Does your New Year’s resolution involve doubling down on adventure? Then you’ve gotta make your leave work smarter, not harder. Here are the best days to take off work in 2025 to maximise your annual leave and public holidays.

 

If the first day back at work for 2025 already had you Googling ‘best multi day hikes around Australia’ then you best be in the know about how to get the most out of your public holidays this year. 

Some public holidays will differ from state to state, but the big ones are almost all the same. Let’s dive in!

How to Maximise Your Public Holidays 2025

January

Book leave on: 24th or 28th

This year, Invasion Day (Australia Day public holiday) lands on Sunday 26th of January, which means the public holiday occurs on Monday 27th of January. By taking just one day of leave on Friday 24th or Tuesday 28th you’ll get four days off in a row. Now that’s just good maths. 

1 day of leave = 4 days off in a row

Read more: 12 Best Multi Day Hikes in NSW

 

The Strangeness of Being Homesick in Your Own Country, Amy Fairall, sunrise, Kakadu National Park, billabong, film photo

Soak up that summer sun!

April

Book leave on: 22nd, 23rd, 24th

Easter is always a great time to take a break. After a strong start to the work year, April rocks around and you’re ready to escape to nature again. 

This year, Easter falls on the third weekend in April; Friday 18th of April to Monday 21st of April. 

Now here’s the good news – ANZAC Day comes just four days later on Friday 25th of April. That means you only need to take off three days – Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, and Thursday 24th – to get ten, I repeat, TEN days off in a row, for the price of three. Cha-ching!

3 days of leave = 10 days off in April!

Read more: Top 10 Road Trips Across Australia

 

12 Day Road Trip From Sydney to Darwin – Straight up The Guts of Australia, Amy Fairall, Silverton Hotel, car, road trip, film

Did someone say road trip?

June

Book leave on: 6th or 10th OR 10th-13th

Unless you’re in WA or QLD, the now King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday 9th of June. Take off Friday 6th of June or Tuesday 10th of June and you’ve landed another four-day weekend – do the good times ever end? 

Craving a solid mid-year break? Take leave for the rest of the week for a sweet nine days off!

1 day of leave = 4 days off in a row  

OR

4 days of leave = 9 days off in a row

Read more: Best Places in Vic For Your First Snow Camping Trip

 

What You’re Missing Out on by Staying on The Coast, Amy Fairall, film photo, Mt Cobbler, VIC, sunrise

Time to head to the mountains

October

Book leave on: 3rd or 7th OR 7th-10th

For most states, except NT, TAS, and VIC, Monday 6th of October is another public holiday, either as Labour Day or the King’s Birthday.

You know what to do – take the Friday or Tuesday for a weekender-extender, or take the whole rest of the week to gain nine days off for the price of four. 

1 day of leave = 4 days off in a row

OR 

4 days of leave = 7 days off in a row

Read more: Best Hikes Near Brisbane With Waterfalls

 

What You’re Missing Out on by Staying on The Coast, Amy Fairall, film photo, Warrumbungles, mountains

Is there any better time for hiking than spring??

December

Book leave on: 22nd-24th Or 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th, 31st, & 2nd

I know I know, a bit early to be thinking about Christmas again already – but it’s never too early to think about holidays! 

This year, Christmas and Boxing Day fall nicely on a Thursday and Friday, so you can enjoy a four-day weekend without having to take any time off.

If you’re into popping the champagne early and kicking off the Christmas holidays from 5pm Friday 19th of December, you best book to take off Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd, and Wednesday 24th for a total of nine days off in a row.

If you like working right up to the last minute before Santa slides down the chimney, save your leave and take off Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th, and Wednesday 31st instead for eight days off. Oh and who’s going back to work on Friday 2nd of January? Best take that off too and push it out to 11 days of leave – you deserve it.

Alternatively, if by the end of December you’re chomping at the bit to make office life a distant memory, take seven days of leave, before and after Christmas, and score 16 consecutive days off. Now that is good holiday math.

3 days of leave = 9 days off in a row

OR 

7 days of leave = 16 days off in a row

Read more: 10 Secret Swimming Holes in NSW

 

The Strangeness of Being Homesick in Your Own Country, Amy Fairall, film photo, Darwin, Lake Alexander, friends, picnic, swim

Maxo Summer Relaxo

 

You’ve got more time off than you think, so don’t squander it, get out there and wander it!

 

Feature photo by @ben.savage

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