14 best Christmas holiday destinations for Australians 2024

Where to hightail it to over the Christmas break – as well as the best sites to score the biggest holiday deals.

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Stephanie Yip

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Brother and sister are having fun during summer Christmas. Kids are making handstands near the sand Christmas tree.

Christmas travel deals

Whether you want to spend Christmas on sun-soaked Queensland beaches or find a cool change in the southern states, we've personally shortlisted the top Aussie destinations to go to this festive season.

Plus, we've got some top international destinations to put on your radar for next Christmas. It's never too early to start planning your festive break.

Want it all sorted out for you? Skip down to our top 5 sites to book holiday packages and the best Christmas travel deals we've found to date.

Top holiday destinations for Christmas in Australia

1. Best for beaches: The Whitsundays

You can expect all the typical festive trimmings when you spend Christmas in the Whitsundays. Resorts lay on events from carols by candlelight to visits from Santa.

For little ones, keep on top of our school holidays activities guide here.

  • Cost: Luxe accommodation due to high demand and high-end prices for Christmas Day dinners.
  • How long should I stay? 3–5 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Spend Christmas in one of Club Wyndham Airlie Beach's luxury rooms and pop over to Daydream Island for a relaxing day trip.

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Christmas tree & clock tower in Martin Place

2. Best city break: Sydney

No surprises here. Sydney is constantly one of the most popular places to be over Christmas. It could be the nightlife, the harbour icons or the chance to visit friends and family.

Whatever it is, it's a city break that offers loads of entertainment and activities over the summer.

  • Cost: Mid-high due to the season and demand.
  • How long should I stay? 2–3 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Stay in the heart of the city where the Christmas trees, shopping and merriment are a short walk away. The Hyatt Regency Sydney is an affordable upscale hotel with prime positioning.

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Family sitting on beach looking at sea wearing Santa's hats

3. Best for families: The Gold Coast

The kids are out of school and they've been itching all year long for a holiday. No joke. And if we had to choose one place in the nation where kids young and old are entertained to no end, it's the Gold Coast.

From theme parks and beaches, marine sports to shopping centres, spa retreats to Hinterland walks, this city has it all.

Bear in mind that you won't be the only family hightailing it to this spot. With sun and theme parks aplenty, the Gold Coast is a go-to over the summer break. Get in early.

  • Cost: Budget–luxe accommodation available. Choose from hostels and holiday parks to luxury resorts and retreats.
  • How long should I stay? 5–7 days.
  • Recommended hotel: When a great location at an affordable price is a must, Mantra on View is your go-to. Rooms start at $175 per night in December and Surfers Paradise Beach is less than a block away.

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Steps At The Neck Lookout Against Sky

4. Best low-key destination: Tasmania

Australia's southernmost state is warm. Comfortable temperatures over the summer months make it ideal for adventure-seekers wishing to hit those trails or road trip around the island.

  • Cost: Mid-range as Tasmania isn't one of the nation's more expensive states, but summer is its peak season.
  • How long should I stay? 4–5 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Treat yourself to a spot on the waterfront at the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel. Don't forget to check out the bar and restaurant that guests highly recommend.

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Scenic View Of Sea Against Sky

5. Best to support your local: South Coast NSW

New South Wales residents can explore their own backyard this year by making their Christmas one along the south coast.

From Wollongong to Shellharbour, Kiama to Shoalhaven and Batemans Bay to Merimbula, plenty of tourist townships were hit hard by the bushfires and then the pandemic. They're sure to appreciate your support this summer, especially as it's their peak season.

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Top holiday destinations for Christmas around the world

1. Best for FOMO: Bali

Bali is one of the top international spots for Aussie Christmas holiday-makers. If you're thinking of joining the masses over the festive season, you can bet your bottom dollar that it's the place to go.

Stick around until New Year's Eve when the skies become frenetic with fireworks and celebrations last well into the next day.

  • Cost: High-end-priced accommodation and mid-range food.
  • How long should I stay? 5–7 days.
  • Recommended hotel: With its own beach, huge pool and Jacuzzis, the Melia Bali gives you more than one opportunity to spoil yourself at Christmas.

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2. Best short international break: Auckland, New Zealand

Kicking off the festive season with a huge Santa parade and Christmas in the Park festival, Auckland goes all out at Christmastime. With the sunshine also comes the flowering of the red pōhutukawa, which is the Kiwi take on the Christmas tree.

  • Cost: Mid-range accommodation and reasonably priced food.
  • How long should I stay? 3–5 days.
  • Recommended hotel: You can count on festive feasts at the in-house restaurants when you book a Christmas stay at Cordis Auckland.

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3. Best for a white Christmas: Lapland, Finland

There's more than a handful of magical locations you could spend the holidays in for a white Christmas but if we had to pick one, it would be Lapland. Not only is it the home of Santa, but it's graced with snow by the bucketfuls in December. It offers festive activities such as reindeer rides and the chance to visit the man himself.

  • Cost: High-priced accommodation and meals due to its relatively remote location.
  • How long should I stay? 7–10 days (in and around Lapland).
  • Recommended hotel: Make this a Christmas to remember by staying in the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Igloos and Chalets where its Finnish sauna shall keep you warm while its ski-in ski-out facilities can get you out on that powder.

