Australia Unites New Zealand, and Canada to Offer New Christmas Deals – Is Your Country Really Offering This?!

Published on December 9, 2025

Christmas Day 2025 falls on a Thursday. For many people it is a rare opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, explore their country or simply enjoy a relaxed day out. Governments across Australia, New Zealand and Canada plan to ease holiday travel costs by providing free or heavily discounted public transport, rail tickets and park admissions on 25 December 2025. These offers are not random promotions but official initiatives announced by state, provincial and national authorities. This article summarises the deals that will be available on Christmas Day 2025, explaining where and how travellers can benefit from free or reduced fares, and noting any important exceptions or booking requirements. The information is drawn from government media releases, transport agencies and Parks Canada statements, ensuring that all deals described here are verified and reliable.

Australia

Victoria: State‑wide free public transport

Victoria’s transport network will again celebrate Christmas by offering a complete fare holiday. According to a media release from the State Government, all metropolitan and regional trains, trams and buses will run to a Sunday timetable on 25 December 2025, and passengers will not be charged any fare from 3:00 a.m. on Christmas Day until 3:00 a.m. on Boxing Day[1]. Travellers using long‑distance V/Line trains are still required to book a reserved seat, but their tickets are issued free of charge[2]. Regional bus services do not require booking. This initiative applies to the entire network: Melbourne’s Metro trains, Yarra Trams, all metropolitan bus operators and V/Line trains and coaches. The free‑travel day has become an annual tradition in Victoria and is part of a broader government programme that includes fare caps and regional network improvements. For travellers planning intercity trips on Christmas Day, this policy means a completely cost‑free journey as long as they travel within the timeframe and adhere to any booking requirements for reserved trains.

Australian Capital Territory: Free buses and light rail

Canberrans and visitors to the national capital will also enjoy free public transport. The Territory Government’s December newsletter confirms that all ACTION buses and Canberra Metro light rail services will operate without fares on Christmas Day[3]. Services run to a special Christmas Day timetable, which is typically similar to the Sunday schedule. Passengers still need to check departure times, as some routes may not operate or may finish early. Nonetheless, the free‑fare policy means travellers can move around the city—including to attractions like the National Zoo, the Australian War Memorial or dining venues—without worrying about buying tickets or topping up their MyWay cards.

Tasmania: Metro buses free on Christmas Day

In Tasmania, the publicly owned bus operator Metro Tasmania has announced that it will provide free travel on all its routes in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie on Christmas Day[4]. Services will run to the normal Sunday and public‑holiday timetable, and the company hopes that fare‑free buses will encourage residents to travel safely and comfortably to family gatherings or community events[5]. Free travel applies to both urban and suburban routes, but passengers should note that some regional routes do not run on public holidays. As with Victoria, there is no requirement to use a travel card or ticket on 25 December, but travellers should verify schedules and last departure times.

Queensland: Go Noosa holiday bus loop and 50‑cent fares

Queensland does not offer state‑wide free transport, but two initiatives will benefit holiday travellers on 25 December. On the Sunshine Coast, the Go Noosa holiday bus loop (Route 065) operated by the Noosa Shire Council will run free of charge from 13 December 2025 to 26 January 2026, including Christmas Day[6]. Buses operate approximately every fifteen minutes between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., then every thirty minutes until 10 p.m., connecting Noosa Drive, Weyba Road, Noosa Parade and Hastings Street[7]. A council media release notes that this free loop bus proved extremely popular in previous years, carrying up to 2 500 passengers per day and that it will “return this Christmas”[8]. The initiative is funded by the local sustainable transport levy and is designed to reduce holiday congestion in the resort town.

