Sydney/Cairns March-April
 

My husband and I will be visiting Australia at the very end of March 28, beginning of April until 7th. Our 2 destinations are Sydney (business - 1st week), and probably Cairns/Brisbane last week. Weather info please. P.S. Anyone been to Lord Howe Island: worth the trip, too far from Sydney. Gathering info. Thanks

I can't speak for Cairns/Brisbane at that time of year but Sydney should be lovely then. Haven't been to Lord Howe but would love to as everyone I know who has been there raves about it. I think it is a two hour flight from Sydney.

Here's a great weather link, courtesy of NeilOz:
http://www.weatherbase.com/

Weather then in Cairns will depend on wet season rains. The "wet" this year is very late and may not happen at all. Generally the later it starts the later it finishes so could well extend into April. There's also slight chance of cyclones in Far North Queensland, the tropical depressions associated usually extend down the Qld coast at least as far as Brisbane. But rainforest is at its best in the rain with rivers and waterfalls in full flow. Even in "wet" it doesn't rain all day, often in short bursts with sunshine in between falls.

Lord Howe Island is world heritage listed and is one of the most beautiful islands you'll find - bird and marine life galore; mountains, forest and lovely clean beaches with clear waters and southern-most coral reef in the world (it is not part of the Great Barrier Reef). Weather should be pretty well perfect at that time but somewhat cooler than Cairns or Brisbane. It's a 2 hour flight from either Sydney or Brisbane.

Pat W: Are you in Cairns or PD?

Thanks for all your input. We are trying to establish an itinerary that would be the most enjoyable outside of our week in Sydney. Very interested in Lord Howe, and my daughter lived in Brisbane, so would like to go to city or near to get a feel for her experience. Any other ideas for our second week? Not really interested in shopping etc. so much. More interested in getting a true sense of the country.

We went to Cairns in late April one year and it was definitely still the wet season. It didn't worry us while walking in the rainforests, but the colour of the sea was disappointing, though still beautiful out on the Reef.
Brisbane can still be quite humid in April, but it's subtropical rather than tropical. You can beat the humidity by exploring the hinterland: Mt Glorious is a nice drive westward, and there's a very nice rainforest walk there.

Lord Howe is wonderful. I've been once years ago and would love to go back. Numbers are limited so you'd need to book early.

April can be wet in Sydney but it's my favourite time of year here - neither too hot nor too cold. If it's fine it's lovely.

Hi Bokhara - I live at Stratford which is about 8km north of Cairns city - don't know if you know the area, between the Barron River and Whitfield range. Lots of old Queenslanders on big blocks, rainforest and cane farms. Where in Sydney are you? - thought you mentioned northern beaches once, will be there tomorrow.

Hi Pat,
I'm at Collaroy, love to catch up if you have time while you're here. (nospam)bokhara77@hotmaildotcom :)

Not far at all bokhara, will be at Bilgola Plateau - won't have internet access from brother's place where we're staying so would be great if you could give me a ring on 9918 8869.

whoops, forgot to say will be there until 20th Jan.

Pat: Great, I'll give you a call on Wednesday.

(Sorry Bojabi, not meaning to "Hijack" your thread ... just research, you understand) ;)

Hey bokhara: Only allowed to interrupt if you can offer "very important" info on a great itinerary for me from Sydney. What to you think...Lord Howe Island for a couple of days then to Brisbane (we're leaving from there) or Sydney to Cairns, Cairns to Brisbane lst week April. Help...have two days to make a decision. Really need help on the weather issue.

Hi, with your time span you'd be far better to stick to Sydney then Lord Howe then Brisbane (a great town). Hire a car and go up into the hinterland behind Brisbane and the Gold Coast - there are some lovely places to visit and stay. I wouldn't go to Cairns due to possibility of bad weather and there's not a lot to do in Cairns itself. Most people just use it as a base to visit the Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Daintree and the hinterland and you need a fair bit of time to cover it all! I can personally recommend Lord Howe Island as one of the most beautiful places in the World - very unspoilt and a nice place to unwind after Sydney. Enjoy your stay!

Thanks for more info. I just read some disturbing info on tripadvisor that someone stayed on Lord Howe in January and had "cockroach" problems. In room (10 in one night), in their bags when they got back to Sydney...all of a sudden I'm feeling differently. Anyone else hear anything about this?

Hi, I checked out the Tripmaster story re cockroaches. Unfortunately, at certain times of the year these small cockroaches do fly in thru open windows and doors (can't remember exactly when this happens) but they're not the nasty big black cockies that you see around trash receptacles, they're much smaller and lighter colour, really not much different to Christmas beetles which fly indoors in their dozens every December. I'm not saying they're pleasant bugs to have around but no cause for panic and certainly don't have the 'yuck factor' that ordinary cockroaches inspire in folk. Most places are screened but if there is a problem just ask for some bug spray.
There is a fair bit of accommodation to choose from both self catering (there is a shop on the island but it would be pricey) and full board. My choice would be to stay at Pinetrees with full board, it was great when I was there some years ago but not sure if it still is. Best to ask folk here if they have any recommendations.