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Ready to unlock more time to go explore in 2026? With a little planning and a few clever holiday hacks, you can turn your standard leave days into long, luxurious breaks. Whether you're dreaming of coastal cabins, bush escapes or somewhere to just switch off and reconnect, here's how to maximise annual leave using public holidays in 2026.
We've crunched the dates and built your ultimate leave guide. Here's how to turn just 19 days of annual leave into 48 days off. Yes, really.
January 2026: Ease into the year
Public Holiday: Monday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Holiday Hack: Take four days of annual leave from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 January.
Your Reward: A nine-day break from Saturday 24 January to Sunday 1 February.
Best for: Slower getaways, peaceful parks near water, and quiet comfort.
April 2026: Easter escape
Public Holidays: Friday 3 April (Good Friday), Monday 6 April (Easter Monday)
Holiday Hack: Book leave from Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 April (4 days).
Your Reward: Ten days off in a row, from Friday 3 to Sunday 12 April.
Best for: Adventuring families making school holiday memories, or regional explorers chasing autumn colours.
June 2026: Long weekend upgrade
Public Holiday: Monday, 8 June (King's Birthday — most states)
Holiday Hack: Take annual leave from Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 June (4 days).
Your Reward: Nine relaxing days off, from Saturday 6 to Sunday 14 June.
Best for: Campfires, cool breezes and the kind of winter warmth that comes from a good view and great company.
October 2026: Spring reset
Public Holiday: Monday, 5 October (Labour Day — NSW, ACT, SA)
Holiday Hack: Lock in annual leave from Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 October (4 days).
Your Reward: Nine days to shake off the end-of-year slump, from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 October.
Best for: Insta-worthy spring getaways and anyone needing a mid-year mood boost.
December 2026 – January 2027: Festive freedom
Public Holidays: Thursday 25 December (Christmas), Friday 26 December (Boxing Day), Thursday 1 January (New Year's Day)
Holiday Hack: Take leave on Monday 29 to Wednesday 31 December (3 days).
Your Reward: Ten glorious days off from Thursday 25 December to Sunday 4 January.
Best for: Everyone. Make it a group getaway, a solo recharge, or a family adventure to close out the year right.
The Big Picture
By stacking your leave smartly, you could enjoy 48 days off for just 19 annual leave days!
That’s a whole lot more time to go explore. Whether it’s a long weekend by the beach or an extended road trip through regional Australia, booking early means better options, better rates and more time to look forward to the break.
So grab your calendar, call your crew (or don’t — solo breaks are magic too), and start planning now. Because the best memories start with a good plan.
Ready to find your next holiday destination?