Where to find Australia’s best Christmas lights

Forget State of Origin. There’s only one competition that matters in Australia in December. Who’s got the best Christmas lights? Our handy guide will help you find some of the top displays.

Forget the State of Origin, one of the fiercest competitions in the country is played out across driveways from Adelaide to Albany.

We’re talking, of course, about the yearly battle of the residential Christmas lights displays.

It’s not quite a bloodsport, but there’s plenty of passion out there in the suburbs, as house-proud Australians across this wide brown land try to one-up their neighbours with dazzling displays that would make Clark Griswold look like he was never really trying.

We’ve done a bit of a whip around the country to help you find some of the best displays on show this Christmas.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

A lovely display at 20 Beally Place, Meadows South Australia.

Plan an adventure for the whole family with The Advertiser’s Christmas lights map, featuring brilliant and dazzling displays browsing the map. EXPLORE THE MAP HERE.

VICTORIA

MELBOURNE

Melbourne's Best Christmas Lights. Ferntree Gully, 3156

We asked our readers to submit photos of their Christmas decorated house. The submissions are in and now you can SEE THEM HERE.

MELBOURNE (NORTHERN SUBURBS)

There are plenty of great displays to see in Melbourne's north.

Heading out to see the beautiful Christmas light displays is a favourite activity for many families, so we’ve pulled a map together to help out. EXPLORE THE MAP.

GEELONG

Is this display, in Bell Park, Geelong, your favourite? Follow the link to vote.

We asked our readers to submit photos of their Christmas decorated house. The submissions are in and now you can SEE THEM HERE.

WARRNAMBOOL

Boston Drive, Warrnambool.

Warrnambool news reporter Jack Colantuono has been hunting for the best Christmas lights across town and says Boston Drive has turned out to be a real hot spot this year.
See more great displays from Warrnambool, including a map of locations, here.

NEW SOUTH WALES

SYDNEY

The Christmas tree in Martin Place looks just as stunning as last year’s. Picture: Monique Harmer

Multi-coloured displays, glowing fairy lights and the essence of a magical winter wonderland – it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Here’s what to do in Sydney this festive season.

QUEENSLAND

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

Lights at 86 College Way, Boondall.

From the Sunny Coast to the Goldie and out to Toowoomba, we’ve tracked down the most spectacular Christmas lights on offer this year. CHECK OUT THE BUMPER LIST.

TOWNSVILLE

Wayne Fitzmaurice with grandson Archie Towers, 2, at his Shaw home. Picture Evan Morgan.

School is out, the stinger nets are in, mangoes are selling cheap and life couldn’t be better – except maybe with a few Christmas lights. See the interactive map of Townsville’s best lights.

IPSWICH

Display at 162 Edwards Court Raceview. Picture: Peta McEachern

Meet the people behind Ipswich’s best Christmas light displays and find out where to go to see them. SEE THE FULL LIST.

FRASER COAST

Fraser Coast. 575 Alice St Maryborough

A record number of Fraser Coast homes and businesses are getting festive for this year’s Christmas lights competition. See the maps for the best displays and vote for your favourite here.

GYMPIE

One of the Christmas lights houses on display in Gympie this year. Photo: Toni-Maree Gerhardt

Gympie’s streets are lighting up as the region gets into the Christmas cheer with residents dusting off decorations to dazzle onlookers. See the list of stunning Christmas lights displays.

SOUTH BURNETT

South Burnett best christmas lights

From Murgon to Kingaroy and out to Nanango, the most spectacular Christmas lights on offer this year in the South Burnett have been tracked down. SEE THE FULL LIST.