Side Trips
If you have the time, there’s a lot you can do before or after the conference.
Melbourne and the Australian Open
The Australian Open runs from January 12 to February 1, in Melbourne. Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city and a great place to visit. Melbourne is warm and can often be hot in January. Melbourne has direct flights to/from over 20 countries and dozens of direct flights to Sydney each day (1.5hrs). Most major carriers fly to both destinations, so you could fly into Melbourne, fly up to Sydney for the conference, and then fly out of Sydney, if you wished. Outside of Melbourne you can visit the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley, and sample the state’s excellent wines.
Canberra
Canberra is the national capital. It’s a 35 min flight or a 3hr drive from Sydney. It’s a great place to visit, with stunning natural environment, and many excellent museums and galleries. If you come to Canberra, be sure to get in touch with colleagues at the Australian National University.
Queensland and Great Barrier Reef
Brisbane is the state capital of the state of Queensland, and nearby is the city of Surfer’s Paradise. It is not far from the tropics; its relative latitude (27.5S) is about the same as Gran Canaria, SP (27.9N), similar to Miami (25.8N) and Orlando (28.5S), so you should expect things to be warm (Brisbane’s January mean daily maximum temperature is 30.4C). The water temperature around Brisbane is a balmy 27C in February. Traveling further north you enter the tropics. Much of the Queensland coast is shadowed by the 2,300km long Great Barrier Reef. Favorite destinations along the Great Barrier Reef include the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns.
Central Australia
Central Australia is spectacular, desolate, and harsh. If you plan a visit in January you need to consider the climate. Average daily maximums in Alice Springs in January are 37.1 (108F).
Far North, Darwin, and Kakadu
Darwin is the capital of the Norther Territory and Australia’s most northerly city. Although small and remote, it is an interesting place to visit. It has a diverse culture and is the place to start a tour of the spectacular Kakadu National Park. January is in the wet season, so expect it to be steamy. Access to some remote areas may be limited.