Travel Expert: 'When's the best time to hit up Australia?'
Question:
I love Aussies, who seem to really know how to throw a world-class party while remaining down-to-earth and friendly. When is the best time of year to go to hit the best gay and lesbian events?
Answer:
Sydney is easily the LGBT capital of the Southern Hemisphere, even surpassing Rio. Sydney has a form of civil unions, and gays and lesbians live casually out here with nary a second thought. LGBTers are found all over the city, from the main gay strip along Oxford Street, to the lesbian congregation in Leichhardt (aka “Dykeheart”).
And the city is famous for its beaches, including the Aussie lifeguard beaches of Manly and Bondi, and the gay-popular nude beaches of Obelisk, Cobblers, Washaway, and Lady Bay.
The first thing to know is that Sydney is a summer city. Although winter temps are moderate, you’ll really want to experience Sydney in all its glory during its summertime (which runs from October through March, the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere). The famous Sydney Mardi Gras happens every February or March with over 350,000 spectators (including grandparents and children) lining the streets for the moving circus that is the main parade, which is televised on national TV! Mardi Gras is a week-long festival of beach parties, BBQs, pool parties, and dance events, including the official Mardi Gras After Party at the harborside theme park Luna Park.
Other warm-weather events include the sexy Sleaze Ball (first weekend in October), and the gay New Year’s Eve extravaganza on the harbor, thrown by Homosexual, a local gay party producer. Homosexual also throws big dance parties like The Glitter Ball in mid-January and the White Party in mid-February. Don’t worry about staying up all night for these wee-hour dance parties – do as the Aussies do, and sleep it all off while working on your tan at one of the Sydney’s beaches!
Matthew Link, a writer for Orbitz, is the founding editor of two travel magazines, The Out Traveler and Sherman’s Travel, and he was also guidebook pioneer Arthur Frommer’s right hand man at Budget Travel magazine.