Across the rest of Queensland, travellers will benefit from a flat 50‑cent fare on all Translink buses, trains and ferries. Translink’s official ticketing page states that fares have been reduced to a 50 cent flat rate across all zones and modes, including regional buses and CityTrain services[9]. The discount applies whether passengers pay with a go card, contactless bank card or paper ticket. Although the half‑dollar fare is not specific to Christmas Day, it will still be available on 25 December 2025 and provides substantial savings compared with normal fares. The Airtrain service to Brisbane Airport is excluded, and travellers should be aware that Sunday and public‑holiday timetables apply on Christmas Day.

Western Australia: Free public transport and half‑price Transwa fares

Western Australia is offering one of the most generous Christmas travel packages. The “Summer of Free Public Transport” scheme, announced by the Cook Government and the Public Transport Authority, will give all SmartRider card users free travel on trains, buses and ferries from 14 December 2025 to 5 February 2026[10]. Passengers must tag on and tag off with their SmartRider to record the free journey[11]. Parking at METRONET stations will also be free during this period when passengers use their SmartRider at parking machines[12]. The initiative covers Transperth services in Perth and regional town networks, meaning travellers throughout the state can move around without paying fares on Christmas Day. The free‑transport period also complements other cost‑of‑living measures, such as fare caps and free Sunday travel.

For longer journeys, the Public Transport Authority has introduced half‑price Transwa fares on regional trains and road coaches between 14 December and 5 February. A government media statement explains that passengers travelling to destinations like Kalbarri, Bunbury, Albany or Kalgoorlie will receive a 50 percent discount on fares[13]. Furthermore, travellers holding a Transwa ticket are eligible for free travel on the Transperth network on the day of their regional journey[14]. This means that a family taking a Transwa train to the coast on Christmas Day could ride to the station by bus or metro without paying extra. Half‑price fares apply to both standard and concession tickets and cover all 240 destinations served by Transwa.

Other states and territories

Not all jurisdictions have special offers. South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland’s capital city do not provide free public transport on Christmas Day, although regular public‑holiday timetables operate. Many councils encourage travellers to plan ahead due to reduced services and early finish times. Nonetheless, the combined effect of Victoria’s fare holiday, Tasmania’s free buses, the ACT’s complimentary services, Noosa’s free loop, Queensland’s 50‑cent fares and Western Australia’s summer scheme ensures that most Australians can access affordable or free travel on 25 December 2025.

New Zealand

The most comprehensive Christmas Day travel deal in New Zealand is offered by Metlink, the public transport network serving the Wellington region. According to Metlink’s summer timetable, bus and train services (excluding the Airport Express, harbour ferry and Total Mobility taxis) will be free all day on Christmas Day[15]. Passengers must still tag on and off with their Snapper card or paper ticket to record the journey, but no fare will be charged. Services run to a special holiday timetable; some rail lines are replaced by buses due to planned maintenance, and there may be fewer late‑night departures[15]. The regional council encourages travellers to allow extra time and to check service updates, particularly for routes serving the Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa.

Other major urban transport providers do not offer free Christmas Day travel. Auckland Transport lists 25 December in its holiday timetable as a day when most bus, train and ferry services do not operate, and those that do follow Sunday schedules with normal fares. In Christchurch, Metro buses and ferries run to a Sunday timetable but stop at 6 p.m., and normal fares apply[16]. Bus operators in Dunedin and other regional centres typically suspend services on Christmas Day. As such, visitors wishing to travel on 25 December outside the Wellington region will need to plan for limited services or use private transport.

Canada

Free admission to national parks and historic sites

Canada’s national government has introduced a holiday‑season pass that significantly reduces the cost of visiting Parks Canada sites. The Canada Strong Pass, announced by the Minister of Tourism, provides free admission to all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas from 12 December 2025 to 15 January 2026[17]. The pass also includes a 25 percent discount on camping and other overnight accommodations at Parks Canada locations during the same period[18]. This means that on Christmas Day, families can enter parks such as Banff, Jasper, Gros Morne or Cape Breton Highlands at no cost and, if they choose to stay overnight, receive a sizeable discount. The free‑admission window covers about a month, so travellers can plan visits before or after the holiday itself.

