Family vacation
 

We are a family of 4 looking to visit Australia for the first time. Wanted to know whether it would be better to visit during Feb. or Apr., and some must see sights for our first visit.

The days will be longer in February (more sunlight) and it will be warmer. If you want to go to the beach in Sydney or Melbourne, then February. If you plan to go to Darwin and Cairns, I would suggest April.

It really depends on where in Oz you want to go as the climate in these months varies significantly from state to state. Get an idea of what you want to see first - Feb can be stinking hot and very uncomfortable in some places but then April can be beautiful and considered the best time particularly where I live but may be very cold down south. It is a big country after all !! but well worth a visit.As Wally said Daylight Savings gives you a longer day in February but also can present problems getting kids to be depending on their ages.

Daylight Saving does not exist in Queensland (Cairns) or Northern Territory (Darwin).

If this year is anything to go on weather in FNQ and Top End was better in February than April, when severe tropical cyclone Monica brought heavy rain and flooding to Cape York (north of Cairns) and areas around Darwin.

Barron Falls in full flood at Kuranda was a spectacle, though.

February is too hot in Cairns and Port Douglas and Northern Territory. It can also be very humid and hot in Sydney at that time. April is probably your best bet if you want to do it all. If you're just doing Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, either month is fine. If you want a beach holiday in Sydney, Mel, etc, Feb is better.