Is January-March a good time to visit? And are cruisetours worth the extra money?

[SamLH07]

My husband and I are so undecided where we want to go on a cruise in 2015. It's between Australia and the Mediterranean. We are leaning more toward Australia though.

 

I tried researching the best times to visit and I really wanted to cruise in May. But I didn't see anything that fits our needs (and I was looking at May 2014). It looks like we would have to choose between January - March if we want to include a cruisetour.

 

And with cruisetours...are they worth it? We really want to experience Australia since its a once in a lifetime trip.

[Allis154]

We did Australia in march/april of this year.

 

We travelled around ourselves; very easy todo without doing a cruise tour. However, AU is a very large country, and travel takes times.

 

We spent 1 night in Sydney, 3 nights in Uluru, 1 night train ride (ghan), 3 nights Darwin, 2 nights Kakadu, 3 nights Darwin, 2 nights Sydney, then boarded a 11-night cruise up the coast doing the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane etc. Overall, we got to see alot for our time there. It was also a 'once in a lifetime' trip for us. (well, hopefully, we will be back at some point in time...)

 

I would suggest to find your budget, interests and the amount of time you can be away, then start looking at options.

 

IMHO...I wouldn't do a cruisetour..too much money and too much waiting for other people.

 

I am sure others will chime in with more info and opinons.

[SamLH07]

We did Australia in march/april of this year.

 

We travelled around ourselves; very easy todo without doing a cruise tour. However, AU is a very large country, and travel takes times.

 

We spent 1 night in Sydney, 3 nights in Uluru, 1 night train ride (ghan), 3 nights Darwin, 2 nights Kakadu, 3 nights Darwin, 2 nights Sydney, then boarded a 11-night cruise up the coast doing the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane etc. Overall, we got to see alot for our time there. It was also a 'once in a lifetime' trip for us. (well, hopefully, we will be back at some point in time...)

 

I would suggest to find your budget, interests and the amount of time you can be away, then start looking at options.

 

IMHO...I wouldn't do a cruisetour..too much money and too much waiting for other people.

 

I am sure others will chime in with more info and opinons.

 

I think it would be so difficult and more stressful to try and plan to see other cities on your own. All I really want to see other than Sydney is Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Can cruisetours get crowded? They don't cap off at a certain amount?

[Cassicruiser]

I think it would be so difficult and more stressful to try and plan to see other cities on your own. All I really want to see other than Sydney is Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Can cruisetours get crowded? They don't cap off at a certain amount?

Another thing to bear in mind is the weather. Ayers Rock area and Far North Queensland (Great Barrier Reef) is HOT in Jan/Feb and its also the tropical wet season in FNQ - so very hot, humid and wet. I would go as late into March as you can. By April it's cooled down a lot.

[Aquarians]

My husband and I are so undecided where we want to go on a cruise in 2015. It's between Australia and the Mediterranean. We are leaning more toward Australia though.

 

I tried researching the best times to visit and I really wanted to cruise in May. But I didn't see anything that fits our needs (and I was looking at May 2014). It looks like we would have to choose between January - March if we want to include a cruisetour.

 

And with cruisetours...are they worth it? We really want to experience Australia since its a once in a lifetime trip.

kia ora,

If you want to see Aotearoa/New Zealand after Christmas & before Easter is definitely a good time.

Aquarians:

[The_Big_M]

I think it would be so difficult and more stressful to try and plan to see other cities on your own. All I really want to see other than Sydney is Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Can cruisetours get crowded? They don't cap off at a certain amount?

 

I'm not sure about caps, but they usually resource based on numbers, e.g. extra guides/vehicles to cater for demand.

[SamLH07]

Thanks for the responses! I'm glad some locals chimed in since they truly know what month is the best to visit.

