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Fodorites, please give me the benefit of your advice: We plan to spend 3-4 weeks in Australia in October or November 2010. Given that I'd like to visit Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, and then travel down to Tasmania, is October a good time of year to do this? I've heard conflicting reports about weather and stingers if we go to the GBR at this time. Fodors website says that the best time to visit the reef is May to September, but does that mean we shouldn't go in October/November? Or that it will be unpleasant? What do you think? Thanks everyone.
Glorib226
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A Simple Question re Weather
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Hi G,
I'd say go for it - I've been a couple of times to the GBR in February (certainly not the best time to go) but nevertheless, we hire stinger suits, ALWAYS wear them and have had no problems. I don't think it would be unpleasant - people visit there all year round.
For where you plan to visit I think October/November will be fine.
glorib, I've lived near Cairns for 17 years and it still never ceases to amaze me to read some of the misinformation given regarding the weather and best times of year to visit. Of course, you can experience bad weather at any time, anywhere, but generally speaking October and November are two of the best months to visit Far North Queensland, as the prevailing winter SE trade winds are usually over. A strong southeasterly can upset a reef trip, especially if you're prone to seasickness.
Its also spring, the best time to be here for local wildlife spotting, birdwatchers from the northern hemisphere know this and October/Nov is when they come. Its also after the main influx of tourists from southern states, who come in winter to escape their far chillier climates.
Officially, marine stinger season commences on 1st Nov in this part of Queensland, that's when the lifesavers usually start to put out stinger nets on patrolled beaches. Stingers are found in coastal and nearby island's waters, not the Great Barrier Reef which is some way off shore. However, just in case the odd stinger finds its way out to reef, you just need to rent a stinger suit from the boat crew, wearing this will also protect you from sunburn, a far likelier danger. Dangerous marine stingers are not exclusive to northern Australian waters, they're found in many other tropical locations world-wide, its just that here in Australia we choose to tell tourists of the possible danger, other countries often don't.
Thank you both for your comments. I am reassured, and will continue with my planning!
glorib226
.. and two straight forward honest replies.
THIS IS AMAZING!