studying in australia
Jan 31st, 2005, 08:51 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
studying in australia
Hi! I'm leaving the U.S. next week to travel down to Cairns in Australia to study for a semester. I'll be there from mid February to late June. Any tips you have for me are greatly appreciated!! I think I have a good idea of clothing to pack, and I've been doing research for things to do and places to see. But I want to know some of the lesser known things and places... I'll be there for 6 months and I want to take advantage of every minute of it!! Thanks a bunch!!
Jan 31st, 2005, 10:28 PM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi froglover - do you have your accommodation sorted and if so where? imagine around Smithfield if you're studying at James Cook Uni. Anyway, let's know where'll you'll be based and can start from there.
Feb 1st, 2005, 01:49 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 669
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are going to be based in Cairns then you will be able to take weekend trips to all sorts of places. Lucky you!! You can get up to Cape Trib by bus and there are lots of cheap places to stay. There are loads of 1-2 night trips to do aimed at the backpacker market which you could take advantage of - else hire a car for the weekend and find some sharers to go to the Atherton Tablelands, etc.
With 6 months to play with you might want to consider verturing further afield just once (twice)? Check out cheap flights to Sydney sooner rather than later - the earlier you book the cheaper the price and it would be a shame to visit Oz and not visit Sydney.
Also the Whitsundays - a 2/3 day sailing trip an absolute must do - and you can get to Airlie Beach by Bus although it takes about 8 hours.
Mission Beach is closer and also a good destination.
But when you get there you will see how much there is on offer - just wander around the town centre and check out all the travel places. Bungy, white water rafting, etc, etc.
Have a whale of a time.
With 6 months to play with you might want to consider verturing further afield just once (twice)? Check out cheap flights to Sydney sooner rather than later - the earlier you book the cheaper the price and it would be a shame to visit Oz and not visit Sydney.
Also the Whitsundays - a 2/3 day sailing trip an absolute must do - and you can get to Airlie Beach by Bus although it takes about 8 hours.
Mission Beach is closer and also a good destination.
But when you get there you will see how much there is on offer - just wander around the town centre and check out all the travel places. Bungy, white water rafting, etc, etc.
Have a whale of a time.
Feb 1st, 2005, 07:02 AM
#4
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi froglover, question for you re studying in Oz. Our daughter may do the same thing later this year - how does that work, visa-wise? Do they give you so many months to complete your study? Or do you need to have a return ticket out within a certain time frame after your semester ends? Thanks.
Feb 1st, 2005, 07:43 AM
#5
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello inthechips2,
Australia's Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) has a really good website on studying in Australia.
http://www.immi.gov.au/study/
Generally speaking, an applicant for a student visa has to demonstrate a certain level of health and good character.
He/she must have health care insurance to cover his/her medical needs in Australia.
He/she must not have any debts to the Commonwealth of Australia.
If the applicant is under 18 years of age, his/her education provider must be satisfied that the arrangements for his/her care are appropriate.
The applicant needs to demonstrate that he/she is qualified to undertake the studies he/she will be pursuing in Australia. The applicant also needs to demonstrate competence in English (not a problem for students whose prior education has taken place in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada and South Africa).
The applicant needs to demonstrate that he/she has the financial means to cover living expenses and tuition while he/she is in Australia. If he/she does not have the financial means him/herself, he/she has to demonstrate that someone else (parents, etc.) do have the means and are committed to supporting him/her.
No, the applicant does not need a return air ticket. A person who has a student visa is allowed to travel to Australia on a one-way ticket.
The applicant has to demonstrate that he/she has been accepted by an educational institution in Australia.
I don't see this on the DIMIA website, but I'm sure it's there somewhere, and I know it from experience. The educational institution has to have accreditation to accept foreign students. This requirement was implemented some years ago after the Australian government found that some foreign students had been left in the lurch by fly-by-night operators who called themselves schools, colleges or whatever, and then left the foreign students high and dry when they reached Australia. So they instituted a program for ensuring that institutions that sold courses of study to foreign students were legitimate operations.
