Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - can one swim in Australia (outdoors) in August?

We're going for our honeymoon to Australia and I am just starting to plan out an itinerary. We'll be there for two weeks at the end of August.

Flying into Sydney first, so we'll obviously spend some time there, but being as this is a honeymoon, we'd also like to get some resort/beach stuff in if it is possible.

If we have to fly to Perth to do it, we're up for it ;).

Yes but will may be a bit cold (unless heated pool). I think Perth is colder. If you need warmer water head north - Brisbane, Surfers Paradise, great barrier reef, etc.

The only people that swim in Sydney in August, unless in a heated indoor pool, are the Bondi Icebergs :)

Even Brisbane and Surfers may be a bit cold for swimming, unless you want to wear a wetsuit. Really the only place to swim in August in Australia is way up north. If you plan on going to Cairns/reef etc, you should be okay.

Phoebe

Cairns to Port Douglas should be swimmable - don't miss a reef snorkeling tour! Beware that Cairns hotels aren't really on the beach - need to go north to Kewarra, Palm Cove, etc & ensure hotel is on the beach. I visited the teeny boutique Reef House years ago & found it very romantic - great for a honeymoon! Perhaps someone else has an update?!

Sheraton Port Douglas is also very nice & closer to Reef tour departures.

When my parents came out to visit, I rented a 2BR apartment for them up in Port Douglas... it was walkable to town, and 4 Mile Beach was right there. We also walked over to the marina, to catch the reef trips... its all pretty much within 15 minutes.

I was only there the first weekend, and went back to Sydney to work, but they stayed for the whole week and had a great time - day trips up to Cape Tribulation, another reef trip, and just plain relaxing.

The website was www.mowbraybythesea.com.au I'm sure there are others that you can find through an internet search, though, if you want to get comparisons.

Quite a bit out of the way, but August should be nice in the Northern Territories. Several of the tours talk about swimming. Guess one must be careful where, what with the crocs and box jellyfish.

Just my understanding from the broshures.

Quite a bit out of the way, but August should be nice in the Northern Territories. Several of the tours talk about swimming. Guess one must be careful where, what with the crocs and box jellyfish.

The box jellyfish season is Australian summer, so winter is actually the best time for swimming. (We were in north Queensland in summer and it was cruelly frustrating not to be able to swim in that lovely tropical sea.) Note that even in summer, swimming and snorkelling seems to be OK out on the reef - for some reason it's just close in to land that is a problem.

As for the salties (saltwater crocs), best to seek local advice on that one!

Another great place in winter, slightly off the beaten track, is around Broome in Australia's northwest. It is supposed to be absolutely stunning - sadly, I haven't made it that far yet so I can't comment.