2 weeks in August or 2 1/2 weeks in December?
 

We have considered a trip to Australia this year but due to work schedules we would need to either do the last 2 weeks of August or possibly the last 2 1/2 weeks in December. Suggestions on an August itinerary? How about December? Most interested in outdoors, nature, scenery, etc. versus cities.

December is great if you are prepared to plan your travel but it really depends where in Australia you want to go.

Agree with the above. August is a winter month and can be cold and blusterly especially in the Southern States. December would be much better and hey! you can have a beach BBQ on Chrissy Day.

I lived in Australia for several years and now when we go back to visit, it's always in August, primarily due to school schedules, but we love that time of year in Australia. The disadvantages to traveling at the end of December are pretty major for us: 1) it's HOT, HOT, HOT, 2) the "tourist destinations" are crowded and more expensive due to the school holidays and 3) it's not a good time of year to go to the Great Barrier Reef, one of our favorite destinations in Australia.
On the other hand, we enjoy going in August because there are no school holidays during that month and it's a good time of year for Far North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. We also enjoy going to Darwin and the Top End at that time. It can be cooler farther south, but we usually find Sydney to be spring-like in August (although we had one rainy day a couple of years ago) and Adelaide and Kangaroo Island were a bit nippy, but the sun was shining. We never went to Melbourne at that time of year, but as you aren't interested in cities, you probably won't go there anyway.
So, since you say you want to be outdoors enjoying the flora and fauna of Australia, I would probably recommend August. It can be deadly hot (or deadly hot and humid, depending on where you are) in December and that's not much fun for hiking and similar outdoor activities.

I entirely agree with longhorn55. I'd pick August: a great time for the north and center of Australia and even down south it's not at all that wintery by North American standards. The only trouble for you, luvtravl, is that you have even less time then.

Hi,

I would pick December over August. August can actually be quite cold in Sydney and south of there.

If it's your first time I'd recommend starting in Either Brisbane or Sydney, working your way South or North depending on which city you start in.

I've got photos of most tourist attractions on my site:

http://www.marksblogg.com/past-bloggs/Australia/

Cheers,
Mark

August in Sydney is not beach time for sure. But highs in the 60s and even low 70s are not hard to take at all. And there's always the Top End and Far North Queensland for warm/hot weather.

If it were not for the school holidays, then I'd say Dec would be fine, sticking mainly to the more temperate south of the country and the coast.

School Holidays start in S.A and Qld. around 15th. December, N.S.W & Vic. 22nd., but I wouldn't worry too much about that as the big holiday month is January. Australia is great to visit anytime of the year. We are not snowbound in the winter and except for the Outback,where it gets very hot, the summers are wonderful.
For Kakadu, Great Barrier Reef and the Outback, August is probably the better month. The Great Ocean Road, Tassie and K.I. are sensational in December.

For your interests it would be easy to spend the two weeks in north Queensland.
Take some warm clothing for the Tableland evenings and summer clothing for the rest of the time. (Winters on the Tablelands can be so severe that frost are have been recorded some years!) Fly in and out of Carins but there is no reason to stay there. One of the northern beaches for your first night and then out to the reef. A day in the sun really helps reset the body clock. Drive up to Cape Tribulation, stopping to explore on the way and take a river cruise. Low tide is best for wildlife; crocs for sure at that time of year. Stay in the village of Daintree.

Next day call into Mossman Gorge nice and early before the mob arrives from Cairns and then make your way up onto the Tablelands. Book three nights there so you can enjoy the scenery and nature. Don't forget to do a nocturnal tour.

Head out to Undarra to see the lava tubes and wildlife before you drive the inland route to Chaters Towers and Townsville. Return north via the coast. Have lots of fun.

Wonderful suggestions. Too bad we don't have two months as that it what it sounds like we really need to see as much as we would like to!