Australia next Summer?

Found this gem on http://www.bellaonline.com and decided to copy/paste it for fear it may one day disappear!  So hats off to Michelle R. Mangio, BellaOnline's Australia Editor for these great tips!!

When to Visit Australia?
So you've decided that it's time at last to fulfill that dream of visiting Australia. You want to get started on the planning, but one big question needs to be answered before you can begin:

When should you go?

When is the best time to visit, to see the sights, to do all the things you want to do?

First, it's important to remember that Australia is on the opposite side of the Equator (assuming that you, like me, are sitting here in the good ole USA), so their seasons are the opposite of ours: our Summer is their Winter, and vice-versa.

It's also important to remember, however, that this also means that it gets colder the further south you go. I find that more people get tripped up over this (getting colder the further south) than the opposite seasons, since our instinct is the opposite!

This doesn't mean that you'll find glaciers in Adelaide (you won't), but it is important to keep in mind when planning our your trip: if you were to visit in the Australian Winter (June through August), you may find it to be in the mid 80s in Cairns (Tropical North Queensland), but in the mid 50s or 40s in Adelaide (South Australia).
There are two main climate zones in Australia: the Tropical Zone and the Temperate Zone.

The Tropical Zone consists of about 40% of Australia, including most of Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern Western Australia. There are two main seasons in the Tropical Zone: Wet (Summer) and Dry (Winter). The Wet Season, especially December to February, can be very hot and humid in the Tropical Zone. Indeed, it can get so sticky in Tropical North Queensland during that time of year, that the locals like to joke that you "sweat while taking a shower." January and February are also when the Great Barrier Reef receives the most rain, so if the Tropical areas of Australia are on your list of places to visit, this isn't the ideal time - wait for the Australian Winter (June to September), or the shoulder months around May or October.

This is especially good news for families, who generally have to travel during the summer. Our Summer/Their Winter is among the best times to visit Australia, and rates are often lower, too! It's rare to find a place that is a bargain to visit during the US Summer.

The Temperate Zone is the rest of Australia, and is a year-round destination. While it does boast four distinct seasons, the temperature ranges are mild enough that your "when to visit" decision should rely more on the things you'd like to do. Remember, though, that the seasons are opposite ours:

 Spring: September - November
Summer: December - February
Autumn: March - May
Winter: June - August

In Sydney, for example, average temperatures are generally around 77 F in the Summer, 71 in the Spring and Fall, and 60 in the Winter.

Thus, for southern Queensland and Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, the question of "when to visit" is better answered by "what would you like to do?

If your interest is in partaking in the Wine Harvest in South Australia, then you'll want to visit in March and April. The Barossa Valley Vintage Festival, for example, is held every two years on the odd year during the Easter Season.

Want to ski? Head to the Snowy Mountains, about 250 miles southwest of Sydney along the border of Victoria, mid-June to September. Here you can enjoy great skiing and snow sports. If nature walks, hiking, fishing, and boating are more your passion, then visit during the Spring and Summer Months.

For the whale watching enthusiasts, June through November is the best time to visit, especially September and October along the Queensland Coast. (And for those of you, like me, who hail from New England, trust me that you've never experienced whale watching like can be found within Hervey Bay.)

If you prefer to swim with Whale Sharks, then be sure to head out to Ningaloo in Western Australia from April to June.

Want to visit the Outback and Uluru (Ayer's Rock) without the worry of black flies, poisonous snakes, and poisonous spiders? Then visit from June to August when the black flies are gone and most of the poisonous critters are hiberating - just remember that nights can get very cold out in the desert!

As you can see, most of Australia is perfect to visit regardless of the time of year, and that the choice of when to go should be more of factor of when you can take the journey as well as what you want to do once there. Regardless of when you ultimately decide to go, I am certain it will end up being the perfect time.