Pale Ale

There’s something magic about Christmas in Australia.

The sun’s out, the esky’s full, and the smell of prawns and sunscreen seems to drift through every backyard in the country. And while the lead-up can feel like a sprint, Christmas Day lunch doesn’t have to be, not when you keep things simple, fresh and fuss-free.

Whether you’re hosting the whole clan or just your closest mates, here’s how to serve up an effortless Christmas lunch 2025 that’s relaxed, delicious and perfectly summery, all without breaking a sweat.

Start with Simple, Seasonal Food

The best Christmas lunch ideas aren’t complicated; they make the most of warm weather, fresh produce and easy prep.

Aussie Christmas Mains

Pick one or two, keep them simple, and let the flavours shine:

• Glazed ham with honey, pineapple or peach glaze
• BBQ prawns with garlic, chilli and lime
• Cold roasted chicken or rotisserie chook (effortless!)
• Fresh seafood platter - oysters, bugs, prawns
• BBQ salmon with herbs and citrus
• Slow-cooked lamb shoulder (prep the night before, forget about it)

Summery Sides That Practically Make Themselves

• Crisp green salad with mango and avocado
• Cherry tomato, bocconcini and basil “Christmas Caprese”
• Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Pear and rocket salad with walnuts
• Zesty slaw with herbs and lime
• A simple breadboard with butter, chutney and olives

Sweet Treats for a Hot Christmas Day

Leave the heavy puddings for winter, go fresh, fruity and cold:

• Pavlova with seasonal fruit
• Trifle (make it boozy or kid-friendly)
• Fruit salad with mint and passionfruit
• Ice-cream sandwiches made with store-bought cookies
• Frozen cheesecake slices
• Chocolate-dipped cherries (easy, festive, delicious)

Nothing heavy, nothing stressful, just easy eating for long summer lunches.

Quick Christmas Lunch Ideas (For When You're Short on Time)

Need a few lifesavers? Try these:

• Prawn rolls with lettuce, lemon mayo and herbs
• BBQ corn brushed with garlic butter and paprika
• Watermelon, feta and mint salad
• Sausage sizzle bar with gourmet snags and toppings
• Pre-marinated meats (no one needs to know!)
• Charcuterie platter heroed by summer stone fruit

You can prep nearly all of these in under 20 minutes, leaving you more time to slip into the shade with a cold Pacific or Pale Ale.

Prep the Night Before

Future you will be very grateful. Do all the chopping, mixing and marinating on Christmas Eve:

• Prep salad bases
• Marinate meats
• Slice fruit
• Make desserts
• Chill drinks early
• Lay out the table or picnic setup

That way Christmas Day is all about breezy cooking and easy hosting.

Keep the Drinks Light and Refreshing

A great Christmas Day lunch deserves drinks that can handle the heat, cold, crisp and refreshing enough to keep the afternoon rolling. And with a whole range brewed for Aussie summers, there’s a Stone & Wood beer for every palate around the table.

Fill it with a mix of our favourites so everyone can find their perfect Christmas sip:

• Pacific Ale - our classic Byron brew bursting with tropical Galaxy hop aromas. Soft, fruity and made for long, sunny lunches.
• Hazy Pale Ale - cloudy, juicy and full of bright hop flavour. A crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves a softer, fuller-bodied pale.
• Big Pale Ale - bold, punchy and packed with flavour. Ideal for the mate who likes their beer with a bit more muscle.
• Easy Pale Ale - light, crisp and endlessly drinkable. Perfect for pacing yourself through a warm Christmas Day.
• Cloudy Pale Ale - fresh, aromatic and lightly hazy with a smooth finish - great with salads, seafood and anything off the BBQ.
• Jasper Ale - rich, malty and a little roasty - a lovely contrast for those who enjoy something deeper with their Christmas feast.
• Citrus Radler - zesty, bright and ultra-refreshing, with citrus pops made for Aussie summer heat.
• Peach Radler - bright, spritzy and bursting with peach and apricot notes. Perfect with seafood, salads and hot summer afternoons.

