My wife and I are thinking about going to Australia in late July or early August and visiting Sydney, Cairns/Port Douglas, and perhaps the Blue Mtns, Hunter Valley, or Fraser Island. What is the weather like during July and August? I understand that Cairns/Port Douglas' weather will be warm but am concerned it may be too cold in Sydney, Blue Mtns, Hunter Valley, and Fraser Island and that the vegetation may be dead/dormant. Any thoughts? Please keep in mind that I am from the South and "cold" to me is anything below 50 degrees Fahrenheit! Thanks for your help.

Hi Winston!<BR>June/July is practically mid-winter for Australia and consequently it will be cool down in NSW. We have visited Sydney at this time of year and have worn jeans, sweater and jacket. It would never be cold enough to snow in Sydney tho', but if you are used to the tropics - be prepared. The Blue "Mountains" will naturally be colder still.<BR>Cairns/Port Douglas will be perfect - tropically warm &amp; sunny!

Cairns/Port Douglas will be perfect at that time of year. You might even find it too hot. Sydney will be cool but probably mostly sunny. Overnight the temp will be about 7-8 degrees celsius, rising to about 16 or 17 during the day. The Blue Mtns and Hunetr Valley will be a few degrees cooler. The vegetation doesn't change much through the year.

The Hunter is better in winter than summer....it gets a lot of summer rain. Try www.visitours.com.au

Hi there, <BR> <BR>My husband and I honeymooned in Australia last August. The weather in Port Douglas was great -- it was warm enough for swimming and snorkeling but not oppressively hot. We did, however, get a fair amount of rain. In Syndey it was cool but mostly sunny, and a few days it warmed up into the 70s. We live in San Francisco and found the climate there similar to winter in Northern California. We took a day trip to the Blue Mountains and it was absolutely freezing -- probably in the 30s with strong, cold winds. We also went to the Hunter Valley which was fairly warm and sunny, but it was not a good time of year to visit if you want to see lush, full vineyards. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps! Have a great trip.