WindsurfingGail

We will be in Oz in February and part of March. We haven't made any plans to see Cairns or Port Douglas, for example, as we had heard that the weather would be too wet and hot at that time. However, after reading many posts on this forum I wonder if we are mistaken. Would February, March be a good time to visit or should we wait for another time?

We will be there for 5 weeks and so far have included Sydney, Melbourne, GOR, Adelaide, Perth and some time on the GBR. LOVE this forum; thanks for the advice that all of you have given to us.

Susan7

I would definitely include Cairns and/or Port Douglas. Your current itinerary, in my opinion, is a bit heavily weighted towards cities which really isn't our strong suit. More time visiting the areas around Cairns could balance that out a bit.

DownUnder

I would have to disagree with Susan7 as Australian cities are magnificent and are all worth a visit. Your itinerary sounds great especially including the GOR. In 5 weeks you can see a lot of OZ and the countryside is never more than a hour or so from the city centres. You will love Perth, Adelaide has much charm, Melbourne is a wonderful city and Sydney Harbour is incomparable. While we don't have the architecture and history of the great European cities, we do have space, style and a high standard of living. By all means include Cairns and the GBR and while it will be hot wherever you go you will still have a fantastic holiday.

Saltuarius

It is likely to rain most days in February and March. It will be warm and humid. I think that this is a special time to be in the north and explore the rainforests. It helps to have a comfortable place to withdraw to after getting wet. If you melt in the rain stay away but otherwise go for it.

However I suggest that you look at http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_031011.shtml for historical records. Then you can make up your own mind from data rather than the whimsy of people with different perspectives.

Melnq8

It'll be hotter than the hinges of hell here in Perth in February and March.

Bokhara2

Ain't likely to need an anorak in Adelaide, either.

ivenotbeeneverywhere

I'd be leaving out those places that could be hotter than hell and be heading to those places which are not i.e Tasmania for instance. Generally speaking Sydney should be fine and all along the coastal areas in New South Wales, although that same situation does NOT apply to places like Adelaide, Perth and sometimes Melbourne which can have horror heatwaves. Brisbane should be humid and hot as will most areas in the tropics but Tasmania should be just great. I agree with Susan7 about Australian cities ( or any cities for that matter) Australia is more Australia outside the cities. While Sydney is a must the rest could be missed without any suffering. I believe Australia is much better with whats in between the cities.

hester

We will also be in Cains, Brisbane and Sydney starting February 13. I was wondering if the hot and humid weather is worse than New York City or Orlando Florida in August? I have always wanted to go to Australia (it's on my life list) and the price we got was unbelievable. I am so excited! Thanks for any replies.

Bokhara2

Not at all. Hot August Nights was probably set in NYC. In Cairns you won't have to dodge a zillion people or yellow cabs when you're running across the street in a torrential downpour

It's all relative, isn't it? If someone is from a cold climate, anything over 15c is going to be hot; the Balinese would be reaching for a coat at less than 30c. Anyway, the way the weather is these days, I'd be happy if I could predict the rest of this week, much less a month ahead.

Carrabella

As a coastal NSW Aussie, I HATE February, and am always glad when it's over. Maybe that's why they are selling cheap tickets at this time.
But we did live in Tassie for six years, and there, Feb. is the best month, usually, though rain may fall. As Saluarius says, rainforest when it rains is very special, and there is temperate rain forest around Cradle Mountain in Tas, which we found enchanting .

I think it one could compare .

Carrabella

Please delete the last sentence bit!

ivenotbeeneverywhere

No Australia does not usually get like Florida nor like NYC when it puts on the humidity seeing that its a concrete city and it always feels worse than it actually is. Having said that, the weather will probably prove me totally wrong. It is usually the very best time for the reef though when its not raining. Stay near the coast and the sea breezes will help make things nice.

hester

Thanks for the replies. I am use to the rain as I have lived in Washington State my whole life if we let rain stop us here our life would be dismal. We live in Eastern Washington State now and most summer days are between 90F-100F. The rain nor heat bother us, I was just trying to get an idea of the weather in February (from past February's) not asking anyone to see into the future. Nor trying to compare NYC to any place in Australia, just a question about weather.

As for going in February, I would love to be able to go at the ideal time of year for Australia but this trip came up and it was very affordable, maybe because the time of year but we are going and plan on having a wonderful time!

pat_woolford

hester, for February Cairns has a mean daily maximum of 88.2F and mean minimum of 73.4F It is a wet month, but that doesn't mean it rains constantly all day; often only in short bursts interspersed with brilliant sunshine, and often at night. Unless you're unlucky enough to strike a cyclone (hurricane) its a good time to visit reef, and the best for rainforests, this is when the waterfalls come into their own.

hester

Thanks pat!