hypatia

Ok, Im good on the itinerary (yes I can spell it). now time to think about packing.....

I don't think you all dress like the Irwins so just what is everybody (locals and touristas) wearing......I know,I know wear what I want...but how casual and comfortable ..yes, "dont wear my wedges in the rainforest take a slicker"..
trying to pack light and thinking I don't want to be too hot....I have stuff for NZ (cooler weather) just was planning on sundresses for OZ but that's no good for the woods...Cairns is a big city So from the last post Im assuming long sleeves and pants at night???even in the city??

Bokhara2

Cairns has a population of around 136,000. It's location in FNQ (Far North Queensland) and climate favour cool, casual dressing. I wear light cotton pants, skirts,and shorts - depending on the venue, of course.

You would be quite ok in long pants and a long sleeved shirt at night. (Of course, there are pants & pants and shirts & shirts (LOL)). Equally fine in a sundress. I generally take a wrap/shirt at night as lots of places are airconditioned to a level that can be just a tad too cool for me.

Sarong & tee shirt is good, too. I always take one or two sarongs when I'm travelling. Marvellous things. I've used mine as: dress/wrap/skirt/belt/top/dressing gown/bag/scarf/sheet/tablecloth/picnic rug & towel.

Bushranger

My turn!
slicker?
And your trip is March from memory isn't it?
With ammount of rain dumped already and still being dumped, the planes could have water floats fitted to them yet!

But if you're planning on doing some hinterland tours/walking etc., good chance there could be some boggy ground about and if slicker is something like a sneaker I'd upgrade to at least a lightweight hiker and be prepared for removal in the event of any wading - just kidding, hopefully!

I'd be saving those sun dresses for a less humid less mosquitos time or further south if heading that way and yep re mossie bite prevention look at buying yourself long pants versions of what Terry wears, or something similar - if you check out hiking stores or your Walmart if that's the right place they have those cargo pants they're called - the ones with plenty of pockets - they come in handy too.

And really, unless you're going for a night out to the Opera House in Sydney or some uppity reception, a wedding or whatever, Australia is Casual Capital of the planet.

There's even a guy up Cairns way running his Clothes option resort for month of March I think it is - maybe all the mossies will get directions to there!

So yep, casual and comfortable and helping to shield yourself from mossies is the way for Cairns.

Your bush guide may explain on removing leaches!

pat_woolford

A slicker is a light waterproof type of raincoat, right? Could be a good idea if you're coming in March, but most rainforest trip operators are pretty aware that things may be a tad damp and supply light waterproof ponchos. Not very glamorous, but they work. If only walking in rainforests on boardwalks or beaches, light footwear is fine, otherwise something a bit more closed in and substantial.

Bokhara's given you good advice on what to wear around Cairns, higher altitudes such as Atherton Tableland will demand something warmer to wear, especially at night.

Sundresses are fine, loads of people tonight eating in outdoor Cairns restaurants were wearing them or strappy or strapless tops with light skirts, pants or shorts.

hypatia

Yes, a slicker is a British term for a rain jacket.

I'm only going Cairns this is a trip to NZ and just couldn't pass up the opportunity....

I don't know how Australian climate compares to Florida or how the weather will change from now till March ...but the feel like temp now is like at 100....now that's hot!! I cannot tolerate heat.I never wear long pants and sleeves in summer...

I'm assuming the town has less mossies, as you call them...and more at night like here...And since you have mountains it will be lower temp at night...Ok, so I will have shoes for NZ..in case of mud..

I will not be fording rivers and beating the bush.I assume the tours are pretty tame.I'm considering the northern experience...sounds like a granny tour to me.

Ive fished out moccasins (baby) out of my pond. And hubby picked up a coral in some brush.But Aussie snakes scare me.

Ok so it's tourist/ casual.thanks

Bushranger

I haven't been to Florida though some posters here may have but on latitude alone I think there is going to be something of a difference, Florida 28, Cairns 17

First, I doubt that you'll see much in way of temps around 100F, more 85-95 but mainly humidity will knock you.
It's cooler and less humid up on Atherton tableland but Cairns is on a coastal plain of sorts, a very narrow one as you head north out of town and overnight temps/humidity in March will not be like too coolish but at least a bit better.

Yes, the town in some areas will be less mossie friendly owing to a lot of prevention work and outdoor restaurants buring citronella candles/lanterns probably give a localised higher concentration of citronella flavoured air.

I wouldn't worry too much on snakes, likely your guide may point one out if there's one about, likely be from a distance and they're shy and will usually slither away from noise coming.

You'll be pleased to know NZ don't have any.

hypatia

"There's even a guy up Cairns way running his Clothes option resort for month of March I think it is - maybe all the mossies will get directions to there" funny

The "feels like" temperature was for Cairns now on the weather channel..
Well we rarely get over 95 even in July and August.yes it's humid and tropical...on our coasts we always have breeze...that alone keeps the mossies away. I live next to a swamp and they don't bother me unless I'm down in the underbrush at twilight..the possum and raccoons are covered with them in the summer. As for now we are in winter and just had a low of 25F ...all the plants are dead..No mosquitoes ....Bush,I actually understood you

pat_woolford

hypatia - Average daily temps in Cairns and coastal areas around it in March are about min 73F - max 86F.

I haven't been to Florida, but have to New Orleans in July, very similar to our weather in terms of temp and humidity, at least when I was there.

There's been a lot of rain here this wet season, so ideal mozzie breeding weather. Dengue fever is carried only by the aedes aegyti mosquito, which frequents suburban houses and yards with bad property maintenance and bite during daylight hours.

Unfortunately, there are a few residents here who, despite constant Health Department warnings, ignore their advice of keeping their properties clear of water left lying around in blocked roof gutters, kids toys, old tyres, pot plant bases or anything else which will collect rainwater.

Tourist areas are very unlikely to be affected with dengue, operators are more than aware of the potential problem and maintain their properties correctly. Still a good idea to use a personal insect repellent such as Bushman or Rid, when out and about.

I wouldn't call Northern Experience a "granny tour" there were a couple of grannies on it the other day, also people of all ages including young honeymooners. Because it covers so much ground it obviously doesn't include rainforest hiking, but you can more than stretch your legs walking around Lake Barrine, Paronella Park and Babinda Boulders, where there's also a rainforest track. Your tour guide will tell you where its safe to swim at Boulders, do not attempt to enter water anywhere else there, two have drowned here recently, with some 17 drownings since 1959.

hypatia

suprising... that dengue ones are in the city.....
Im glad the tour isn't as tame as I thought.Im sure I wear out as it's all day...By the way I'm a granny of an 18 month old.

Is the water cold at the boulders?

Saltuarius

Yes the water is cold but that is comparative.

Bushranger

Comparatively, very bloody cold when I swung in on a rope - the normal way of entering with such speed you cannot chicken out.

But recent rains could have flows such that it may not be such a great idea.