Things to Do in Australia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Peak Season · Premium Pricing
December Weather in Australia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
78°F (25°C)
High Temp
65°F (18°C)
Low Temp
2.9 inches (74 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Extreme UV levels reach index 8 this month. Rapid sunburn risk during the 11am-to-3pm window.
⚠ Bushfire risk rises across southern and eastern Australia during hot, dry summer spells. Check regional fire warnings before heading into bushland.
⚠ Marine stinger season is active in tropical northern waters. Swim in provided stinger suits or netted enclosures around Cairns and the Whitsundays.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December is high summer across Australia. Long daylight hours rewrite your travel rhythm. Sydney keeps the sun blazing past 8pm. Hit Bondi at 7am for a solo swim. The surf crowd is still asleep. Work through the city at leisure. Then walk the Bondi-to-Coogee track at golden hour. No rush. The sandstone headlands glow warm honey. Winter never paints them this colour.
- + The water is finally swimmable everywhere that matters. By December the Tasman has warmed. Sydney harbour beaches feel inviting. Gold Coast surf no longer bites. Up north the Great Barrier Reef sits at bathwater temperatures. Snorkellers around Cairns and the Whitsundays get crystal visibility. Coral and reef fish pop like neon. Warm shallows let you linger for hours. No need to dash out shivering.
- + Festival and sport season arrives. The calendar is excellent. Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground packs 90,000 seats. Meat pies and sunscreen scent the air. Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race launches spinnakers from the harbour on December 26. Watch free from South Head headlands. Locals plan their year around these events. They are not tourist set-pieces.
- + Mango season peaks. Late November markets overflow with Kensington Pride and R2E2 mangoes. Their ripening scent on a kitchen bench is Christmas for many Australians. Stone fruit, cherries, and prawns hit peak flavour. Sydney and Melbourne seafood markets run almost 24/7 before Christmas. Stock up early.
Considerations
- − This is peak season, full stop. School holidays start mid-December. They run through January. Every family in the country hits the road. Coastal accommodation books out months ahead. Flights between capitals spike in price. Gold Coast and Byron Bay swell to uncomfortable density. Want a beach to yourself? December is the wrong month.
- − The UV is brutal. First-timers always underestimate it. A UV index of 8 can burn unprotected skin in under 20 minutes. The Australian sun feels harder than Mediterranean rays. The 11am-to-3pm window is punishing. Treat it lightly and second-day sunburn wrecks your trip.
- − Christmas Day shuts much of the country down. December 25 sees most shops closed. Many restaurants lock their doors. Public transport runs skeleton timetables. Tourists arriving Christmas Eve expect normal city life. They find locked doors and empty streets. Plan accordingly.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Australia means summer. Long days bring warm sun and the scent of eucalyptus on humid air. The light is sharp. It bleaches coastal sandstone and makes the turquoise water of northern coves glow. Locals move with a languid energy. Their calendars focus on major public events. These include the roar of a cricket crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day. There is the silent tension before the starting gun for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Then comes the collective gasp as fireworks crackle over Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve. This is a month of open skies and packed stadiums. The rhythm of life is set by sport and sea. Temperatures are typically warm. Afternoon readings often hit the high seventies Fahrenheit. Evenings can bring a cool, salty breeze. Occasional summer storms roll in with little warning. Thunder echoes off city skyscrapers. Then the pavements steam. You must plan around the big spectacles. Secure a patch of grass for a harbourside picnic hours early. Find a cliff vantage point to watch the yacht race fleet. Their sails look like bright teeth against the deep blue of the Pacific. A visit now means navigating a landscape alive with celebration and dry heat. Beyond the cities, the interior shimmers. The red earth feels hot underfoot. Southern wine regions are lush and heavy with fruit. Long daylight hours invite early starts. Beat the crowds at natural wonders. Have late finishes under a canopy of stars. They seem closer here. Australia in December is not a passive destination. It demands participation. Feel the crush of a festive crowd. Find solitude in a kayak at dawn. It is all part of the deal.
Blue Mountains Adventure: Scenic World, Zoo & Koala Photo
othershows the drama of the Jamison Valley from many angles. You will see the Three Sisters rock formation shrouded in morning mist. You will hear the clatter of the Scenic Railway descending into a ghost gum forest. Later, feel the coarse fur of a koala during a photo opportunity. This experience mixes engineered thrills with close wildlife encounters. The backdrop is one of deep canyons.
It packs the well-known scenery and fauna of the World Heritage area into one action-packed day.
Insider tip: Ride the Scenic Railway first thing. This avoids the queues that build by mid-morning. Keep an eye out for lyrebirds scratching in the underbrush near the walkways.
This month: December weather can bring sudden afternoon cloud and mist. This obscures the valley views. An early start typically offers the clearest sightlines.
Kayak to Goat Island in Sydney Harbour with Local
adventureon calm morning water gives a perspective no ferry can match. You will hear waves lap against your hull. See the sandstone bulwarks of Goat Island up close. Smell the salty brine mixed with creosote from old timber wharves. A local guide points out hidden coves. They recount tales of convicts and shipbuilding. These stories give the island its rough character.
It is a physical way to access a piece of harbour history. You usually only see it from a distance.
Insider tip: Book the earliest morning session. Experience the harbour at its most placid. Do this before wind and ferry wake chop the surface.
