Five Christmas Holiday Destinations To Visit In Australia

When it comes to summer vacations, Australia is full of idyllic destinations perfect for your Christmas holidays. Think sparkling white beaches, ancient rainforests, unique wildlife and a vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment scene that comes alive during the summer months.

Whether you’re looking for a holiday full of adventure or would prefer to spend your holidays lying under the sun, Australia has endless opportunities for adventures of every kind. 

Our experienced leisure agents always have their finger on the pulse finding the best holiday deals, but if you’re brainstorming ideas and to know where to go, here are five Australian destinations perfect for your next Christmas holiday!

1. The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is a popular holiday spot for both Australians and tourists all year round, and for good reason – globally famous for its unbelievably white beaches combined with crystal clear tropical waters, it’s an ideal tropical destination to visit while in the country.

Located within the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Whitsundays is full of family-friendly activities to keep the kids entertained. Book in for a snorkelling day trip, sail past the many sparkling beaches or get up and close with wildlife at Daydream Island’s Living Reef. While summer is the busiest time of year for the area, there are still plenty of family-friendly beachside areas to stay in. Stay on the Airlie Beach Marina at The Boathouse Apartments, or stay at the Big4 Holiday Park just outside the town. If you have the extra cash to splash, a stay at Daydream Island Resort is a must!

2. Sydney CBD

If you’d prefer to swap your lazy beachside holiday for a jam-packed city adventure, there’s really no better place to visit during the Christmas holidays than the Sydney CBD.

From the moment the clock strikes midnight on December 1st, Sydney CBD comes alive with holiday activities – the lights go up on the Martin Place Christmas Tree, the Christmas stalls pop up in The Rocks and Darling Harbour comes alive with spectacular Christmas displays. Combine all of that with the Sydney Opera House, Aquarium, Botanical Gardens and the dining opportunities of Circular Quay, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an incredible Christmas adventure. What more could you possibly want!

There are dozens of hotels littered throughout Sydney CBD to suit every sort of budget, but here are a couple of choices we’d recommend.

• For a budget Sydney hotel option: Travelodge Hotel Martin Place or ParkRoyal Darling Harbour
• For a mid-range Sydney hotel option: Ovolo 1888 or Ibis Darling Harbour
• For a high-end Sydney hotel option: Park Hyatt The Rocks or Shangri-La Hotel

3. Tasmania

Tasmania may not be the first place you think of when planning a Christmas holiday destination, but summer is actually the best time to go!

Heating up to a comfortable 23 degrees during the height of summer, Tasmania’s swathes of untouched wilderness is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a spot of adventure. Think snow-capped peaks, glistening blue bays and showstopping natural formations such as the Blowhole and Tasman’s Arch.

While there are plenty of cool things to do and places to see in Tasmania, there are a few sights we recommend putting at the top of your list during a Christmas trip. Hike through Freycinet National Park and swim at Wineglass Bay in Tasmania’s oldest nature reserves, head to the Tasman National Park and see the wealth of famous natural formations and birdlife, or head 80 kilometres out of Hobart and visit the show stopping Mount Field National Park. If you’re up for a more unique summer adventure, you can also walk the Three Capes Track, a 48 kilometre track that runs through the Tasman National Park!

Tasmania is full of adventures both great and small, so we’d recommend speaking to our leisure travel agents to create your ideal trip. You can get in touch with us HERE or email at leisure@pulsetravel.com.au.

4. Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is a popular Christmas destination for millions of holidaymakers all around the world, and for good reason – Want a holiday that combines sparkling beaches, unique Australian animals, family-friendly entertainment and plenty of shopping and dining opportunities? Look no further!

Home to SeaWorld, Dreamworld, Movieworld and Wet ‘n’ Wild, a trip to the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks is a must-do. Boasting plenty of rides, slides and entertainment, a trip to the Theme Parks is suitable for kids big and small, perfect for creating unforgettable memories and tiring kids out for a good night’s sleep.

If you want to keep to the cheaper (or free) activities, there are still plenty of things you can do – spend the day sunbathing and swimming at Burleigh Heads or Surfers Paradise Beach, take a hike and see the waterfalls in Springbrook National Park, or drive up north and spend the day in Brisbane. 

5. Margaret River

Christmas is all about enjoying the finer things in life – good food, great company and even better wine – so where else is more appropriate to spend the Christmas holidays than in the Margaret River region.

Surrounded by ocean on three sides and home to over 90 cellar doors, the Margaret River region is ideal for wine-soaked afternoons, long lunches and lazy days walking among the wineries and learning the secrets behind making the perfect drop.

When visiting the Margaret River, there are two ways to make the most of your stay – stay at one of the wineries themselves (we recommend staying at Cullen Wines) or stay at one of the local resorts and book yourself onto a winery tour to explore the region.

Whether you’re after a high-thrill adventure, a sun-soaked vacation, a family holiday or a romantic getaway, Australia has a wealth of opportunities to suit every holidaymaker’s style and budget. The Christmas and summer period is by far Australia’s most popular holiday season, so if you’re ready to plan your next Christmas vacation, get in touch with our team of leisure consultants to plan your trip today.