Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Australia
Want to escape the cold over Christmas and New Year? Why not head to the Australian summer? Check out Sydney's beaches, drenched in sun and blue skies, enjoy Melbourne's events, discover Uluru’s magic, tour the Great Barrier Reef, and experience festive Aussie barbecues. You're celebrating the holidays in summer, seeing Australia when it's most alive. Honestly, Christmas on the beach beats winter back home every time!
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Great choice of cities in Australia. Vio Travel kept us updated of all our pick up times in a timely manner. Tours in all three places were very good. Regarding accommodation the Sydney hotel was the best but the others were clean,comfortable and convenient. All in all a good tour!
10-Day Australia Starter Package - PrivateExcellent, cover a lot of nice places like seal bay, stokes bay etc..
Kangaroo Island 2 day small group Wildlife Adventure (shared and private accomm available)Amazing experience, everything ran smoothly, and I couldn’t recommend it any more than - DO IT! Best time of my life on this tour, action packed days and it was so good to see different parts of Sydney and the wider area you might not have normally. Great value for money!
UltimateOz - Gap Year | Ultimate
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10 best Christmas & New Year Australia tour packages
Compiled by
SteffAustralia travel expert at TourRadar
- 10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
- Kangaroo Island 2 day small group Wildlife Adventure (shared and private accomm available)
- UltimateOz - Gap Year | Ultimate
- Tasmanian Discovery - 6 Day Comfort Tour of Tasmania
- 15-Day Great Australian Adventure - Private
- Great Barrier Reef & Whitsundays 9 Day Comfort Tour with Daintree Rainforest (Brisbane to Cairns)
- Adelaide to Melbourne 3 Day Overland Tour via Grampians and Great Ocean Road
- Sydney to Cairns Adventure (31 destinations)
- Best of Australia with Sightseeing Tours
- Phillip Island Penguin Tour with Koala Conservation Experience
10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
“Great choice of cities in Australia. Tours in all three places were very good.”
Catherine, traveled in October
Holiday magic fills Queen Victoria Market, Sydney Harbour's NYE fireworks light up the sky, and Cairns hosts tropical celebrations. Illuminated gardens, beachfront events, and seasonal festivities at iconic landmarks create lasting memories.
Duration 10 days Destinations Melbourne, St Kilda, Sydney, Bondi Beach, Bondi, Cairns, Palm Cove, Fitzroy Island, Daintree National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From
- US$1,448
Kangaroo Island 2 day small group Wildlife Adventure (shared and private accomm available)
“We got to see beautiful parts of the island, got to see so many wild lives, and had a lot of fun camping too!”
Runa, traveled in January
December departures cover Kangaroo Island's summer highlights including swimming at Stokes Bay (Australia's top beach) and Emu Bay's dolphin-rich waters during the festive season. Flinders Chase National Park showcases coastal landmarks Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, you'll walk with endangered sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, and have a traditional Aussie BBQ dinner under the stars at Eleanor Downs Farm. Cape Jervis ferry transfers, guided koala spotting at Duck Lagoon, and picnic lunch at Little Sahara's sand dunes come included while you celebrate the holiday season on one of Australia's most beautiful islands.
Duration 2 days Destinations Adelaide, Cape Jervis, Penneshaw, Kingscote, Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay Age Range Ages 12+ Operator See Adelaide and Beyond From
- US$644
Sydney Harbour cruises pass the illuminated Opera House during Christmas season. Ultimate Basecamp near One Mile Beach hosts festive BBQs and beach parties, while Sydney's vibrant nightlife districts come alive with seasonal pub crawls.
Duration 8 days Destinations Sydney, Port Stephens, Nelson Bay, Coogee, Bondi Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Ultimate Travel From
- US$935
Tasmanian Discovery - 6 Day Comfort Tour of Tasmania
“Great opportunity to discover Tasmania!”
Emma, traveled in November
This 6-day small-group tour (max 20 people) leads through Tasmania's wilderness over Christmas and New Year, starting at Hobart's Salamanca Market then heading into the UNESCO-listed wilderness area. You'll see Russell Falls at Mount Field National Park and cruise the Gordon River past ancient Huon pines over a thousand years old.