Canada Strong Pass travel benefits

Besides free park entry, the Canada Strong Pass offers notable transport perks. A government news release summarising the pass states that children 17 and under can travel on VIA Rail trains for free, and young adults aged 18–24 receive a 25 percent discount on VIA Rail fares during the pass period[19]. According to Destination Ontario’s summary of the programme, the discount applies to Escape and Economy class fares on all routes, and families can pair the rail discount with the Kids GO Free program on GO Transit[20]. These benefits make it possible for families and young adults to travel between cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal or Quebec City at little or no cost over the holiday period. VIA Rail requires advance booking and may restrict the number of free or discounted seats, so travellers should reserve early.

Regional deals and transit discounts

Provinces and regional agencies also contribute to the holiday savings. Alberta’s Kananaskis Conservation Pass, which is normally required for vehicles entering Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley Corridor, is waived on certain days; the provincial list of additional free days includes Christmas Day, allowing visitors to access popular sites like Peter Lougheed Provincial Park or the Highwood Pass without paying the daily fee[21]. Motorists must still respect parking regulations and bear in mind that some parks operate on reduced hours.

In Ontario, GO Transit’s Kids GO Free program lets children 12 and under ride trains and buses for free throughout the year. GO’s website clarifies that this benefit operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year[22]; thus, it covers Christmas Day as well. While adult fares remain in place, families combining the Canada Strong Pass with GO Transit can significantly reduce travel costs when moving between Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and other destinations. Many municipal transit systems in Canada do not offer free rides on Christmas Day, and some operate on limited schedules; travellers should consult local transit agencies for details.

Conclusion

Public authorities in Australia, New Zealand and Canada are offering a remarkable array of travel deals for Christmas Day 2025. Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia will provide free public transport across their entire state or territory networks; Noosa’s free bus loop and Queensland’s flat 50‑cent fare deliver affordable options in the Sunshine State; and travellers in Western Australia can also take advantage of half‑price regional rail fares. In Wellington, New Zealand, Metlink will again grant free bus and train rides, while other regions maintain normal fares and reduced timetables. Canada’s national initiative—the Canada Strong Pass—makes December 25 an ideal day to explore national parks and historic sites, while offering free or discounted rail travel for families and youth. Provincial programmes such as Alberta’s free Kananaskis day and Ontario’s year‑round free rides for children complement the national pass. Together, these deals reflect a commitment by governments to ease travel costs, encourage tourism and help people reconnect with loved ones during the festive season. Travellers should still plan ahead, verify timetables and book any required seats, but the incentives outlined above promise a more affordable and accessible Christmas Day in 2025.

Reference List

1. Victorian Government media release on free public transport (December 2024)[1][2].
2. Australian Capital Territory Government newsletter noting free bus and light rail services on Christmas Day[3].
3. Metro Tasmania media release announcing free bus travel on Christmas Day[4][5].
4. Noosa Shire Council’s summer transport page and media release about the free holiday bus loop[6][8].
5. Translink (Queensland) page detailing the 50‑cent flat fare on all public transport[9].
6. Western Australian Government and Public Transport Authority media statements on the Summer of Free Public Transport[10][12].
7. Public Transport Authority media statement on half‑price Transwa fares and free Transperth travel for ticket holders[13][14].
8. Metlink Wellington summer timetable explaining free bus and train travel on Christmas Day[15].
9. Metro Christchurch public holiday timetable noting Christmas Day services and restrictions[16].
10. Parks Canada’s description of the Canada Strong Pass and associated camping discounts[17][18].
11. Government news release summarising travel benefits of the Canada Strong Pass (free VIA Rail travel for children and 25 percent discount for youth)[19].
12. Destination Ontario’s summary of the Canada Strong Pass and VIA Rail discounts[20].
13. Alberta’s Kananaskis Conservation Pass list of additional free days, including Christmas Day[21].
14. GO Transit Kids GO Free policy description[22].