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.

Thought about writing a bucket list? Everyone has a list of things they want to do in their lifetime, and visiting Australia’s most unique tourist destinations should be at the top.   While Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast are all popular tourist hubs, Australia is full of mysterious and breath-taking experiences in every corner of the country. From thundering waterfalls and crystal blue ocean to ancient paintings and carvings, there is no end to the places you can explore when you leave the big smoke behind. Whether you want to hike through the rainforest, watch the sun set in the outback, charter a yacht or indulge in fine-dining, these 10 Aussie Bucket List experiences will have you calling our leisure agents in no time.   Walk Cradle Mountain If you've never been to Tasmania before, this is your excuse.   Nestled within the National Park, Cradle Mountain is home to no end of unique flora, fauna, and breath-taking scenery. On a 4-day guided walking tour, you'll get the opportunity to experience all of it.   Walking over 16 kilometres, you’ll experience an ancient world of jagged peaks, dramatic lakes and thick forests, as well as meet the unique Tasmanian Devil in the heart of Cradle Mountain. For those who love food, this tour won’t disappoint. Finishing off with an exclusive Cradle to Coast Tasting Tour, you’ll be well-rewarded with opportunities to taste everything from honey to wine, before turning around and heading back home. If you love the outdoors or a good challenge, this is an absolute must-do.   Travel on the Ghan - Gold Class Travelling directly through the middle of Australia should be on everyone's bucket list! Originally built in 1929 for transit between Darwin and Adelaide, The Ghan is one of the world's longest and most iconic railways. Taking you on a journey through the Red Centre, you'll see places rarely seen by anybody else. Enjoy your time in elegant cabins, be treated to attentive service and gourmet Australian dining. You'll be transported to the days of explorers on this unforgettable 3-day journey.   Want to get off and explore while you're on-board? You'll also get the opportunity to explore the Katherine, Alice Springs and Manguri while you're travelling through the country.   Get a selfie with a Quokka Quokkas are known as the happiest animals in the world, so why not take the journey to visit them on Rottnest Island?   Rottnest Island is one of the very few places in the world where you can see quokkas, and on a 7-day Western Australia Journey you'll get the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these small, furry friends. Say cheese!   Taking you to the world-famous vineyards of Margaret River, the historical cities of Perth and Fremantle, as well as the breath-taking Cape Naturaliste, you'll get the opportunity to explore all of the best things that Western Australia has to offer.   Stand at the top of Australia Standing at the top of Australia is certainly one of the coolest things you can do in a lifetime. So why not add it to your list?   More than 1000kms away from Cairns, the journey to the Northernmost tip of Australia is one of thrills and plenty of fun. A journey of dirt tracks, mud and adventure, the drive along the Cape York Peninsula is well worth it for anyone who loves 4WD'ing, with truly spectacular photo opportunities to reward you at the top. While you can hire a car from our preferred suppliers, we recommend the 8 Day Cape York Tour. You can explore the Bloomfield Track & Telegraph track, as well as taking the time to visit the infamous Lions Den Hotel, and the northernmost point of Cape York with an experienced guide who will ensure those memories last a lifetime.   View the Maree Man from the air Geoglyphs are some of the most incredible phenomenons in the world, and Australia is lucky to be home to the world's largest one, the Maree Man! If you've never heard of him before, the Maree Man is a mysterious geoglyph located in the desert of South Australia, 4.2 kilometres long from toe to head with no known creator. Discovered in 1998, to this day researchers continue to hit dead ends whenever they make inquiries into the origin of this incredible drawing.   Viewable only by air, the best way to see the Maree Man is on a 2-Day Air Tour with super-guide Graham Reid. Taking off from Brisbane, you will fly over 4,000km in your private charter, getting an exclusive view of Lake Eyre, the Maree Man and the Darling Downs, before stopping for lunch at the Birdsville Hotel and Charleville as well as overnighting in Port Augusta.   Ride a chopper over Mitchell Falls Located in the northern part of the Western Australia, Mitchell Falls is an iconic Kimberley attraction and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Australia. For those who love chasing waterfalls, this is an absolute must-see! On a 15-day APT Guided Tour, explore 19 of the most incredible destinations that the Kimberley has to offer. Start your journey in Broome before you're whisked off to Purnululu National Park, Lake Argyle, Mitchell Falls and more. Soak up the history, knowledge and views that the Kimberley has to offer, expand your palate with locally inspired dining and get incredible photos of Australia’s greatest natural attractions. Taking you all through the Kimberley, make sure this one goes on your bucket list.     Feast your way through South Australia Don't worry foodies, we haven't forgotten about you! No bucket list experience would be complete without including a 5-Day Adelaide and Kangaroo Island Tour.   Taking you through the world-renowned Barossa Wine region, try the exclusive drops of Pindarie and Lamberton Estate, as well as the mouth-watering food of Maggie Beer's Farm Shop. Once you've had your fill, enjoy chocolate from the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company While the tour features heavily around fine wines and food, adventurers and animal lovers won't be disappointed. You'll head over to Kangaroo Island to explore for day 3 and 4 of this tour, and you'll get the opportunity to get up close with koalas and rare sea lions while you're over there!   Sail the picturesque Whitsundays Sometimes the best way to explore is to chart your own course.   The Whitsundays is arguably one the best sailing areas in the world, and with 74 pristine islands to explore, you'll often have the area to yourself. When planning your Whitsundays journey, there are two ways that you can explore - Either book a chartered experience, or go Bareboating and move on your own time.   How long should you spend exploring the Whitsundays? Well, that depends on how much you want to see. We'd generally suggest at least a few nights to a week. Whitehaven Beach, Heart Reef and snorkelling are all popular options to add to your itinerary, but if you'd rather relax you can stretch out on deck with a good book and a cocktail.   Ride a century old Steam Train There's nothing quite like stepping back in time. Puffing Billy is Australia's oldest and best-preserved railway, and if you're planning a trip down into Victoria, you need to add the Puffing Billy experience to your itinerary. Running daily, Puffing Billy will take you through the pristine rainforest of the Dandenong Ranges and over the iconic Trestle Bridge before stopping at Menzies Creek. Explore the Puffing Billy museum and cafe nearby, before jumping back on board and returning to Belgrave. If you want to make a full day out of it, book the Yarra Valley and Puffing Billy experience and extend your time out with a journey to Rochford Wines.   See the sunrise over Uluru Uluru should be on everyone's bucket list, and our Aussie bucket list would not be complete with mentioning it.   One of the best ways to explore Uluru and everything that the Red Centre has to offer is via a tour. If you've only got a shorter period of time we suggest booking the 7-Day Red Centre Escape, but if you really want to take everything in, the full 15-Day Outback Experience is the way to go. Taking you to Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, the Field of Lights and so much more, seeing the sunset over Uluru and experiencing the outback is an absolute must-do.