That's funny you mentioned Hokkaido and Australia; those were the first two places a local bike tourist suggested to me. I've just assumed Australia was rainy at that time and Japan would be hot. Both of those locations sound good. I'm so close to Hokkaido that I can literally ride that on a weekend or short vacation. I have always wanted to see Australia. I'm really going to look into that.
I think your point about Europe and jet lag is cogent; the reason I don't visit my folks back home is the trip is cut up so bad with jet-lag.

These photos are great. I'm getting lost in them.