Suggested itinerary for 5 days and 4 nights exploring Sydney & Melbourne during Christmas

December is the time when the whole world enters a vibrant festive atmosphere, and in Australia – where summer begins right at Christmas, the atmosphere becomes more lively than ever. For Vietnamese tourists, celebrating Christmas in warm weather, alongside beautiful green beaches, a rich artistic life, and festivals deeply rooted in Australian culture is an incredibly fresh experience. This is also the perfect time to plan a travel itinerary to Australia in December, especially the 5-day Christmas trip to Australia that many people love.

Among them, the two cities of Sydney and Melbourne always rank among the most popular destinations, boasting a convenient transportation system, many iconic attractions, and diverse entertainment activities. Tourists who love the festive atmosphere also highly appreciate traveling to Sydney for Christmas and traveling to Melbourne for Christmas, which are always lavishly decorated at the end of the year.

Fireworks celebrating Christmas and New Year in Australia.

Major cities in Australia organize many art, music events, and Christmas markets, creating a festive atmosphere that lasts from the beginning of December until the end of the new year.

The flight routes between Vietnam and Australia are currently quite flexible, in which Vietjet is a suitable choice with many flight times and competitive costs.

1. Should you travel to Australia during Christmas?

Christmas holidays in Australia have a completely different flavor from the familiar cold Christmas image of Europe. In the Southern Hemisphere, December falls in summer. This is the ideal time for tourists to enjoy the sunshine, participate in outdoor barbecues, explore famous beaches, or stroll around streets filled with Christmas lights. These factors lead many families to choose a 5-day Christmas trip to Australia as a form of relaxation combined with exploration.

1.1 Weather in Australia in December

In December, temperatures in Sydney and Melbourne usually range from 25 to 26°C during the day, with cool nights. Tourists can comfortably visit outdoor attractions without worrying about the weather being too hot like in the mid-summer months. However, Australia can still experience short heatwaves or thunderstorms at the end of the day, so it is necessary to prepare sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and light jackets. A significant advantage of December is the long sunshine hours, often until 8:00 PM, allowing tourists to make the most of their time during the day when they have a travel itinerary to Australia in December.

See more: What is the best season to travel to Australia?

1.2 How to travel from Vietnam to Australia

From Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, travelers have many flight options to Sydney or Melbourne with an average direct flight time of about 8 - 10 hours. Among them, Vietjet is currently operating these routes regularly. Travelers can book flight tickets with Vietjet to Sydney or Melbourne right now to proactively plan their schedule for the Christmas holiday and the 5-day trip to Australia during Christmas.

Christmas festival atmosphere in Australia.

The vibrant Christmas atmosphere in major cities of Australia in December.

2. 5-day 4-night itinerary exploring Sydney & Melbourne during Christmas

The itinerary below helps travelers have an overall view, easily move between the two cities, and fully experience the essence of Australia. This is also a popular suggestion in Australia travel itineraries in December.

Day 1: Depart from Vietnam to Sydney, visit the harbor area	Morning: Travelers land at Sydney airport in the morning or early noon, complete immigration procedures, and move to a hotel in the CBD or Darling Harbour area. Due to the time zone difference and the long flight, the morning should be spent resting, adjusting to the schedule, and preparing for the afternoon journey. This is a gentle warm-up for the Sydney Christmas travel journey. Afternoon: Around 14:00, travelers can start their journey at Circular Quay, the most important transportation hub in the city. From here, tourists walk to: Sydney Opera House to visit the outside area, take photos with the famous sails. Then move to The Rocks, the old neighborhood with sandstone architecture, many cafes, pubs, museums, and souvenir shops. During Christmas, The Rocks is one of the highlights of Sydney Christmas tourism when it is decorated with colorful lights and has street performances. Evening: Darling Harbour is the perfect place to end the first day. Tourists can dine at waterfront restaurants, admire the lights reflecting on the water, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Some days in December have fireworks or light shows.
Day 2: Explore the city of Sydney, discover nature, wildlife, and Bondi Beach	Morning: Visit SEA LIFE Aquarium or Wild Life Sydney Zoo. If SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium features an underwater tunnel, stingrays, sharks, and coral from the Great Barrier Reef, then Wild Life Sydney Zoo is where tourists can admire kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, and other native animals. Afternoon: From the center, tourists go to Bondi Beach by bus or train. The afternoon at Bondi can be spent swimming, trying surfing, or having coffee by the beach. Walk the famous Bondi to Coogee Walk. December is summer, so Bondi Beach is very lively, especially during the Christmas tourism season in Sydney. Evening: Visit St Mary’s Cathedral, where the Lights of Christmas festival takes place, showcasing art on the church's facade. This is one of the most distinctive Christmas activities in Sydney.
Day 3: Travel to Melbourne, explore the city center	Morning: The domestic flight usually lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. Travelers should choose a morning flight to optimize their time for the day. After arriving and checking in, take a light rest before starting the Christmas journey in Melbourne. Afternoon: Visit Federation Square: a vibrant cultural and artistic center. Arrive at Flinders Street Station: the historic iconic train station of the city. Explore State Library Victoria: the most beautiful library in Australia, highlighted by the La Trobe Reading Room. During Christmas, the squares around the station and Federation Square are beautifully decorated. Evening: Stroll along the Yarra River and dine at Southbank. Southbank Promenade is the perfect place for dinner, night photography, and enjoying street art. The summer atmosphere along the river is very pleasant, ideal for relaxing after a day of travel.
Day 4: Explore Christmas markets and suburbs	Morning: Visit the National Gallery of Victoria - home to many collections of European, Asian, and Australian art. During Christmas, there are often special exhibitions and free displays. Afternoon: Melbourne is famous for its street art and historic shopping areas. This includes Hosier Lane - the famous graffiti alley that changes with the seasons, Block Arcade - a European-style shopping area with an art glass ceiling, and Royal Arcade - home to many craft shops and beautiful photo spots during Christmas. If you want a change of scenery, visitors can stop by Fitzroy Gardens or Brighton Beach. Evening: If you are there on December 24th, visitors should participate in Carols by Candlelight. This is the largest Christmas singing event in Australia. On other days in December, the Melbourne Christmas Festival takes place in many squares, featuring a giant Christmas tree, Christmas markets, and art performances.
Day 5: Departure to Vietnam	Morning: Shopping at Melbourne Central - Emporium, with souvenirs, natural cosmetics, chocolate, or typical Australian handicrafts at major shopping centers. Afternoon: After completing shopping, travelers return to the hotel to collect their luggage and head to Melbourne Airport. Evening: Fly back to Vietnam. End of the 5-day 4-night journey exploring the two largest cities in Australia.

