Where to spend Christmas in Australia
Being an expat during Christmas time can be one of the most confusing times. We have tended to visit the U.K. each year in the summer as this is a popular time to have weddings. This means since moving to Australia we have spent almost every Christmas holiday in Australia and so we have lots of ideas of where to spend Christmas in Australia.
The other point we have found, is in Australia, Christmas time leave is often mandatory. As we don’t like to waste annual leave with doing nothing, we tend to go on holiday during Christmas time.
It also takes some getting used to that Christmas is Australian hot summertime, and not a snowy cold winter one! Yes – I definitely miss a European style Christmas with family, buzzing excitement in the shops at winter, mulled wine and German markets, winter clothes and roast dinners!
However!! We soon got used to the idea that Christmas is time to have an amazing summer holiday in the sun where everyone is celebrating summer, Christmas and end of the year. Once we got into this mindset then we have had some epic Christmas holidays around Australia.
Keep reading to find some awesome ideas of where to spend Christmas in Australia.
1. Noosa, Queensland
As soon as we reached our accomodation in Hastings street, we fell in love with Noosa. Christmas here was all about the live Christmas songs in bars, beach days, shopping and pools. For a warm atmospheric beautiful Christmas, Noosa is the perfect place of where to spend Christmas in Australia!
Bare in mind there isn’t much open on Christmas day, so have a late night on Christmas Eve, and book into a restuarant for Christmas day afternoon lunch mixed with a beach day, and chilling at your accomodation.
Highlights
- Day tour to Fraser island
- Christmas Eve drinks at Rococo Bistro & Bar
- National Park walk straight from Noosa main beach (Koalas can be spotted here)
- Lazy brunches and people watching on Hasting street cafes
- Infinity pool at Tingirana Noosa apartments
2. Hunter Valley, NSW
If you are stuck on where to spend Christmas in Australia but don’t want to travel too far from Sydney, Hunter Valley is a great option. Nice hotels, beautiful wineries, top restaurants, Christmas shops and Hunter Valley Christmas Lights.
Hunter valley can be added as an awesome stop on a road trip itinerary if you plan to head up to North NSW for Christmas time. It is one of the best places of where to spend a summer Christmas in Australia!
Highlights
- Hunter valley wineries (e.g. Brokenwood winery)
- Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights for a fun magical evening (even for adults)
- Harrigans Irish pub, for hearty pub food and live music
3. Brisbane, Queensland
Brisbane is a vibrant city, and at Christmas time it comes to life even more. From Christmas trees and light shows around the city to the Christmas displays in the grand hotels lobbies. Brisbane is a very fun place to be for a lovely summer Christmas in Australia. With plenty of bars, restaurants, night life, it is an exciting city to explore.
We also found that hotel prices around the Christmas period were extremely reasonable, this could be because there is a lack of business people staying in the hotels around Christmas time, so the prices drop.
4. The Anchorage, Port Stephens, NSW
OK yes, this is a hotel not a location, but we had such a great stay at this hotel during the Christmas period that it had to make the list! The Christmas decor, the beach surroundings, and the most amazing breakfast all made this stay a wonderful experience!
If you are looking for a hotel to base yourself for the Christmas period, then I highly recommend this hotel for one of the most festive places of where to spend Christmas in Australia.
Highlights:
- Eating, drinking, chilling and sleeping at the Anchorage
- Exploring the surrounding white sand beaches
- Shoal Bay country club
- Sand-boarding at Anna Bay
5. Byron Bay
Byron Bay has everything you would want from a summer holiday, amazing beaches, chilled vibes, good restaurants and bars, beautiful hinterland and close proximity to breweries and distilleries. However, as it is a place that has it all it gets booked up very quickly!
If you plan to go around Christmas time to get accomodation you want in a good location and at a reasonable price it is probably best to book at least 6 months before. It will be worth it, Byron is one of the best places for a Christmas holiday in Australia.
Highlights
- Join a group surf lesson in Lennox Head with Soul Surf School which normally follow a trip to Lake Ainsworth (tea tree lake)
- Oyster Balcony bar
- Combi cafe for a delicious brunch
- Walk from Byron main beach to Lighthouse
- Byron Bay Brewery
6. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
For an alternative to a summer Christmas in Australia. OK this is one I have added that we have not actually been to at Christmas time, however I have put it on the list as I think it could be one of the best places for where to spend Christmas in Australia for a true cold Christmas feel.
This is one place in Australian summer that will have cold weather at Christmas, being so high up in the mountain. They have even had snow in December before! We actually visited here in March, but immediately got Christmas vibes, with roaring fires, mulled wine and wearing winter coats and beanies.
This will be one magical place for a Christmas holiday in Australia!
Highlights
- Devils@Cradle
- Mulled wine, fires and ski lodge vibes at Cradle Mountain Lodge
- Beautiful walks around Dove Lake
-
Amazing Accommodation in Australia: Unforgettable Stays and Highlights
Travel is all about seeing and exploring new places. Having said that, staying in amazing accomodation can absolutely elevate a holiday to another level. Since living on this side of the world we have stayed in some amazing accommodation around Australia and I wanted to share a list of places that have made a trip…
-
Visit Lord Howe, the most beautiful island in Australia
Ever since moving to Sydney I had known about Lord Howe. It seemed like an exotic paradise island that was extremely expensive to get to. Keep reading to know how to visit Lord Howe without spending thousands of dollars. Pristine, stunning, tropical, this postcard perfect island is a pacific island dream. Being only a 2…
-
Wineries and Restaurants in Mudgee
Mudgee is hands down our favourite winery region in Australia that we have visited. The close proximity of the wineries, the beautiful cellar doors and the amazing scenery all add to the charm of Mudgee as well as being one of the not-so-visited areas. There are many Wineries and Restaurants in Mudgee that you Must…
-
Sierra Escapes: The most luxury and secluded accomodation in Mudgee
Sierra escapes is arguably the most luxury and private accommodation in New South Wales, and very accessible as a weekend trip from Sydney, After 8 weekend trips to Mudgee from Sydney over the last few years, I now feel like a bit of an expert about the Mudgee area from a visitor’s perspective. We have…
-
The Best Bali Itinerary for the perfect week
The Best Bali itinerary: must do’s and less touristy places This was our first trip to Bali, and we didn’t know when we would return. So, we wanted to see the top spots for the best Bali itinerary, including a less touristy area. We decided to spend the first couple of days in Seminyak, then…
-
Visit Seville: Exploring the Best of Spain’s Most Enchanting City
If you’re looking for a perfect destination for your next Europe weekend trip, you should definitely visit Seville. Seville is hands down our favourite city in Spain. A visit to Seville has everything you would want from a Spanish city break – beautiful narrow streets to get lost in, stunning architecture, amazing hotels with rooftop…