Advice Needed on Women's Attire for Australia - East Coast
 

We'll be arriving in Queensland from California on August 23, staying about 4 weeks. Wondering about comfortable clothing. We realize layering is best, but how warm will it be? Will long-sleeved shirts be too warm? Will it be too cool for sandals? Will we need a knit long-sleeved sweater (jacket)? Wool? Short pants? Coat? Too cool yet for sleeveless shirts? Also, we will be visiting Sydney for a few days on the way home and realize it is a bit cooler there. What can we expect for clothing needs mid to late September?

Queensland is a very big place with a variety of climates. Which part or parts do you plan to visit?

To put this in context, the driving distance between Brisbane and Cairns is about 1700 km, more than twice the distance from San Diego to San Francisco.

Mainly between Mackay and Townesville.

OK - over to the ladies....

Elnap,

I'm in Northern California, and dress the same when I'm travelling -- the key is to layer and find clothes that can do "double duty" - like wear a sleeveless top and put a long sleeve blouse over it; as it gets warmer, just tie the sleeves around your waist and there you go! I usually take some sort of thin, rain type slicker that can be used for rain, or as a jacket as well.

Hope this is helpful!

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

Hi Elnap,
Here's the Townsville weather link. http://www.weatherzone.com.au/qld/lo...kin/townsville

Sydney is likely to be a little cooler. Probably similar to your Spring.

I know the temperature and know about layering. It's just difficult to imagine how it FEELS there.
Are you all wearing long sleeves right now?
Sandals?
Sleeveless blouses?

I don't think you'll find anyone posting right now from Townsville or Mackay, I'm in Cairns which has similar maximum temps to Townsville and now (10.30am) am wearing long light cotton pants, short sleeved T-shirt and sandals. Later in day, shorts and sleeveless would be enough. Evenings/nights still cool, a light jacket or something with long sleeves, especially in Mackay.

Thank you, pat_woolford; this is just the type of info I needed.
Anyone else? (or have few Aussie's discovered this travel forum?)

Sydney in September is usually lovely....

but you may need long sleeves.

Now - I need long sleeves in the middle of the day, and a jacket at each end.

In September you'll probably need a sleeve, at least, and a jacket at night. Melodie's suggestion of a sleeveless top with shirt over is sensible, but still factor in a coat or jacket of some sort. A rain coat would be adequate.

Thank you, thank you. The specifics really help.
How about shoes? Too cold for sandals?

I've just yesterday come back from a weekend wedding and a few days on the Sunshine Coast , which is a lot further south than you will be going,elnap, and so cooler. Days were very warm and sunny, and I swam outdoors. But the nights were freezing, as soon as the sun went down. DIL from cold Canberra arrived with no cool clothes and had to buy some! The wedding guests all wore summery outfits, and bare legs.I took a jacket but only used it for very early morning beach walks.

Probably OK during the day in Sydney for sandals - but would recommend at least one pair of closed-in shoes. If it rains, it could get a tad chilly.

When you say 'jacket,' do you refer to what we call a 'sweater' - something knit with cotton or wool yarn?

September in Sydney is usually getting warmer, but it's very variable, so bring T-shirts as well as at least one warm outer layer thing. It could still be what we call "jumper" weather (warm woolies) in September, you will definatley need a light jacket for the evening. I'm currently wearing jumpers and a wool jacket in the early mornings and evenings, just a jumper during the middle of the day--it has been around 20-22 C.

to translate, a "jumper" in Aussie/NZ is a "sweater" in the US. I love the differences in language!

I love this. I really appreciate the specific advice. Thanks.

jacket = light coat, probably best if weatherproof.

I am in Sydney right now and we have had an unseasonably warm winter IMHO - temps in low 20s and Sunday we are expecting 29! Hideous as it's supposed to be cold!! But I have seen plenty of people wearing thongs lately (I think you call these 'flip flops'? Not the underwear, we have a different name for that too.). Couldn't hurt to bring a pair of thongs if you wear them as they are so light. I am not a big fan of them myself. But the point is, if you can wear sandals or similar in Sydney at the moment, that goes double for anywhere in Queensland, especially by the end of August. Just to make doubly sure,you can check out our government weather website, www.bom.gov.au - dry, but factual and good accuracy.

Lavandula

Oh, and yes, I am still wearing long sleeves but today saw lots of t-shirts and sleeveless tops. In-between weather if you get the drift.