Vietjet is operating many convenient flight times from Australia to Vietnam, travelers should book tickets early for better prices. Book tickets right HERE.

3. Where to go in Sydney during Christmas?

Sydney is one of the busiest cities in Australia in December. Here are some typical destinations that Vietnamese tourists should consider:

3.1 The Rocks

The historic district next to Circular Quay, famous for its sandstone architecture, small cafes, and weekend markets. During Christmas, the area is decorated with colorful lights and hosts many street art events.

3.2 Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

The large garden located next to the Opera House. Visitors can walk, picnic, or enjoy panoramic views of Sydney Harbour from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair – one of the best photo spots.

3.3 Darling Harbour

The famous entertainment area with shopping centers, an aquarium, a maritime museum, amusement areas, and waterfront restaurants. During Christmas, there are often fireworks, light shows, and activities for children

Playful Santa Claus figures appearing everywhere during the Christmas season.

The festive atmosphere spreads across every street, square, and beach in Sydney.

3.4 Queen Victoria Building (QVB)

The shopping cathedral with magnificent European architecture. Every Christmas season, QVB sets up a giant multi-tiered Christmas tree that attracts a large number of tourists for photos.

3.5 St Mary’s Cathedral

The largest cathedral in Sydney, famous for the Lights of Christmas festival that takes place throughout December, projecting onto the entire facade of the church.

3.6 Taronga Zoo

The large zoo located on a hill, offering views of the harbor. Visitors can take a ferry from Circular Quay to the zoo. This promises to be an exciting experience on a sunny day.

Book your flight ticket Vietjet to Sydney today to get a good price during the peak travel season at the end of the year. DetailsHERE.

4. Where to visit in Melbourne during Christmas?

Melbourne is the "cultural capital" of Australia. During Christmas, the city becomes vibrant with many artistic, culinary activities, and markets.

4.1. Flinders Street Station

The old station with a yellow facade is a symbol of Melbourne. During Christmas, the surrounding area is decorated with sparkling lights.

4.2. State Library Victoria

A free library with the most beautiful reading space in Australia. The La Trobe room, characterized by its large dome, is a popular check-in spot.

4.3. Block Arcade & Royal Arcade

Two classic shopping arcades with European influences. Christmas often showcases art, Christmas models, and themed decorated shops.

4.4. Fitzroy Gardens & Captain Cook’s Cottage

A peaceful garden with many green trees, fountains, and Captain Cook’s Cottage. This is a heritage site that was transported intact from England to Australia.

A vibrant part of Sydney during the Christmas season.

Outdoor sightseeing activities are very popular in the summer in Australia.

4.5. Brighton Beach

Famous for the colorful Brighton Bathing Boxes. The summer weather is ideal for tourists to swim, take photos, or watch the sunset.

4.6. Great Ocean Road

This is the most beautiful coastal road in Australia. Tourists can spend a whole day on a tour to the Twelve Apostles and explore the famous limestone pillars along the coast.

Hunt for tickets Vietjet to Melbourne early to ensure a good time slot and favorable prices for the trip in December.

Christmas season in Sydney and Melbourne offers a different perspective on Christmas: no white snow, no cold air, but instead warm sunshine, blue seas, outdoor concerts, and a bustling atmosphere. With a reasonable travel itinerary for Australia in December, Vietnamese tourists can fully explore the two largest cities in Australia. This is also a suitable journey for those seeking a 5-day Christmas travel experience in Australia, immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere of the land of kangaroos.

See more: Tips for self-guided travel in Australia from A - Z

Vietjet is currently operating many flights between Vietnam – Sydney – Melbourne with flexible prices. Tourists should book tickets Vietjet to Australia early starting today to have a complete and memorable Christmas holiday in the land of kangaroos. Don't forget to follow the domestic and international flight promotion program of 0 Dong (excluding taxes and fees) every day from 12 - 2 PM to enjoy discounted ticket prices. See details HERE.

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