 

Most of the cruisetours end in March, so we are going to try and get a late February or March cruise. We are planning on starting out in New Zealand, taking the cruise, and doing a cruisetour once we disembark in Sydney. After those few days are over, we are considering spending a few days in Sydney to just relax from all the excitement we had over the course of a couple weeks :)

 

I know we would be visiting during the rainy season. Is February and March that bad for rain?

[Aquarians]

Thanks for the responses! I'm glad some locals chimed in since they truly know what month is the best to visit.

 

Most of the cruisetours end in March, so we are going to try and get a late February or March cruise. We are planning on starting out in New Zealand, taking the cruise, and doing a cruisetour once we disembark in Sydney. After those few days are over, we are considering spending a few days in Sydney to just relax from all the excitement we had over the course of a couple weeks :)

 

I know we would be visiting during the rainy season. Is February and March that bad for rain?

Kia ora,

Not normally in NZ, which unlike Northern Australia is not in the tropics.

Aquarians

[Cassicruiser]

As you head well into March you shouldn't be getting a lot of rain although it will still be quite hot, but if that doesn't bother you March will be fine. Jan and Feb is the worst month for rain, heat and humidity.

[J-D]

We have travelled around and across much of Australia (and also N.Z.) on our own during numerous visits, and have found it relatively easy and stress-free to make our own plans and get around on our own. (The one exception is that, if it is the first time you will be driving on the left side the road in a right-hand-drive vehicle, that is stressful for the first day -- and avoid driving at night!)

 

I would not recommend March as a month to visit northern Queensland or the Centre. At Cairns, the high temperatures and rainfall during the (southern) summer wet season do not diminish much until after March:

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/map_script_new.cgi?31011

In the Centre (e.g., Alice Springs), rain isn't much of an issue, but the very high summer temperatures have not diminished much by March:

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/map_script_new.cgi?15590

 

When we visit Australia during the southern hemisphere summer (Dec.-Mar.), we generally stay in the southern half of the country (and not the Centre). One can easily spend many weeks touring those parts of the country and only "scratch the surface". The southern winter (e.g., July-Aug.) is the time to visit the northern parts of the country and the Centre. Again, a reasonably comprehensive tour of the north and Centre would also take many weeks, so those areas more than justify a separate trip in the southern hemisphere winter (=northern summer).

 

In any case, Australia is a very interesting, welcoming, and LARGE country, well worth more than one visit!

 

John

[Wastegirl]

Also remember January is our annual school holidays, most kids are back at school by the beginning of February. So unless you love wall to wall kids, avoid January.

 

Uluru in February/March can be very hot during the middle of the day so plan your tours early morning and in the evening. Additionally in those months flies are very bad, be prepared with a good quality insect repellent. Pack a broad brimmed lightweight hat, cotton clothes and if fair skinned, with long sleeves and trousers, not skimpy shorts and tank top. Also don't forget a high quality sun screen. Don't spoil your holiday with a serious dose of sunburn. Drink plenty of water so you don't dehydrate.

 

I've been to far north Queensland in late March and while hot and humid it was bearable because you are never far from the sea and you don't need to rush about because you are on holidays.

[chester32]

If you can middle to late march is the best time regardless what part of the country you visit not sure about Alice springs (ayers rock ) never been there, be sure to try and get to the great barrier reef

[Allis154]

I think it would be so difficult and more stressful to try and plan to see other cities on your own. All I really want to see other than Sydney is Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Can cruisetours get crowded? They don't cap off at a certain amount?

 

Not very stressful. We booked all our flights through Qantas, so that was very easy. We stayed at the same hotel in Sydney at both ends of our stay (they were nice enough to store our luggage so we didn't have to cart our cruise clothes all over the place). And a couple of rental cars.

 

We did look at the cruisetours offered, but they didn't meeet what we wanted to do, for the price they were offering.

 

In regards to the heat, Sydney Darwin was very humid and hot when we first got there, but cooled off a little by the time we left 1 week later. wasn't too bad either stay; it was 40+C in Ayers Rock when we were there. Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach were warm, but we headed to the reef right away, so not too bad. We left Canada March 11, and left Australia April 8.

