Heads up: Gumnutly is reader-supported. Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. How we make money
Christmas in Australia means sunscreen, open windows and a tree that has to survive a heatwave. The good news is that our own bush supplies some of the best decorating ideas going: gumnuts, banksia pods, gum leaves and a few plants that really do flower around Christmas.
This guide covers native animal ornaments, bush-inspired decorations, summer-proof outdoor setups and ideas for Aussies decorating far from home.
Quick answer: For Australian Christmas decorations with a local feel, mix a few native-animal ornaments (koala, kangaroo, kookaburra) with bush materials such as gumnuts, banksia pods and eucalyptus leaves bought from a florist or taken from your own garden. Keep outdoor pieces UV-rated and away from open flame on hot days, and skip anything picked from a national park.
How we pick
- Researched, not tested. We have not handled these products, and we say so.
- Real products and sellers that state where they are made. We only call something Australian made if the maker says so and we link that claim.
- Summer-proof: we think about heat, UV and humidity.
- Child and pet safety: glass baubles, small parts and some plants need care.
- No brand has paid to be here. We show no prices, so check the listing.
Native animal ornaments
Koalas, kangaroos and kookaburras
These are the easy wins: a koala clinging to a branch, a kangaroo in a Santa hat, a kookaburra on a bough. They suit families who want something recognisably Aussie without redecorating the whole house. Check the material (resin and wood cope with heat better than thin glass), whether there are small detachable parts if you have toddlers, and where the seller says it is made.
If you are in the US, these Amazon searches are a quick starting point:
In Australia, try Etsy AU or Amazon Australia and read each listing for the maker’s location.
A note on Indigenous designs
If a piece uses First Nations art, look for work made by or licensed from Indigenous artists, and skip generic “Aboriginal-style” motifs. Our guide to buying First Nations art ethically explains what to ask a seller.
Bring the bush inside
Gumnuts, banksia pods and gum leaves
Gumnuts and small banksia pods look great tied to a tree with twine or piled in a bowl. Eucalyptus leaves add scent and a silvery-green colour to a garland. They suit anyone who likes a natural, low-fuss look. For more native flower ideas, see our wattle, waratah and banksia gifts guide.
What to check: where it came from. Buy from a florist or craft supplier, or use what has fallen in your own garden. NSW National Parks lists removing plants, including picking flowers, among the illegal activities in its parks, and other states have their own rules, so check yours. Dried material can also shed, so keep it off the floor if you have a crawling baby or a curious dog.
A native wreath or table centrepiece
A ring of eucalyptus stems, a few banksia pods and a ribbon makes a wreath for a front door or a table. Fresh foliage wilts quickly in a hot hallway, so hang it in shade or make it close to the day. For the dining table, a small posy in a jar is a candle-free centrepiece that suits a hot day.
Australia’s own Christmas plants
NSW Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)
Endemic to New South Wales, this shrub is popular because its sepals turn bright red-pink around Christmas. Small white flowers appear from October, and the red display peaks at Christmas time. Florists often sell cut stems in the lead-up, which is the easiest way to get it into a vase.
Victorian Christmas bush (Prostanthera lasianthos)
Despite the name, it is native from Queensland through to Tasmania. Its flowers can appear anywhere from November to March, a window that takes in Christmas. Flowering times vary with region and season.
WA Christmas tree (Nuytsia floribunda)
Western Australia’s Christmas tree flowers yellow-orange sometime between October and January, so it often lights up around Christmas. It is a root hemiparasite that draws water and nutrients from neighbouring plants, and growing it to maturity is regarded as difficult, so you are unlikely to find it sold as a potted tree. Admire it in the wild, and see our Christmas in Margaret River guide if you are heading south-west.
Christmas bells (Blandfordia)
These bell flowers grow in eastern Australia (New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania, depending on the species) and are described as a protected species. Over-collecting has caused local damage in the past, so do not pick them from the bush. If you want them, buy from a grower.
Pets: we have not verified toxicity for these plants, so ask your vet before leaving cut stems where pets can chew them.
Summer-proof outdoor decorating
Verandahs and gardens are where an Aussie Christmas shines, and where heat does the damage. Plastic and paint fade under strong sun, so look for products that say UV-resistant or outdoor-rated, and bring delicate pieces in during the day. Wind can topple tall ornaments, so anchor them.
Solar fairy lights save running cords across the yard. Check the listing for weather rating, how long they run after dusk, and whether the panel will get enough sun where you want to put it.
Fire safety: on hot, dry or windy days, and especially on total fire ban days, avoid naked flames outdoors and check your local fire service for current rules. LED candles are a safe swap.
