Thought my first trip to Austalia 6 years ago was a once in a lifetime event, but now for my (blank) birthday, I have chosen to return. Last time on the standard tour (Sydney, Ayres Rock, Alice Springs and Cairns) we enjoyed beautiful weather in June/July. We ARE from Chicago and consider anything over 60F without rain beautiful!!! <BR> <BR>Anyhow this time I want to return of Sydney (naturally) and then visit Melbourne, Adelaide/Kangaroo Island and Tasmania. What do you think about a March visit to these places. My birthday is in January but my husband detests heat and humidity so I am prone to defer my "birthday" until the temperatures are a bit cooler. 65-80F would be considered ideal temps so any advice as to when I can expect something like that would be appreciated. No promises needed, yesterday in Chicago, it was 82F and today 42F so we know how to go with the flow but would like to avoid the over-packing that is our custom. Thanks, Judy

Hi Judy, <BR>March should be beautiful with sunny warmish days, but you could be unlucky and strike rain and cooler weather. Melbourne weather can be unpredictable like your weather in Chicago! Unlikely to be really cold in Melbourne, probably jeans/t-shirt/light jacket weather. Tasmania will be similar but possibly a bit cooler. <BR>You know, if you "under pack", we have some terrific shops! <BR>Kay

Hi Judy, <BR>March should be beautiful with sunny warmish days, but you could be unlucky and strike rain and cooler weather. Melbourne weather can be unpredictable like your weather in Chicago! Unlikely to be really cold in Melbourne, probably jeans/t-shirt/light jacket weather. Tasmania will be similar but possibly a bit cooler. <BR>You know, if you "under pack", we have some terrific shops! <BR>Kay <BR>Sorry if this appears twice, the board is playing up.

G'day Judy, <BR>March is perfect!!! <BR>Go to Tasmania first - it gets colder there earlier. <BR>Then Melbourne where it should be ideal weather for you. <BR>Last go to Sydney and hope there's a little less rain there than this year. <BR>( It's not aways as rainy as it was this year ) <BR>However it will be warmer. <BR> <BR>Have a good one, <BR>Mike

Hi, <BR> <BR>Just on an aside... You will just LOVE Tasmania. It really is very beautiful. <BR> <BR>March could be getter on the cooler side -- but it would still probably be the most ideal time to go ! <BR> <BR>If you go to Melbourne, make sure you get to take a drive along the Great Ocean Road. Very scenic and pretty... <BR> <BR>Sydney weather is a little unpredictable at the moment -- although march this year wasn't too bad. In fact, here we are in May with a beautful sunny day ! Go figue !! <BR> <BR>Glad, to hear that you loved Australia so much that your coming back down. Welcome back !

My thanks to all of you who responded so promptly. Will be getting back to you for actual tour ideas. I am looking at a sort of independant tour idea (self drive is out since our recent trip to Hawaii where my husband expected me to keep my head buried in a map instead of seeing the sights ..Anyhow plan something independant of most tours that takes me to the places I want to see and allows time to see them. <BR> <BR>Great Ocean Road is definitely on the list. How about the tram car dinner in Melbourne? In Tasmania, Hobart and Port Arthur are on the must list. Can anyone suggest a nearby park to really view the Tasmanian Devil (missed the Platapus last time as well). If a choice must be made, is it Freycinet National Park or Cradle Mountain.? We are not the major hiking type (it is afterall my (blank) birthday and I am a bit out of shape so really want to know where we would see the most wildlife with the least effort (wildlife parks work but spare me zoos) or should we include both places). Now looking at 3 or 4 nights in Sydney, same in Melbourne and Adelaida/Kanargoo Isand and maybe 5 in Tasmanian. Just PLEASE don't suggest other areas we are missing because I know and can't stand it. It is much like visiting the USA, too much, too different and too far to do in one or even two trips so this trip to Australia I as trying to confine to a do-able area. Any help would be much appreciated. Will think about the trip first to Tasmania which was not how my plans were going but probably a great idea, Thanks, Judy

A couple of tips for seeing wildlife with minimal effort: <BR> <BR>Definitely visit the Healesville Wildlife park in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, and you might also want to go down to Philip Island just south of melbourne to see the Fairy Penguins come ashore at sunset. <BR> <BR>I would also *strongly* suggest you don't rule out doing at least some of your own driving. In particular, the Great Ocean Road is the perfect road trip. You can of course take a tour bus, but I think you'd be missing a lot of fun. You don't need to bury your head in any maps, either, as the GOR is just about impossible to lose your way on.

Can't comment on Freycinet, but Cradle Mt. is just fantastic. I went there in Nov., and saw all kinds of wildlife - except for the platypus. From what I hear, it is unusual to see them in the wild. If you go to Cradle Mt., stay at the lodge. They have a lot of great facilities and tours.

Judy, <BR> <BR>I would definately do Tassie first. Melbourne & Adelaide will probably give you the best weather. Sydney can get quite wet (but not cold). <BR> <BR>Happy planning! <BR> <BR>Rhonda

Judy, <BR>I'd second the vote to visit Healesville Sanctuary, about an hour's drive east of Melbourne. Check the times for koala feeding etc. Platypus are very difficult to see in the wild but you should see them at the Sanctuary. <BR>If it was me, I'd choose Freycinet over Cradle Mt. The walk to Wineglass Bay is wonderful, if you can manage it. We had a friendly wallaby trying to share our lunch on the beach. <BR>Book the Colonial Tram Car Restaurant as far ahead as possible, it's very popular. (They have a website.) <BR>Two places you might enjoy in Melb, Queen Victoria Market (especially on a Sat morning) and the view from the top of the Rialto Tower - wow! <BR>Have a great trip. Kay