Geelong Gent

What is it like for xmas to new years?

When is the monsoon season make travel up north less than ideal?

If Dec/Jan how far up is affected? ie Rockhampton or Cairns

Sally Simpson

I can only speak for last Christmas/New Year which was not wet but very hot. I think Feb/Mar are the worst months for wet season. Are you planning a visit GG?
Bix would be a good one to contact!

Hebe

We spent NY in Palm Cove a few years ago and the weather was lovely. I don't remember it being too humid or rainy.

Kooky.

So did we and it was very hot and humid and when it rained it really rained (think SEA) but worse than that, the beach was shut due to stingers. Didn't really bother us as we were touring around but with kids I can see it being a bit of a bummer.

Geelong Gent

Taking some time out with the family so planning a long road trip ie 6 weeks. Planning on no more driving than 400kms per day or 4-5 hours in maximum of 2 hour stints. So far are going:

Melbourne to Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga to Dubbo
Dubbo to Tamworth
Tamworth to Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour to Burleigh Heads?/Surfers Paradise
Burleigh Heads/Surfers Paradise to Torquay/FraserIsland
Torquay/Fraser Island to Rockhampton
Rockhampton to Mackay
Mackay to Townsville
Townsville to Cairns/Port Douglas

Any ideas hints or experiences would be appreciated

2 (girls) kids - one will be 6 the other 2 both water babies

Sally Simpson

Stay places with pools!
The beaches are fine but you need to stay in stinger nets & they are not 100% & the beaches get closed regularly.
There are some beautiful places up in the Tablelands such as Millaa Millaa falls & Lake Eacham (great for swimming at that time of year & where we spent Christmas Day!) & it is also a bit cooler up there so a nice change from the coast.
Cape Trib & the Daintree are really beautiful too so if you are going to Port Douglas, worth a trip that bit further!
Are you planning to camp or stay in hotels?

Petals

I would not swim off the beach in Cairns any time of the year have you seen the crocs.

We were in Cairns in August and its a good time of the year for weather there.

Our neighbours flew to Cairns yesterday and they are driving back down to Melbourne with their friends car and caravan.

I love Cairns lovely place to have a holiday.

Bix

I would avoid January if you can.
I've seen 5 Xmas periods here and the monsoon kicks in a week or two into January.
Road to Townsville gets closed with flooding couple of times every year.....as do other parts further South. In recent times Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Gympie (are the ones that come to mind) have had times of bad flooding.

Around Xmas day is usually the most oppressive humidity wise.....but not so bad last year as it kicked in earlier for a spell in Nov.

Rainfall figures for Dec:
2004 - 204mm
2005 - 43mm
2006 - 83mm
2007 - 259mm
2008 - 176mm

and for Jan:
2004 - 260mm
2005 - 490mm
2006 - 434mm
2007 - 250mm
2008 - 471mm
2009 - 938mm

Feb & March are hefty months too.

Just as a comparison Nov is a relatively dry month with an average of 80mm for the last 5 years.

Bix

Here's a taster of the Esplande.....
http://www.cairnsesplanade.com/gallery.html

The large lagoon is free and very popular - safe areas to play and swim for all age groups.

Couple of sites giving a pretty good idea of the things to do and see.....
http://www.cairnsattractions.com/a_kuranda-railway.php
http://www.cairnsweb.com.au/

Bix

Bit of trivia.
The lagoon is built in the shape of Queensland.

Geelong Gent

I want the girls to camp but the wife is not keen and would prefer hotels So its going to be a mixture.

With my daughters school breaking up end of Nov we should be up the top end before xmas and then able to make our way back down before new years and avoid the heavy rain. Will put a snorkel on just in case.

Thanks for replies

moneypenny20

Personal choice obviously but I'd do Coolangatta rather than Burleigh or Surfers.

Geelong Gent

May well take that advice

Last time I was in SP was late 80's and even then we were just passing through

moneypenny20

SP is fine for a look but nothing more than that unless you intend doing touristy things but I still wouldn't stay there. Burleigh is apparently very popular (judging by the beach and nearby streets) but nothing special imo. Cooly is lovely and the beaches are brilliant and there's space. It's also fun (for a minute or two ) to jump between NSW and QLD or have one foot in each state. Photo opportunity for the kids.

The A Team

Lots of lovely places to visit within a few hours drive of Townsville. The Whitsundays to the south are absolutely gorgeous. I've stayed on a couple of the islands and most are child friendly. Daydream Island is tiny but has everything you need for a family holiday.

Just off the coast of Townsville you have the beautiful Magnetic Island, to the north on the way to Cairns you have Mission Beach and Dunk Island.

drdan takes better photos than me and has also visited much of the area including Cairns so I've dug out his thread:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ght=townsville