Handmade and keepsake ornaments
Disclosure: Gumnutly makes and sells this piece, so we have a financial interest.
Our handmade wooden koala is a small keepsake and tree ornament, not a toy, so hang it rather than hand it over for play. It suits anyone who wants one lasting piece rather than a box of baubles. You can read more about our approach in handmade wooden gifts, and check the listing for current details.
Make your own
Salt dough gumnuts and pressed-leaf gift tags make a good family afternoon. Poke a hole for the ribbon before baking, let the pieces cool fully, then paint them. Salt dough is not for eating, so keep it away from pets.
A good extra for the kids is a book. Aussie Jingle Bells by Colin Buchanan, illustrated by Nick Bland and published by Scholastic Australia, is a picture-book version of the song that has become a school-concert favourite.
For more small gift ideas, see our Aussie stocking stuffers.
Decorating far from home
If you are an Aussie overseas, a koala on the tree and a sprig of eucalyptus can make a cold December feel closer to home. Our Christmas gifts for Aussie expats has more ideas. If family at home is posting you ornaments, check the Australia Post Christmas cut-off dates first, and remember some countries restrict plant and wood imports, so check customs rules.
Many families also keep a nativity set as part of their tradition. It sits happily next to a koala.
Quick comparison
| Decoration idea | Good for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Koala or kangaroo ornament | Classic Aussie tree | Material, small parts, where it is made |
| Kookaburra ornament | Bird lovers | Clip strength, finish |
| Gumnuts and banksia pods | Natural look | Source (not from parks), shedding |
| Eucalyptus garland | Scent and colour | Wilting in heat, pet chewing |
| Native wreath | Front door | Shade, make close to the day |
| NSW Christmas bush stems | Vase centrepiece | Florist stock, timing varies |
| Solar fairy lights | Verandah and garden | Weather rating, sun on panel |
| Handmade wooden koala | Keepsake | Ornament, not a toy |
| Salt dough gumnuts | Family craft | Not edible, keep from pets |
| Picture book | Kids and expats | Edition and availability |
Confirmed vs. not
Confirmed (checked 5 November 2026):
- NSW Christmas bush is endemic to New South Wales, with sepals that turn red-pink around Christmas (Wikipedia).
- Victorian Christmas bush is native from Queensland to Tasmania and flowers November to March (Wikipedia).
- Nuytsia floribunda is a root hemiparasite that flowers between October and January and is hard to cultivate (Wikipedia, citing FloraBase).
- Blandfordia is described as a protected species (Wikipedia, citing NSW DPI).
- NSW National Parks lists picking flowers or collecting plants as an illegal activity in its parks (NSW National Parks).
- Aussie Jingle Bells is by Colin Buchanan, illustrated by Nick Bland, published by Scholastic Australia (Booktopia listing).
Not confirmed: stock and listings change, so check each one. State rules on picking native plants vary, so check yours. Flowering times shift with season and region. We did not verify plant toxicity to pets, or the origin of any product we link.
FAQ
What is Australia’s native Christmas plant?
There are several. NSW Christmas bush, Victorian Christmas bush, the WA Christmas tree and Christmas bells all earn the name from flowering or colouring around Christmas.
Can I pick gumnuts and banksias for decorations?
Not from national parks or reserves. Buy from a florist or craft supplier, or use fallen material from your own garden, and check your state’s rules.
Can I buy a WA Christmas tree for the garden?
Realistically no. It is a root hemiparasite and difficult to grow to maturity, so enjoy it in the wild.
How do I stop outdoor decorations fading in summer?
Choose UV-resistant, outdoor-rated pieces, keep delicate ones in the shade or bring them in during the day, and pack them away after the season.
Can I buy Australian Christmas ornaments in the US?
Yes, through Amazon and Etsy searches and from Australian makers who ship overseas. Read the listing for origin and shipping details.
More from Gumnutly
- Australian Christmas hampers compared
- Wildlife adoption gifts
- Australian souvenirs that aren’t tacky
How we wrote this
- We researched public sources on 5 November 2026 and did not test the products.
- Amazon links are search links because we could not load individual listings to verify them.
- Amazon US links are affiliate links; Etsy and Amazon Australia links are not.
Top photo: Christmas tree bauble and tinsel, Jennifer C. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. More on our photo credits page.
Sources
- Ceratopetalum gummiferum (Wikipedia)
- Prostanthera lasianthos (Wikipedia)
- Nuytsia (Wikipedia)
- Blandfordia (Wikipedia)
- Illegal activities (NSW National Parks)
- Aussie Jingle Bells (Booktopia)
Written by the Gumnutly team. Last checked: 5 November 2026.