Trip advice please
 

Hi everyone,

I will be in Australia in February 2005 for 14 days. I have planned my tentative itinerary for 10 of those days. Please advise me about

A. What you think of my itinerary
B. What you feel would be a good "fit" for the remaining 3 and a half days.

Here's my tentative itinerary:

Days 1 - 4 Sydney
(Bridgeclimb. Ferry, Manly beach, Opera House, Botanic Gardens, Sydney Tower, Chinese Garden, Walk around Kings Cross, Paddington Market, Featherdale Koala sanctuary vs. Taronga Zoo)

Day 5 Fly to Queenstown, NZ

Day 5-10 South Island, NZ
(Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier, Te Anau, Milford Sound)

Day 10 - Fly back to Sydney

Day 10 - Day 14 ???

I would LOVE to go Cairns & the great barrier reef, but it seems that it will be the rainy season, and that can't be trusted.

So, I am left thinking about the following possibilities:
#1. Ayers Rock, Kata Tjuta, & Alice Springs
OR
#2. Melbourne X 1 day
Great Ocean Road X 1.5 days
Philip Island vs. Dandenongs - 1 day

Thank you in advance for your advice. Its much appreciated! :)

sorry can't help much with your itinery not having been through that much of OZ.
But I would make sure you have taken into account both the flight time and time difference OZ - NZ. You lose a good part of the day OZ-NZ.

At that time of year you would be wise to give Ayres Rock and the center of Australia a miss and go for the southern areas. The temps out here in February are going to be in excess of 40 degrees C and the flies will drive you crazy.

Cheers

Paul_S

You might think of staying in Sydney and doing day trips to Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains. Or could do B&B in those areas as well.

Alot of people suggested going to Canberra (sp?) as well.

So, sounds like Red Center may be too hot to enjoy. So, do people recommende Melbourne (GOR, Philip Island), Canberra or staying extra in Sydney (blue mountains etc)?

Thanks!

Hi, air1975!

I certainly agree with the above posters that the Red Centre is not the place to be in February... save that for a second trip, say in September!

I'm not quite sure, however, that I would forego the Barrier Reef, rainy season or no. I remember once going to Fiji at that time of year, and it rained every day, about three times a day.... but it didn't really interfere too much with what we were doing, as it came and went and the sun kept shining. Now, if February is cyclone weather up at the Reef, then by all means give it a miss, but before you do this, write another post in which you flag the name "Pat Woolford" in the heading; she actually lives up there, writes for this forum frequently, and will be able to tell you EXACTLY what you can expect. Possibly, it won't be as disastrous as you fear. And it is such a lovely place.... it leaves Melbourne (one of your possibilities) for dead, and you already have four days in Sydney, which really is enough!

While you're waiting for Pat to chime in, type in her name above and read some of her past posts... this may help you make up your mind about the Reef.

Good luck!

Quick note re Paddington Markets...be aware they are only on Saturdays. Enjoy your holiday!

Right, chiming in here Alan. I wouldn't completely discount Feb in the North - one things for sure is it WILL be hot and humid. Like Fiji (Cairns is on about the same latitude) it may rain heavily in patches with sunshine in the middle, it may only rain at night and Feb 2002 and 2003 barely rained at all. But is officially "cyclone season" - we haven't had one for a few years - last Feb had some heavy rain associated with cyclone which didn't hit anywhere near Cairns but it was enough to flood main roads, and cut off both Port Douglas and Kuranda with rock slides on roads. Quicksilver had to bring PD visitors to Cairns by sea so they could catch their flights but at least the airport didn't close.

Hey everyone,

Thanks a lot for the advice. So, Alan & Pat - would you reccommend for me to plan 3-4 days in Cairns in mid february, instead of going to Melbourne?

If it rains, I know that the reef visibility will be affected. Is visibility affected for a few hours or for days & days? And, in that case, would you just suggest doing the cable car/train, scenic drives instead - or will they be heavily affected by rain as well?

I know I just asked a lot of questions - but all help is much appreciated! :)

Hi again - yes, if it rains heavily or there's cyclone activity reef visibility will be affected, most likely for a few days. Feb in Cairns/Port Douglas area has avg. daily temperature of 73Fmin-88Fmax and 84F water temperature - there are 16.1 avg no of rainy days with most rain falling in afternoon and evenings, water visibility is 50-80feet on reef (which is far better than winter months).

It's about the best time of the year to see the rainforest and the waterfalls and rivers are in full flow. Barron Falls near Kuranda was amazing this wet season, now it's back to a relative trickle. As mentioned before, roads can be cut by flood waters for a few days, but this is unusual.

Hello!

I took a 16 day trip to Australia in Jan.-Feb. 2001 (which really turned out to be 14 days after travel time).

I loved Tasmania! Great nature and wildlife.
Maybe look into a couple nights at Freycinet or Cradle Mountain. Freycinet (sp?) is on the east coast and more water oriented, while Cradle Mountain is on the west coast and is in the mountains (cooler, but better wildlife).
Hope this helps! Have fun!