Experience Christmas In Australia
It’s nearly September and time to start thinking about what you are going to do for Christmas this year. in fact if you were ultra organized you would have decided straight after last Christmas and booked it.
What about doing something completely different and spending Christmas in Australia? For those of you based in the northern Hemisphere, you are probably used to a very cold Christmas. There is certainly something very homely about wrapping up warm, sitting in front of a log fire drinking mulled wine and watching the twinkle of the fairy 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.
The traditions from the United Kingdom still live on although very few families these days cook the traditional turkey with all the trimmings. It’s just way to hot for any of that! Instead they tend to “throw another shrimp on the barbie” and enjoy lovely fresh seafood.Pavlova is also a traditional Christmas desert. The focus is definitely on families getting together, enjoying a few drinks and of course, some great food – usually on the Barbie.
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?[I:http://travel-guide-center.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/JenniferSchellington14.jpg]
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 be swayed too much by the expense though. It is a truly magical time of year, especially if you can incorporate the New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Sydney into your itinerary.
It is true that it is hard to find affordable accommodation during this period but there are ways! Look out for short term holiday lets as most Australians leave their homes vacant over this time. What about a home exchange? Many Australians want to experience a cold Christmas.
I’d suggest booking at least 9 months in advance if you want to have a good choice and range of options. By August availability really starts to dwindle and by September it starts to get booked up but still, not impossible to find places.
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 had a baby. 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