christmas wishes

If you’re wondering where to spend this Christmas holiday, check out what the stars are planning for inspiration

WORDS MARGRET MEAGHER

Ah, Christmas! A time to wind down and chill out with family and friends but, for many people, the big question is: where they will spend those precious carefree days? We chatted with some of Australia’s favourite celebrities about their upcoming plans.

Courtney Act

Dressing for the part is essential for glamorous diva, Courtney Act (aka Shane Jenek), who sang her way into the first Australian Idol series and fame. The entertainer donned her Christmas dress especially for JETSTAR Magazine.

“My parents are European so we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve in Brisbane. Then on Christmas Day, I fly home to Sydney to have Christmas lunch with my friends.

“I love Brisbane because of the electrical storms; there is nearly always one on Christmas Eve. I love Sydney because the temperature is nice, the weather is perfect, and you can go to the beach after lunch and relax. No matter the location, it is always nice to spend Christmas with family and friends reflecting back over the year, getting inspired for the new year and being thankful for their love, the food and the presents!”

Peter Allison

Australian author Peter Allison is currently on tour in the US promoting his book Whatever You Do, Don’t Run, which is filled with anecdotes about his time as a safari guide in Botswana.

“The perfect holiday destination has beautiful beaches and monkeys so Malaysia is a favourite of ours. My fiancé Flavia and I love a relaxing beach holiday where we can park by a pool, lagoon or ocean. Flavia has a penchant for monkeys and, since wildlife is a passion of mine, I’m pleased to see them too because that usually indicates other creatures are close by. So, while Flavia ignores the signs that say ‘Don’t feed the monkeys’, I trek into the nearby forest. Malaysia has an unfair advantage over many of the world’s beach destinations as so much of the surrounding environment is untouched and I’ve seen rare tree shrews and pitta birds in the forests of Langkawi.”

Murray Bartlett

For Australian actor Murray Bartlett, the answer is easy. Based in New York, where he has a leading part in America’s oldest running soap, Guiding Light, Bartlett is getting ready to hop on a plane and head for two spots in Australia, on either side of the country.

“One of my favourite places for Christmas is Byron Bay. I’ve been going to Byron for years, and I feel like I’m coming home every time I return. Just landing near Byron makes me start to unwind.

“I usually stay in Byron or its hinterland. My day revolves around one of the beaches towards Broken Head where the rainforest meets the beach, body-surfing, keeping an eye out for dolphins and chilling out under a pandanus palm. If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll climb Mount Warning (a beautiful rainforest with freshwater streams and spectacular views), or walk through the rainforest to Minyon Falls. I love the weekend market, the seafood and the local organic shops. If the moon is full, I like to walk up to the lighthouse at night. It’s breathtaking. But mostly I love Byron because, when I’m there, I feel the stresses of my life dissolve and disappear.

“I’ll also be heading to Perth this Christmas. I grew up in Perth and have family there, so it’s a true homecoming for me. I usually hang out in Fremantle, which is such a cool place, catching up with friends and going to the beach. But I also spend time in the beautiful little town of Dwellingup where my mum and stepfather live. It’s in the hills just over an hour south of Perth, nestled in jarrah forest and close to the Murray River – my namesake! A trip further south to the surfing mecca of Margaret River is also essential. It’s another naturally spectacular place that makes my life in New York seem like a frenetic dream.”

Peter Wells

Peter Wells, co-presenter for Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender, has a passion for travel and adventure, recently climbing the sixth highest mountain in the world in the Tibetan Himalayas. Bali is his choice for the perfect place to relax the mind and body: “Hit the surf at first light, followed by a strong Bali coffee with the locals, massage on the beach, back out for a surf, then a couple of cold Bintangs [beers] in the afternoon with friends.”

Bree Amer

Channel 10’s presenter on Big Brother Friday Night Live, Bree Amer says her ideal place to spend Christmas is the Gold Coast.

“It’s where I was born and where all my friends and family are. Christmas Day always seems to be the hott est day of the year and is spent in and out of the water. The Gold Coast has both be aches and the hinterland, which is a bonus, plus Surfers Paradise never shuts down. Even over Christmas, the main street is buzzing.

“The Coast has excellent shops too, so you can do all your Christmas shopping when you arrive. It’s also a great family location, with the best theme parks in the country – Movie World, Sea World, Wet ’n’ Wild, and of course, Dreamworld, which has the best rides, hands down. There is nowhere I would rather be this Christmas than at home on the Gold Coast.”

Tim Rosso

Tim Rosso, one half of comic team Merrick and Rosso, likes to head south at Christmas time.

“I love Tasmania. It’s small, is olated and absolutely stunning. Last ye ar, my girlfriend and I spent a week there. It was very romantic, especially when w e went to the Ball & Chain steak house in Hobart, pity she’s a vegetarian! On New Year’s Day, we went bushwalking in the Freycinet National Park. The walk around to Wine Glass Bay was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Take a trip up the Franklin River and r evisit our convict past at Port Arthur. Tasmania has it all.”

Mike Whitney

Mike Whitney, host of Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender, agrees with Murray’s top pick.

“Byron is a fantastic place with spectacular beaches and picturesque countryside. Earlier this year, I shot a story at Bangalow, in the Byron hinterland, and had my first taste of native wild finger limes at Possum Creek Bushfoods. I also put my culinary skills to the test with the sensational local produce at the Bangalow Cooking School. I’m looking forward to heading up that way again for some sun, surf and seclusion during my summer holidays.”

Steve Forde

Country and western music star and face of the Country Music Channel on Foxtel/Austar, Steve Forde is a true country boy.

“During the past five years of touring, I’ve had a great opportunity to look all over this awesome brown land of ours. A place I love is Rockhampton in Queensland. We have played some great shows out the back of the Great Western Hotel, and every time I head back to Rocky, there is an unparalleled sense of relaxation coupled with the perfect amount of party… just right!”

Steve’s latest album, recorded in Nashville, was released in September – the perfect Christmas pressie.

Shae Brewster and Sally Stanton

Sally Stanton from Channel 7’s Saturday Disney spent a week filming in Cairns recently. She’s hoping to go back this Christmas. “Cairns is close to everything: beaches, shops, rainforests, thrill-seeking fun like bungy jumping and the Great Barrier Reef.

We boarded a yacht from Cairns Marina and sailed out to Green Island. It was a relaxing one- to two-hour boat ride and when we arrived we explored the island, then spent time snorkelling, which I had never done before. We saw beautiful colourful fish among the coral and, as we were leaving, a sea turtle popped its head up to say goodbye!”