G'day <BR>We are going to visit Oz next(northern) winter for two months. In 2001 we did Sydney, Brisbane and GBR. This time we would like to do Melbourne to Adelaide (GOR)and perhaps Alice/Uluru. We thought about the train from Adelaide to Alice but it is very pricey. Would it make more sense to fly to QLD and then get a package from there? (Have to visit the rellies in QLD anyway!) Any help/suggestions would be most welcome. Would it be unbearable in Alice in late Feb. early March???<BR>Thanks,<BR>Lin

It will be hot in central Australia in Feb/March. To give you some idea, it is 32 degrees in Alice today. Just make sure you do your walking as early as possible in the morning and use the pool or have a siesta in the afternoon. Unless you are a train enthusiast, I would fly into Alice. It's only about two hours from Adelaide by air but about a day-and-a-half by train. You should be able to get an air ticket which would give you flights from Adelaide-Alice-Queensland possibly as an extension to your international ticket. You could then either hire a car to drive from Alice to Uluru (traffic is light)or take a coach tour.<BR>Packages to the centre in the off season (on-season is May to September) should be very reasonable. Can your family check out some prices for you?<BR>Hope you have a great holiday.

Thanks Marg,<BR>I know trying to second guess the weather doesn't work too well. We could definitely handle 32C in Alice but I was under the impression that 32C was probably pretty temperate for this time of year in the centre? I found an e-pal on Fodors about a year before we did our 2001 trip and she was invaluable in helping us with plans. She is on a five month RTW trip at the moment so I'm lost without her! My family aren't certified travel junkies which is what you need to suss out the best deals - so I don't really rely on them. That is what is so great about this forum. Lots of good advice. In the initial planning stages the task always seems monumental but last time it all came together beautifully. Australia is the best place to spend the Canadian winter. Thanks for your input.<BR>Lin

32 deg in the centre would certainly be acceptable because it is so dry, however I think that would be the best temp scene with temps far in excess of that if you go during the northern summer. <BR>I don't think I would venture into the iterior until about mid-march, anything earlier would be deadly. This year mid-march has been stinking hot in Queensland and made record temps in the first half of the month. However if you are coming to Queensland then I think you have the opportunity to see some wonderful outback right here in this state and you can find out the temps on your arrival. <BR>Look up Carnarvon Gorge and/Riversleigh and Lawn Hill National parks.

I'm glad to see that you are planning to drive the Great Ocean Road. We did that this spring and really enjoyed it. We took it very leasurely -- about 5 days. Priscilla