How long the student can stay in Australia before commencing studies and after completing studies depends to some extent on the amount of time that he/she has requested on his application. DIMIA does allow the applicant to remain in Australia for a reasonable length of time on either side of his/her course. For example, the DIMIA website explicitly states that the applicant may request permission to enter Australia up to 12 weeks before the commencement of his/her course.
When we returned to Canada from our expat assignment in Australia, one of our sons stayed behind for a year to complete high school. He stayed on in Australia for 6 weeks after the completion of his studies.
The application for a student visa costs 410 AUD. That information comes from here:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/990i_studying.htm
Hope that helps.
Australia's Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) has a really good website on studying in Australia.
http://www.immi.gov.au/study/
Generally speaking, an applicant for a student visa has to demonstrate a certain level of health and good character.
He/she must have health care insurance to cover his/her medical needs in Australia.
He/she must not have any debts to the Commonwealth of Australia.
If the applicant is under 18 years of age, his/her education provider must be satisfied that the arrangements for his/her care are appropriate.
The applicant needs to demonstrate that he/she is qualified to undertake the studies he/she will be pursuing in Australia. The applicant also needs to demonstrate competence in English (not a problem for students whose prior education has taken place in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada and South Africa).
The applicant needs to demonstrate that he/she has the financial means to cover living expenses and tuition while he/she is in Australia. If he/she does not have the financial means him/herself, he/she has to demonstrate that someone else (parents, etc.) do have the means and are committed to supporting him/her.
No, the applicant does not need a return air ticket. A person who has a student visa is allowed to travel to Australia on a one-way ticket.
The applicant has to demonstrate that he/she has been accepted by an educational institution in Australia.
I don't see this on the DIMIA website, but I'm sure it's there somewhere, and I know it from experience. The educational institution has to have accreditation to accept foreign students. This requirement was implemented some years ago after the Australian government found that some foreign students had been left in the lurch by fly-by-night operators who called themselves schools, colleges or whatever, and then left the foreign students high and dry when they reached Australia. So they instituted a program for ensuring that institutions that sold courses of study to foreign students were legitimate operations.
How long the student can stay in Australia before commencing studies and after completing studies depends to some extent on the amount of time that he/she has requested on his application. DIMIA does allow the applicant to remain in Australia for a reasonable length of time on either side of his/her course. For example, the DIMIA website explicitly states that the applicant may request permission to enter Australia up to 12 weeks before the commencement of his/her course.
When we returned to Canada from our expat assignment in Australia, one of our sons stayed behind for a year to complete high school. He stayed on in Australia for 6 weeks after the completion of his studies.
The application for a student visa costs 410 AUD. That information comes from here:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/990i_studying.htm
Hope that helps.
Feb 1st, 2005, 09:40 AM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Judy, your information is extremely helpful and I thank you greatly for providing it. I will send it to my daughter as she is just starting this process and has only met briefly with the international office at school thus far. It seems an overwhelming process to her at the moment so this will help her at least get a feel for what would be required.
The interesting part to me is that she can fly there on a one-way ticket. That would be extremely helpful at this point because she is likely scheduled to leave in July, but we have no idea when she would return (she is thinking of staying through the holiday season and would have to be back here for school January of 06).
Thanks again Judy! Very much appreciated.
The interesting part to me is that she can fly there on a one-way ticket. That would be extremely helpful at this point because she is likely scheduled to leave in July, but we have no idea when she would return (she is thinking of staying through the holiday season and would have to be back here for school January of 06).
Thanks again Judy! Very much appreciated.
Feb 1st, 2005, 09:49 AM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're welcome, inthechips2.
On the point of the return ticket, I think it would be to your financial advantage to purchase one for your daughter, even if the Australian authorities don't require it. I mean, I believe a return ticket will be far cheaper than two one-way tickets. I believe you can buy a return ticket with an open-ended return date if, at the time of the outward bound flight, you do not yet know the desired return date.