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4. Best for festivities: London

Offering Christmas shopping on Oxford Street, festive markets with mulled wine, a huge winter wonderland festival in Hyde Park and the possibility of a white Christmas, London is a huge crowd-pleaser on Yuletide trips.

  • Cost: Mid-range accommodation as competition keeps prices from soaring too high. Pricey food and drink though.
  • How long should I stay? 7–10 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Stay at Thistle Kensington Gardens and settle within moments from Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, which hosts the annual Christmas market Winter Wonderland.

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5. Best for beaches: Fiji

Santa makes an appearance by speedboat at many Fijian resorts over Christmas. Festive lunches and carol services all take place beneath the sun's warm rays.

  • Cost: Luxe accommodation prices due to seasonal demand and high-end seasonal meals.
  • How long should I stay? 3–5 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Shangri-La Yanuca Island launches itself into the festive season with a tree-lighting ceremony and Santa has been known to parasail into the resort on Christmas day.

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6. Best city break: Singapore

As if Singapore's Gardens By The Bay light show wasn't enough, the city shines brightly over Christmas as streets are transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. Hit up Orchard Road for light installations and the chance to snap a pic with Santa, or restaurant-hop to taste-test all manner of festive feast specials.

  • Cost: Mid- to high-priced accommodation due to peak season but well-priced food.
  • How long should I stay? 2–3 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Stay in the thick of things in a 4-star accommodation when you book a room at YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road. It boasts free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool and daily breakfast.

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7. Best for island hopping: Krabi, Thailand

Eat your Christmas lunch overlooking the jewel-blue waters of the Andaman Sea and work off any excess with a walk along the powder-soft sands, or jumping on a ship to explore by water.

  • Cost: Mid-range-priced accommodation with plenty of budget-friendly places to eat.
  • How long should I stay? 5–7 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Footsteps from Nopparat Thara Beach, Centara Anda Dhevi Resort and Spa features an outdoor pool, waterslides and Jacuzzi.

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8. Best low-key destination: Cook Islands

Not too many people hit up the Cook Islands over the Christmas break. It could be the cost of flights or the lure of other beach destinations but either way, you'll get some R&R this Christmas period when you land on the mellow Cook Islands. Most resorts offer Christmas lunches should you not want to break from tradition too much.

  • Cost: Luxe accommodation and mid-range meals.
  • How long should I stay? 3–5 days.
  • Recommended hotel: With its private beach, rooftop terrace and festive gala dinners, Crown Beach Resort and Spa is a top choice for a Christmas break.

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9. Best for Christmas and New Year's holidays: New York City

With its Christmas shopping opportunities, snowy scenery, holiday markets and classic New Year’s Eve countdown at Madison Square, New York is hard to beat during the festive period.

  • Cost: High-end accommodation due to demand, but you can find a few cheap delis to eat at to keep spending money down.
  • How long should I stay? 7–10 days.
  • Recommended hotel: Located in the heart of New York, The InterContinental at New York Times Square is among the best hotels that are closest to some of the Christmas festivities in the city. The hotel also hosts holiday activities and parties that guests are sure to enjoy during the holiday season.

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5 sites to book Christmas holiday packages online

Girl on the beach wearing santa's hat

1. Wotif

Build your own package by choosing the accommodation and flights you want and get a discount for bundling and buying both through Wotif.

  • Book a combination of flights, accommodation or car hire to save.
  • Browse handpicked flight and holiday packages for inspiration and potentially bigger savings.
  • More than holidays, you can book flights, accommodation, car hire, activities, cruises and holiday rentals through the site.

Go to the Wotif website

Hotel

2. RedBalloon

The experience site has a number of specially curated holiday packages that can inspire and offer luxurious extras that you might not be able to find anywhere else.

  • Themed packages, from romantic getaways and city escapes to family getaways and golf trips.
  • Mystery flight packages include flights, accommodation and sometimes activities.
  • Purchase a voucher and you'll have 5 years to make your booking.

Go to the RedBalloon website

Swimming pool

3. Agoda

A booking site that always seems to have promotions, on Agoda you can bundle flights and nights to save. Best of all, it's your choice which hotel you stay at and which airline you fly with.

  • Book at over 2 million properties worldwide.
  • Read customer reviews to pick the property that's right for you.
  • Free cancellations on select hotels in case your plans change.

Go to the Agoda website

bali resort

4. Groupon

Bargain hunter? If you're not fussed where you're headed or when but are looking for a dirt-cheap deal, start with Groupon. You might be pleasantly surprised.

  • Save up to 40% off on breaks with flights.
  • Choose from flight and night bundles to accommodation bundled with extras such as late check-out.
  • Deals change often. If you don't see anything you like, check back again after a few days.

Go to the Groupon website

Resort

5. Luxury Escapes

When you're searching for a splurge, Luxury Escapes has romantic getaways that can spoil you to bits. Think stays with late check-out, drinks on arrival and spa vouchers, cruises and tour packages. Plus, you can always tack flights on to sort everything out in 1 place.

  • Buy now at the right price and book your holiday later.
  • Earn and use Qantas Frequent Flyer points.
  • Buy now pay later using Afterpay and Latitude.

Go to the Luxury Escapes website

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Stephanie Yip was the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a range of travel publications including Thomas Cook Magazine and Showpo. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has visited over 50 countries (and counting). She has a passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge of travel and helping consumers stretch their travel cash while on holiday. See full bio

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