sjn2003

Just got back from Sydney and all the shops have now got their winter clothes in - I'm talking sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, fur lined coats and fur boots (I kid not!) etc etc !!

Personally, I was looking forward to ditching everything except jeans, shorts and t-shirts as it never goes below mid teens even in winter, but now I'm having second thoughts.

Now, maybe these Aussies know something about their own weather or they're a bunch of namby pamby softies

I think it must be that after months of glorious summer heat anything under 20c feels like the antarctic has blown in !

So what do ya reckon ?? Chuck out the woolies, we're used to it and their winter will seem like an average UK summer, or take the lot as it will feel just as cold as back home???

Bordy

Its true, we moved to Melbourne in July, 5 years ago. I was wandering around in a T shirt & the Aussies had big jackets & coats on.
5 years later if it goes under 20 degrees the wife has the heating on, amazing how you become acclimatised through time.

walaj

I was in Sydeny 2 years ago at the end of April, and I remember walking across the bridge over Darling Harbour and I looked at the locals and compared them to what I was wearing, and you could tell I was the tourist.

I was wearing summer clothes, toes showing through my mules and a cardigan (what a fashion icon!! ). The locals were wearing boots, coats ie several more layer than what I was wearing.

So the winter clothes are going.

anya4oz

Yeah, I was amazed at the very chic and over-warm-looking garb seen on the smart ladies around Circ Quay one year. There I was, in my Wallace & Grommit T shirt (it was all of 19C) and all these beaut suede boots, very un-PC fur coats and cashmere pashminas kept swishing past!

So, yes I'm taking my winter woollies to Melbourne! And if the weather doesn't give me a chance to wear my fave fuschia pink cashmere sweater, I'll just have to turn the aircon up to HIGH & enjoy.....

Anya.

snowhite

Was going to take all our jumpers and cardis for the colder nights and as we are arriving in June may need them then.I was going to leave behind all our winter coats but maybe I should have a rethink

steandleigh

I think it depends upon where you are going - we're going to Cairns, so jumpers not really needed, but definetly rainmacs ( nice ) for the 'wet' season!

Also. as said before, you quickly become acclimatised to the heat and a few degrees drop and you can feel the difference.

I'd say pack whatever you think you will need.

We went from tropical bikini weather in cairns last summer to visiting melbourne and me rushing out to buy a jumper and a fleece jacket!

Sandy.l

I very rarely wear jumpers anyway, always in t-shirts, even in winter as I'm always too warm, I own a couple of jacket/fleece/hoody type things that I would rather wear when going out, but hubby wears about 5 layers to my 2 so we'll probably take his stuff.

I'll take the opportunity to buy a few choice items when I need them

sandy

Bordy

But I bet you loved the shopping in Melbourne Leigh.

sjn2003

We were in Cairns two years ago this June when they had some of the coldest temperatures on record - down to 14c at night :scared:

Bloody typical as we only had shorts etc with us - as it was too cold to eat outside in the evenings

podgypossum

It does depend on what part of Oz you are going to. Here in Adelaide, we are considered one of the hotter states, yet last night the temps dropped right down to 8 degrees.

Did you know that there are also parts of Oz where you can go (snow) skiing in winter?

Simone

In Perth temps can drop to 1 degree.

And about 10 or 15 during the day isn't warm, especially with practically no heating and insulation!

We are taking EVERYTHING!!
Do you guys know that a lot of people have electric blankets!! You turn it on an hour or so before you go to bed, and turn it off when you get in.

And I am so getting a heater in the bathroom!

bondipom

As said earlier you get acclimatised to the heat and you feel the cold when it hits. There is also something about the cold blasts firing up from antartica that is very penetrating. In Sydney (I presume it is the same elsewhere) the further you get from the ocean the colder it gets at night in winter.

During the day the temperature is fine but at night and early in the morning I have found myself wearing the overcoat a few times. In Sydney a few good jumpers are a necesity for winter.

Teresa

Definately, was in Melbourne in November and froze!!!!

sjn2003

An overcoat ?? Is that with your wetsuit underneath and surf board under your arm ?? Or is surfing not a winter sport in Sydney ??

sjn2003

Too right - bringing all my ski gear. Well chuffed I don't have to get rid of it !!