Planning a trip to Australia

[Clover's Mom]

I know we have a few members from there or who live there.
We were thinking of visiting Adelaide and Townsville, we realize they are not close together. To be honest I haven't looked into it yet, my BF is the one doing the research, but he wanted me to ask if anyone has visited those areas. Also I believe it would be late July/early August - is that a bad time, winter season? What will the weather be like?

Any info would be appreciated, like where to stay, the best airline...etc?

Thanks!

 

[HELENE]

I am not from Australia but have visited that beautiful country twice, once in October (their Spring) & once in February (their Autumn). It is such a large country and has so many different areas that it really doesn't matter when you go. The first time I went in the Spring when all of the blossom trees were out in full bloom, they looked lovely, the Arcacia trees & the Jacarandas are breathtaking.
Adelaide & Townsville are both really nice places, as are numerious other towns & cities. Personally, we liked Queensland and the Barrier Reef, but if you want to visit some really good vineyards try to go to the Barossa Valley.
We took a three day tour from Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra & the Snowy Mountains, they also took in a couple of vineyards and a sheep station.

 

[gmacleod]

Well, I've been to Australia many times, but not actually to either of Adelaide or Townsville.

In July/August it will be the middle of winter - so perfect for visiting Townsville but not so great for Adelaide. They're a very long way apart in latitude...

 

[Sam S]

Both Adelaide & Townsville aren't as "touristy" as alot of other places in Austalia (perhaps that's why you've chosen them ), and both are completely different.

Adelaide is the "City of Churches" very pretty with easy drives to some of the best wineries and best landscapes in the world. July is winter and it would be cool to cold but no snow etc. Certainly warmer than Melbourne (which is where I am .. ) But remember Adelaide is a very quiet city, more like a large country town, which I think is very charming.

I haven't personally been up as high as Townsville, but would think July would be the "perfect" time for it. Summer is WAY TOO HOT and the weather is VERY HUMID and it is rainy season so winter would be ideal. My mum lives on the Gold Coast and it is too hot in summer for me there and it is only about half way to Townsville from Melbourne! I'm sure there would be lots of lovely day trips to do from Townsville and the diving is suppose to be great!

 

[Clover's Mom]

Thank you all for the information and suggestions. When the bf gets back home from his trip tonight I'll have him read this thread.

Thank you all again - I'll let you know what we decide to do.

 

[Shanz]

just wanted to know how your trip planning is going? My bf and I were supposed to spend a month in Melbourne at his aunts house in August i know avg. Melbourne temps for that time are 13-17 degrees celcius. My cousin has been backpacking there for about a year, but I dont remember her website where she's been posting everything

 

[Clover's Mom]

Trip planning is coming along - we have some dates 8 Aug - 19 Aug. We change the route a little bit but not much
Adelaide, Tasmania and Hobart, either Brisbane or Gold Coast. The airline has deal where for $1000 us dollars you get rountrip airfare from Los Angeles to Australia, then 3 domestic flights in Australia. Now we are just trying to get the best deals on hotel rooms, and of course finding a sitter for Clover.

I would like to go to Melbourne, by BF doesn't really want to. OH well. I can't wait for a nice relaxing vacation!

 

[Shanz]

sounds like fun-- ive almost given up planning vacations since my last two have been cancelled--very big let down :(. You got a good deal on the flight. We were going for a month and the cheapest deal we found was about 1300 round trip for a month from here to LA then LA to Sydney then Sydney to melbourne. BUT hopefully next year.. or maybe in Septemberish if im not in school I'll go to Australia for a week or two.. dont know how I'll part from Cinny though :( Id bring her but quarantine for AUS and NZ is a month.