When to go - April or October?
 

We are planning three weeks in Australia and can either go starting October or in Mid April. Which would be a better time to go? We plan to pend some time in Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and maybe the Gold Coast. April would mean less loss of school time for my son, but would also mean hitting Easter vacations in Australia. How bad do the crowds get? Thanks

Hi, Oratl!<BR>You have chosen two great times, at least as far as New South Wales is concerned... being "in between" seasons, you would find either one just right. I would incline towards April, myself... my favourite month of the year in Sydney, and I think it is dry at the Reef at that time, too. You won't find the crowds any worse at Easter than you would in October... in school holidays as many people head away from Sydney as come into it, so you wouldn't notice a great change. And your son (and yourselves) might enjoy a day at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.<BR>Have a great holiday!

We arrived two days after Easter in early April. The school vacations were a little off depending on which state you were in and there were lots of complaints in the media about it. The weather was great in Sidney and just cooling off up at the GBR. People were still going swimming at the Sidney beaches and up in the Gold Coast.<BR><BR>We had brief rain about three times in three weeks. Once it was a thunder storm at Ayer's Rock which was pretty dramatic. We didn't need anything heavier than a jacket at night in Sidney and most days it was shirtsleeve weather. It is between seasons so it was easy to book hotels and we got discounted rates.<BR><BR>Up in North Queensland the season was cooling off so we were comfortable in summer clothes. The reef trips and the rain forest tours were not full.April is early in the tourist season up there while it was after the peak in Sidney.<BR><BR>Check on when Easter falls as it seems to be much bigger over there . Businesses routinely shut down for four day weekends and domestic flights would be crowded.

As the previous poster said, the main problem at Easter is likley to be crowded domestic flights. However, if you're alraedy booked well in advance. Sydney isn't a problem at Easter and the Gold Coast has loads of accommodation so shouldn't be a problem either. April is still off peak up north as well. <BR>One factor to consider if you're into the beaches. The water temperature is much warmer in April than in October. Sydney and the Gold Coast have great beaches.

October is very very beautiful in Port Douglas for the reef. In April the weather tends to be very unsettled and rains a bit. Also it is still very humid then.<BR>October is one of my favorite times of year up here.<BR>Cheers<BR>Caro

I too vote for October for both the reef and for Sydney. At least its not school holidays then either and the weather is supurb at that time in both places. <BR>April is nice in Sydney but the school holidays detract from the enjoyment of it.

Hi, Oratl!<BR>Caro's point about the difference in the weather at the Reef is an important one, but on the subject of school holidays and avoiding them, you should know that this year there is a two-week school holiday in Sydney from Sept 27 to Oct 12, so the second half of October is recommended here.

It also worth noting that the 2 week school holidays in Queensland (ie, Gold coast & GBR) happen 1 week earlier than those in New South Wales (ie, Sydney) - that is 20thSep to 5th Oct.<BR>Cheers...

Does anyone know when the school holidays will be in April?<BR><BR>Thanks

In NSW, Easter school hols in 2003 are from 12 April to 27 April. In Queensland, they're from 18 April to 28 April.

Matt, thank-you very much for the information. We are planning our fifth trip to Australia, and we will try to avoid school holidays. March or the end of April seem to fit. <BR><BR>Thanks

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like October is the better choice, I just have to decide if it is worth taking my son out of school for an extra week (in April he also has vacation so would miss one week less of school).

I was in Oz in April and May - the weather was nice and it rained once in 3 1/2 weeks when we were in Port Douglass. The only disadvantage is April is still stinger season along the NQueenslad Coast so no swimming unless you're on an outer island. It's also very windy in April so the snorkel and dive trips were bumpy. But the water is probably a little warmer in April.

If you are going to Australia I vote for April. You have good weather and it should be cheaper to travel because it is LOW season.