Experience Christmas In Australia
Christmas is nearly upon us…well I know it’s only September but it won’t be long before the decorations and Christmas songs are in every supermarket. Have you thought about what you will do this year?
Have you considered Christmas in Australia? For those of you in the northern Hemisphere, it tends to be a very cold time of year and there is something very nice about experiencing a cold Christmas, log fires, mulled wine and twinkling lights.
If however you are fed up of doing the same old thing every year then why not consider spending Christmas in Australia. It’s a great time of year to be in Australia as it is smack bang in the middle of the summer. It means blue skies and temperatures generally around 28 degrees.
Roast Turkey with all the trimmings is still the traditional dinner served on Christmas day in Australia. However, most families find it way too hot to prepare such a meal in 30 degree heat. So, it is much more common to see families sitting round a table enjoying a BBQ. Sea-food is usually on the menu and Pavlova is often served instead of Christmas pudding. Australians know how to enjoy themselves and so Christmas is usually a joyous occasion with a few drinks for good measure.
By now you should be getting a picture of a typical Australian Christmas. Can you see yourself on a beach with your Santa hat on sipping champagne? Perhaps you’d like to be in the bush at one of the National Parks. Maybe an island getaway to the Whitsundays is more your thing?
Before you decide to spend Christmas in Australia, consider a few things first. It is probably one of the most popular times of year to visit Australia so you can expect to pay top whack. Things get harder too when you consider that this is Australia’s Summer School holidays with many families choosing this time of year to travel.
Don’t let this put you off though. Have you always wanted to see the New Years Eve Fireworks in Sydney? These are worth a trip to Australia on their own.
There are ways of finding cheaper accommodation at this time, particularly as many Australians leave their homes vacant over this time. It really is worth trying to find a home exchange or looking out for short term holiday lets to experience Christmas in Australia.
If you really want to do it properly though, I’d book at least 9 months in advance. That way you will get the best accommodation and there will be good availability. The really good places go first with some Australians booking before March for the following year.
As an example, the really popular National Parks like Freycinet National Park in Tasmania (home to the famous Wine Glass Bay,) have introduced a ballot system for spaces over Christmas week. Camping in general however is a very affordable and fun way to experience Christmas in Australia. There is something for everyone in this amazing country. From km of pristine beaches, amazing island getaways and if you can stand the heat, the red earth of the outback.
So how about it? Why not spend Christmas in Australia?
Jennifer Schellington has nearly 5 years of experience in travelling Australia and has recently become a new Mum. Her website, www.realaustraliatravel.com offers useful information for planning your trip to Australia as well as what to do and where to go. Click here for more information on spendingChristmas in Australia