Hi there!😊
My friend and I are planning to travel next year on a gap year... This is our route: La (1 week) - Fiji 1-2 weeks) - Auz (Sydney to Cairns) (5 weeks) - Bankok (1 week) - Hong Kong. (roughly 4 nights)
However we have no idea what the best time to go is.. We were originally thinking around Feb as we will catch the end of the Auz summer esp as we are going up the east coast and what the sunshine.. however after looking around Im worried it might be the wet season? We plan to be travelling from Sydney to Cairns in around 4 weeks.
Please can someone help? Would it be better to go around May? Will it then be nice in Thailand etc...
Thanks
Reply to this You're coming all the way to OZ and not seeing Melbourne??!?!!
It will be pretty warm all over Australia at that time - perfect weather. HOWEVER ... it may not stop raining the entire time you're in Cairns. In saying that I assume you're from the UK (because you mentioned 'gap year') so you're used to the rain right?? =P haha
How are you getting from Syd --> Cairns. I would reccommend going Melb --> Syd --> Bris --> Cairns. Or even leaving Cairns off. I went there about a month ago and while it's beautiful.. you can snorkle or dive while you're in FIJI and apart from that there's not a great deal to do. It's lovely.. but very small. You cannot swin in the 'beach' on the main strip.. it's mudflats. If I had the choice between Melbourne and Cairns, Melb wins hands down!!
Flights Melb to Syd are about AU$60, Syd to Bris AU$60 and it would be the best way to get around. Actually you might want to look into hiring a car and driving from Syd to Bris because you REAAAAALLY want to stop into Byron Bay and Nimbin which is on the Queensland/New South Wales border.
Have an awesome time :D
Reply to this I second that opinion! Definitely go to Melbourne over Cairns- I haven't been to Cairns before but I have been to Melbourne many times and I love it.
I would take Renee's advice about the cheap flights and looking into stopping at Byron Bay on the way to Brissy- but maybe from Brissy head up to the Sunshine Coast which is only an hour or two away. I would skip Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast if you intend on driving from Syd to Brissy, although the theme parks are good fun- especially Wet n' Wild and Dreamworld.
You'll have a fabulous time whatever you decide to do! The weather will be perfect at that time of year- although it will be hot in Feb- in Melbs and Syd expect temperatures to be between 33 and 40 degrees. It will get muggier the further north you go.
March/April is a nice time to go- your in less danger of running into scorching temperatures but it will still be warm enough for the beach.
Have fun!
Reply to this I think April might be primary school and highschool holidays - you don't want to be at a theme park in school holidays!
Reply to this Firstly - I love Melbourne!! For a visit!! A short one!! But I live in paradise for many good reasons shared by the thousands of tourists who marvel at the reef, rainforest and laid back lifestyle!
If the heat is an issue, some from March on and experience what no big city can ever give you!!
Reply to this which city?...
all your help so far has been great thank you!! 😊
Reply to this ALL Australian Capital cities have something unique to offer. Most tourists seem to want to get the Opera House and the Bridge into their photos, but Brisbane is booming, Perth perfect and Melbourne marvelvous (to name a few)! Your time is limited and distances much further than you probably imagine. Cheap fares are to be had however.
If you want the tropics, do come up to the Whitsundays or further north. I promise you'll love it! You can't predict the weather even in the wet.....it might be glorious or there could be a cyclone before Easter but hey - Melbourne weather changes five times a day!!! If you want theatres and boutiques and the most historic sites in Oz or whether you want to see as much of the changing landscape as possible - these decisions will dictate as to how you spend your time and dollar. Personally, I recommend "going bush" and seeing the interior (the red heart) but if you come in summer it would be draining (VERY hot!) Still, to really see Australia get out of the city. Every country has malls - only Oz has the reef and the rock!!
Reply to this Hello Rebecca 😊
I moved this to the Australia forum.
Mel
Reply to this Hi guys,
After checking, I realised that Summer is going to be jam packed. But too late as I have booked my flight.
Anyway, My plan is to travel to Perth and in 23rd Dec out 1st Jan 09.
Which of the area should I visit and where do you recommend to stay...? Budget is really one of the concern.
Reply to this 
