Christmas Down Under
For the children who are hot at Christmas.
88 sleeps till Christmas!
As I’m sure every Aussie and Kiwi would know —
There’s nothing so silly as Christmas with snow!
Forty years of Christmas Down Under, 1986 to 2026
An Australian Christmas story since 1986
G’day! Where to first?
Teachers: lessons and printables
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Play
Sunshine Santa’s advent calendar
A door for every day till Christmas. Open today’s door!
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Books
The books
Three picture books by Maree Birch, free to read. One was written in 1986 and published for the first time in 2026.
Want a copy for the shelf? Hardcovers and ebooks
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Play
Play
Help Old Dan find his way home, then have a go at the games.
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Make
Make and do
Colour in, write a letter to Santa, and make a Christmas card.
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Oz
Christmas in Australia
Gum-tree Christmas trees, lunch at the beach, and far too hot for a red suit.
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Song
The song
Sing along with the Christmas Down Under song, first sung in 1986.
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Letters
Santa's letters
Letters from Sunshine Santa, from the North Pole and down under.
Books
New for 2026
New stories
Song
Sing along
The Christmas Down Under song, written and performed by Graham Osborn for the book’s launch in 1986.
Letters
A letter from Sunshine Santa
Happy Christmas!
Off I zip in a wink of an eye, my kangas and me off across the night sky!
Is everyone excited? We are on our way to you this very minute with sacks full of presents and good cheer for all the children expecting me tonight. Love to have the cake and a cold drink waiting for us at your place when we get there. Be sure I will come to you tonight, so be very good and happy and go off to bed when you are asked to.
Have a lovely sleep and sweet dreams but most of all have a simply wonderful day tomorrow with all the people who love you very much. I will write again next year and keep watch on the site for news from Dan the Dog the whole year through.
Merry Christmas from your friend Sunshine Santa.