Australian public holidays 2026: Hack 23 days leave into 53 days travel

If you’re looking to maximise your travel time without burning through your entire leave balance, we’ve found a way to turn just 23 days of annual leave into 53 days of adventures across Australia in 2026. By strategically tagging leave onto public holidays and weekends, you can enjoy multiple nine-day getaways and a massive 16-day Christmas finale.

Welcome to our guide on hacking the 2026 calendar! Whether you’re planning a big lap or just a few cheeky weekenders, knowing these dates early is your ticket to freedom. We’ve done the hard work for you, breaking down exactly when to book those leave forms to score the most time staring at the stars.

Australian public holidays 2026: National dates

Before we dive into the hacks, let’s look at the national public holidays that apply across all states and territories in 2026. These are the core dates we’ll use to stretch your leave.

In addition to these, each state has its own perks like the King’s Birthday or Labour Day. You can check your specific state’s official list here.

January 2026: The 9-day summer jaunt

Kick off the year with a bang! With Australia Day falling on a Monday, you can turn four days of annual leave into a nine-day road trip. This is peak summer, so it’s the perfect time to grab some new camping gear and head for the coast.

April 2026: The 10-day Easter escape

In 2026, Easter falls early in April. Because Anzac Day is on a Saturday (April 25), we don’t get the huge mid-month bridge we had in 2025 (unless you’re in WA or the ACT, where they observe a substitute Monday holiday!). For the rest of us, the focus is on a solid 10-day Easter break.

Hot Tip: If you’re in WA or the ACT, Anzac Day (Saturday 25 April) is observed on Monday 27 April. Tag on four days of leave from April 28–May 1 to score another 9-day break! Use a reliable HEMA map to plan those remote West Aussie routes.

June 2026: King’s Birthday winter escape

For most of Australia (except WA and QLD), Monday 8 June is the King’s Birthday. This is your chance to head north for some warmer weather. By taking the Tuesday to Friday off, you’ve got another nine days to find summer somewhere.

October 2026: Labour Day & King’s Birthday

In October, the roles reverse. NSW, ACT, and SA celebrate Labour Day on Monday 5 October, while Queensland takes its King’s Birthday holiday on the same day. This is a classic “spring fling” opportunity—perfect for those slightly cooler nights and sunny days.

December 2026: The 16-day grand finale

This is the ultimate hack. By using just 7 days of annual leave, you can score a massive 16-day break covering Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, Monday 28 December becomes the additional public holiday in most states, making the bridge even easier to build.

So, there you have it! With a little bit of forward planning, your 2026 can be chock-full of memorable camping experiences. Whether you’re heading to Airlie Beach or the Blue Mountains, we wish you many wonderful adventures ahead!

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