Sure, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year (cue the carols and pour the mulled wine, pronto) – but with the stress of buying presents, cooking heaps of food and all that family merriment, it can also be downright tiring.

While it’s lovely to get away over Christmas, busy crowds and booked-out activities can add to the pressure of the festive season. If you don’t have the time, annual leave, or patience to take a break over Christmas, indulging in a getaway during the January holidays is the perfect way to recover from the festive season and recharge for the new year.

Get inspired to take a post-Christmas break with these January holiday ideas.

Summer in Australia brings ideal conditions for beach holidays. Put those long, hot sunny days to good use and spend January soaking up the sun and learning to surf. Australia is lucky enough to have some of the most stunning beaches in the world, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when choosing a destination.

From protected bays to rugged stretches of coastline, there’s a beach to suit every traveller. Regardless of where you decide to host your seaside holiday, you’ll love unwinding after the busy Christmas period in the company of white sand and turquoise waters.

A Fishing Holiday

Those who love to be out by the water will find fishing a fabulous way to switch off from the day-to-stay stresses of the Christmas period. Whether you choose to go with the whole family, a few friends or on your own, fishing is sure to make for a fun-packed January holiday that you’ll be counting down the days to.

A Weekend in the Country

Sometimes the best way to rejuvenate after a demanding year is to simply switch off and escape to the country. Perfect for couples, families and groups of friends, the countryside has plenty to offer. Spend your days exploring local towns and trekking along walking tracks. Once the sun goes down, cap off each night by cosying up with your loved ones under the starry sky, with card games for entertainment.

A Winery Tour

The festive season is a time to drink and be merry, so wine not keep the merriment going by taking a winery tour in January? You can learn the unique histories of the vineyards you visit, soak up beautiful scenery, and sample as many wines and cheese platters as your heart desires. With gorgeous rolling greenery as your playground, you might not ever want to leave.

You don’t have to be an expert on wine to enjoy this kind of holiday. Most vineyards will be happy to explain what goes into the harvesting, fermenting and bottling process, so you’ll come back from your holiday feeling like a wine connoisseur.

With less crowds, less stress and plenty of beautiful destinations to explore, dare we say it’s even better to take a trip in January than over Christmas?

For more inspiration on where to go for your next holiday, take a look at these 5 gorgeous Australian destinations everyone should visit.