With Christmas just days away, the festive frenzy has reached its peak across Australia. From packed shopping centres to bustling seafood markets, Australians are making their final preparations for the holiday season.
Shopping Centres Brace for Last-Minute Surge
In the final week before Christmas, retail hubs are experiencing enormous crowds. Chadstone, Australia's largest shopping centre, is anticipating around 700,000 visitors in the lead-up to the big day. The centre will welcome last-minute shoppers right up until 6pm on Christmas Eve.
For those who have left their gift buying to the wire, some stores have already begun offering early Boxing Day sales, providing a welcome relief for tardy Christmas shoppers.
Historic Final Christmas for Sydney Fish Market
In Sydney, a festive tradition is in full swing with a poignant twist. The city's famous Sydney Fish Market has launched its iconic 36-hour seafood marathon, with traders open late as customers secure their fresh Christmas feasts.
This year marks a significant milestone, as it is the 30th and final Christmas celebration at the market's current location. About 100,000 people have already passed through its doors during the pre-Christmas rush. The market will relocate to its new premises next door on January 19, 2026.
Gus Dannoun, the Sydney Fish Market's head of operations, described the upcoming move as bittersweet. Having been involved with the market for over four decades, he told Sunrise, "It's quite exciting with what's ahead of us but it's a bit sad in some ways, that this is it, this is the last Christmas." He added, "We're less than what, three weeks away before we move across to the new site. It's been such a magnificent journey."
Prawns, Oysters and Travel Plans
According to Dannoun, the classic Australian Christmas seafood choices remain as popular as ever. "There are not many (people) walking out without prawns and oysters," he observed. He also noted that Ling fish has been a standout favourite this year, which is what he plans to have on his own Christmas plate.
Beyond shopping and seafood, major travel movements are also underway. Airlines are expecting approximately 12.8 million people to pass through the major airports in Sydney and Melbourne on Wednesday. Travellers have been advised to arrive early and stay alert for potential delays as the holiday exodus begins.
The scenes at shopping centres, markets, and transport hubs underscore the massive collective effort underway as Australians prepare to come together and celebrate the festive season.