On the point of the return ticket, I think it would be to your financial advantage to purchase one for your daughter, even if the Australian authorities don't require it. I mean, I believe a return ticket will be far cheaper than two one-way tickets. I believe you can buy a return ticket with an open-ended return date if, at the time of the outward bound flight, you do not yet know the desired return date.
Trending Topics
Feb 1st, 2005, 11:31 AM
#8
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, Judy, that is a great suggestion, as I know that one-way tickets can be quite pricey. We will keep that in mind when buying the ticket, but perhaps by the time she's ready to do that, she may know her return date. Thanks again for your help! Vicki
Feb 2nd, 2005, 11:18 AM
#9
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Froglover and Vicki (inthechips2),
Here is a good essay on culture shock.
http://www.johnsesl.com/templates/reading/cultureshock/
This is something that a person should expect to experience if he/she has an extended stay in a foreign country.
Often the most difficult phase is the reverse culture shock that the person may experience upon returning home. He/she may experience feelings of rejection towards his/her home culture that are even stronger than the feelings of rejection he/she experienced towards the foreign environment.
Since the U.S. and Australia are not all THAT different, residents of one country undertaking an extended stay in the other country most likely will experience only a mild version of culture shock. Nonetheless, it would be useful to be prepared for some degree of culture shock to take place.
In the case of exchange students, who tend to be treated as special people while they're participating in exchange programs, the main culture shock events may happen during two periods: (1) when they return home and revert to being ordinary people and (2) if they ever return to their host country as ordinary people and are not given the red carpet treatment that they received as exchange students.
The reverse culture shock thing happened to the daughter of Melbourne friends of ours. She spent a year as an exchange student in Japan. After that experience she used to speak of Japan in euphoric terms. She often used to list for her family the ways in which Japanese society was superior to Australian society. Then, some years later, she returned to Japan for a visit as an ordinary person. On that trip she was surprised by how many negative aspects of Japanese society she noticed, aspects that had escaped her attention the first time around. After that her opinion of Japan seemed more balanced. She thought it had some good points and some bad points.
Of course the differences between Australia and Japan are far greater than those between the U.S. and Australia. Still, I think that story illustrates what can happen.
Hope that helps.
Here is a good essay on culture shock.
http://www.johnsesl.com/templates/reading/cultureshock/
This is something that a person should expect to experience if he/she has an extended stay in a foreign country.
Often the most difficult phase is the reverse culture shock that the person may experience upon returning home. He/she may experience feelings of rejection towards his/her home culture that are even stronger than the feelings of rejection he/she experienced towards the foreign environment.
Since the U.S. and Australia are not all THAT different, residents of one country undertaking an extended stay in the other country most likely will experience only a mild version of culture shock. Nonetheless, it would be useful to be prepared for some degree of culture shock to take place.
In the case of exchange students, who tend to be treated as special people while they're participating in exchange programs, the main culture shock events may happen during two periods: (1) when they return home and revert to being ordinary people and (2) if they ever return to their host country as ordinary people and are not given the red carpet treatment that they received as exchange students.
The reverse culture shock thing happened to the daughter of Melbourne friends of ours. She spent a year as an exchange student in Japan. After that experience she used to speak of Japan in euphoric terms. She often used to list for her family the ways in which Japanese society was superior to Australian society. Then, some years later, she returned to Japan for a visit as an ordinary person. On that trip she was surprised by how many negative aspects of Japanese society she noticed, aspects that had escaped her attention the first time around. After that her opinion of Japan seemed more balanced. She thought it had some good points and some bad points.
Of course the differences between Australia and Japan are far greater than those between the U.S. and Australia. Still, I think that story illustrates what can happen.
Hope that helps.
Feb 5th, 2005, 09:24 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pat_Woolford: I will be staying in the Student Lodge in Cairns, which from what I've been told is right next to the jcu campus. So my base will be Cairns.
