Joe - I had a 20 inch Obsession at Ayers Rock about 12 years ago and from there you can see all but one star in Ursa Major. i got a great view of M 51 up high enough to see very well. So while waiting for that trip to the northern hemisphere put your 16 in your car and head in the general direction of Alice Springs, and if in the mood keep going. Compared to me you are half way there.
i got great views of northern stuff from just south of Darwin - in fact you don't miss much from that latitude, check your charts and see.