I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip for next year and Australia is on the short list. The two times of year we have available for this trip are late April (or early May) and mid-July. I've sifted through many weather websites and posts here and don't yet have a good handle on what weather might be like in Sydney and Cairns these times of the year. I'm mostly concerned with rain. I've read that Sydney can be drizly and chilly in winter, but that rainfall in April in Cairns can be heavier. What kind of temperature and rain shoulod we expect in these locations in both late-April or mid-July? When would you go? Thanks a bunch!
Sydney & Cairns, when to go?
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As an ex-Sydney resident I'd definitely say April/May against July, as a near Cairns resident I'm not so sure. Its been bucketing in and around Cairns for days on end, although max temperature today in Cairns is what sounds like a balmy 26C, (Sydney 18C) there's also a 28km/h SE wind blowing which would make reef conditions horrible. April can be very wet in FNQ if there's a late wet season, but its not rain which ruins a reef trip as much as wind, which is more likely to be a problem in July/August in FNQ than April. But no guarantees for April either! Good luck!
Thanks, Pat. Though April seems to be the better time of the two times I have available next year I'm feeling a bit uneasy about even going then as well. When considering the expense, time and effort for a trip like this I'm wondering if I shouldn't plan this trip for another year when I can be more flexible and let the time of year that normally produces the best possible chance for good weather determine when I visit. What is the best time of year to visit Sydney, hoping to avoid rain and cold, chilly weather? I'm not a big fan of overbearing heat, either, but avoiding rain and wind is more important. Is there a time of year that is optimal for both Sydney and the GBR? Given the size and vastness of Australia I'm sensing there isn't just one good time. Thanks to anyone who can help me.
samtraveler, hard to find a month for optimum weather in both Sydney and Cairns, they're about 2,500km apart and Sydney is in a temperate region (mostly) and Cairns is well into the tropics. Whilst winter is peak season in Cairns with usually dry, sunny days (although it can and does rain in any month), its also the time of year when the SE trade winds are most prevalent. They should start easing off in September, October onwards to late summer are usually ideal for reef. This is all very general, of course you can get windows of good reef weather at any time of year.