Alice13: I already have a trip planned to Sydney. My parents are coming to visit me, so they will arrive in Cairns and spend a couple of days there, then my fall break starts and the 3 of us are flying to Sydney to spend a few more days before they return to the states. So I definitely will make that trip. But I've also heard wonderful things about Perth, so I have considered looking into making a trip over there. Some of the other "popular" cities in Australia seem to be Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane. Brisbane seems pretty accessible from Cairns, but can the others be done in a weekend? For example, would it be a sensible do-able trip to travel to Melbourne for a weekend? Or Adelaide, etc.? Or would it even be worth it to do that? I don't know travel times to and from the cities so I don't how much time would be spent just en route. But if I can sensibly make weekend trips out of any of these cities then I'm certainly up for it. But thanks so much for the other destination trips. I will definitely plan to make use of the info!!
inthechips2: The first thing you should tell your daughter is to decide in which part of Australia she'd like to study. I decided that I'd rather be around more tropical things rather than a big city, so I chose to direct my focus to Queensland. So whatever kind of things she enjoys will help her direct of areas of interest. Her study abroad office at school should have info on schools that participate in exchange programs and abroad students, and should also list majors offered at those schools. So she can make sure that whatever school she chose has classes that will count in her home school. And make sure she gets course descriptions off of the school's website of the classes she wants to take and get the department heads of her school sign off that the classes will count. My university required me to do that but I don't know if all programs require students to do that. But doing that ensures that she will receive credits for the classes she takes abroad. And I will agree with Judy_in_Calgary on the return ticket...in looking for tickets I found that you pretty much pay the same for a one-way ticket as a round trip ticket. I got mine through a travel agent friend. I would suggest that. Find a travel agency that gets commission from the airlines, not profit from customers. That way the airline pays the agent for encouraging the customer to fly that airline, rather than you having to pay the agent for booking your flight(s). And also, she will be flying clear across the world, so see about getting a layover somewhere like Hawaii. She can get a 12-16 hour layover and take the day to see Hawaii also. Just a suggestion...no reason why she can't see other things on the way
But the visa is fairly simple...expensive, but simple. It is done electronically so she won't have to send her passport anywhere. The visa is somehow electronically connected to the passport number, so she'll receive it much faster. I think I got mine in less than a week. Wow, lots of information!! Hope it helps!
Thanks for all responses!! I'm greatly appreciative!!
Alice13: I already have a trip planned to Sydney. My parents are coming to visit me, so they will arrive in Cairns and spend a couple of days there, then my fall break starts and the 3 of us are flying to Sydney to spend a few more days before they return to the states. So I definitely will make that trip. But I've also heard wonderful things about Perth, so I have considered looking into making a trip over there. Some of the other "popular" cities in Australia seem to be Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide and Brisbane. Brisbane seems pretty accessible from Cairns, but can the others be done in a weekend? For example, would it be a sensible do-able trip to travel to Melbourne for a weekend? Or Adelaide, etc.? Or would it even be worth it to do that? I don't know travel times to and from the cities so I don't how much time would be spent just en route. But if I can sensibly make weekend trips out of any of these cities then I'm certainly up for it. But thanks so much for the other destination trips. I will definitely plan to make use of the info!!
inthechips2: The first thing you should tell your daughter is to decide in which part of Australia she'd like to study. I decided that I'd rather be around more tropical things rather than a big city, so I chose to direct my focus to Queensland. So whatever kind of things she enjoys will help her direct of areas of interest. Her study abroad office at school should have info on schools that participate in exchange programs and abroad students, and should also list majors offered at those schools. So she can make sure that whatever school she chose has classes that will count in her home school. And make sure she gets course descriptions off of the school's website of the classes she wants to take and get the department heads of her school sign off that the classes will count. My university required me to do that but I don't know if all programs require students to do that. But doing that ensures that she will receive credits for the classes she takes abroad. And I will agree with Judy_in_Calgary on the return ticket...in looking for tickets I found that you pretty much pay the same for a one-way ticket as a round trip ticket. I got mine through a travel agent friend. I would suggest that. Find a travel agency that gets commission from the airlines, not profit from customers. That way the airline pays the agent for encouraging the customer to fly that airline, rather than you having to pay the agent for booking your flight(s). And also, she will be flying clear across the world, so see about getting a layover somewhere like Hawaii. She can get a 12-16 hour layover and take the day to see Hawaii also. Just a suggestion...no reason why she can't see other things on the way
But the visa is fairly simple...expensive, but simple. It is done electronically so she won't have to send her passport anywhere. The visa is somehow electronically connected to the passport number, so she'll receive it much faster. I think I got mine in less than a week. Wow, lots of information!! Hope it helps! Thanks for all responses!! I'm greatly appreciative!!
