Take a week-long break in Hawaii
They roll around every year, but do you really make the most of your public holidays? Earlier this year, Ray Morgan Research announced that Australians have a whopping 133.7 million days of accrued annual leave with many workers unaware of their current balance. Do you know yours?
The key to stretching out your annual leave is to plan ahead to make the most of public holidays and long weekends to max out your entitlement. That’s why we’ve listed each public holiday by state and territory in 2020 and where you should go. Be sure to check out regional holidays so you can holiday even longer. Scroll to find your state or territory – you’re welcome!
Australian Capital Territory
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day
Monday, 9 March - Canberra Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Sunday, 12 April - Easter Sunday
Monday, 13 April - Easter Monday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 1 June - Reconciliation Day
Monday, 8 June - Queen’s Birthday
Monday, 5 October - Labour Day
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Monday, 28 December - Boxing Day
Tip: Take just four days off from Tuesday, 2 June to Friday, 5 June and score yourself a 10-day break.
For a long weekend: Hit the road and head to the Southern Highlands for timeout in country NSW. Enjoy strolling around the country towns or head to the beach for a swim.
For a week-long getaway: Drive or fly to Sydney to catch a direct flight to Honolulu. Shop ‘til you drop, take an ATV tour through Kualoa Ranch or simply relax on Waikiki Beach. If you’ve got more time, check out the other Hawaiian islands.
New South Wales
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Sunday, 12 April - Easter Sunday
Monday, 13 April - Easter Monday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 8 June - Queen’s Birthday
Monday, 3 August - Bank Holiday
Monday, 5 October - Labour Day
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Saturday, 26 December - Boxing Day
Monday, 28 December - Boxing Day (Additional Day)
Tip: Take four days off from Monday, 6 April to Thursday, 9 April and score a 10-day break.
For a long weekend: Take your three-day weekend north to the Sunshine Coast. Stay in Noosa where you can pick up a coffee and shop along Hastings Street, or fuel up with breakfast before a walk through Noosa National Park.
For a week-long getaway: Escape the city and head to Queenstown! Adventure can always be found in New Zealand, regardless of the season. By day you can hit the slopes in winter, visit a winery in spring, kayak in summer and cruise Mildford Sound in autumn. At night, plan a visit to the Dark Sky Project Base where you can stargaze the southern skies – one of our Top 50 Travel Experiences for 2020.
Seek adventure in Queenstown!
Northern Territory
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Monday, 13 April - Easter Monday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 4 May - May Day
Monday, 8 June - Queen’s Birthday
Monday, 3 August - Picnic Holiday
Thursday, 24 December - Christmas Eve (7pm to midnight)
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Monday, 28 December - Boxing Day
Thursday, 31 December New Year’s Eve (7pm to midnight)
Tip: Most of Easter is filled with public holidays, which gives the NT the biggest block of time off. Take a few days either side for extended leave.
For a long weekend: Pop over to Bali for a weekend. Stay amid the hustle and bustle of Seminyak where you can eat and shop yourself silly, or head north to Ubud where you can check in to a private villa among the rice paddies for some serious Zen. Don’t forget to check out Bali’s restaurant scene, another of our Top 50 Travel Experiences for 2020.
For a week-long getaway: Transit in Singapore before catching a connecting flight to Vietnam! Discover this country’s rich culture by travelling from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south or vice versa.
Head to Vietnam for a culturally enriching experience
Queensland
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Sunday, 12 April - Easter Sunday
Monday, 13 April - Easter Monday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 4 May - Labour Day
Monday, 5 October - Queen’s Birthday
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Saturday, 26 December - Boxing Day
Monday, 28 December - Boxing Day (Additional Day)
Tip: Take an additional four days off the week of Australia Day, Labour Day or the Queen’s Birthday to give yourself nine days off in total.
For a long weekend: Get back to nature and escape to the Gold Coast hinterland for a long weekend. Stay at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park, where you can explore by day and unwind by night. The Canopy Suites or Rainforest Villas are a perfect home away from home.
For a week-long getaway: Switch your out of office on and cruise the South Pacific! In 2020 Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean International will begin cruising from the port of Brisbane. The cruise lines will join P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises out of Brisbane, meaning you’ll have a wider range of choice for your cruise holiday.
Cruise the South Pacific during your break
South Australia
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Sunday, 26 January - Australia Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day (additional day)
Monday, 9 March - Adelaide Cup Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Monday, 13 April Easter Monday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 8 June - Queen’s Birthday
Monday, 5 October - Labour Day
Thursday, 24 December - Christmas Eve (7pm to midnight)
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Saturday, 26 December - Boxing Day
Monday, 28 December - Proclamation Day
Thursday, 31 December - New Year’s Eve (7pm to midnight)
Tip: Taking an additional four days after Adelaide Cup Day will mean you can enjoy a nine day break.
