Ali you can use cloth over winter fine in Melbourne.
A large stash helps as the more nappies you have in rotation makes it easier to deal with the rainy days. I have about 40 nappies all together of many different types.
I do try to limit my use of the dryer as I think it defeats the purpose of the environmental benefits of cloth to use all that power to dry them. There are times when I have resorted to using it though.
Pocket nappies are great as they dry a bit quicker cos you can pull the boosters out. They tend to dry overnight on the clotheshorse. Ai2's such as Berry Plush are great for quick drying also.