5 Reasons to Holiday at Home This Christmas

Australians love to travel, and with the diversity of locations right within our own borders, there’s really little reason to look overseas this Christmas. Forget the long haul flights, jet lag, visas, and vaccinations and consider staying at home for a relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday.

1. Diversity of Choice Destinations

Australia has a huge diversity of choice destinations to suit any traveller. Whether it’s an adventure holiday in the Northern Territory, a tropical island getaway in Far North Queensland, or a luxury beach experience on the Gold Coast, Aussies are truly spoilt for choice. Accommodation options abound, too, whether it’s a Surfers Paradise accommodation in the heart of Gold Coast, an urban hotel in the heart of Sydney or Melbourne, or a secluded island resort.

Some destinations to consider include:

• The Gold Coast. A perennial favourite for locals and international travellers. Visitors can opt for the luxurious Surfers Paradise apartments close to the beach to stay close to the action.
• Victoria. With culture-rich and cosmopolitan Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Wilson’s Promontory, and much more, the Southern state is a complete summer holiday for the family.
• Tasmania. For a mild summer, look no further than Tasmania, a foodie’s paradise with spectacular scenery. Key destinations include the harbour city of Hobart, Port Arthur, and Cradle Mountain.
• Others: Uluru, Whitsundays, Port Douglas, Cable Beach, Kakadu, Kangaroo Island, the Great Barrier Reef, Flinders Ranges, the Blue Mountains, the Kimberley, Margaret River, Barossa Valley, the Hunter Valley, and the Sunshine Coast.

2. Growth in Festivals and Events

The number of Aussies taking local holidays is up 4 per cent in the year to June, according to a September report released by Tourism Research Australia. An increase in the number of festivals and events is purported to be one of the factors behind the growth in the number of people taking local holidays.

Some key events include:

• The Crave and Vivid festivals (Sydney)
• Tour Down Under and Clipsal (South Australia)
• Summafieldayze, BMW Magic Millions Carnical, Gold Coast Food and Wine Festival, and Big Day Out (Gold Coast)
• Melbourne Cup and the Australian Open (Melbourne)

3. Summer in Australia

While the Northern Hemisphere shivers through rain and snow, Australia welcomes hot and long summer days. Enjoy a mild summer in Tasmania, which has low averages ranging in the 20s, or the warm, balmy tropical or subtropical summers of Queensland and New South Wales. If you’re looking for a very warm Christmas, head for central Australia and the Top End where the mercury hits the 40s every year.

4. Holiday at Home and Save

Cheaper flights and great local accommodation deals can mean your family can save by holidaying at home this year. When coupled with the fact that speaking the local lingo means you can more easily arrange your own itinerary and short trips, you’ll be able to do more on the same budget.

5. Travel Stress

Domestic flights are much cheaper and are shorter in duration. Travellers flying interstate won’t waste a whole day or more at the airport and sitting on the plane only to arrive at their destination with jet lag. Take advantage of cheap flights by booking ahead and eliminate the travel stress.