Things to Do in Australia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Australia
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak summer weather with long daylight hours - sunrise around 5:30am, sunset after 8pm gives you 14+ hours of daylight to pack in activities without feeling rushed
- School holidays mean everything is actually open and buzzing - unlike European destinations that shut down in summer, Australian attractions, tours, and restaurants operate at full capacity with extended hours
- Beach and water conditions are genuinely excellent - ocean temperatures hit 22-25°C (72-77°F), seas are typically calmer than winter months, and visibility for snorkeling reaches 15-20 m (49-66 ft) in many locations
- Festival and events season is in full swing - you'll catch everything from beachside carols to New Year's Eve celebrations, plus cricket matches, outdoor concerts, and food festivals that only happen during summer
Considerations
- Peak season pricing hits hard across accommodation, flights, and tours - expect to pay 40-60% more than shoulder season rates, and popular coastal areas book out 3-4 months ahead
- Crowds are unavoidable at major attractions - Sydney Harbour, Great Barrier Reef tours, and Uluru can feel genuinely packed, with queue times doubling compared to other months
- That UV index of 12 is no joke - you can get sunburned in under 15 minutes without protection, and the sun's intensity between 10am-3pm is genuinely uncomfortable even for locals
Best Activities in December
Great Barrier Reef snorkeling and diving expeditions
December offers the best visibility of the year at 20-30 m (66-98 ft) and water temperatures around 27°C (81°F) that let you stay in comfortably for hours. The summer weather pattern means calmer seas and less wind compared to winter months, though you'll want to avoid the last two weeks of December when crowds peak. The reef's coral spawning typically happens in November, so December waters are clearer. Water conditions are genuinely ideal right now - not too hot like January-February when you risk coral bleaching stress, and significantly warmer than the 22°C (72°F) you'd get in winter months.
Coastal walking trails and national park hiking
Summer hiking requires strategy, but the payoff is worth it - you'll have wildflowers blooming, waterfalls actually flowing, and wildlife more active in early mornings. Start walks by 6:30am to avoid the brutal midday sun and finish before temperatures peak around 2pm. The Larapinta Trail sections in the Northern Territory, Blue Mountains tracks near Sydney, and Great Ocean Walk in Victoria are all accessible and stunning in December. That said, you'll need to carry significantly more water than you'd expect - plan for 3-4 L (0.8-1 gal) per person for a full day hike in this heat.
Sydney Harbour and coastal experiences
December is when Sydney actually lives up to the postcards - harbour beaches like Balmoral and Nielsen Park have calm, swimmable water around 22°C (72°F), and the ferry network becomes your best transport option to beat traffic. The coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee is spectacular in early morning light, and you can swim at any of the beaches along the way. Worth noting that December 26 brings the Sydney to Hobart yacht race start - if you're here then, the harbour is absolutely packed but the atmosphere is electric.
Wine region touring in cooler climate areas
December hits the sweet spot in wine regions - harvest is done so wineries aren't frantically busy, but cellar doors are fully staffed and operating extended summer hours. The Yarra Valley, Margaret River, and Barossa Valley are genuinely pleasant in December with temperatures 3-5°C (5-9°F) cooler than coastal cities. You'll catch outdoor wine festivals, long lunch sessions on vineyard lawns, and new vintage releases. The landscape is still green from spring rains, unlike the brown you'd see in February-March.
Uluru and Red Centre desert experiences
December heat in the Red Centre is intense - daytime temps hit 36-38°C (97-100°F) - but this is actually when you'll see the rock at its most dramatic. The low-angle summer sun creates incredible color shifts at sunrise and sunset, and you'll have clearer skies than the dusty conditions of winter months. The key is planning around the heat: sunrise viewing around 5:30am, air-conditioned midday breaks, then sunset activities from 6pm onward. Tourist numbers drop slightly in December compared to peak winter season, so you'll get better photos without crowds.
Tropical North Queensland rainforest and wildlife encounters
December in Far North Queensland means you're hitting the start of wet season, which sounds negative but actually brings advantages - waterfalls are flowing properly, rainforest is lush and vibrant, and wildlife is more active. The Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda region, and Atherton Tablelands are spectacular right now. You'll get afternoon storms that last 30-45 minutes around 3-4pm most days, but mornings are typically clear and perfect for wildlife spotting. Cassowaries are more visible in December as fruit is abundant.
December Events & Festivals
Carols by Candlelight events
Major cities host outdoor carol concerts throughout December, with the biggest being Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne on Christmas Eve. These are genuinely massive community events with 30,000+ people gathering in parks and gardens. Sydney's Carols in the Domain happens mid-December. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly - people arrive hours early with picnic blankets and food. Free to attend but arrive by 4pm for decent spots.
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
December 26 sees one of the world's great ocean races start from Sydney Harbour. Even if you're not into sailing, the spectacle of 100+ yachts departing is worth experiencing. The harbour fills with spectator boats, and vantage points like South Head and North Head get packed. The atmosphere along the harbour foreshore is festival-like with live music and food stalls.
New Year's Eve celebrations
Sydney's harbour fireworks are world-famous for good reason - the 9pm family display and midnight show use the harbour bridge and opera house as backdrop. Melbourne's CBD hosts street festivals and fireworks. Brisbane focuses on South Bank parklands. Every major city has significant celebrations. That said, accessing prime viewing spots requires serious planning - many harbour vantage points in Sydney require tickets booked months ahead or arriving by 2pm to claim space.