Yeah Jupiter is poorly located from here this year. While Mars isn't going to be large, it's going to be high which hopefully pulls it out the mucky low atmosphere we've been trying to see Jupiter through
Much of what we see is determined by the seeing...in good seeing you can pick out good detail with a modest scope.
Btw, if you live in one of Australia's bigger cities you might be lucky and get it from the UK in 3-5 days.