WHERE TO GO: - iconic Sydney Opera House-def worth a tour. Haborside piers-redeveloped as as housing, theater/dance performance centers, and art galleries The down under destination for the USA (other side of the equator)-is almost the same size-land mass wise-as the lower 48. There's never really a 'bad' time to visit Australia (AU) but if one wants to avoid crowds-avoid the AU school term holidays -and holidays of nearby countries like Indonesia, Malaysia etc... Low crime easy to get around Australia is popular. The weather ranges from hot dry, hot humid tropical in areas-closer to the equator...to cooler temps further south-with even a few light snow spots in the mountains possible-in July. TIPS: Americans need a visa (ha otherwise we'd all move there)-get online in about five minutes online using your USA passport. sums it up... There's a 14 hour time zone difference-so one 'loses' a day-going there...and gains it going back. On our from the USA -LA