Australia Public Holidays 2026: Dates, Long Weekends & Travel Tips

Australia’s 2026 public holiday calendar gives Australians plenty of chances to rest, celebrate, and plan exciting trips across the country. Since public holidays in Australia vary by state and territory, travellers should always check the holiday rules for their own location before booking flights, hotels, or annual leave.

With a few smart leave hacks, you can turn single holidays into long weekends, beach escapes, city breaks, and family getaways.

List of 2026 Australia Public Holidays

Here’s the 2026 Australia public holiday calendar, including national, state, territory, and selected regional public holidays. Mark these dates early to plan road trips, coastal holidays, or visits to family and friends. Dates are based on Fair Work Ombudsman and Public Holidays Australia public holiday listings.

Note: Some holidays are part-day or regional holidays. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are part-day public holidays in NT and SA, while Christmas Eve is a part-day public holiday in QLD. AFL Grand Final Friday in Victoria is subject to the AFL schedule.

Plan Your Long Weekends in 2026: Leave Hacks for More Breaks

Want to make the most out of your holidays? By taking strategic annual leave, you can turn public holidays into longer breaks.

New Year’s Day (1 Jan, Thu) → Take leave on 2 Jan for a 4-day break!

Australia Day (26 Jan, Mon) → Enjoy a natural 3-day weekend.

Easter Weekend (3–6 Apr, Fri–Mon) → Enjoy a natural 4-day break, or take leave from 7–10 Apr for a 10-day holiday.

Anzac Day Holiday (27 Apr, Mon in ACT, NSW & WA) → Take leave from 28 Apr–1 May for a 9-day break.

King’s Birthday (8 Jun, Mon in most states and territories) → Enjoy a natural 3-day weekend.

Labour Day / King’s Birthday (5 Oct, Mon in ACT, NSW, SA & QLD) → A great chance for a spring long weekend getaway.

Christmas & Boxing Day (25–28 Dec, Fri–Mon) → Enjoy a natural 4-day break, or take leave from 29–31 Dec to stretch it into a Christmas–New Year holiday.

How Many Public Holidays in Australia for 2026?

Australia has seven national public holidays recognised across all states and territories, including New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Each state and territory also has its own additional holidays, which means the total number of public holidays varies depending on where you live.

New Year’s Day (1 Jan)

A fresh start to the year, often celebrated with fireworks, beach outings, barbecues, and relaxing time with family and friends.

✅ Activity: Plan a summer beach day, coastal road trip, or city staycation.

Australia Day (26 Jan)

A national public holiday observed across Australia, often marked with community events, outdoor gatherings, and family activities.

✅ Activity: Enjoy a picnic, local festival, or waterfront celebration.

Easter Weekend (3–6 Apr)

One of the best breaks of the year, with Good Friday and Easter Monday creating a natural 4-day weekend.

✅ Activity: Book a family trip to the Gold Coast, Great Ocean Road, Blue Mountains, or Tasmania.

Anzac Day (25 Apr)

A national day of remembrance honouring Australians and New Zealanders who served and sacrificed in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

✅ Activity: Attend a dawn service or visit a local memorial.

King’s Birthday

Observed on different dates depending on the state or territory, this public holiday creates a useful long weekend for many Australians.

✅ Activity: Plan a winter city break, wine region escape, or national park getaway.

Labour Day / May Day / Eight Hours Day

This holiday recognises workers’ contributions and the history of the eight-hour working day, though the date differs across states and territories.

✅ Activity: Take a short trip, enjoy a family weekend, or explore local attractions.

Christmas Day (25 Dec)

Christmas in Australia falls during summer, making it perfect for beach gatherings, barbecues, festive meals, and family celebrations.

✅ Activity: Enjoy Christmas lights, festive markets, or a summer holiday by the coast.

Boxing Day (26 Dec)

Boxing Day is popular for shopping, sports, beach trips, and relaxed post-Christmas gatherings.

✅ Activity: Look out for Boxing Day sales or plan a short summer escape.

How to Make the Most of Your 2026 Holidays?

Maximise long weekends: Plan leave around Thursday, Friday, or Monday holidays for extended breaks.

Book early: Flights, hotels, tours, and car rentals can sell out quickly during peak public holiday periods; Tourism Australia also recommends booking ahead during busy holiday times.

Choose the right season: Summer is great for beaches, autumn for road trips, winter for city breaks and alpine escapes, and spring for outdoor adventures.

Plan by state: Always check your state or territory’s holiday calendar, especially for regional holidays.

Try staycations: Explore nearby beaches, wine regions, national parks, and cultural towns without long travel times.

With so many public holidays in 2026, Australians have the perfect chance to balance rest, travel, and celebration. Start planning early to make the most of every long weekend!