Feb 6th, 2005, 06:53 AM
#11
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello froglover,
I don't know what your definition of a feasible weekend trip is. The best flying time I found between Cairns and Melbourne was 3.5 hours, and it cost 442 USD return on Qantas. The cheapest flight I found was on Virgin Blue. It took 4 hours 19 minutes. It departed Cairns at 7.55 p.m. on a Friday and got into Melbourne at 12.15 a.m. on Saturday. It cost 139 AUD return.
Since you'll be there in the first half of the year and inthechips2's daughter will be there in the second half of the year, your travel needs in the rest of Australia are more or less opposite from each other.
In your case, if you're going to travel to other parts of Australia, you'd be better off seeing the more southerly cities earlier in your sojourn, during the Australian summer and autumn. You'd be better off seeing the more northerly cities from autumn into winter.
But, in my opinion, there is a balance to be struck between seeing as much of Australia as possible and giving some depth to the experience that you have in the spot in which you are based. If you do too much of one, you're in danger of short changing the other, IMO.
If you were going in the second half of the year, like inthechips2's daughter, it would be ideal to visit Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth when your studies were over.
I don't know what your definition of a feasible weekend trip is. The best flying time I found between Cairns and Melbourne was 3.5 hours, and it cost 442 USD return on Qantas. The cheapest flight I found was on Virgin Blue. It took 4 hours 19 minutes. It departed Cairns at 7.55 p.m. on a Friday and got into Melbourne at 12.15 a.m. on Saturday. It cost 139 AUD return.
Since you'll be there in the first half of the year and inthechips2's daughter will be there in the second half of the year, your travel needs in the rest of Australia are more or less opposite from each other.
In your case, if you're going to travel to other parts of Australia, you'd be better off seeing the more southerly cities earlier in your sojourn, during the Australian summer and autumn. You'd be better off seeing the more northerly cities from autumn into winter.
But, in my opinion, there is a balance to be struck between seeing as much of Australia as possible and giving some depth to the experience that you have in the spot in which you are based. If you do too much of one, you're in danger of short changing the other, IMO.
If you were going in the second half of the year, like inthechips2's daughter, it would be ideal to visit Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth when your studies were over.
Feb 8th, 2005, 06:50 PM
#12
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't checked the board recently; will need to read up on the posts. One thing that caught my eye on a quick glance was the mention of the visa - our daughter should know fairly soon whether she has been accepted and she gave me the impression it could take some time to get the visa. She is planning to apply to extend the visa to stay in the country through the holidays (her semester will end mid-November). I am assuming we will need that visa before we are able to go to our travel agent to issue her a ticket that goes beyond the typical 2-month or 3-month limit on stay, am I right? (Do they still do things such as open-ended tickets?) She is anxious to get the lowest price for her airfare, of course.
Feb 9th, 2005, 09:05 PM
#13
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
inthechips2, I suggest you check with the airline or a travel agent, but I believe your daughter will have to specify a return flight - however, that can be nominal and as far as 12 months out, i.e. the maximum validity of the ticket. The return date can be changed when your daughter knows the exact date - however, it would be advisable to check for any charge the airline may levy.
My daughter faced a not-unrelated situation when she went to China to teach English, travelling on a 3-month tourist visa pending her employer securing a working visa once she'd arrived, and not knowing whether she'd be staying 6 or 12 months. (She's now been there 18 months and is starting to refer to other westerners she meets as "foreigners".) The airline (JAL) had no problem in a 6-month-out return flight and from memory the ticket was purchased before she even obtained her Chinese visa. Again, though, I'd check with a travel agent, and of course she should commence visa formalities with plenty of time to spare.
