Tour in Australia.........HOT

The only choice that stands out would be Tasmania. The climate is that little more temperate and small towns within a days ride abound. You picked a lousy time of year for it. I've toured in Western Australia in Jan/Feb and the weather sucks big time, riding in 40 deg C heat is not recomended.

Summer touring in the Australian Alps can be glorious. I've done it twice in January, once from Sydney to Jindabyne, once from Melbourne to Falls Creek. Once you're in the alps the heat is mild in summer in those areas, especially at high altitude.

It's a myth that the summers in australia are blasting hot 100% of the time. Usually you'll find on average 2 to 3 weeks of 40 degree heat in summer but it doesn't stay this way all the time. You just have to try to avoid those weeks, which can be hard. In my experience febuary is the worst month.

In winter the best place is Queensland for riding. The weather is like spring, with perfectly sunny 25 degreee days not uncommon.

I've toured New Zealand in Febuary and the weather was perfect, accept on the west coast where it rains all year round because the roaring 40's carry all the moisture in from the Tasman sea and it banks up against the mountain range that spans from north to south - as a consequence the west coast is covered in lush rain forest that sits right next to the glacias coming off the mountains - it's bizarre. The east coast it is surprisingly dry in summer.

I would absolutely recommend New Zealand for a summer tour - it is an unbelievably beautiful and compact (perfect for touring) island. The mountains really arn't that bad. Any hills you need to get over usually are extreme but very short. When you're heading north or south along the coast it's relatively flat. Only when you switch coasts do you need to tackle the mountains; you won't do this too often because on the south island at least there are only 3 mountain passes.

Exchange rate is good too. Airfare's not too bad either if you live on the east coast of Aus. I paid $10 to get my bike on the plane - easy.