Honeymoon in August: Fiji or Australia???
 

I am getting married 8/4 and am trying to decide whether to honeymoon in Fiji or Australia. We will have about 2 weeks to travel and enjoy beaches, snorkeling, hiking, and sight-seeing. <BR>If we choose Australia, the plan is to visit Sydney and Cairns/North Queensland. My concern is whether it will be warm enough in the latter region to have any sort of beach holiday in mid to late August. <BR>My chief concern for Fiji is that if we can't afford to spend over $500/night for a hotel room, we won't be able to stay in a luxurious resort. I have heard that Fiji caters to the super-rich and backpackers, but nothing in between. I am also concerned that there might not be enough to do for two weeks. <BR> <BR>I would appreciate any advice!! <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Hi Dana, <BR>Fiji is (or was before the last military coup) very popular with Australians, lots of families and couples visit there. I think you'd find all ranges of accommodation, and you may find you can get a good deal on a luxury resort as tourists have been staying away from Fiji in droves and I expect the resorts have been hit hard. <BR> <BR>There would be a lot more to do in Australia than Fiji. Cairns is warm to hot all year round, but there are no beaches in Cairns. For beaches you could stay at Palm Cove (very small, 20 mins drive north of Cairns) or Port Douglas (a small town 1 hour drive north of Cairns). <BR>Hope this helps a bit. <BR>Kay

Kay's right, especially about lovely Palm Cove (less to do here) and Port Douglas. I'm an Aussie and love the place but I think I'd recommend Fiji for a honeymoon...when the cocktails, tropical fruit, beaches, village visits,sunsets and photography start to bore (would probably take months) I'm sure you honeymooners will be able to think of something else to do! Fiji is truly beautiful, most notably on the smaller islands with gorgeous lagoons. Sydney is one of the world's best cities but I have to forewarn you that August is perhaps the least enjoyable months...last month of winter, which of course does not compare with winter in the states and europe, but is known as the windy month. That said, you could just as easily strike blue skies and sunshine and temperatures in the mid teens. Good luck for your honeymoon and congrats on your marriage. <BR> <BR>Just wanted to say hello to Kay as I don't come across too many Aussies on this fabulous site.

Thanks BELLA for your message. <BR> <BR>I am addicted to travel and love answering any messages about Aust or overseas when I think I can help. <BR> <BR>Happy trails, <BR>Kay

Thanks so much for all of your advice Kay & Bella! Before I got your posts, I had decided on going to Australia - Now I am reconsidering. <BR>We found a great rate at Hayman Island (approx. $360 USD per rm per nt). Our only concern is that it won't be warm enough there to lie on the beach in bathing suits. Would we have to go somewhere farther north to get real beach weather in August? <BR>However, we doubt we can find something as luxurious in Fiji within our price range. We are having trouble finding reasonable (relatively speaking - up to $450 USD per rm per nt - much more than I would normally consider!) but still luxurious accomodations in Fiji. Although we often enjoy staying at rustic places, we want to feel pampered on our honeymoon. <BR>Is Sydney really windy in late August? I have always wanted to go there and really had my heart set on it for the honeymoon. I was even thinking of doing Sydney no matter what and just deciding between Queensland & Fiji for the second week of the trip. <BR>Thanks - I really appreciate the first-hand advice! <BR>Dana

Hi Dana, <BR>Not sure about how hot it will be in Queensland that time of year. Have a look at www.greatbarrierreef.aus.net they have a climate section. Hayman Island is quite a long way north so I would think you'd be fine. <BR> <BR>Or you could do another post titled "weather in Qld/Sydney in August" , that may help. <BR> <BR>Sorry I can't be of more help to you. <BR>Kay