My daughter faced a not-unrelated situation when she went to China to teach English, travelling on a 3-month tourist visa pending her employer securing a working visa once she'd arrived, and not knowing whether she'd be staying 6 or 12 months. (She's now been there 18 months and is starting to refer to other westerners she meets as "foreigners".) The airline (JAL) had no problem in a 6-month-out return flight and from memory the ticket was purchased before she even obtained her Chinese visa. Again, though, I'd check with a travel agent, and of course she should commence visa formalities with plenty of time to spare.
Feb 10th, 2005, 06:36 AM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cairns has an equivalent weather profile to Miami.
The Australian education system was ranked number 1 place in the world by the Global Competitiveness Report 2003 (not sure about 2004). The USA was ranked 7th in the same report.
Jet lag will be a big factor. It takes at least 1 week for me to get over it travelling from Dublin (10 hour time diff).
You have to hire a car and take a trip to cape tribulation. One of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The sky rail is great. See the reef obviously.
It's worth the extra to visit the reef by helicopter. It's a little known fact that it takes several hours to get out to the outer reef on a fast boat.
Overall though, I have to say, 4 days is enough to see everything Cairns has to offer. I couldn't imagine staying any longer. I've been there twice. Both times I stayed for exactly 4 days.
The Australian education system was ranked number 1 place in the world by the Global Competitiveness Report 2003 (not sure about 2004). The USA was ranked 7th in the same report.
Jet lag will be a big factor. It takes at least 1 week for me to get over it travelling from Dublin (10 hour time diff).
You have to hire a car and take a trip to cape tribulation. One of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The sky rail is great. See the reef obviously.
It's worth the extra to visit the reef by helicopter. It's a little known fact that it takes several hours to get out to the outer reef on a fast boat.
Overall though, I have to say, 4 days is enough to see everything Cairns has to offer. I couldn't imagine staying any longer. I've been there twice. Both times I stayed for exactly 4 days.
Feb 24th, 2005, 02:33 AM
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>Global Competitiveness Report 2003
Woops, sorry that was the world competitiveness yearbook. I just gained access to the 2004 version. Australia has dropped to 3rd place. USA is in 17th place. Ireland is in 5th, UK is in 27th!
Woops, sorry that was the world competitiveness yearbook. I just gained access to the 2004 version. Australia has dropped to 3rd place. USA is in 17th place. Ireland is in 5th, UK is in 27th!
Feb 24th, 2005, 04:10 AM
#16
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
< I couldn't imagine staying in Cairns for more than 4 days> well, I came for a holiday and have stayed 13 years and I'm not going anywhere.
As froglover by now will be well and truly ensconced in JCU in Cairns I hope she had as lovely an evening as I - sipping wine in pool with friends on a perfect star studded balmy night and watching full moon come up over sea, its about as good as it gets.
Froglover has many opportunities to visit the reef during her stay and will be able to have her pick of best weather, as a student would be most unlikely to be able afford helicopter trip out. On a good day the one and a half to two hour trip is thoroughly enjoyable - if you're still bothering to read this froglover, I'm sure you've discovered Compass which caters to your age group and costs AU$60 for the day. Or fellow students might have parents with their own boat, to get to reef where no tourist boats visit. And I'm sure you'll make friends who'll be happy to run you up to Cape Trib and much, much more. My son went to JCU and many a time with friends took off to Cooktown, Hinchinbrook, outback, etc in spare time, but am sure they never went on Skyrail.
As froglover by now will be well and truly ensconced in JCU in Cairns I hope she had as lovely an evening as I - sipping wine in pool with friends on a perfect star studded balmy night and watching full moon come up over sea, its about as good as it gets.