A mix like this keeps everyone happy, from the seasoned beer fan to the “I’ll just have whatever’s cold” uncle, and even the spritz crowd who secretly love a fruity, refreshing sip.

Load the esky with ice, pack in your favourites, and let everyone help themselves.

Because there’s nothing more Aussie than a cold beer, good food and plenty of laughs on a hot Christmas afternoon.

Serve Lunch Buffet-Style

Buffets keep things casual and let everyone pick what they like. 

Lay everything out in this order:

• Cold dishes
• Warm dishes
• Sauces & condiments
• Breadboard
• Drinks on ice

It’s relaxed, communal and pure Aussie Christmas energy.

Make Space for Backyard Fun

Christmas doesn’t need a big agenda, just a couple of easy activities to keep the day flowing:

• A round of beach cricket
• A Christmas scavenger hunt
• Dad-joke showdown
• The Christmas Hat Challenge
• Ring toss with empty Stone & Wood cans

These little moments are the ones everyone talks about next year.

Relax Into the Afternoon

Once everyone’s had a feed and found a comfy spot, the day naturally slows down into that perfect Christmas haze, good tunes, long chats, full bellies, and a few more beers gently clinking in the esky.

Grab another Pacific or Pale Ale, settle into the shade and enjoy the shift from lunch to long arvo hang.

Your Best Christmas Lunch Yet

So if you’re planning your Christmas lunch 2025, keep it light, summery and stress-free.

Fresh food. Cold drinks. Plenty of shade. And the people who make Christmas feel like Christmas.

Here’s to long lunches, sunny afternoons and the easy joy of sharing food and beer with the people you love most.

Merry Christmas, mates, let the good times roll. 🎄🍻

There’s something special about an Aussie Christmas.

The smell of prawns on the barbie, and the unmistakable sound of laughter carrying through the summer air. Whether you’re gathered around the tree or down by the beach, it’s the time of year where everyone slows down, comes together, and celebrates the good stuff, sunshine, family, and maybe a few cold ones in the esky.

And because no great Christmas arvo is complete without a bit of friendly competition (and plenty of laughs), we’ve rounded up the best Christmas games and activities to make this year’s celebrations one to remember.

So, crack a Pacific Ale, Pale Ale, or Radler, gather the crew, and let the games begin.

1. The Christmas Scavenger Hunt

If you’re after Christmas games that’ll get everyone off the couch and out in the sunshine, this one’s a winner.

Hide festive clues or small prizes around the yard, think candy canes, mini ornaments, or even wrapped treats. Split into teams and race to find them all. 

For a Byron twist, add a few beach-inspired treasures: a shell, a palm leaf, or a Santa hat hidden in the sand.

It’s simple, easy to set up, and guaranteed to keep the energy levels high.

2. Backyard Reindeer Relay

For some Christmas party games for families that bring everyone together, try this one.

Set up a relay with a few silly challenges, think hopping like a reindeer, balancing baubles on spoons, or wrapping a teammate in tinsel before tagging the next person.

The funnier the challenges, the better the laughs. Just make sure someone’s on camera duty, these are the moments that end up on next year’s Christmas card.

3. Beach Cricket (with a Festive Twist)

No Aussie summer Christmas is complete without a game of beach cricket.
But this year, why not give it a festive upgrade? Swap the wickets for candy canes, wear Santa hats in the field and start every innings with a “Ho Ho Howzat!”

It’s one of those timeless games to play at Christmas that never gets old, especially when you’ve got an esky full of cold drinks and a few cheeky spectators cheering from the shade.

4. The Christmas Hat Challenge

Here’s one of our favourite funny Christmas games for all ages. Everyone gets a Santa hat at the start of lunch. The rule? You can’t touch or adjust it until someone makes a toast. The last person to realise what’s happening, and still wearing their hat, has to tell a terrible Christmas joke.

