The Best Days to Take Off in Australia in 2026

Six Long Weekends for Every Australian

There are plenty of chances for people in all parts of Australia to create some extra free time in 2026 by combining vacation days with public holidays.

Many of the dates vary across states and territories, so make sure to read the notes in the list below.

Interestingly, however, the total count of long weekend opportunities is exactly the same in all of them: No matter where in Australia you live, you get four chances in 2026 to get a 4-day break by taking one day off, and two chances (Easter and Christmas) to get a 5-day break by taking one day off.

The Best Days to Take Off

1. January 2: New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday. Take off the Friday after to create a 4-day weekend.
2. January 23 or 27: Australia Day falls on Monday, January 26. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
3. February 27 or March 3: In Western Australia, Labour Day falls on Monday, March 2. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
   (Note: Western Australia only. Labour Day falls on different dates in other states and territories.)
4. March 6 or 10: In Victoria and Tasmania, Labour Day (known as Eight Hours Day in Tasmania) falls on Monday, March 9. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
   (Note: Victoria and Tasmania only. Labour Day falls on different dates in other states and territories.)
5. March 20 or 24 On Christmas Island, Labour Day falls on Monday, March 23. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
   (Note: Christmas Island only)
6. April 2 or 7: Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6 bracket the weekend. Take off the Thursday before or the Tuesday after to create a 5-day break—or both for a 6-day break.
   (Note: Easter Monday is not a public holiday on Christmas Island.)
7. May 1 or 5: In Queensland and the Northern Territory, Labour Day/May Day falls on Monday, May 4. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
   (Note: Queensland and the Northern Territory only.)
8. June 5 or 9: In all states and territories except Queensland, Western Australia, and Christmas Island, King’s Birthday falls on Monday, June 8. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
   (Note: Queensland and Western Australia observe King’s Birthday on different dates—see below. It is not a public holiday on Christmas Island.)
9. September 25 or 29: In Western Australia, King’s Birthday falls on Monday, September 28. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
   (Note: Western Australia only.)
10. October 2 or 6: In New South Wales, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, Labour Day falls on Monday, October 5. Queensland celebrates King’s Birthday on the same day. Take off the Friday before or the Tuesday after to create a 4-day weekend—or both for a 5-day break.
    (Note: Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory only.)
11. December 24 or 29: Christmas Day falls on a Friday, and the substitute holiday for Boxing Day falls on the Monday after. Take off the Thursday before or the Tuesday after to create a 5-day weekend—or both for a 6-day break.
    (Note: Boxing Day is not a public holiday on the Heard and McDonald Islands.)