Froglover has many opportunities to visit the reef during her stay and will be able to have her pick of best weather, as a student would be most unlikely to be able afford helicopter trip out. On a good day the one and a half to two hour trip is thoroughly enjoyable - if you're still bothering to read this froglover, I'm sure you've discovered Compass which caters to your age group and costs AU$60 for the day. Or fellow students might have parents with their own boat, to get to reef where no tourist boats visit. And I'm sure you'll make friends who'll be happy to run you up to Cape Trib and much, much more. My son went to JCU and many a time with friends took off to Cooktown, Hinchinbrook, outback, etc in spare time, but am sure they never went on Skyrail.
Feb 24th, 2005, 05:16 AM
#17
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Pat,
I just meant from the point of view of a tourist and the various things to do and see. I can see your point. In terms of living there and enjoying everything Cairns has to offer, it would be an amazing place to live.
so in short... I take back my comments.
I just meant from the point of view of a tourist and the various things to do and see. I can see your point. In terms of living there and enjoying everything Cairns has to offer, it would be an amazing place to live.
so in short... I take back my comments.
Feb 24th, 2005, 05:21 AM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>Cairns has an equivalent weather profile to Miami<<
Uhhhh, no. Miami, at 25 degrees north latitude, has a climate very similar to that of Brisbane (27 degrees south.)
Cairns, at 17 degrees south, is much like the coastal regions of Central America or Jamaica.
Pat - sounds like a wonderful evening! You live in a beautiful little corner of the world. I can understand why you never left.
Uhhhh, no. Miami, at 25 degrees north latitude, has a climate very similar to that of Brisbane (27 degrees south.)
Cairns, at 17 degrees south, is much like the coastal regions of Central America or Jamaica.
Pat - sounds like a wonderful evening! You live in a beautiful little corner of the world. I can understand why you never left.
Feb 24th, 2005, 07:21 AM
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>Uhhhh, no. Miami, at 25 degrees north latitude, has a climate very similar to that of Brisbane (27 degrees south.)
I was purely comparing avg daily max temperatures per month.
Brisbane is cooler than Miami. Brisbane has an avg summer temp of 29 degrees C. Miami's avg is 31-32 like Cairns.
Your location on the globe isn't the only factor influencing weather Miami.
I was purely comparing avg daily max temperatures per month.
Brisbane is cooler than Miami. Brisbane has an avg summer temp of 29 degrees C. Miami's avg is 31-32 like Cairns.
Your location on the globe isn't the only factor influencing weather Miami.
Feb 24th, 2005, 07:36 AM
#20
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Climate Averages (montly: avg daily max)...
Cairns:
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
31.4 31.1 30.5 29.2 27.6 25.9 25.7 26.5 28.0 29.5 30.6 31.3
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_031011.shtml
Brisbane:
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
29.1 28.9 28.1 26.3 23.5 21.2 20.6 21.7 23.8 25.6 27.3 28.6
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_040223.shtml
Miami:
January February March April May June July August September October November December
High Temperature ( F / C ) 75 / 24 76 / 25 79 / 26 82 / 28 85 / 30 88 / 31 89 / 32 89 / 32 88 / 31 85 / 29 80 / 27 77 / 25
http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/Di...e&IATA=MIA
As you can see, if you're going to compare Cairns weather to a well known american city, Miami is about as close as you can get. Miami is not a similar climate to Brisbane.
Cairns:
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
31.4 31.1 30.5 29.2 27.6 25.9 25.7 26.5 28.0 29.5 30.6 31.3
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_031011.shtml
Brisbane:
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
29.1 28.9 28.1 26.3 23.5 21.2 20.6 21.7 23.8 25.6 27.3 28.6
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_040223.shtml
Miami:
January February March April May June July August September October November December
High Temperature ( F / C ) 75 / 24 76 / 25 79 / 26 82 / 28 85 / 30 88 / 31 89 / 32 89 / 32 88 / 31 85 / 29 80 / 27 77 / 25
http://www.wunderground.com/NORMS/Di...e&IATA=MIA
As you can see, if you're going to compare Cairns weather to a well known american city, Miami is about as close as you can get. Miami is not a similar climate to Brisbane.