 

To each there own. Regardless of what you decide to do, you'll love Australia!

[floridatravelersforlife]

Not very stressful. We booked all our flights through Qantas, so that was very easy. We stayed at the same hotel in Sydney at both ends of our stay (they were nice enough to store our luggage so we didn't have to cart our cruise clothes all over the place). And a couple of rental cars.

 

We did look at the cruisetours offered, but they didn't meeet what we wanted to do, for the price they were offering.

 

In regards to the heat, Sydney Darwin was very humid and hot when we first got there, but cooled off a little by the time we left 1 week later. wasn't too bad either stay; it was 40+C in Ayers Rock when we were there. Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach were warm, but we headed to the reef right away, so not too bad. We left Canada March 11, and left Australia April 8.

 

To each there own. Regardless of what you decide to do, you'll love Australia!

 

We did the same cruise as Allis154 We flew Qantas for intercity travel. Used Qantas to do the overseas trip and received a discount on domestic travel. I agree late March was the best time for us. The March weather is the same as Florida except opposite seasons ie Fall / September is KeyWest = Queensland and Charleston = Sydney. No issue for us since we are from Florida. Also be aware it is the latter part of the Typhoon Season, which is good. Our cruise missed one by a week or too earlier.

 

Recommend you do it yourself.

[SamLH07]

A lot of information to think about! Is flying within Australia expensive? We are going to pay around $2000 USD per person just to get there. But maybe the cost of flying from Sydney to other cities wouldn't be that bad. What cities do we fly into so we can visit the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock?

 

I looked up what Celsius translates to Fahrenheit. Wow! It gets hot! We are used to very muggy and humid conditions where we live. It's at a constant 35 C throughout the summer months for us, with usually 100% humidity. But I would hate to deal with that kind of weather during our trip. It's one thing to have those temperatures and be able to be indoors. It's another when you are outside.

[Allis154]

We flew into Ayers Rock directly, and rented a car for the time we were there. The only place to stay is at the resort, but they have several options to chose from. At least it wasn't humid there; a very dry heat.

 

As for the GBR, we did it by cruise ship, so didn't fly there. You'll probably fly into Cairns I would think.

 

Current round trip tickets on Qantas is showing $2000 pp (by a very quick search) and the internal flights are very inexpensive.

[Wastegirl]

A quick search gave me Sydney to Uluru (Ayres Rock) at approx $200 AUD pp one way. So two people, return would be $800. It does depend on time of year, any specials going etc but it looks like a total of $700 to $800 AUD is not unrealistic. About a 2.5 hour flight.

 

Sydney to Cairns is approx $100 AUD pp one way, a total for two people of $400.

 

Also keep in mind the day of week you depart and return can make a big difference to the cost, I chose mid week early March for the search.

 

Uluru to Cairns is not a common route and quite expensive, it might be cheapr to go via Sydney or Brisbane.

 

Flights in Australia are not as cheap as the US or Europe because of our smaller population.

[Allis154]

Booking your internal AU flights on the same ticket as your incoming/return flights reduces the cost even more :)

[Mercruiser]

SamLH07,

 

I'm going to try to talk you out of doing a "cruisetour" in favor of independent travel in Australia. Last year, I responded to an Australian who was asking about a cruisetour in Alaska. Here it is.

 

"b) Personally, I wouldn't do a package tour (cruise tour) on a bus or train (unless you don't drive or have mobility issues.) This part of the world is very safe and easy to visit on your own. There are plenty of hotels and tourist infrastructure. Some of the best wildlife are seen by the side of the road. If you are on a bus/train, you zoom right past the bears, elk, moose, caribou, eagles, etc because the tour has to stay on a schedule. With your own car, you just pull over and take your photographs at your own pace. Ask yourself, would I take a bus tour in Australia or New Zealand or would I travel independently? If you would travel independently in Australia or New Zealand, then why would you take a bus tour in Alaska? (Sorry if I am being to pushy on this issue.)"

