We finally have enough hotel points for our dream vacation to Australia via Marriot and are unsure about our options. We plan 1 week in Sydney, and would like the second week in an area that would allow sightseeing & beach swimming. My research indicates that Surfer's Paradise may be to cold for this during August - but the hotel option for Marriott farther north is a Courtyard in Palm Cove, Cairns. The hotel ratings aren't very good (1 star/1 diamond at best) and I would love to hear from anyone who could advise on Surfer's Paradise weather during August as well as anything anyone knows about the Courtyard I referred to. Thanks

Hi, Michele!<BR><BR>One of the best and most consistent contributors to this forum, LizF, actually lives in Surfers Paradise, so she would be the one to clue you in on the weather there in August. It may pay you to look through some of the other recent (four or five days old) questions on the forum, find from one of her replies her email address, and send her a private email. <BR><BR>I am a Sydneysider, so I don't know as much about Sufers as she does... and, frankly, I can't stand the place at ANY time of year. But my feeling is that you are perhaps right... August would be a little cold for swimming there. Cairns, however, is a different matter, as it's in the tropics. What's more, it is the entry point for many Barrier Reef cruises (whereas Surfers Paradise is just a whole lot of theme parks and glitzy motels), so you would probably have a great experience there even if the hotel is only one star. Without any hesitation at all (though I admit I'm biassed) I'd go for Cairns, even if I had to sleep on the beach!

Surfer's may still be chilly in August; think Southern California in the winter..you can get lucky and have perfect weather or might need your jackets! We were there in June and although bright and sunny, it was pretty nippy. My husband went surfing (in a wetsuit) and froze! <BR>Prior to Surfer's, we spent 5 nights in Palm Cove the first week in June. Everyone there seemed to think we were a little early for the best weather. It was warm, but a bit wet and windy part of each day.<BR> <BR> We had dinner at the Courtyards by Marriot and drinks at their pool another time. It was lovely- sort of freeform with big tropical trees all around. You are right across the street(it's almost a walkway) from the beach. We hated the place we were staying, so asked other people for info on their hotels...for our next trip!<BR>Guests we spoke with at Courtyards seemed very happy there. Try to be higher than the trees (3rd or 4th floor)to get a nice ocean view. <BR>Palm Cove is nice in that a lot of the GBR tours pick up there and you are close to Cairns Airport, Kuranda, Daintree, Port Douglas, and many other wonderful places. Palm Cove itself is teeny tiny...maybe 12 lowrise hotels, a few little shops, several good restaraunts and small bars, and not much else but a beach! There is a small residentioal area between the hotels and the highway. We rented a car and had adventures driving ("keep to the left"! was our mantra), but you could do it using the local bus, taxis, and tour pickups. <BR>Have fun!

Thank you both for your generous advice - I can't tell you what a relief it is to have honest answers from people who know. Since this is frequent flier/hotel miles, I don't have the luxury of a travel agent. Do either of you have any "don't miss" suggestions that should be booked in advance?

My one don't miss...the harbour Bridge climb in Sydney. You need reservations, but during winter, a week or two in advance should be enough. Despite my fear of heights and my aversion to uphill hikes this was so incredible! Our family of four rates this as one of our best "guided" adventures. For more traditional visits, I recommend the Sydney Aquarium, skyrail to Kuranda, Daintree or 4WD tour (night ones are great), the butterfly sanctuary in Kuranda, and we even liked the go cart track outside Cairns..(hey, I've got teenagers!)

Palm Cove is a lovely spot for a holiday - as Aussies we've been there several times. Lots to see and do around the area. The traffic isn't heavy so you could hire a car and sightsee at your leisure. You could take the ferry across the Daintree and drive north as far as Cape Tribulation. Port Douglas has a great market on Sundays and the Rainforest Habitat at Port Douglas gives you the opportunity to see some Australian wildlife at close hand. A good day trip is to the Atherton Tablelands. <BR>If you want somewhere really tropical and very quiet, Mission Beach south of Cairns is a good place to stay. Three or four motels/hotels, some B&Bs, a few restaurants and a beautiful beach.<BR>Hope you have a great holiday.