Moving House Around Christmas? What to Plan for an Australian Summer Move

Moving around Christmas can mean juggling more than boxes and furniture. You might be working around settlement dates, school holidays, a long drive, summer heat and plans to spend time with family.

Whether you’re moving locally or heading interstate, thinking through a few Christmas-specific details can make the days around your move easier to manage.

Get in touch about your moving date as early as possible

If you’re planning to move before Christmas or during the holiday period, contact us at Southern Removals as early as possible to discuss your dates.

You don’t need to have everything finalised before getting in touch. If you’re waiting on settlement, a lease or confirmation of your new home, let us know your likely timeframe. We can talk through your plans and the options available.

It’s also worth asking our team about operating hours over Christmas and New Year, particularly if you need to move close to a public holiday.

Plan the days around the move, not just moving day

Take a look at what needs to happen before and after the truck arrives. Depending on your move, you might need to arrange key collection, cleaning, accommodation or a handover at your old property.

Check holiday hours with anyone involved, including your real estate agent, conveyancer, building manager and utility providers. If you need a lift booked or keys collected on a particular day, confirm those arrangements in advance.

If your dates are still uncertain, talk to us about them so we understand what you’re working around.

Allow extra time if you’re travelling

If you’re moving interstate or travelling to your new home over the holidays, think about the journey as well as the move itself.

Check your route and any planned roadworks or closures, and allow time for breaks along the way. If you need overnight accommodation, consider booking ahead and checking the property’s arrival arrangements over the holiday period.

Let our team know your travel plans and any dates when you won’t be available. That gives us the information we need when discussing collection and delivery.

Make a plan for the heat

December and January can bring some very hot days, so keep the things you’ll need to stay comfortable close by.

Have drinking water, sunscreen and hats accessible, and find a shaded spot where you can take breaks. If you’re hoping for an early start, ask our team what times are available when you book.

Check the weather forecast in the days before the move too. If storms or severe weather are expected and you’re concerned about access, get in touch with us to discuss the situation.

Pack an esky for food and drinks

Before moving day, check what’s in your fridge and freezer. Try to use up perishables in the lead-up to the move, particularly if you’re travelling a long distance or won’t have a working fridge straight away.

For food you’re taking with you, use a clean esky with plenty of ice or frozen ice bricks. If you can’t keep it cold throughout the journey, consider using it up before you leave and buying fresh food after you arrive. For frozen items, make sure they stay frozen.

It’s also handy to keep a separate esky or bag with cold drinks and snacks for the day, so you aren’t searching through boxes when everyone gets hungry.

Keep Christmas essentials easy to find

If Christmas falls in the middle of your move, set aside the things you’ll need before the rest of the house is unpacked.

That might include presents, decorations, a favourite serving dish or the clothes you’re planning to wear to a family gathering. Pack them together in a clearly labelled box, or keep them with you.

Make arrangements for children and pets

With school holidays underway, children may be home on moving day. If you can, arrange for someone to look after them or set up a comfortable space away from the busiest areas.

For pets, consider where they’ll stay while doors and gates are open and the team is moving in and out. Keep their food, water, medication and transport gear somewhere easy to reach, and plan for breaks if you’re travelling a long distance.

What if your moving dates don’t line up?

Your old home might need to be handed back before your new one is ready, or your travel plans might mean you can’t move in straight away.

If there’s a gap between properties, ask us about storage. Let our team know what you need stored and your expected timeframe, and we can discuss the options available.

Plan your first meal in your new home

After a long moving day, the last thing you may feel like doing is finding the saucepan buried in box number 27.

Check local shop and takeaway opening hours if you’re arriving close to Christmas or a public holiday. You could also set aside a few easy meals, snacks and basic kitchen supplies so you have what you need for the first day or two.

Talk to Southern about your Christmas move

Whether you’re moving locally, travelling interstate or need storage between homes, our team can help you plan around your dates.

Contact Southern Removals as early as possible to discuss your move and what you need.