Hi y'all,

So we're down to the wire - leaving for our trip on Thursday and having trouble packing for this 3 week trip. The weather forecasts online are of a WIDE range (and only go out for 5-10 days) and we don't know what to trust. Here is our basic itinerary:

12/25-12/28 - Cairns
12/28-1/3 - Sydney
1/3-1/6 - Melbourne
1/6-1/13 - South Island of New Zealand: Queenstown, Te Anau, Wanaka, Christchurch

Can anyone help us out with the average temps during these times. Not being lazy, believe me, we've looked. If anyone can point us to a reliable source, I am happy to look it up myself. Any other must-items to pack would be appreciated as well.

As always, thanks a lot.

The weather in Sydney has been very changeable in the last couple of days. Bring clothes for mid-20 degrees--T-shirts, light shirts--but also a light coat or cotton cardigan for evenings. I was in NZ last week for a confernece and it was quite cold on one day in Wellington, about 8 C. I'd pack some warmer things, maybe jeans, enclosed shoes and a medium weight coat.

I use www.eldersweather.com.au - but as Susan7 says, our weather is just as unpredictable as the rest of the World's.

There's a likelihood of some rain in Cairns - temps predicted mid 20's - low 30's C. In common with most tropical places, the airconditioning is often very cool, so bring a wrap or something.
http://www.eldersweather.com.au/qld/...bleland/cairns

New Zealand is generally cooler than Australia, and the differences between our tropical north & their South Island are likely to be pretty wide.

Thanks a lot - this is helpful information!

Its been stinking hot in Cairns for the last few days, up to 35C and humid, however huge thunderstorm yesterday afternoon has cooled things down considerably. Good reef weather though, very little wind.

Rain is predicted here in Cairns until at least Christmas Day, but here it tends to fall in heavy short bursts, often only at night, then out comes the sun, and you'll probably be glad of rain for its cooling capacity.

Hot, humid and VERY windy in Christchurch for the last few days. Sorry, can't guess what to expect for the next few weeks, but it will not be cold. The weather can change quickly from day to day and region to region here. A light pullover or jacket (to ward off any chilly winds) would be advisable, but be prepared to strip down to the bare essentials on some days as well.

Hope that you enjoy it all.

Rob.

I'm going to be in Australia (Melbourne) from Feb. 2-23, then New Zealand Feb. 24-March 9, followed by Synday (March 9-13) and Hamilton Island (March 13-18). By that time, what type of weather should I expect? I have a light raincoat. Should I bring it?
Thanks!!
Sue

Thank you all. Bringing a little of everything and expecting to use the laundromats during the trip to wash my cold or warm weather clothes depending on which way the weather skews : )

March can be very rainy in Sydney, a light raincoat is a good idea.

Agree with Susan7, March is often rainy, evenings getting cooler but days brilliant and sunny without being scorching; think mid 20s. Of course, that's an average year, not a La Nina year. We have had plenty of rain and some cooler temperatures so far, who knows what lies so far ahead!

Lavandula

3 months? Most of us are trying to figure out what the weather's going to be like 3 DAYS ahead right now!

NZ in March should be a time of warm, settled weather, but Bokhara has hit the nail on the head. It is changeable here. Watch this space!

Either way, you shouldn't be too concerned about cold weather. Pack lightly and allow for layers.

Rob.

Thanks folks!
Sue

Just go to http://www.weather.com, type in the city and click on the 10-day forecast.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

I must intimate you that monsoon has really kicked off in Australia. To get more precise area wise details, click at: http://weather.news.com.au/ .

oops, Kuranda Train out of Cairns has just announced closure on December 24 due to forecast torrential rain, resuming hopefully on 26th, weather permitting.