 

Turning this around for an American, "Ask yourself, would I take a bus tour in the US or Canada or would I travel independently? If you would travel independently in US or Canada, then why would you take a bus tour in Australia?"

 

Australia is one of the easiest places in the world for independent travel. And Australians are some of the best people you will ever meet. If you can travel in the US on your own, you will be fine in Australia.

[SamLH07]

SamLH07,

 

I'm going to try to talk you out of doing a "cruisetour" in favor of independent travel in Australia. Last year, I responded to an Australian who was asking about a cruisetour in Alaska. Here it is.

 

"b) Personally, I wouldn't do a package tour (cruise tour) on a bus or train (unless you don't drive or have mobility issues.) This part of the world is very safe and easy to visit on your own. There are plenty of hotels and tourist infrastructure. Some of the best wildlife are seen by the side of the road. If you are on a bus/train, you zoom right past the bears, elk, moose, caribou, eagles, etc because the tour has to stay on a schedule. With your own car, you just pull over and take your photographs at your own pace. Ask yourself, would I take a bus tour in Australia or New Zealand or would I travel independently? If you would travel independently in Australia or New Zealand, then why would you take a bus tour in Alaska? (Sorry if I am being to pushy on this issue.)"

 

Turning this around for an American, "Ask yourself, would I take a bus tour in the US or Canada or would I travel independently? If you would travel independently in US or Canada, then why would you take a bus tour in Australia?"

 

Australia is one of the easiest places in the world for independent travel. And Australians are some of the best people you will ever meet. If you can travel in the US on your own, you will be fine in Australia.

 

That makes sense! I just worried about how to go and plan to see a couple cities. It just seems super stressful to not only plan a cruise and the shore excursions for that trip, but then book the hotel/flights/rental cars for the other cities you want to see. But I guess it's not too bad if people suggest to go that way. I also thought a cruisetour would save us money with flights.

[GradUT]

When I respond to posts about whether to take a cruise and/or a cruisetour, I ask the poster what the purpose of the trip is. If your goal is take a cruise and just see a bit of Australia, then I recommend taking the Australian cruise. If your goal is to see Australia, then I recommend skipping the cruise and planning your own land vacation because you just don't see very much of Australia on a cruise.

 

I think some of the best things about Australia are found away from the cities where the cruise ships go--the outback, the small towns, animals in the wild and Australia's capital, Canberra. I lived in Canberra for a number of years and I love it--great architecture, great (free) museums and great fauna and flora right on the outskirts of town. (Well, sometimes it's not on the outskirts--I once saw a kangaroo hopping through my central Canberra neighborhood while taking my daughter to high school and an echidna walking next to my son's primary school.)

 

By taking a cruisetour or planning your own tour before or after your cruise, you would be able to visit some of the places not included on the cruise. But, because you have to tie the land portion of your trip to the cruise in January - March, you would have to travel during what I would consider the least desirable time of year. First, you've got the extreme heat all over the country; second, you've got the rainy or even monsoon conditions in the northern part of the country (Great Barrier Reef area and the Top End (Darwin area) of the Northern Territory, one of my favorite places in Australia); third, you've got all of the locals on summer holidays and fourth, you've got higher prices for transportation and accommodations becuase it's high season.

 

I would suggest you think about the places you want to go and find out when is the best time of year to go there. We generally have to travel in the Northern Hemisphere summer months (June - August) and it works out great for us. It's warm and dry in the northern part of the country and it's cool (and often sunny) in Sydney and Canberra. I've even been to Uluru in July and while the evenings were cold, the days were marvelous (and no flies!) If I had a choice, I'd probably travel in September or October. But May isn't a bad time of year either.

 

So, I suggest you think about what you want out of this trip and plan accordingly. Cruises are great for some destinations, but not for all. And the time of year you cruise/cruisetour can greatly affect your enjoyment of the destination.