Blue Mountains, Scenic World, Zoo, & Ferry Ride
otherYou will feel the cool mountain air at Echo Point. See the vast eucalyptus-covered valley from the Scenic Skyway. Later, taste the salt spray on a ferry ride back to the city. The orange glow of sunset hits the Opera House sails. The zoo visit lets you hear the guttural growl of a Tasmanian devil.
It efficiently pairs a mountain wilderness day with a classic Sydney harbour commute.
Insider tip: On the return ferry, get a seat on the outdoor upper deck. Choose the left side for the best views of the Harbour Bridge approach.
This month: The included ferry ride is pleasant in December. The evenings are long and balmy.
Flying Fox Experience, Thousands of Australia's Largest Bat
guided_experienceFeel a rush of air. Thousands of grey-headed flying foxes launch into the darkening sky. You will hear constant chatter and rustling in the treetop colony. See the silhouettes of these large bats against the twilight. Smell the distinct, musky odour of the roost. This encounter is both awe-inspiring and intensely sensory.
It offers direct, ranger-led access to the nightly spectacle of Australia's largest bat species taking flight.
Insider tip: Wear dark, long-sleeved clothing. Insects are active at dusk. Remain well still as the colony departs. Witness the full, uninterrupted stream of wings.
Private Wine Tours McLaren Vale or Adelaide Hills
foodlets you taste Shiraz. It has ripe, dark cherry notes from ancient soils. You will feel the cool, damp air of a barrel room. See endless rows of vines heavy with fruit under the summer sun. You will likely sample small-batch cheeses. They pair with the local drops. The pace is unhurried. It focuses on the story of each family-run cellar door.
It gives tailored access to the boutique wineries and distinct microclimates of South Australia's premier wine regions.
Insider tip: Request a stop at a lesser-known vineyard in the hills. Look for one that specializes in cool-climate Riesling. It is a refreshing contrast to the fuller-bodied reds.
This month: December is a lively month in the vineyards. Vines are in full leaf. The first summer harvest activities begin. Expect warmer tasting room conditions.
Blue Mountains Private Tour with Kangaroo and Koala Experience
private_tourIt has a more secluded Blue Mountains experience. You will walk through quiet bushland. You might hear the thump of a kangaroo bounding away. Feel the spongy moss on a sheltered rainforest path. Have extended time to hand-feed kangaroos. Observe koalas in a controlled setting. The guide tailors stops to your interest. Choose geology, botany, or photography.
It trades the standard itinerary for personalised access. You get deeper engagement with the region's flora and fauna.
Insider tip: Ask your guide to include a short walk to a lesser-known waterfall. The spray creates a cool microclimate on a warm day.
Where to Stay in Australia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Begins December 26
Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
The biggest day on Australia's sporting calendar, when tens of thousands cram the MCG for the first day of the traditional Boxing Day cricket Test. Even if you have never followed cricket, the spectacle of a packed stadium, the roar when a wicket falls, and the all-day picnic vibe is worth experiencing. Arrive early. Wear a hat and serious sunscreen for the open stands. Treat it as a full day out, not a quick visit.
Begins December 26
One of the world's toughest open-ocean yacht races starts on Sydney Harbour and runs roughly 630 nautical miles (1,170 km) south to Hobart. The start is pure spectacle, a fleet of yachts under full sail powering out through the heads. Watch free from the cliffs around South Head and Watsons Bay, or from a harbour vantage point. Get in position well before the midday gun.
December 31
New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour
Sydney stages one of the first major New Year's fireworks displays on the planet, centred on the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. There is a family-friendly early show and a far bigger midnight show. The catch is logistics. Prime foreshore vantage points fill from early morning and many need booking or arriving hours ahead. Plan your spot and your exit route in advance.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Australia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Locals largely abandon the cities for the coast over Christmas and the days after. Capital-city centres can feel oddly quiet around December 25 to 27 while every beach town is heaving. Flip the script. Enjoy a near-empty Melbourne or Sydney museum and gallery run while the masses sit in beach traffic.
Seafood, not roast turkey, is the real Australian Christmas meal. The fish markets in Sydney and Melbourne run marathon trading hours in the days before Christmas, with queues for prawns and oysters stretching out the door. Go early on December 23 or 24 to watch the crush. It is an experience in itself.
Free public barbecues are everywhere in Australian parks and beaches. Locals use them constantly in summer. Bring your own food, find one in a coastal reserve, and you have a free, very Australian way to eat with a sea view.
Surf only between the red-and-yellow flags on patrolled beaches. Rips along the open coast are powerful and claim lives every summer. The flagged zones are positioned by lifeguards precisely to keep you out of them.
Avoid These Mistakes
Do not underestimate distances. Australia is roughly the size of continental Europe, and first-timers routinely try to cram Sydney, the reef, and Uluru into a few days, then spend the trip in airports. Pick one or two regions in December rather than chasing the whole map.
Treat the sun like a European summer and you will fry. Visitors who sunbathe through the midday hours end up badly burned by day two. The Australian UV is far stronger than the temperature alone suggests. Pack SPF 50. Reapply often.
Booking accommodation too late is a rookie error. December is peak season with school holidays in full swing. Coastal towns sell out months ahead. Leave it to the last minute and you face either no rooms or steep last-minute rates.
Explore More Activities in Australia
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Australia.
See All Australia Tours on Viator