Christmas in Australia: what are the differences?

The weather is the most obvious difference between the UK and Australia at Christmas. While Europeans might wish for snow, Australians hope for clear skies to make the most of the summer sun. Average Christmas Day temperatures range from around 30°C in Queensland, NT, and WA to 25°C in Victoria and SA. Tasmania is a few degrees cooler. Some years, the thermometer can soar to 40°C almost anywhere in the country. As a result, spending at least part of Christmas at the beach is a popular tradition for residents and visitors alike. Not snow, but sand, sea, surfing, snorkelling, and stunning sunsets are all key ingredients in a perfect Australian Christmas.

When it’s appropriate to get into the Christmas spirit is a matter of hot debate in the UK. For some, it’s strictly 12 days before Christmas Day. Others think the first day in December is perfectly fine. A few only seem to join in when Christmas Eve arrives, balanced by those who unpack the tinsel the moment their Halloween makeup starts to fade. In Australia, a drought of public holidays or festivals after Easter and Anzac Day in April means Christmas excitement starts building as early as October. That might not sound great to the ‘bah humbug’ community, but it’s fantastic news for those who love the most magical time of the year. It also means you can schedule your family holidays in Australia earlier and still enjoy a little taste of the seasonal celebrations.

Illuminating homes and businesses is a tradition during Christmas and other festivals around the world. Recent UK trends have seen beauty spots transformed into dazzling walk-through displays for paying visitors while individual residents often seek to outdo their neighbours with a homemade effort of their own. Australia is no exception to this fondness for fairy lights, and many neighbourhoods work together to create seasonal attractions for passers-by. Newspapers, radio stations, and online publications share the locations of their favourite displays so people from all over the area, or visitors like you, can drive or walk by and enjoy the lights. Similarly, several public events are held in cities across Australia, from Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne and Deck the Harbour in Sydney to Santa’s Symphony in the Park in Perth and free performances under the Christmas tree in Adelaide’s Victoria Square/ Tarntanyangga.

Christmas dinner in Australia is more flexible than in other countries. Some like to keep up the European traditions of a roast dinner with all the trimmings, while others borrow ideas from Asian cuisines or choose a menu more appropriate to the weather. ‘Barbies on the beach’ aren’t just a stereotype - they really happen. Other possibilities include a cold buffet or a ‘potluck’ where each guest brings a dish to create an eclectic mix. In coastal regions, including most of Australia’s towns and cities, fresh seafood has become so popular that many fish markets open for extended hours before the big day. Pudding choices are also affected by the summer temperatures, and you’ll often find stodgy options like Christmas pudding or mince pies pushed aside for something fresh and fruity like a classic Australian pavlova.

Just as in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 26th December is a public holiday in Australia. Businesses stay closed while people continue their celebrations or take a day out to recover from them. Boxing Day sales in shops and malls might have dwindled in popularity in the UK over recent years, but they’re still going strong in Australia. Many locals flock to city centres to grab extra presents at bargain prices. This is excellent news if you’re visiting and looking for souvenirs or gifts to return home with. Another Boxing Day tradition, if you happen to be in Melbourne, is cricket. Every year, the MCG stages the Boxing Day Test between Australia and a visiting challenger. The next few years will see Pakistan, India, England, and South Africa all taking their place at the crease.

Ok, this is a similarity, not a difference. Still, we couldn’t talk about Christmas in Australia without acknowledging the importance of getting together with family and friends during the festive period. As the season falls within the Australian school summer holidays, it’s the perfect time for travelling from city to city or state to state to spend time with loved ones. Connections between Australia and the UK also mean many of us here have people important to us living there, and Christmas is a great excuse for making the long flight and paying a rare visit to someone we cherish Down Under. Every year, our Travel Specialists help hundreds of people plan a trip which combines Christmas with family and a January adventure in Australia and New Zealand. Perhaps this year could be your turn?