Queensland Weather - December and January

As I understand it, the summer in Queensland = monsoon season.
I don't want this to stop me visiting QL on my trip to Australia this
Christmas but would like some advice on how far up the coast the
weather starts to get really wet. From what I've read in this group
already, Cairns is going to be very hot, sticky and wet with possible
cyclones. Are there places further south in Queensland which will be
more pleasant?

I've visited Noosa, Frazer Island and the Whitsunday's on previous
trips to Oz.
I'll be spending the first half of this coming trip 'down south' in
Melbourne and Sydney.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dan
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