The Australia Day Silhouette Shoot in Canberra is alway's held on the second last weekend of January. it would be the second most popular competition to the Nationals. (Held September 29-30-October1-2 2006) In 2006 the dates for the Australia Day Shoot are 21st and 22nd, the Rim fire(80), then Air(40) is on the Saturday then the Centrefire(80) on the Sunday.
I will do some home work on the laws and regulations for travel in, around and out of Australia with Competition rifles or guns and let you know .
The end of January is a good time to visit Australia it is High Summer and their is only a weekend a half of school holidays left of the summer school brake and travel /accommodation costs are better. I would Suggest Arrive and shoot, then travel, for that reason, plus you get to meet people before you start to travel and then have contacts and more places to go.
You would fly into Sydney the largest City it is on the coast and a Harbour city. its is between Brisbane Queensland 15 hours North ( hot humid like mid to northern Florida coast) and melbourne 10 hours South Canberra is a 45 Min Flight South South West or 3 hours Drive south of Sydney International Airport. The Majura Shooting Complex Range and accommodation is only 5 to 10 min drive from both and is on the Federal highway in from Sydney and the access road to the airport Majura Lane Road on the northern side of Canberra.( either Left, left of the federal or Right out of the air port car park Right, right, 6 min 6 sixth Right into the range. Depending on the style of Accommodation you wont there is Cabins Unit, Motel. Shops, supermarket restaurants and social and sporting club bistro style eating as well as mcdonalds ect all 5 min from Accommodation 10min from the range.
There is lots to see in Canberra for the family if the shooting is boring to them. the local Action Bus transport is very very good and have tourist passes.
Any way if anyone wishing to come done under at any time just drop me a line and ill give you all the help I can. Regards Phill