Call us free on 0800 917 5742 We are open today between 9am and 5pm

Home/Worldwide Holidays/Travel Inspiration/Australia By Month/January Holiday In Australia

January Holiday in Australia

January arrives in Australia at the height of summer, when Sydney Harbour fills with yachts and the sand at Bondi barely cools between dawn and dusk. Fireworks mark Australia Day on the 26th, lighting up the Harbour Bridge in a display visible from a dozen vantage points around the water. Further north, the wet season builds over Darwin and Kakadu, turning the outback green and setting waterfalls thundering, while Melbourne's courts host the world's best at the Australian Open.

January Highlights:

  • Australia Day fireworks illuminate Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House on the 26th, watched from Mrs Macquarie's Chair or a harbour cruise.

  • The Australian Open gets underway in Melbourne, filling Rod Laver Arena and the surrounding parklands with tennis through the height of summer.

  • Monsoon storms roll across the Top End, filling Kakadu's floodplains and sending Litchfield's waterfalls into full flow.

  • The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race sails into the Derwent in the first days of the month, its arrival on the Hobart waterfront overlapping with the food, wine and live music of the Taste of Summer festival at Princes Wharf.


Top 10 reasons to visit Australia in January

  • Australia Day fireworks over Sydney Harbour on 26 January, among the country's largest displays.
  • The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race finishes in the first days of January, timed with the Taste of Summer festival on the Hobart waterfront.
  • The Australian Open fills Melbourne with world class tennis at the height of summer.
  • Warm, clear water along the eastern beaches, perfect for long days at Bondi, Bronte and the harbour pools.
  • The Sydney Test brings cricket to the SCG under clear summer skies.
  • Monsoon storms build across the Top End, filling Kakadu's waterfalls and greening the outback.
  • Long, warm evenings suit outdoor cinema and rooftop bars in Sydney and Melbourne.
  • Perth and Western Australia enjoy long, dry summer days in January, ideal for visiting Rottnest Island.
  • The Hunter Valley stays quiet and uncrowded before the autumn harvest season.
  • Late nights and lingering New Year energy keep the cities' bars and restaurants in full swing.

We go above and beyond to make your holiday perfect


Tailor Made for You

  • We tailor make every holiday made around you.
  • Tell us what you'd like to see, what type of accommodation you prefer and how you'd like to travel.
  • We'll plan your perfect holiday, helping you to get the most from your time and budget.


Expert Advice

  • We don't just know travel, we love it!
  • Our Travel Experts have travelled throughout the World. They'll answer your questions with facts not guesses.
  • You'll have a dedicated Travel Expert to look after each stage of your booking.


100% Protected

  • Part of the Stewart Travel group, We've been helping people explore the World for more than 30 years.
  • Every trip is 100% ATOL protected.
  • We're only ever a phone call away.
Make an enquiry