Best Time for Australia/New Zealand
 

Am beginning to plan a trip to Australia in either September/October. Plan to visit Sydney, Ayers Rock and Cairns. Any input regarding weather, flies, etc. would be appreciated. Might possibly include New Zealand. Is this a good time to visit? Thanks!

September/October would be a good time to visit though I would suggested Cairns and Ayers before Sydney just to allow Sydney temperatures to warm up a bit. <BR>We've travelled in the outback quite a bit and never really had a problem with flies. In fact, we bought flynets to go over our hats about six years ago and never used them.<BR>You haven't mentioned how much time you have for your holiday. You may want to concentrate on either Australia or New Zealand this time as there is a lot to see in both countries.

Hi, Judy!<BR><BR>September/October is an excellent time to visit the east coast of Australia... the reason September was chosen for the Olympics in Sydney was because, statistically, this was the time when they had the best chance of dry days (it worked, too... I recall only one rainy day in nearly two weeks.). In October the weather in the inland is starting to get warmer (though it's still perfect on the coast), so if I were you I would do Ayers Rock as soon as possible after arriving (maybe you will just beat those flies), then move on to Cairns, where it shouldn't yet be TOO hot, and finish up in Sydney in October, when the weather will be great. Can't really advise about the right time to visit New Zealand... I should imagine a lot would depend on what you are going there for... the mountain scenery and the skiing of the South island, or the milder temperatures and larger cities of the North island.

I appreciate the excellent input. Is there anywhere else in Australia we shouldn't miss?

All answers depend on how long you are going to be here.

Hi, Judy!<BR><BR>In reply to your question about other places you shouldn't miss, Canberra is especially nice at that time of year, too. This year they will hold a Flower Festival called "Floraide" from the 14th September to the 13th October,(Google will turn up lots of sites for you to browse) which would suit your itinerary down to the ground. When I last saw this festival three years ago, the city was a spectacular sight and wandering through the vast parks and gardens full of specially-planted flowers was a full-day activity. There are lots of other things to see in Canberra also... war memorials, museums and art galleries, the new Parliament House, an observatory, the Science Museum, and a marvellous place called Cockington Green.... really, most tourists ignore this city because it's off the coastal tourist track, but it's well worth a visit, and you have chosen the perfect time. My advice is, make it a priority. It's only a four-hour drive from Sydney, and there are several trains daily. If you go by car you can save money by staying in nearby Queanbeyan, a mere ten-minutes drive away.<BR>Have a great time!