Cairns Travel Forum

Couple Mid-20's on a long term vacation to Cairns, Queensland. We arrive in Cairns on Aug. 8th. I was told this is the height of the tourist season during the AU winter when the climate is cooler and dry. I believe that late november-december is when the hotter wet season begins. If I was to visit to the far north what time of year is best???? Is Cairns a good place to stay during the wet season or should I consider moving further south towards Townsville or Surfer's Paradise? Thanks any info would be great:) -------------------------Can't wait only one more month to go!!!!-----------

The best time is the winter, it's just about perfect weather. But because of that the prices are higher.
Townsville isn't very far south of Cairns, about 380 kilometres, but it's in a rain shadow so it's much drier even in the wet season.

stay in Cairns until the end of october then head south, I would choose the sunshine coast as ideal even though it still rains and is quite humid and hot there in the summertime.

Hi Keep out of far north Australia during the wet season if you do not like high humidity and rain, it does not rain every day but is very humid. November to April are the wet months, other times are extremely pleasant. Depending on your interests I would not spend all my time in the Cairns district. Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast are very nice places like Noosa Heads etc. I recommend you do some research on VT pages. Whilst in the tropical north I recommend you visit some islands in the Whitsundays such as Hamilton Island. You will enjoy Queensland.
Good Luck,
Mike