It’s simple, hilarious, and the perfect icebreaker after a big feast.

5. Beer Ring Toss

Feeling creative? Grab some empty Stone & Wood cans, give them a rinse, and set them up for a DIY ring toss.

You can use rope rings, pool rings, or even glow sticks for a nighttime version. It’s one of those easy Christmas games ideas that you can whip up on the spot, and it’s surprisingly competitive once the adults get involved.

6. Christmas Trivia Showdown

Think you know your Christmas classics?

Test your crew’s knowledge with a quick trivia round. Mix up questions for everyone; movie buffs, music fans alike.

Bonus points for anyone who can sing the entire “Twelve Days of Christmas” without losing track.

It’s one of those Christmas games that always gets everyone talking, and maybe even a little bit too competitive.

7. Pass the Parcel, Grown-Up Edition

For a fun twist on a childhood favourite, create a “grown-up” version of kids Christmas games. Wrap small treats, chocolates, or festive jokes inside each layer, but instead of music, pass it around every time someone tells their best (or worst) dad joke.

It’s silly, nostalgic, and guaranteed to get a few belly laughs going around the table.

8. Christmas Karaoke (Bonus Round)

Once the sun goes down, it’s time for one more round of laughter. Plug in a speaker, pour another beer, and queue up the classics; Mariah, Bublé, maybe even a little John Farnham for good measure.

No prizes here, just good vibes, loud singing, and memories that’ll last until next Christmas.

Make It a Stone & Wood Christmas

However you celebrate, backyard, beach, or balcony, Christmas is about those little moments that bring us together. So grab your beer, fill the esky, and get ready for a day of laughter, sunshine, and maybe a bit of friendly competition.

After all, the best Christmas games aren’t about who wins, they’re about who’s still laughing at the end of the day.

From Byron Bay to backyards across Australia, here’s to good beer, great mates, and a summer full of joy. 🍻🎅

Christmas in Australia hits a little differently, warm mornings, cold drinks, long lunches, salty swims and that familiar rustle of wrapping paper drifting across the backyard. And while finding the right Christmas gifts can feel like a scramble, choosing something for the beer lover in your life? That’s the easy part.

Whether you’re hunting for Christmas gifts for men, thoughtful Christmas gifts for women, or just a few relaxed Christmas gift ideas for the mates who always rock up with a six-pack, we’ve put together the ultimate guide, Stone & Wood style.

From practical summer essentials to a few cheeky stocking stuffers, these picks are made for sunshine, good company and long afternoons shared over great beer.

1. Stone & Wood Beer Packs

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a great beer. A mixed pack of Stone & Wood favourites is one of the easiest Christmas gifts you can give, and it suits just about anyone who enjoys a cold one on a warm summer’s day.

Whether you’re shopping for Christmas gifts for men, thoughtful Christmas gifts for women, or just need a few reliable Christmas gift ideas for the mates who are impossible to buy for, beer is the universal crowd-pleaser.

Build a bundle with some or all of these classics:

• Pacific Ale - tropical, iconic and brewed for beach days
• Hazy Pale Ale - juicy, soft and full of bright hop character
• Big Pale Ale - bold, flavoursome and made for the beer enthusiast
• Easy Pale Ale - crisp, clean and endlessly drinkable
• Citrus Radler - zesty, light and made for hot summer afternoons

Pick a favourite or mix them up, either way, it’s the kind of gift that definitely won’t sit on a shelf.

2. The Stone & Wood Soft Cooler

For the mate who’s always first to volunteer as “Keeper of the Esky”, the Stone & Wood Soft Cooler is a no-brainer. It fits a solid stash of beers, keeps everything icy cold, and looks the part for beach days, backyard BBQs and road trips.

A top pick for Christmas gifts for men, but just as perfect as a Christmas gift for women who loves a stylish, practical cooler for summer adventures.

