Why This Yogi Says Time in Nature is Vital for a Balanced Life, Ben Savage, Star RV, couple, gorge, jump, river

 

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 2026 to maximise your annual leave and public holidays.

 

If the first day back at work for 2026 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 2026

January

Book leave on: 2nd and 23rd or 27th

If you’re yet to organise your leave for Christmas and New Year’s, don’t forget to take Friday 2nd of January off! With New Year’s Day landing on a Thursday, just one day of leave on the Friday gets you a four-day weekend before the work year properly kicks off on Monday 5th of January.

A few weeks’ later, Invasion Day (Australia Day public holiday) lands on Monday the 26th of January, which means we naturally get a three-day weekend. 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. 

2 days of leave = 8 days off in January

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: 2nd or 7th OR 7th-10th

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 first weekend in April; Friday 3rd of April to Monday 6th of April. By taking one extra day off on the Thursday before of Tuesday after, you can get five days off for the price of one leave day. Thank the lord for that!

Alternatively, take Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th off and get ten days off in a row.

In 2026, April 25th and ANZAC Day land on a Saturday, which means something different depending on where you live. Unfortunately most people don’t get an additional weekday off when ANZAC Day falls on a weekend. However for the lucky crew living in WA and ACT, you all get Monday the 27th of April off. NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, TAS, and NT aren’t so lucky.

1 day of leave = 5 days off in a row

OR

4 days of leave = 10 days off in a row

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: 5th or 9th OR 9th-12th

Unless you’re in WA or QLD, the now King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday 8th of June. Take off Friday 5th of June or Tuesday 9th of June and you’ve landed another four-day weekend – do the good times ever end? 

If you’re craving a solid mid-year break, why not 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: 2nd or 6th OR 6th-9th

For most states, except NT, TAS, and VIC, Monday 5th 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: 29th, 30th, 31st

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

In 2026, Christmas and Boxing Day fall nicely on a Friday and Saturday, which means the public day off for Boxing Day is Monday the 28th of January, so you can enjoy a four-day weekend without having to take any time off.

For a longer (and well-deserved) break between Christmas and New Year, take leave on Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th, and Thursday 31st for ten days off for the price of three.

Now that’s good holiday math.

3 days of leave = 10 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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