Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Some questions about upcoming trip

Hello folks,

I am currently in the planning stages for a trip to Oz for upcoming Dec/Jan.

I am planning on arriving in Syd and then flying up to Cairns. Tentative dates are Dec 28 till Jan 15. I want 3 or 4 days in Sydney and the rest in Cairns. I have been to both several times before but not at this time of year.

I've noticed that Syd hotel prices skyrocket over New Years. Are there any reasonably priced alternatives or should I head up to Cairns immediately and spend time in Syd at the end of our trip?

What kind of weather can I expect in Cairns at this time of year? (understand it is "The Wet"). Living in Toronto I am familiar with "hot and humid". Will we get days of rain or rain showers every day followed by sunny breaks.

How prevalent are the net's to protect against box jellyfish along the Northern beaches?

Thanks for any info that can be provided.

Cheers

CA

Hello folks,

I am currently in the planning stages for a trip to Oz for upcoming Dec/Jan.

I am planning on arriving in Syd and then flying up to Cairns. Tentative dates are Dec 28 till Jan 15. I want 3 or 4 days in Sydney and the rest in Cairns. I have been to both several times before but not at this time of year.

I've noticed that Syd hotel prices skyrocket over New Years. Are there any reasonably priced alternatives or should I head up to Cairns immediately and spend time in Syd at the end of our trip?

What kind of weather can I expect in Cairns at this time of year? (understand it is "The Wet"). Living in Toronto I am familiar with "hot and humid". Will we get days of rain or rain showers every day followed by sunny breaks.

How prevalent are the net's to protect against box jellyfish along the Northern beaches?

Thanks for any info that can be provided.

Cheers

CA

Hi, sounds great, I lived in the north for a decade and found Jan the worst month, as it is very humid and the temperature lingers around 35, but bearable if you are on holidays. It is the wet season yet this is not constant and usually only at night and in the late afternoons.

The nets do keep the jellies at bay, but you will be amazed that so few people venture into the water. Most of the hotels/motels and even backpackers have pools, so you will be able to cool down. Most of the islands off shore are not troubled by the stingers so if you go out to the reef, you will be able to swim.

Here, we tend to buy a package deal with the airlines and have 3-7 days of accommadation thrown in, but either way you will be able to pick up very good and reasonably priced rooms in the Cairns region as it's very competitive market up there.

the major capitals are busy over the festive season and will charge accordingly. The 25th through till the second week in january is full of public holidays and most Australians take this time off. And this period is expensive for operators to open as the public holidays means huge penalty rates so don't expect too many bargains. have a great holiday, you will love Cairns and if you have the time wander down the coast to Townsville and visit Magnetic island where it seems to rarely rain. regards bkkrop