Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - December: Queenstown or Cairns?

Hello

I can spend Dec 25-31 based around either:

* Queenstown NZ, staying at Sofitel, touring around Milford Sound and then driving to CCH

* Cairns for a few days then the rainforest (Silky Oaks Mossman) for 4 days

The key factor for me is the weather and pests. Where is likely to be better?

thanks

razflyer

As I work a lot around Cairns I would always head there - but I couldn't live there.

HOWEVER, this is not the best time for nice weather in Cairns unless you like humidity, rain and a lot of pests (also insects!). Oh, and its due for a cyclone around this period.

You'll always enjoy the tropics in these parts but if you're after Pommy weather - its NZ for you.

I've visited both Cairns and Queenstown many, many times ... however since I've spent the last 8 New Years in Queenstown that would certainly be my answer.

The weather in Cairns in Dec/Jan is just unpleasantly stinking hot and humid between the inevitable torrential rains. Cairns is a fun place to visit, but I'd recommend against doing so in Dec/Jan.

Queenstown should have nice weather and generally dry (or very dry). The last few days getting up to 30C but should cool down a little bit.

Thank you all, Queenstown it is then (after "Libya it is then!" of course)...