We are considering a trip to OZ in April/May of '08. Would that be a good time for both GBR, Sidney, Melbourne & Tass or is there a better time for both weather & crowds?

April & May are Autumn ... great weather in Australia.

Just got back. Winds at GBR were at 20-25 knotts. A bit rough. Told that it was typical for April. Sidney had beautiful weather 60-70's. Did not go to Tass or Melbourne.

April/May is good, but March/April is better. March being definitely the best month for Melbourne, although April so far has been fantastic.

It would be good, don't you think, if posters could learn how to spell "Sydney".

And seeing that you ask, yes, it does rub me up the wrong way.

We are not talking somewhere on the fringe, like Mooloolaba, or Phnom Penh (which always catches me out).

I think I might try Fennix on the USA branch.cdx rthin

Mea culpa-I was inattentive not ignorant-I do know how to spell Syney-had a brain fart. I can understand how that might be upsetting.

We will plan more for March/April. Thanks to all.

My wife and I are leaving tomorrow for Meblourne, Tas, GBR, and Sydney....I'lll let you know

Check out some the things you can do in Sydney http://www.999reasons.com/content/view/17/54/

We live here ... so this is from a basis of many friends and visitors who ask our advice.

Would Oct/Nov be as good as March/April? We also would like to go the Sydney, GBR and Batesman Bay area. Thanks.

newenglanders: Cairns to Batemans Bay is about 2,700 kms; they're different climate zones altogether and almost impossible to have optimum weather at same time.

For northern GBR ie, Cairns, Port Douglas etc, I far prefer October/November - as its after the SE winds of "dry" season which can play havoc with a reef trip and before the humidity of "wet" season.

Spring is a particularly nice time in New South Wales as well, especially November.

I've heard that one advantage to visitng the North in April is that there is still plenty of water flowing in streams, making it a good time to see waterfalls without having to experience much rain.