hello all!! I am finally leaving for my Fiji/Australia trip next week Saturday, so I will be in Australia from last two weeks of March and first two weeks of April. Here are some last minutes concerns I have, since I am first time lone traveler:
-what is the weather like there right now (in Brisane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney)?
-Do I need to bring a coat with me or a light jacket will do?
-what in your opinion is worth the treck the Bridge walk or pylonlook out and why?
As I mentioned above this is my first vacation all on my own. Any assistance will be highly appreciated!! Thank you all in advance!! :0)

>>>Do I need to bring a coat with me or a light jacket will do?<<<

I looked up Melbourne's weather statistics, because it is the most southerly point you've mentioned and the one that is most likely to throw cool weather at you.

Knowing Melbourne's weather today is no help to you whatsoever. That city's weather is extremely fickle. It has been known to be 100 deg F one day and 60 deg F the next day.

Anyway, records on the Weather Underground website's Trip Planner feature show that, from March 15th to April 15th, the highest temperature you can expect to encounter in Melbourne is 100 deg F, and the lowest temperature you can expect is 42 deg F.

You also have to consider which outer garment you'll wear from your home to the airport and back again. That outer garment undoubtedly will be sufficiently heavy for even the coolest night you might experience in Melbourne.

I don't know what you mean by a "light jacket." If you mean a windbreaker jacket, then no, on its own that would not be enough to ensure that you had your bases covered in Melbourne.

I think a waterproof jacket with a fleece lining would be ideal for Melbourne. What would be even more versatile, since you'll also be visiting destinations that are a lot further north than Melbourne, would be a waterproof jacket with a zip-out fleece lining. Or else you can combine two separate jackets, a fleece one topped by a waterproof, windbreaker type parka (one that reached down to mid-thigh would be more ideal than a waist-length jacket).

You can use the Universal Packing List website to check that you have everything you're likely to need:

http://upl.codeq.info/index.jsp

Sorry, I don't know the answers to the rest of your questions.

Hope you have a great trip.

Thank you so much, Judy!! when I said light jacket, I meant something like a denim. I guess I have to pack light clothers and heavy. Thanks again!!

March / April in Australia is generally really good weather, warm days , cool nights, but the further south you are, like Melbourne, it can be cold both day and night. Having said that, it doesn't get as cold as NY in the winter. I would recommend you do the bridge climb in Sydney, it is one of the best ways to see the harbour.http://www.bridgeclimb.com/ for details and bookings.

preenyc - Brisbane's weather will be, as they, "Beautiful one day, perfect the next". I live 3.5 hrs drive north of Brisbane, and the day temps are similar to Brisbane, about 29-30 degrees, with sea temperature at 25 degrees celius. Make sure you bring your swimmers.

If you have money to spare I am sure the Bridge climb is fantastic. If you don't the view from the pylon is amazing - and the display about the building of the bridge is fascinating.
The best way to see the harbour is from a ferry - any ferry!

You can easily track the weather day to day by checking out www.smh.com.au - never mind the official met bureau.

Pack layers, as you would do almost anywhere - a lighweight fleece and a light rainproof jacket should do the trick. You definitely do not need a "winter" coat

you guys are the BEST!!

what would I do without you!! Thank you so much for the replies!!

Hi Preenyc
You will be in Melbourne in autumn and can expect lovely weather. Warm days and cool crisp evenings.
You certainly will not require a fleece, a denim jacket or similar will adequately meet your needs
You will be here at a good time, with the Comedy Festival, Wine and Food Festival, Flowershow and the start of the Australian Rules Football season.
I think I may have posted this link for you before when you were enquiring about hotel accommodation in Melbourne, but here is the link to things that are on in Melbourne
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/con...?Document_ID=1

>>>You certainly will not require a fleece, a denim jacket or similar will adequately meet your needs<<<

The weather statistics speak for themselves. I got my previous figures from Weather Underground. In that case I was able to look up precise dates, March 15th to April 15th.

Here is another weather database that does not provide statistics for individual dates, but provides them for months.

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/w...849&refer=

The average daily high for March is 75 deg F. The highest recorded temperature in March was 105 deg F. The average daily low in March is 55 deg F. The lowest recorded temperature in March was 40 deg F.

The equivalent statistics for April are:

Av hi 68 deg F

Hi hi 94 deg F

Av lo 51 deg F

Lo lo 38 deg F

There is not a lot of precipitation in those months. In March it averages 1.4 inches and in April 1.9 inches.

If, however, that rainfall just happens to fall while you're there, and if the temperatures just happen to be at the low end of the historical range, and if there just happens to be some wind thrown into the mix, as I have experienced, and if you are comfortable wearing a denim jacket in all of that ...... by all means, wear a denim jacket. And by all means wear a denim jacket if you go to see the Penguin Parade as well.

If worst comes to worst, you'll have with you whatever it was that you wore from home to the airport, and that'll save your bacon if the weather in Melbourne is less than perfect -- even if your NYC outwear is overkill for Melbourne.

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate all the feed back! Can't wait to start my trip. Thanks again!