Australia comes alive during the Christmas and New Year summer holidays. It is that time of the year when Australians enjoy the beaches, barbeques by the pool and a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. Australia is also the most popular destination for those from Great Britain, Europe and North America, escaping the bitter cold of winter. Here are 5 suggestions to help you with your planning for a summer holiday in Australia. - Check the best airfare deals.
Both Qantas and V Australia may offer cheap airfares at this time of the year and you may be able to negotiate a deal. Check also the Australian website bestflights.com.au. - Travel Light.
Remember it's summer in Australia and you don't need heavy clothing. I recently met a girl at a Youth Hostel in Darwin who was carrying a backpack that would have given an Everest Sherpa Guide back pains. When I enquired about the size of her load, she replied, "I may need it." Let's get real here. There's some stuff you just don't need. For starters get rid of your winter pyjamas, towels and heavy jackets. They're bulky and heavy. If you go to the beach you can use your hire towels from your accommodation. Also you don't have to wash them! - Enjoy the beaches with caution.
Australia has the best and safest beaches in the world and few holidays can beat the fun of a swim followed by sunbathing on a clean white sandy beach. But there are traps for the unwary. If your skin is lily white, limit your sun exposure and build up your suntan slowly by going to the beach before 10am or after 3pm. The middle of the day is when the UV rays are strongest. You should also use cream to prevent sunburn and drink plenty of water. Oh, and remember to swim between the flags. They're there for a reason and that is to protect you from rips that can drag you out to sea. - Go to cultural and sporting events.
If you arrive in Sydney or Melbourne prior to Christmas, try to attend the Christmas Carols concert at the Domain in Sydney or the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. Both events are free and enjoying an outdoor concert on a balmy summer's evening is an event not to be missed. Sydney celebrates the new year with an amazing fireworks display on the Harbour bridge . In January, Melbourne is host to the Australian Open Tennis Championships, the first event in the world grand slam. The Perth International Arts Festival commences in February and attracts film, dance and music performers from all over the world. - Be aware of the weather.
Australia is a large country with a diverse range of climates. At this time of the year, the southern cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart tend to be more pleasant to visit than Brisbane and Darwin. Sydney summers are warm to hot and can be quite wet. Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, tend to have dry summers. Perth in particular experiences very little rain in summer. Darwin and Brisbane receive most of their rain in the summer. Darwin is very wet and humid in the summer and the heat can be oppressive. The best time to visit these northern cities is in the dry season from April to September.
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