Ring in the new year with sun, sea and standout food and wine. Here’s a curated guide to four brilliant Australian escapes—what to do, where to stay, and booking tips to make it seamless.
Byron Bay: Street Party Vibes + Sunrise Rituals
Byron’s family-friendly Soul Street turns Jonson Street into a roving festival of live music, street dining and performers on 31 December—alcohol-free and community-run by Byron Shire Council.
Do/See: afternoon beach session at Clarkes, lighthouse walk, and a dawn swim on 1 January.
Stay: boutique hotels near the town/beach strip; book 3–4 months ahead.
Eat/Drink NYE: venues across town layer on special dinners and parties; options historically range from fine-dining at Beach Byron Bay to live-music at the Beach Hotel—check individual listings and secure prepayment.
Getting there: Ballina (30–40 min) or Gold Coast (1–1.5 hr) airports; pre-book transfers.
Timing tip: Arrive 30 Dec to avoid highway traffic and enjoy a relaxed NYE day.
Hobart: Taste of Summer on the Waterfront
Hobart’s Taste of Summer (formerly Taste of Tasmania) takes over Princes Wharf No.1 with a week of Tassie seafood, cool-climate wine, spirits and live music—culminating in a NYE party session and waterfront fireworks views.
Do/See: freshly shucked oysters, local distillers, two fireworks sessions (family-friendly early show plus midnight in recent editions).
Stay: waterfront hotels (MACq 01, Henry Jones) or Salamanca-side apartments—book well in advance.
Transport: Hobart Airport (20 min). Walkable CBD/waterfront; rideshare queues grow after midnight.
Timing tip: 27 Dec–3 Jan window covers the full festival span for 2025/26.
Margaret River, WA: Winery Escapes & Long Lunches
Base yourself near Margaret River, Yallingup or Dunsborough for beaches by morning and cellar-door afternoons. Prioritise icons like Leeuwin Estate (cellar door open 7 days, lunch daily; behind-the-scenes tastings) and Voyager Estate (curated tastings, vineyard/winery tours, organic practice focus).
Consider also Vasse Felix, Cullen and Moss Wood for region-defining styles.
Do/See: degustation lunch at Leeuwin; tour-and-tasting at Voyager; afternoons at Meelup or Injidup beaches.
Stay: vineyard cottages, luxury lodges or coastal resorts; self-drive is easiest from Perth (≈3 hr).
Timing tip: Book tastings and restaurants early—holiday periods sell out, and many estates run special summer experiences.
Tropical Queensland: Islands, Reefs & Fireworks
For warm-water revelry, the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island deliver NYE dining and dual fireworks (early evening and midnight), plus easy day trips to Whitehaven Beach and the Great Barrier Reef.
Prefer the mainland buzz? Airlie Beach hosts popular NYE parties along the foreshore and venues, with additional fireworks and live music.
Do/See: reef snorkelling/cruises, island-hopping, sunset sailing; in SEQ, Brisbane/Gold Coast layer rooftop parties and riverside dinners.
Stay: island resorts (book packages early) or Airlie apartments for flexibility.
Transport: fly to Proserpine (PPP) or Hamilton Island (HTI); pre-book ferries/transfers.
Timing tip: Arrive by 30 Dec for calmer seas and to lock down boat trips.
Booking & Local Tips
Reserve early: festival sessions, winery restaurants and island accommodation often sell out.
Designate a driver in Margaret River; consider a guided tour for tastings.
Respect local rules: Byron’s NYE precinct is alcohol-free; plan venue celebrations accordingly.
Weather: Tasmania can be cool at night; Queensland is humid—pack layers vs. light resort wear.