Down under

Hi,
Looking at a dream holiday next year sometime, aiming to visit Sydney,Cairns and then over to New Zealand.
Can anyone advise on the best time of year to go weather wise?

If you are looking for really hot temperatures try January through to march/early April. If you foresee a lot of moving around try may through to August time. Cairns is near the equator and will be very temperate the whole year round....

Did a similar excursion a few years back and a mate and I have another on the books next year too. Let me know if you need any info on where to stay, places to visit etc....

Have a good'un 8D

Thanks Joey I will get back to you once decided.

The best time to visit Cairns is in the Australian winter (July and August). This is because it has a tropical climate, with huge amounts of rain, heat and humidity during the off-season, their summer (December, Jan, Feb etc). This means that there can be road closures out of town due to flooding, and some tourist activities (e.g. Daintree river cruises) are less readily availble. Also I believe the water out on the Great Barrier Reef is rougher and murkier in the summer.

Winter months, esp July and August are warm and dry.

Sydney is usually fine to visit in July/August, as day time temperatures are often in the high teens with nice fresh breezes.

However, NZ will be in their mid-winter in July/August. This means a lot of British-style rain, and snow in the South Island which can make driving difficult.

I've been to Aus/NZ numerous times and I've never had ideal weather throughout. My best trips have always been during their summer months (Dec-Feb).

I'm not a fan of Cairns. If you want to visit the GBR I'd recommended the Whitsundays basing yourself in Airlie beach or Hamilton Island. That way you'll also get to visit the beautiful Whitehaven beach.

If you're looking for cheap accomodation in Sydney check out the YHA in the Rocks. http://www3.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/sydn ... /?x=80&y=5

In NZ the Sth Island is stunning so I'd recommend you spend most of your time on the Sth Island.

Feel free to shout if you need any more info.

Cairns and FNQ high season is, as already stated, during the Australian winter (June/July/August). The weather in Australian summer is hot, humid and very wet. You may get some fine days (blue sky) but a lot of cloud and thunderstorms. The area is part of a rain forest and there's the clue.

Sydney - is lovely all year round - if you get a nice sunny day. During the Australian winter it can be cold and wet with mid teens deg C during the day and single figures at night. It is not uncommon to see tourists totally unprepared for the cold over the winter months. Summer is nice, but last summer it was wet wet wet - I was working there. That said the last couple of months, Spring, have been lovely - it has been a shock coming back to Melbourne at the weekends.

NZ I have been lucky and had relatively good weather everytime I have been. But I have't been between May and October.

That said as long as you are not just looking for sunbathing you'll have a great time anytime of the year.

I'd recommend Port Douglas if you're looking to visit the Great Barrier reef. It's a very nice little area, much nicer than Cairns, with restuarants, shops and a cracking beach.