These are the only months available to us.I am wondering with out the beaches,(because of weather at that time if the trip is worthwhile?.) We plan on staying 3 weeks. 2 and 1/2 weeks in Sydney as a base(we are exchanging homes and the lodging is free in any one area) and a few days in New Zealand. We would hope to take day trips out of Sydney. Marvin

I'm sorry to tell you this, but June/July/August is "wintertime" in Sydney, and definitely wintertime in NZ. So I doubt that you will be swimming, but if its daytrips as you outlined in your message, then you should reasonable weather in Sydney, cold nights, but sunny clear winter days, so put pack a few jumpers, and should be okay. A clear sunny winter day in Sydney, can be quite enjoyable cruising around the harbour, or even walking along a sandy beach.

For Sydney, keep it as late in August as you can; you won't be able to swim, as Tropo has pointed out, but after around mid-August you get lots of bright, sunny days, and it often feels like spring. Be prepared, however, for sudden cold snaps, and as August rolls into September there are occasional windy days.

That's a long time in Sydney, but if you are planning day trips (hopefully, a few two-day, one-night trips as well), then you should be able to fill it reasonably well. It's a good time of year to visit Uluru, so you might be wise to plan on that, if expenses allow; most tourists come when it's so hot that the experts on this forum advise hugging the coast, but, in your case, conditions for the inland are ideal. Plan also on Jenolan Caves and Canberra.

Hi - Sydney is beautiful at any time of year when the sun shines! You might get a few grey days during the winter and those would be your days for museums and other indoor activities. And if the lodging is free then it won't matter finance-wise if you leave it for a few days. You are limiting yourselves by only taking "day trips" out of Sydney. The two best known destinations - Blue Mts and Hunter Valley are much better visited with an overnight stop.

Or take 2 nights and visit the Jenolan Caves too. You might also consider a quick trip (2 or 3 nights away) to loads of places. Just be quick and check out the current fare sales being offered by virginblue and jetstar. VB is for travel up to mid/end June (can't remember exactly).

If July or August looks more likely, then just register for email notification of other sales - the chance to fly to MLB for $69 or the Fraser/Whitsunday coast for $89 (these are one way fares) is irresistable when you compare with the normal tariff!!

July was very good in Cairns. I was there on the fourth and the put little american flags on our tables. As you go up north the weather was more like Florida's.