Hi Dana <BR>This is Kay's mum getting in on the act. We've been in the Cairns region in late July/August - the weather has been warm enough to lay on the beach in a swimsuit but not really warm enough for swimming. Palm Cove is really nice - we stayed at the Novotel - ten swimming pools, restaurants, golf course and a short walk across the grounds to the beach and the village. Palm Cove is between Port Douglas and Cairns - about twenty minutes from either. There is plenty to do in the region. <BR>We've been to Fiji and loved it - the people are great. I'm surprised that you can't get good rates as the hotel occupancy rates have been down due to the attempted coup. I've just found the travel section of last week's newspaper. There is an ad for holidays in Fiji - the Fijian is $1249(Australian) for seven nights, Warwick $1028 for five nights, Plantation Island $1018 for five nights. These prices include air fares from Australia so if you have been quoted $500 per night, I'd change your travel agent. <BR>Incidentally, we found that the resorts in Fiji are pretty isolated so we were restricted to having all our meals in the hotel. <BR>Wherever you go, have a great time.

Dana, <BR>With two weeks, could you not do Sydney AND Fiji? I visited both on my honeymoon in Sept. '98. By the way, when I was there in Sydney, was having a heatwave and it was VERY hot!!! I guess that's not the norm though. (Kay, Bella, Marg..do you remember that HOT Sept. in '98?) <BR>In Fiji we stayed at a little island called Beqa, at the Marlin Bay Resort. As I recall, it was only about $250 per night and although it is the only resort on the island, so you HAD to eat there, the food was EXCELLENT! I'm talking REAL good. Anyway, as the above post say, I'm sure you can find real nice accommodations in your budget! <BR>Syndey was quite a shock after leaving Fiji. The people in Fiji are so warm and friendly and everyone looks you in the eyes and says'Bula'! (Hello) Sydney is a hugh melting pot. Lots and lots and lots <BR>of tourist, and no one looks at each other. I was only there for one night anyway (a stop before a 5 day sail in the Whitsundays) because I had to see the Opera House. I know it's cheezy, but if you go to Sydney, do take a tour of the Opera House. It's just as impressive inside as out! Happy Honeymoon!

I too am looking at a honeymoon in the upcoming year and have been comparing Fiji with Tahiti. There are several all-inclusive resorts that come in at just under $500. One, called Lomagi is offering seven days for $3000 per couple including what certaintly sound like delicious meals and one bottle of wine per day. Good luck.

Re Travel Agents-Marg is so right-someone is trying to 'make cake' on that deal!! <BR>There are all kinds of deals on Fiji right now-get clickin'! <BR>www.fijiguide.com is a place to start

Hi Dana, <BR>I honeymooned in Fiji 20 years ago and left with wonderful, wonderful memories. I was back in November with one of my children - 10 year old daughter. It was even better than I remembered. One thing I got from your post is you want a "luxurious" hotel. I have done both in Fiji and now steer away from the luxury...far too stuffy. The prices are rediculous especially for food and drink and most of all you don't experience the real Fiji. Go to one of the islands such as Tokoriki which is a honeymooners paradise but won't break the bank, or do a Blue Lagoon cruise....you will never regret it. I flew from Canada in November and paid 2700 Canadian which would be US 1800 for 15 nights and that was all inclusive of everything but beverages. There are so many romantic places to stay in Fiji. If you look at Turtle Island Resort or the Yasawa Resort then consider the cruise and pay a small portion of the price. You will be visiting the same area of fantastic beaches, eating fantastic food, and enjoying Fijian culture. As you can tell, I could go on and on but I'll restrain myself. I have never been to Australia but look forward to it. There is a special through Quantas right now for $1999 CDN including airfare and accommodation to Australia...Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Barrier Reef for 12 nights. That is for travel between May 1 to August 31, but it says surcharges apply for travel before May1. Whatever you decide I hope you have a wonderful holiday and best wishes for a great life together. <BR>Diane

Thank you to everyone - I am so impressed by how helpful and nice you all have been. My fiance and I have decided to go to Australia. We have always talked about going there for honeymoon (for the last 3 years), so it just feels right. We are going to Hayman Island and Sydney. Although, we could try to do Fiji as well, the flights get expensive (we are flying to Aus on frequent flier miles, so can't do a stopover) and we don't want to spend too much additional time travelling after the long flight from the States. Thanks again for your advice! <BR> <BR>Dana <BR>