How To Spend Christmas In Australia

Planning to spend Christmas in Australia? Whether you’re just here on a holiday or you’re on an extended backpacking trip, here is how you can embrace the local festivities over Christmas!

How do people in Australia spend Christmas?

Most Australians spend Christmas Day with gift festivities in the morning and usually a big lunch with family and friends. Those who live near the coast (which is the majority of Australians), sometimes a beach day filled with surfing and swimming is on the agenda for Christmas Day. 

As Christmas is in the middle of summer, most Australians prioritise spending time outside with loved ones, whether it’s an outdoor BBQ, a picnic, or attending local events like markets or carols. But most Australian households will have a tree, some Christmas decorations, and some sort of gift exchange. Though there is no snow at Christmas in Australia, it’s still a very festive time!

How to Spend Christmas in Australia for Backpackers

If you’re backpacking in Australia, you might not be able to have a traditional Christmas with your family at home. So you’ll have to improvise to enjoy an exciting Christmas Down Under! Though it can be tough to be away from loved ones at home over Christmas, there are lots of ways to make the most of your holiday season in Australia. 

Have Christmas with friends

It’s easy to make friends while backpacking Australia if you put in the effort! From chatting with others in your hostel, getting a social job in hospitality, or meeting others on a group tour, you’ll likely find other backpackers who are away from their families on Christmas. 

Make plans to celebrate Friendmas together! You can do all your favorite Christmas activities with new friends, such as gift exchanges and group meals. Chances are, other travellers are missing their families as well, so join together for the holidays so everyone feels loved. 

Attend local Christmas events

Wherever you are in Australia on Christmas, see what local events and festivities are on in the area. Big cities and small towns all over the country often have public events such as Christmas markets, fairs, carnivals, fireworks, exhibitions, and more. You can see brilliant light displays, sample sweet treats from a street vendor, or watch carols and movies to get in the spirit. 

Join an epic tour

Spend Christmas doing something memorable, like diving the Great Barrier Reef, sailing in the Whitsunday Islands, or driving a 4WD on K’gari. Many tour operators run tours on Christmas Day, including day trips and overnight trips. If you’re struggling to find people to celebrate Christmas with, just join a group tour! You’re bound to meet people on the tour, and you can enjoy some fantastic adventures on your holiday. 

Just note that some tours have public holiday surcharges, and availability may be limited as it’s peak tourist season. So book your Christmas tours as far in advance as possible.

Have a beach day

One of the most Aussie ways to spend Christmas is a beach day! Pack a picnic, bring some beach games, and spend a day out in the sunshine with friends. Don’t forget swimmers, towels, and plenty of sun protection as the sun is very strong Down Under. But a casual beach day and picnic is a fun alternative to a more formal Christmas lunch, and it’s a fabulous way to enjoy the day with your fellow backpackers. 

Which part of Australia is best to visit for Christmas?

You can have an amazing experience anywhere in Australia at Christmas, as it’s the fun activities and the people you’re with that make the day special. But if you’re still planning your Australia trip and you’re wondering where is the best place to go in December, here are some suggestions to help you decide. The best places to visit in Australia in December depend on what you’re looking for!

For the best weather, head south.

Because Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, you’ll find warmer climates up north and cooler climates down south. December is summer, so you can find heat, sunshine, and warmth all over the country! But for the most comfortable temperatures, head south. Places like New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT, and the south of Western Australia will have hot, sunny days and balmy nights. 

You can still head north to the tropics in December! But it is going to be very hot and humid, and the rainy season is starting so there might be some storms. However, for those who love the heat, tropical places like Cairns, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, and even Brisbane or Gold Coast can still be lovely at Christmas. 

For the biggest Christmas events, head to the cities. 

If you’re looking for the best variety of Christmas events, you’ll want to visit Australia’s cities. Cities have more people, more tourists, and more resources, so they usually have lots of Christmas festivities. Popular tourist spots like Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, and Cairns will likely have multiple Christmas events throughout December!

For a sense of community and fewer crowds, head to the smaller cities and towns.

Australia’s small towns may have smaller and less crowded Christmas events, but they provide a more intimate setting for the holidays. Whether you’re looking for a small town to settle in and do your farm work, or you just want to go somewhere less touristy for Christmas, the small cities and towns around Australia offer a quaint and heartwarming setting in December. 

For an epic beach day, head to the coast. 

Of course, if you want that dreamy Christmas beach day, head to a coastal destination in December! From famous beaches in Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Sydney, Noosa, or Perth, to lesser known beaches all along Australia’s massive coast, there is no shortage of beach towns to visit for Christmas. 

Just note that beaches will be very popular in December, so accommodations may sell out and parking spots will fill up quickly. Just plan your trip in advance to ensure you can get space at the busy beach towns in December. 

Contact our travel experts for the best recommendations about tours, itineraries, and destinations around Australia this Christmas!