3. The Splash Proof Tote & Beach Bag

If their Christmas Day starts with a swim and ends with a cold beer, the Stone & Wood Splash Proof Tote & Beach Bag will be right up their alley. Roomy, durable and designed for sandy days and salty hair, they’re the ideal Christmas gift for people who are always headed for the water.

4. Brewing Co. Cap or Patch Trucker Hat

A classic cap is one of those Christmas gift ideas that always lands well, especially in the Aussie heat.

Choose from the:

• Brewing Co. Cap
• Patch Trucker Hat
• Green Boonie Hat (for those sun-smart Christmas heroes)

Perfect stocking stuffers for beer lovers of all ages.

5. Project Pargo Insulated Stubby Holder

The ultimate warm-weather essential.

The S&W x Project Pargo Insulated Stubby Holder keeps beer cold from first sip to last, a small but mighty gift that’s guaranteed to get a workout all summer long.

A great option when you need Christmas gifts for men who “don’t need anything” (they always need a better stubby holder), or Christmas gifts for women who love their drinks staying cold at the beach.

6. The Byron Bay Towel

Soft, premium and beach-day-ready, the Stone & Wood Byron Bay Towel is the definition of a versatile gift.

Pair it with a Pacific Ale, Pale Ale or Radler and you’ve got the perfect summer bundle, part comfort, part beer, all good vibes.

7. The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Hamper

If you really want to go big, put together your own Stone & Wood Christmas hamper:

• A mix of our beers
• A cooler or tote
• A cap
• A stubby holder
• And maybe even a towel

It’s thoughtful, fun, and feels tailor-made, the kind of gift that gets talked about well into the new year.

8. A Case for the Christmas Day Table

And of course, the simplest and most appreciated gift of all: Bring beer to Christmas lunch.

Turning up with a mixed case of Stone & Wood favourites is one of the easiest Christmas gift ideas out there, generous, practical and guaranteed to be enjoyed before the day is done.

Wrap It Up, Summer Style

At the end of the day, the best Christmas gifts are the ones that make people smile, something they’ll use, share and remember. And whether you’re shopping for Christmas gifts for him, thoughtful Christmas gifts for her, or just something for your beer-loving mates, Stone & Wood gear is made for sunshine, good times and long Aussie summers.

So grab a cold Pacific Ale, Pale Ale or Radler, pop on some festive tunes, and sort your Christmas list the easy way.

Because when the presents are sorted and the esky’s full, all that’s left to do is enjoy the day with the people who make it special. 🎄🍻

There’s something about summer in Queensland that just begs you to pack the esky, chuck a towel in the car, and escape the city heat. Brisbane might be all about bustling laneways, riverside walks, and rooftop bars, but not far beyond the skyline you’ll find some of the most refreshing swimming holes near me and some of the most scenic Brisbane swimming spots in Australia. Crystal-clear creeks, lush forest backdrops, and that blissful feeling of plunging into cool freshwater, it’s about as good as life gets.

At Stone & Wood, we’re all about celebrating community, good times, and those laidback moments that make living in Australia so special. And while we brew beer right across the country, the Northern Rivers has taught us a thing or two about slowing down and soaking it all in. So, if you’re keen to swap traffic noise for cicadas and skyscrapers for gum trees, here are our picks for the best swimming holes Brisbane has to offer.

Cedar Creek, Samford

Image courtesy of Samford Valley News

Just an hour out of the city, Cedar Creek feels like stepping into another world. As you wind your way through Samford Valley, the scenery changes from suburban streets to rolling hills and bushland. Once you reach the creek, you’ll find a series of little rock pools linked together by trickling cascades. The water here is cool and crystal clear, tumbling over smooth boulders into pools perfect for a dip or a lazy float.

There are plenty of flat rocks where you can spread out a picnic rug, and shady trees that give it a real hideaway feel. On summer weekends it can be lively with families and groups of mates, but midweek it’s often quiet enough to feel like you’ve stumbled onto a secret.

