What are the typical holiday highlights included in Christmas and New Year tours starting from Melbourne?

You'll experience some amazing holiday moments on these tours, from watching the fireworks light up Sydney Harbour Bridge to celebrating New Year's Eve at The General Assembly restaurant in Melbourne. Travelers can mix city celebrations with natural wonders - you'll get to visit the Great Barrier Reef, drive along the stunning Great Ocean Road, and learn about Indigenous culture at places like Mossman Gorge. As one traveler told us: "the Melbourne city tour followed by New Year's Eve celebration was absolutely magical." The combination of festive city events and Australia's incredible landscapes makes these tours really special.

What kind of special holiday dining experiences are offered during Christmas and New Year tours from Melbourne?

You'll enjoy fantastic holiday meals at some of Australia's best restaurants, including The Grill in Auckland and Midden at the Sydney Opera House. The tours include traditional Australian Christmas dinners at places like Crown Plaza Melbourne and Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. You can look forward to fresh seafood platters in Cairns, Australian barbecue with views of Uluru, and special New Year's Eve celebration dinners. One of our travelers shared: "the Christmas lunch at Darling Harbour followed by the New Year's Eve dinner cruise was absolutely unforgettable."

What weather conditions can I expect during Christmas and New Year tours from Melbourne?

Since it's summer in Australia, Melbourne and Sydney stay pretty warm with temperatures between 77-86°F (25-30°C). If you're heading to Uluru, it gets really hot - up to 109-115°F (43-46°C). In tropical areas like Cairns, expect humid weather around 86-90°F (30-32°C). Our travelers suggest "packing light, breathable clothing for daytime activities and a light jacket for evening celebrations, especially for outdoor New Year's events."

What accommodation options are available during peak holiday season on tours starting from Melbourne?

These tours put you up in nice hotels right in the heart of the action, including Crown Plaza Melbourne, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, and Peppers Bluewater Resort in Lake Tekapo. The hotels are picked so you'll be close to all the holiday events and fireworks displays. Most places are 4-5 star hotels, though they fill up fast during the holidays. One of our travelers mentioned that "the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth offered perfect views of the New Year's fireworks over the harbour."

What special events and activities are included in Christmas and New Year tours starting from Melbourne?

You'll be part of some really fun holiday celebrations, from watching New Year's Eve fireworks at Federation Square to taking dinner cruises on the Yarra River and browsing holiday markets at Queen Victoria Market. One traveler told us: "The New Year's celebration in Melbourne was absolutely magical with amazing views of the fireworks from multiple locations." The tours take you to famous spots like the Twelve Apostles Marine National Park and Phillip Island, with stays at nice hotels like The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins or Holiday Inn Express Southbank right in Melbourne's festive atmosphere.

What unique photo opportunities are available on Christmas and New Year tours starting from Melbourne?

You'll find plenty of great spots for photos, from sunset at the Twelve Apostles to Melbourne's New Year's Eve fireworks from rooftop viewpoints and the colorfully decorated Hosier Lane. One of our travelers shared: "The Christmas lights at Federation Square and the midnight fireworks provided incredible photo opportunities." The tours make stops at beautiful places along the Great Ocean Road, and you'll get special access to high-up viewing spots at hotels like The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins.

Christmas & New Year Tours from Melbourne

See the best Christmas & New Year trips from Melbourne, Australia. We have 25 adventures that range from 1 days up to 16 days in length. The most popular time for tours leaving Melbourne is February.

10 best Christmas & New Year tour packages from Melbourne

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Explorer
Best of Australia with Sightseeing Tours
2.6 (5 traveler reviews)
"This tour far exceeded our expectations! The cities, flights, activities, schedule was carefully curated."
DAVE, traveled in December
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Apollo Bay,Twelve Apostles Marine National Park,Yulara,Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park,Cairns,Great Barrier Reef,Daintree National Park,Sydney,Blue Mountains+8 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Travel Made Easy Pty Ltd
From
US$4,299per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Great Ocean Road and Rainforest Walk 1 DAY
4.4 (10 traveler reviews)
"Well organized coach tour catching all the main sites of the Great Ocean Road... we saw koalas, kangaroos and even a porcupine."
Brendan, traveled in January
Duration
1 day
Destinations
Melbourne, Geelong, Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay,Great Otway National Park,Twelve Apostles Marine National Park,Loch Ard Gorge+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Wildlife Tours Australia
From
US$78per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
15-Day Great Australian Adventure - Private
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"We had a great time & it went very smoothly. I appreciate also that she would contact us to see how things were going."
Stanley, traveled in March
Duration
15 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Uluru, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
5% Off
From $2,475
US$2,351per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Wildlife
Phillip Island Penguins & Koalas Tour
4.8 (6 traveler reviews)
"The Driver was very nice and informative."
Kayvan, traveled in January
Duration
1 day
Destinations
Melbourne, Phillip Island
Age Range
Ages 18+
Islands
Phillip Island
Operated in
English
Operator
Autopia Tours
5% Off
From
US$119per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Explorer
Journeys: Discover Australia National Geographic Journeys
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"I am happy to travel with you."
No, traveled in December
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Uluru, Sydney, Port Douglas,Cairns+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
East Australia
Operated in
English
Operator
National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures
5% Off
From
US$6,499per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Solo-ish Australia
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Sydney,Cairns+1 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Australia Northern TerritoryCentral AustraliaAustralian OutbackRed Centre+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
17% Off
From $4,699
US$3,900per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Explorer
Great Ocean Road & Grampians Discovery - 2 days
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Great Otway National Park, Halls Gap,Grampians National Park+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
17% Off
From
US$485per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Best of the Great Ocean Road & Grampians - 3 days
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park,Warrnambool,Grampians National Park,Halls Gap+3 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Great Ocean RoadVictoria+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
17% Off
From
US$770per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
AUSTRALIA – 12 Days Melbourne Uluru Cairns Sydney
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Uluru, Sydney, Cairns
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
17% Off
From
US$4,990per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Essence of Australia 14 Days
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Cairns, Gold Coast, Sydney
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
5% Off
From $2,184
US$2,075per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
4.3 (3 traveler reviews)
"Hotel locations was perfect near city center, hotel is clean and perfect."
Lilbeth, traveled in June
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Great Barrier ReefEast Australia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
5% Off
From $1,437
US$1,365per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Wildlife
Penguin Parade and Wildlife Tour 1 DAY
4.7 (3 traveler reviews)
"Great way to see the cutest penguins in the world!"
CATHERINE, traveled in June
Duration
1 day
Destinations
Melbourne, Phillip Island
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Phillip Island
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Chinese,Dutch+6 more
Operator
Wildlife Tours Australia
5% Off
From
US$106per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Hiking & Trekking
Grampians National Park & Wildlife Escape
Duration
1 day
Destinations
Melbourne, Ballarat, Beaufort, Halls Gap,Grampians National Park,Ararat+2 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Operated in
English
Operator
Autopia Tours
5% Off
From
US$96per person
Price based on Shared Room
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In-depth Cultural
Iconic Australia: A 12-Day Grand Discovery
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns, Sydney
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Great Barrier Reef
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
5% Off
From
US$2,535per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Complete Australia Highlights 14 days
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Melbourne, Uluru, Gold Coast, Cairns, Sydney
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
5% Off
From $2,746
US$2,609per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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