns; etc.

I'll appreciate any opinions on this new, revised itinerary.
Many thanks!

Paul






"Big Kev - Melbourne Australia" <travsubs.TakeThisOut@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:Y1RMd.147584$K7.46698@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
 > Agree with you Jeff and David
 > And to save confusion the original poster further, the shoulder period
 > around Autumn (In Oz thats March - May) is the best average calm weather
 > over the Eastern Seaboard.
 > If travelling from the tropics to good ole Melb late April would be a good
 > time to do it.
 >
 > Big Kev
 > --
 > Email - drop the second "s" in "travsubs".
 >
 >
 >
 > "Jeff" <hanj.TakeThisOut@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
 > news:MSQMd.228$p37.8531@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
  >> who cares about the weather, you will have a great time depending on your
  >> adventurous spirit.
  >> cheers
  >> Jeff
  >> "David Bennetts" <davibenne-nospam.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
  >> news:UQQMd.227$p37.8421@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
   >> >
   >> > "Ross" <rwanddem.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
   >> > news:42030b72$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
   >> >> Think about this.
   >> >>
   >> >> It is summer in Oz now!
   >> >>
   >> >> 1st February Melbourne's max. temp. was 36º
   >> >> 2nd February was max. temp. 13º
   >> >> 3rd February was the wettest day in over 150 years. Official fall was
 > 155
   >> >> mm i.e. 155 litres per square metre. Wild weather with much flooding
 > and
   >> >> damage.
   >> >>
   >> >> Are you sure you want to visit Melbourne?
   >> >>
   >> >> Ross
   >> >>
   >> > You should base your decision on averages rather than extremes.
   >> > Average
   >> > annual rainfall for Melbourne is 653 mm.
   >> > By comparison Sydney is 1217 mm and Cairns 2003 mm (see <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.bom.gov.au" target="_blank">www.bom.gov.au</a>)
 > .
   >> > So are you sure you want to visit Cairns?
   >> >
   >> > Regards
   >> >
   >> > David Bennetts
   >> >
  >>
  >>
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

One great thing about Melbourne is that if you don't like the weather it
will usually change either in the next hour or next day (february 3rd was an
exception ... I waited all day for the rain to stop ... didn't happen!).
Statistically, it is highly unlikely that there will be another 155mm
rainfall day in the next 20 years (assuming not due to enhanced greenhouse
effect).

There are also a lot of great places to visit within 4 hours drive of
Melbourne. Main issue with the city? Very difficult to get public transport
OUT to some country areas in the morning - the PT system is designed for
people coming in to work in the city, not tourists heading out of the city
on day trips.

Anyway, have fun in Adelaide!

Cheers,

Lyn


"Ross" <rwanddem DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:42030b72$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
 > Think about this.
 >
 > It is summer in Oz now!
 >
 > 1st February Melbourne's max. temp. was 36º
 > 2nd February was max. temp. 13º
 > 3rd February was the wettest day in over 150 years. Official fall was 155
 > mm i.e. 155 litres per square metre. Wild weather with much flooding and
 > damage.
 >
 > Are you sure you want to visit Melbourne?
 >
 > Ross
 >
 > "Paul" <paulXX DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:-YSdnbNIIIVZC5zfRVn-iQ@giganews.com...
  >> Best time of the year to visit Australia?
  >>
  >> We live near Los Angeles and are interested in a combined package flying
  >> Quantas
  >> and staying 4 nights in Sydney, 4 in Melbourne and 4 in Cairns-Great
  >> Barrier Reef.
  >>
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

Just be prepared to write off the first day, due to jet lag. It's an
unbearably long trip. Can't put it any nicer way. And your interior
clock will be messed up, so don't expect to put in a full, energetic
day of sightseeing the second you step off the plane. Especially not if
you want to drive.

Too bad you can't add a few more days to the trip but I understand you
Americans don't get lots of paid vacation time off so you have to keep
it short.

In my opinion, best wine comes from South Australia - Barossa Valley,
McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Coonawarra. No, I'm not from South
Australia, so I'm not biased. Just can't seem to find a wine I don't
like when I buy S.A. wines. Maybe take one of your days off of Sydney
or Cairns and add it to the beginning of the trip in Adelaide so you
can spend more time touring the wineries when you're not so jet-lagged.


Yeah, don't give up on the Great Barrier Reef either. Do it. It's
spectacular and breath-taking. Same for rainforest tour. It's
different, it's interesting. Wear good bug repellent, like Bushman
Plus, not the feeble stuff for city bugs.

Good luck, and keep asking questions if you want
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia? 

"Paul" <paul11177XX RemoveThis @hotmail.com> writes:

 >The trip as planned by Quantas is: Arriving at Adelaide (2 nights),
 >then ferry to Kangaroo Island (2 nights); plane to Cairns (4 nights);
 >plane to Sydney (4 nights); return home. Hotels and transportation
 >are included in the package and there are optionals such as 1/2 day
 >sightseeing in Sydney; full day rainforest visit in Cairns; etc.

 >I'll appreciate any opinions on this new, revised itinerary.

{It's Qantas--no 'u']. Adelaide is like a country town. The second day, a car
trip through Adelaide Hills and some wineries would be nice (unless
you're Mormons, in which case you'll see some 19th century housing).

Kangaroo Island is interesting enough--lots of bloody koalas eating themselves
into oblivion.

Cairns itself isn't that interesting, but the Atherton Tableland and rainforest
areas are. The Kuranda Skyrail is worth it (cable car skimming over the top
of the rainforest). Port Douglas is a much nicer place to stay, about 1
hour north of Cairns.

Sydney is a cosmopolitan global city around a magnificent harbour. Do the
Opera House, climb the Bridge, travel by ferry, go up the Centrepoint Tower,
etc. Fit in a Blue Mountains day trip--spectacular scenery.

You haven't even touched the major physical attractions--Ayers Rock,
Kakadu, Nullarbor Plain, Gibson Desert, South-western Tasmania, south-
western Western Australia, the Kimberley, Lake Eyre, or the Great Barrier Reef
[although you might manage it from Cairns or Port Douglas], Gulf Country,
Great Ocean Road, Macquarie Lakes or the whole alpine region. But, then,
you have to leave something for the next time, don't you?

Mike McBain<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Best time of the year to visit Australia?