The Metro Christmas Bus is a vibrant, large-scale celebration of Tasmanian community, place and joy. Conceived as a travelling artwork, the project transforms a public transport vehicle into a festive spectacle that brings Christmas cheer directly to the streets of Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. Metro Tasmania’s ambition was clear: to create something joyful, bold, colourful and unmistakably Christmas—an inclusive design that could be enjoyed by people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.

At the heart of the project is a richly detailed illustration that celebrates diversity, community and Tasmania’s unique natural environment. Local flora, fauna and characters come alive in playful vignettes: a turbo chook dashes by with a wrapped gift, a seagull strings festive lights, a platypus swims the rivulet clutching a candy cane, and a wombat and Tasmanian devil wrestle over a bonbon. People of different ages and backgrounds gather at bus stops, families stroll with their dogs, Santa fishes for gifts in the timtumili minanya (Derwent River), and black cockatoos carry baubles through flowering gums. Christmas trees, candy canes, sparkles, gifts and buses weave throughout the scene, ensuring every glance reveals a new moment of delight.

Tasmanian landmarks are reimagined as whimsical gingerbread creations, dripping with icing and lollies. The Cascade Brewery, Wrest Point Casino, Launceston’s Cataract Gorge and Burnie’s Emu River Bridge anchor the design in place, reinforcing a strong sense of local pride and identity across Metro’s three service regions.

The Christmas Bus made its debut at the Myer Christmas Pageant in Hobart, where it was awarded Runner-Up for Best Christmas-Themed Float, before travelling on to pageants in Launceston and Burnie. Beyond the full vinyl-wrapped bus, the illustrated assets were extended across Metro’s Christmas social media campaign and a highly successful children’s colouring-in competition, maximising reach and community engagement.

The Metro Christmas Bus is more than seasonal decoration; it is a moving celebration of place, people and imagination—bringing colour, laughter and a shared sense of joy to communities across Tasmania.

Thank you to Metro Tasmania for this commission