We're going to Australia in just over a week and have no plans yet! We arrive in Sydney from Tokyo the morning of Feb 14 and leave the evening of the 23rd. It seems, from what I've read, that going to the GBR or Ayers Rock is very risky in February between the heat and monsoons. Is that true? If so, the question is, where should we go? I was thinking of:
2 nights Sydney
Fly to Lord Howe Island, 3 nights
Back to Sydney for 1 night
Fly to Kangaroo Island, 3 nights.
Back to SYD for our evening flight to Auckland.

Is that crazy? Any thoughts or other ideas? Thanks for all the help!

It's not exactly called moonsoons up in NQ but more low pressure systems that can be associated with monsoon troughs or referrred to that way by some weather reports and then cyclones can develop, but you kind of have the picture - there being a lot of water having been dumped up that way in recent weeks, continuing and every possibility of cyclonic developments but you need not miss out altogether on the GBR for you can access it from not far north from Brisbane.

Have a look under bookings on http://www.ladyelliot.com.au/ and there's a great LEI/Fraser Island package and flying to LHI from Sydney, that would work in well if dates are right for a return flight to Brisbane.

February weather most places in Queensland will be warm/humid but not so bad in southern areas and if staying anything like it has been for last few weeks, be plenty of coastal breezes to moderate that.

You could then fly back from Hervey Bay/Brisbane to Sydney.

Likewise, some people still go to Ayers Rock[Uluru] at the height of our summer, either ecommended by those possibly with vested interests or not - apparently you get out early, head for shade, the pool or bar for the better part of the day and then take on the evening if you can - sounds terrific!, not for me!

But Lord Howe Island is a not oft mentioned jewell and a great choice.

You could couple that with LEI but if not there's plenty of other options about Sydney you could look at instead of Kangaroo Island, perhaps giving you a bit more variety, dolphin swimming at Forster/Tuncurry, houseboating on the Hawkesbury River - http://www.ripples.com.au/, or heading down through some lovely smaller towns on the south coast, far lesstouristic but all the better for it,

I would not consider Kangaroo Island at this time. It could be hotter than Uluru. South Aust. has had temps. over 40+ celsius for this past week and if it is the Kangaroos & Koalas you want to see there are plenty of other places. Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road would be cooler and cheaper and a more spectacular option. Plenty of Kangas. and Koalas there. I would also book for your trip soon. www.wotif.com is the place to go at this late stage.http://www.greatoceanroad.com.au/

Oops, my lt posted before finishing and I was going to add that Forster/Tuncurry is about 3 hrs north of Sydney, not far from the delightful Port Stephens which could make a great overnight destination.

And for the south coast, there's places like http://www.murramarangresort.com.au/and then of course there's so much about Sydney much closer, http://www.jenolancaves.org.au/ being somewhere else you may want to consider staying in conjuction with a visit to the Blue Mountains.

Whilst for specific locations like LHI or LEI you're best to check re vacancies and flights, www.webjet.com.au for the latter.

When it comes to general touring around, major annual school holidays are finished and with the global economic situation a lot less people are going on holidays, eating out etc., and you will find ample accomodation options.

wotif and like sites will show discounted rates, usually for bookings a month out.