if you buy before feb 3rd, you can get some great airfare to australia. qantas is offering U$1248 nyc-melbourne. depending on where u want to fly (coming into syd is cheaper), it can drop as low as U$848 (la-syd)!!!!!!
departure dates – 29 Mar – 8 Jun or 24 Jul – 21 Sept ’06
i would suggest march if you want a taste of summer.