Duration 6 days Destinations Hobart, Mount Field National Park, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, Queenstown, Strahan, Macquarie Harbour, Tullah, Dove Lake, SheffieldSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Under Down Under Tours From
- US$1,558
15-Day Great Australian Adventure - Private
“It was an excellent tour very well balance between the time spent in each place, the included hours, the hotels and transportation.”
Ignacio, traveled in August
The festive season comes alive across Australia's iconic locations. Holiday markets, twinkling lights at the Sydney Opera House, and New Year celebrations create memorable moments. Uluru offers spiritual ambiance during December, while Gold Coast buzzes with beachside festivities.
Duration 15 days Destinations Melbourne, St Kilda, Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Yulara, Sydney, Bondi Beach, Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Mount TamborineSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From $2,241
5% Off- US$2,129
Duration 9 days Destinations Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach, Atherton, Lake Eacham, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, Port DouglasSee all destinations Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Autopia Tours From $4,282
10% Off- US$3,854
Adelaide to Melbourne 3 Day Overland Tour via Grampians and Great Ocean Road
“We had a brilliant time on this tour. The alternative walks which still afforded magnificent views kept us extremely happy.”
kathryn, traveled in March
Duration 3 days Destinations Adelaide, Bordertown, Grampians National Park, Halls Gap, Warrnambool, Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles Marine National Park, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, Great Otway National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Autopia Tours From $684
10% Off- US$615
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Australia
What are the most popular destinations for Christmas & New Year tours in Australia?
Australia's holiday season draws visitors to several key locations. Sydney leads with its harbor fireworks display while Melbourne attracts those seeking urban festivities and cultural events. Cairns serves as a gateway for tropical celebrations with easy access to the Great Barrier Reef. Beach destinations like the Gold Coast and Byron Bay offer classic Australian summer experiences with outdoor celebrations and beachside events. A TourRadar traveler shared "experiencing three different cities' celebrations made our Australian Christmas truly special."
What are the typical temperatures during Christmas & New Year in Australia?
December and January bring Australian summer with distinct regional variations. Sydney typically sees temperatures of 25-30°C (77-86°F). The tropical north including Cairns reaches 32-35°C (90-95°F) with considerable humidity while central desert areas like Uluru can hit 40°C (104°F). One TourRadar traveler noted "The weather was perfect for swimming at Whitehaven Beach and exploring the Great Barrier Reef during the holiday season." Light clothing and sun protection are essential.
How far in advance should I book an Australian Christmas & New Year tour?
The holiday season requires planning 6-9 months ahead due to high demand. Popular accommodations such as the Holiday Inn Potts Point in Sydney and Paradise Links Resort in Port Douglas reach capacity early. Booking data shows most tours fill up by July-August. A TourRadar traveler advised "We secured our December tour in March and were glad we did as many hotels and activities were sold out by September."
What special Christmas & New Year events can I experience in Australia?
The Australian festive season blends traditional celebrations with local flair. Sydney's Harbor Bridge and Opera House host the signature New Year's Eve fireworks. Hotels like The Point Brisbane and Mantra Club Croc in Airlie Beach put on special holiday programs. Coastal areas including Cairns feature beach celebrations and seafood feasts. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "Spending Christmas Day on a Great Barrier Reef cruise and watching the Sydney fireworks was a holiday highlight I'll never forget."
What unique wildlife experiences are available during Christmas & New Year?
Summer offers prime wildlife viewing across Australia. Visitors can find kangaroos at Cape Le Grand National Park's beaches dolphins in Port Macquarie and sea turtles while snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. The Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas and Featherdale Wildlife Park maintain regular holiday hours. As one TourRadar traveler recounted "Seeing kangaroos lounging on the beach on Christmas morning at Lucky Bay was surreal!"
How can I celebrate New Year's Eve in Australia?
Each major city presents distinct celebrations. Sydney's Harbor fireworks stand as the country's premier event. Brisbane features rooftop parties at The Point Hotel while Cairns offers beachfront celebrations at Flynn Hotel. Melbourne transforms Federation Square into a festive gathering space. A TourRadar traveler commented "Watching the fireworks from Mrs. Macquarie's Point in Sydney was the perfect way to welcome the New Year - absolutely unforgettable!"