For a long weekend: Pack up the car and take the SeaLink ferry across to Kangaroo Island from Adelaide. While you’re there, discover the island’s natural beauty and wildlife by booking a day tour or exploring at your own pace. Seal Bay, Admirals Arch and the Remarkable Rocks are a must.
For a week-long getaway: Fly direct to Singapore for a city escape or explore more of Asia with connecting flight or hop on a cruise out of the popular hub. Don’t leave Singapore without a feast at a night hawker market, a shop down Orchard Road or a visit to the Jewel at Changi Airport, which is one of our Top 50 Travel Experiences for 2020.
Check out the new Jewel Changi Airport
Tasmania
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day (Monday becomes a public holiday)
Monday, 9 March - Eight Hours Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Monday, 13 April Easter Monday
Tuesday, 14 April - Easter Tuesday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 8 June - Queen’s Birthday
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Monday, 28 December - Boxing Day
Tip: Stretch out the Queen’s Birthday by taking four days off afterwards to give yourself a nine day break.
For a long weekend: Take the 30-minute ferry from Triabunna on the east coast to Maria Island and prepare to be wowed. Go on a four-day guided hike for an immersive experience on the historic island, or simply enjoy the natural landscape. Read more about Maria Island, one of our Top 50 Travel Experiences for 2020, here.
For a week-long getaway: From Hobart, fly to Melbourne or Sydney and pick up a direct flight to Port Vila. Check out the Warwick Le Lagon for a holiday deal, where you can even book an overwater villa! Travel Experts Kristy and Luke visited earlier in the year and discovered all that Vanuatu has to offer. Check out the video here.
Splurge and book an overwater villa, before visiting other islands of Vanuatu
Victoria
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day
Monday, 9 March - Labour Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Sunday, 12 April Easter Sunday
Monday, 13 April - Easter Monday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 8 June - Queen’s Birthday
Friday, 25 September - Friday before AFL Grand Final
Tuesday, 3 November - Melbourne Cup
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Saturday, 26 December - Boxing Day
Monday, 28 December - Boxing Day (Additional Day)
Tip: There are plenty of chances for you Victorians to stretch out your annual leave. Look at taking a few days extra leave around Labour Day, Queen’s Birthday, Friday before AFL Grand Final or Melbourne Cup will allow you to have a longer break.
For a long weekend: For some real rest and relaxation, drive an hour and 40 minutes from Melbourne to Daylesford and check in to one of the many cottages, hotels and villas. Stay at Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel, where the 1930s guesthouse has been transformed and now houses the guestrooms and villas.
For a week-long getaway: Fly to Fiji and say “Bula!” to island time. Stay at a resort along the Coral Coast or in Port Denarau for easy access to the surrounding islands during the day. Take a trip to Malamala Beach Club, located just 25 minutes by boat from the port. While there, sip a cocktail and discover why this is one of our Top 50 Travel Experiences for 2020.
Say "Bula" to island time
Western Australia
Wednesday, 1 January - New Year’s Day
Monday, 27 January - Australia Day
Monday, 2 March - Labour Day
Friday, 10 April - Good Friday
Monday, 13 April - Easter Monday
Saturday, 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 27 April - Anzac Day
Monday, 1 June - Western Australia Day
Monday, 28 September - Queen’s Birthday
Friday, 25 December - Christmas Day
Saturday, 26 December - Boxing Day
Monday, 28 December - Boxing Day (Additional Day)
Tip: Take four days off from Tuesday, 29 September to Friday, 2 October and enjoy nine days off with the kids during the first week of the school holidays.
For a long weekend: Drive three hours’ south from Perth and spend a long weekend in the Margaret River region. Visit a local craft brewery or winery, stroll along the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, play a game of golf or watch the whales migrate (between June and December).
For a week-long getaway: Snap up a cheap flight from Perth to Bali and splurge on a week-long holiday. Plan ahead if you want to live your best life with a private pool villa as this type of accommodation tends to sell out. Take a look at Flight Centre Exclusives for the latest package deals to Bali or our Bali Travel Guide for more inspiration.
Plan ahead to secure a private pool villa in Bali
Know when you're taking leave? Book a deal today!
hawaii new south wales sunshine coast queenstown bali vietnam south pacific singapore kangaroo island maria island vanuatu victoria margaret river
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