Interested in spending the holidays in the sun instead of rugged up indoors, sheltered from the cold?

A vacation Down Under is a different and warm, although not completely unfamiliar way to spend the Christmas or New Year holidays.

Blending surf life-saving carnivals, great seafood, barbecues on the beach and lots of sunshine � with the traditional New Years parties, piping-hot roast dinners, Santa Claus and sleigh bells, Australian holidays take full advantage of the sun and heaps of endless options to keep people entertained.

Here are some of the ten best ways to experience a distinctive holiday with a twist.

Hayman: Santa�s island paradise, QLD Australians are an irreverent bunch � even when temperatures are soaring, our Christmas trees and window sills are adorned with fake snow, and our shopping mall Santas are sweltering in arctic style red suits. Santa is often seen arriving on a Harley Davidson, a surfboard, or even with the Bush Fire Brigade. But at Hayman on Christmas Day, Santa arrives in spectacular style by helicopter and then distributes gifts to children. Guests can also attend a Christmas service in the resort�s chapel before spending the rest of the day lazing by the pool enjoying the gorgeous Whitsunday Island view. http://www.hayman.com.au

Christmas at Bondi Beach, NSW Blowtorch heat at this time of the year, and a big, heavy meal in the middle of the day is as appropriate as a tuxedo at the beach. What to do? Take full advantage of the warm temperatures and long summer days at the beach. For many visitors Christmas Day in Sydney is marked by what has become one of its great traditions � Christmas on Bondi Beach. The novelty of spending Christmas at the beach is enjoyed by thousands of people from around the world as they gather together to enjoy a day in the sun while swapping gifts, eating, drinking, having fun . . . and even swimming. www.sydneyaustralia.com

Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne, VIC Melbourne is a magical place over Christmas as the city sparkles with decorations, glittering Christmas trees, giant baubles, spectacular light shows, festive shoppers and roving carol-singers. Many of the city events are free and provide a great way for the family to enjoy Christmas together. One of the most spectacular Australian Carols by Candlelight is held in Melbourne, in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Christmas Eve, December 24. People take picnic baskets to relax on the grass while talented performers from around Australia provide superb entertainment. www.visitmelbourne.com

A barbie on Rotto, WA Does the idea of a Christmas barbecue by the beach appeal to you? Then why not have a barbecue with a difference at Rottnest Island, located 19km off the coast of Perth. At Christmas time the barbecue adapts to modern, multi-cultural ways of cooking, incorporating olive oil, chilli, garlic, coriander and satay sticks. Australians also have access to a huge range of fresh seafood. The beautiful beaches around the island provide an idyllic setting and it�s an easy day trip from Perth. Those who want to work off their Christmas pounds can hire bikes or go surfing, fishing, diving, swimming or snorkelling. http://www.rottnest.wa.gov.au

Not your mother�s turkey dinner at Sydney�s The Observatory Hotel, NSW Some Australians put on the gorgeous traditional roasts while most Australians tend to use fresh local seafood instead of turkey and abandon rich, heavy sauces (at least until the evening) in favour of lighter, spicier foods that suit the warm summer climate. Try all the tastes of the holidays with the seven-course Christmas lunch package at the luxurious The Observatory Hotel located in Sydney�s Rocks area. The festive lunch includes Christmas entertainment and a gift for each table. And children are entertained by a magician and receive a Christmas gift. http://www.observatoryhotel.com.au

Christmas in a desert cave, SA For a truly different Christmas or New Years experience�go underground. The Desert Cave Hotel is an oasis in the desert. Located in Coober Pedy, home to the elusive Opal, the hotel is a unique retreat in a town where most of the population lives underground. Sleep underground or above in natural sandstone surrounds, enjoy fine dining, splash in the pool or relax in the spa than visit the historic mines or nearby outback. The management team have been known to host a nice BBQ by the pool on Christmas day. http://www.desertcave.com.au

�A Silent Night� dinner at Ayers Rock, NT For those wanting to escape the city over Christmas and delve into a truly memorable experience, then the Sounds of Silence Dinner at Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be perfect. Enjoy a Christmas dinner surrounded by the colours, sounds and silence of the red centre. Watch the sun go down over the desert and gaze upon the night sky awash with innumerable stars. Spend the night in the award-winning luxurious wilderness camp of Longitude 131� and become immersed in the wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. http://www.voyages.com.au

Orphan�s Christmas at Contiki Resort Great Keppel Island, QLD Located on the rim of the Great Barrier Reef and designed exclusively for 18 to 35s, Great Keppel Island will host another Orphans Christmas this year for travellers who can�t meet up (or perhaps just avoid�) their families over the festive season. Great Keppel Island promises big days and wild nights and their Christmas packages include accommodation, brunch, dinner and Christmas festivities from AUD$62.50 per person per day. http://www.contikiresorts.com

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and Hobart Summer Festival, NSW & TAS On Boxing Day (the day after Christmas), you�ll find thousands glued to the teles for the cricket test matches. But equally thrilling is the beginning of the international Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Thousands of people gather at famous vantage points on Sydney harbour to watch the yachts pass through the heads and plough their way south for 630 nautical miles to the island state of Tasmania. The race is considered one of the world�s toughest but the end is sweet, as the boats sail into Hobart�s Constitution Dock just as the Hobart Summer Festival kicks off on December 27th. Running through New Year until January 9th, Hobart�s waterfront is transformed and the city comes alive with film festivals, free concerts and Tasmania�s best produce, food and wine featured at the Taste of Tasmania food fair. http://www.discovertasmania.com

Sydney fireworks and New Year�s spectacle, NSW The Sydney Bridge and Harbour star in one of the world�s ultimate New Year�s Eve celebrations. The city erupts into friendly celebrations, free festivals and one of the world�s most brilliant fireworks displays. Hundreds of thousands of merrymakers gather around the harbour for the two shows, one at 9pm (perfect for families) and the other at midnight. The best vantage points, including the Sydney Opera House forecourt, Mrs. Macqueries Point and Daves Point fill by early afternoon so get there fast. Or join one of the thousands of boats on the harbour and book a cruise for a front row seat of the bridge and fireworks above the harbour. http://www.sydneynewyearseve.com

For information on other holiday ideas or deals to Australia, visit www.australia.com

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Media Contact: Tourism Australia Kristen Malaby (kmalaby@tourism.australia.com) Ph 310 695-3214