Kondalilla Falls, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Image courtesy of Queensland.com

A little further afield, but absolutely worth the drive, Kondalilla Falls in Montville is the kind of spot you remember long after the day’s done. The name ‘Kondalilla’ means ‘rushing waters’ in the local Aboriginal language, and it couldn’t be more fitting. The walk in takes you through lush subtropical rainforest, filled with birdsong and the smell of eucalyptus, before you’re rewarded with a swimming hole that looks like something out of a postcard.

This is one of the most iconic waterfalls Brisbane adventurers love to chase. The rock pool at the top of the falls is perfect for cooling off, with sweeping views out over the Blackall Range. If you’re feeling adventurous, the longer circuit takes you down to the base of the 90-metre waterfall, where mist rises off the rocks and the air feels a good five degrees cooler. Floating on your back, gazing up at the green canopy above, it’s one of those pure summer moments you can’t help but savour.

Enoggera Reservoir, The Gap

Image courtesy of Must Do Brisbane

Perfect for families or anyone after an easy-access swim, Enoggera Reservoir is just 30 minutes from the city but feels like a world away. This huge expanse of calm water is framed by bushland, and it’s one of those places where you can set up camp for the day.

There’s a grassy foreshore that makes it easy to lay out a blanket and unpack the esky, and the water itself is ideal for everything from a lazy swim to paddleboarding and kayaking. The dam wall makes a dramatic backdrop, and the loop walking track around the reservoir gives you a chance to stretch the legs before a well-earned dip.

Gardners Falls, Maleny

Image courtesy of Visit Sunshine Coast

If you’re after a mix of relaxation and a little bit of adventure, Gardners Falls in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland delivers. From the car park, it’s just a short stroll along the Obi Obi Creek before you come across a string of rock pools. 

The main attraction, though, is the larger pool at the end, where you’ll often find a rope swing tied to a tree and the braver souls launching themselves into the water. It’s all good fun and adds a playful energy to the place. The surrounding rocks are perfect for sunbaking, and the sound of rushing water makes it all the more peaceful. 

Once you’ve had your fill of Brisbane swimming fun, head into Maleny village for an ice cream, coffee, or even a cheeky pint, it’s the kind of day trip that ticks all the boxes.

Curtis Falls, Tamborine Mountain

Image courtesy of Tripadvisor

Tucked away in the cool, green rainforest of Tamborine Mountain, Curtis Falls is a gem for anyone chasing that classic waterfall hike near Brisbane. The short walk in is shaded by towering eucalypts and giant strangler figs, and if you’re lucky you might spot some glow-worms clinging to the damp rock walls along the way.

The falls themselves tumble into a beautiful rock pool, surrounded by mossy boulders and rainforest ferns. The water here is fresh and brisk, exactly what you need after a warm day exploring the mountain. It’s a popular spot with locals and day-trippers alike, but still manages to feel peaceful and restorative. Pair it with a wander through Tamborine’s markets, wineries, or brewery scene and you’ve got yourself a perfect weekend escape.

Tips for Making the Most of Brisbane Swimming Holes

Like any great day out, a little planning makes all the difference. Pack a picnic, a big water bottle, and a good dose of sunscreen, you’ll be out in the Queensland sun after all. 

And don’t forget the esky. Load it up with snacks, fresh fruit, and a few Stone & Wood favourites, Pacific Ale for those easy-drinking summer vibes, Easy Pale Ale for something refreshing and light-bodied, or Citrus Radler if you’re after a little extra flavour. Nothing beats the first sip after a swim when you’re sprawled out on the riverbank with your mates.

Swimming Holes: Best Enjoyed with Mates and a Cold One

That’s the beauty of Brissy’s backyard, one moment you’re weaving through city traffic, and the next you’re floating in cool freshwater with the sound of cicadas buzzing overhead. These spots aren’t just about cooling down; they’re about slowing down, kicking back, and enjoying the simple pleasures that come with being outdoors together. 

And when the day’s done, there’s no better way to toast the adventure than with a Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, light, zesty, and brewed to share.