Hi,
I haven't built the two you mention, but as a first build I would avoid anything that has too high ends, too square bilges and too much of a disparity between front and aft deck. Anytime you have to bend sharply or go round too sharp contours or too different you will get trouble with the strips. Sometimes you have to put in cheater strips and that's often quite some work.
I'm in Tasmania, but I hear cedar is hard to get around Sydney. Pauwlonia is perhaps more available.

: I am thinking of building a strip plank Kayak this winter. Would like to hear
: from anyone in Australia, sydney is where I live who has done so and how
: they found the adventure, any comment from else where would be greatly
: appreciated. I have reasonable skills, a bit rusty at the moment although
: I hope they will return. I was considering a Guillemot or a Spring Run any
: comment on the selection and ease of building one over the other?
: Hope to hear from you.