Hi David
The winters Down Under aren't really like the winters we have here or in the US, and the pleasant temperatures at that time of year make it a good time time to travel for most of our customers. However, we are also offering a March departure in 2011, which may suit you better.
As for the stopovers in Hong Kong and Singapore, these include your hotel accommodation and hotel transfers. You are then free to explore at leisure. I've been to both and I can tell you that they are very easy places to get around with lots to see. Another bonus is that English is spoken widely in each of them.
Kind regards,
Olly your editor