Where to go in Australia and Tazmania in February and March
 

There are 4 of us meeting in Sydney in early February. We have nothing specific planned at this point - would just like to see as much as possible - more a reconnaissance trip than a full fledged travel trip. We all enjoy mild hiking and nature and seeing new sites. We plan to rent a car in Sydney. It appears from the travel guides that we probably don't want to even attempt to go to Cairns and the Barrier Reef and further north that time of year. They also do not recommend attempting to go to the Central part near Alice Springs? Correct?? I was thinking perhaps we should start in Sydney and work our way down to Melbourne and then go to Tazmania in Feb.. One of our group (the still working one) has to return home after 4 weeks but the other 3 of us will then have an additional 3 weeks to explore. Does anyone have any advice and suggestions? We would love to see the Barrier Reef - is it really bad in Feb and March?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

G'day 47sweetpeas,

The Great Barrier Reef can have a lot of rain and storms in February/March especially as it is the wet season in a La Nina year. That said, it is on the water and the beaches are good. March would be better than February. Central Australia will be hot especially in February.

Must visit places in southern Australia include the Blue Mountains in NSW, Sydney, the Hunter Valley, Melbourne in Victoria, the Great Ocean road in Victoria and Cradle Mountain and Freycinet Park in Tasmania. It is probably a great time to visit southern Australia especially Tasmania.

Thanks. I'll plot that out. I appreciate the advice.

Is there any particular reason you want to rent a car in Sydney? Traffic and parking are difficult and most of the tourist sites are well served by public transport.

February is often the hottest month in Sydney, March is the beginning of Autumn and the weather is often unsettled and rainy. There are plenty of bush walks in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney if you want to do some hiking.

Tasmania is great in February and is a fantastic place for walks, it's particularly good for seeing marsupials.

There have been lots of recent threads on Tasmania.
My highlights are:-
Tasman Island boat trip (just remember yellow boats)
Arthur river (MV George Robinson)
Mt Field NP
Hartz Mountain NP
Maria Island
Western explorer.
Low head penguin tour.

Mt Field and Hartz Mountain NPs are every bit as good at Cradle Mountain without the crowds.

I do have a trip report if you wish.

This is great. You guys have wonderful information. Thanks again. I'm new to this site. I'd love the trip report. How do I get that? Thanks again.
I'll ask why we want a car in Sydney - maybe we just need it when we leave?

Welcome to Fodors! Glad to have you with us.

For trip reports or any threads we have written or commented upon simply click on other person's name in blue and it will you to their profile page. From there scroll down to the trip report section.

For future reference it is handy to know where you are from. No point sending you to see our mountains if you come from the Rockies etc.

You will find no shortage of walks for all abilities in Australia. Most walks will have at the start the distance and approximate time it takes to complete it.


Assuming you are from overseas some tips:-
Be aware that summer is snake season. They are not common and are very shy and will get out of your way pretty quick. Just watch out when around rocks, long grass etc. In over 40 years I've only seen about a dozen and most from metres away. Don't be frightened just be aware of your surroundings. Don't let people frighten you with horror stories about our wildlife. You have far more chance of being killed whilst driving!

By the way driving is easy. Alcohol limit is 0.05.(for when you are wine tastingetc.) Seatbelts are complulsory. Tipping is not generally expected. Read my thread Bite and Suck for other tips.

Cheers. You will love it here.

47sweetpeas, I would definately agree with previous postings. that Tasmania is a great place to visit in February, along with the south-east coast of the mainland you have highlighted.

Hiring a car in Sydney?
depending on the purpose I would leave hiring until the day of traveling to Melbourne. there are many companies that operate day trips (and longer) to the surrounding areas ie: Blue Mountains/hunter valley. public transport and taxis and the monrail can get to most places or short walk away with in the city itself.

If you have got the time on the way to Melbourne there is Kiama and Kangaroo Valley which is classic countryside and beaches, nice drive along the cliff bridge that just 'sits' in the ocean - almost as good as the great ocean drive - but shorter!

canberra (truffles, wine, and food - plus parliment) and tumut (apple country, trout fishing) are on the way south if you wanted a stop on the trip to Melbourne.

Melbourne is Fabulous and Melbourne food markets (absolutely fabulous!!!) as well as general shopping - also the home of AFL!!

there is a car ferry the travels across to Tassie, depending on your time and money restraints this may suit your itinerary.

Tassie - great places: Cradle Mountain (of Course) stanley and the nut which is on the north west coast and you may include the arthur river in this section - which is back to nature country.

the nut is a landmark that dominates the surrounds and many walk up it or ride the chairlift for great views and photo opportunites. hobart and launceston vie for best foodie rights and Hobart has the salamacer markets which are set in historical surrounds and have great produce and treasure to find.

lots of places to stop, hike, take in the scenery, shop and eat....

also i'll mention wildlife - yes snakes and spiders - but just like Petersale mentioned being location aware and having a commonsense approach will be benefitical - ie: climbing/hiking take a hiking stick or carry a large stick with you, to lean on, to lift up branches on an overgrown track etc, wearing appropiate footwear and if camping checking campsite before set up would be best choice.

just to note - yes february will not be the best time of year to travel north (ie past northern NSW) due to the weather also inland could be quite steamy. hugging the coast is a great holiday that time of year, plus south coast (NSW) and vic plus tassie are a great alternative holiday (foodies holiday, nature/hiking holiday, wine country holiday plus many more!)

For those who think that the GBR is NOT for going to in the summer months please note that the reef and the water can be at its very best then. However it is a risk that it will not be raining but I think there are lots of flight specials and accommodation specials in February and if you look at the airline's websites you may get a cheap flight which would make it worthwhile because even if its raining ( depending on how much and how hard at the time of course) there are so many things to do and really if you are under water snorkling it does not make any difference. Any month is great in Tasmania BUT there are many more places than those named above. www.discovertasmania.com.au ( don't know if there is an au on the end so try it with and without )may be a good place to start.
The biggest problem for planning ahead for those months is that Melbourne can get stinking HOT +++++ as does Adelaide and Perth. Brisbane would not be as hot but it gets more humid. Sydney can get both hot and humid but is generally a much more steady climate. Tasmania is a maritime climate and therefore mild. You could guarantee that the GBR would be about 30 deg C with humidity and the centre would be 40+ degrees and plastered with flies. Anywhere in the east on the coast should be fine but inland is where it will heat up.