Australia: public holidays, long weekends, and school breaks
Which 2026 holidays actually give you time off in Australia, and where a single leave day buys you a four-day weekend.
Australia observes six public holidays in 2026, of which six fall on a working day.
- Australia has 6 public holidays in 2026.
- None of them fall on a weekend, so every holiday gives you a day off work.
- 5 already fall on a Monday or Friday, giving a three-day weekend for no leave at all.
- The strongest break is New Year's Day, running 1 January to 4 January.
- On 1 of them the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, so one day of leave creates a four-day weekend.
Best long weekends
View allChristmas Day + St. Stephen's Day
Dec 23, 2026 to Dec 26, 2026
Good Friday + Holy Saturday + Easter Sunday + Easter Monday
Mar 27, 2026 to Apr 4, 2026
Anzac Day
Apr 17, 2026 to Apr 25, 2026
Melbourne Cup
Oct 30, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026
Christmas Day + St. Stephen's Day
Dec 18, 2026 to Dec 26, 2026
Good Friday + Holy Saturday + Easter Sunday + Easter Monday
Apr 1, 2026 to Apr 11, 2026
Public holiday snapshot
Full calendar| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | NATIONAL |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Australia Day | NATIONAL |
| Mar 2, 2026 | Labour Day | REGIONAL |
| Mar 9, 2026 | Eight Hours Day | REGIONAL |
| Mar 9, 2026 | Adelaide Cup Day | REGIONAL |
| Mar 9, 2026 | Labour Day | REGIONAL |
| Mar 9, 2026 | Canberra Day | REGIONAL |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Good Friday | NATIONAL |
More ways to maximize your time off
Travel ideas
Browse allEdinburgh Hogmanay Long Weekend
A four-day Hogmanay escape to Edinburgh — torchlight through the Old Town, the world's most famous New Year street party, a bracing Loony Dook and a slow recovery day in the Scottish capital, built around Scotland's two-day New Year holiday.
Bastille Day Long Weekend: Paris to Provence in 4 Days
Catch the July 14 parade and Eiffel Tower fireworks in Paris, then unwind among Provence's lavender fields — all in one bridged long weekend.
Netherlands & Belgium in 5 Days without Rush
A smart multi-city route across the Netherlands and Belgium using trains, mixing iconic cities with hidden gems for a balanced and realistic trip.
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Australia Public Holidays 2027: Leave Guide
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UK Bank Holidays 2027: Long Weekend Guide
Every 2027 UK bank holiday for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus the bridge days that turn four days of annual leave into nine days off.
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Australia holiday questions, answered
How many public holidays does Australia have in 2026?
Australia has 6 public holidays in 2026. 6 of them fall on a working day and 0 fall on a weekend.
Which Australia holidays fall on a weekend in 2026?
In 2026, no public holiday in Australia falls on a weekend — all 6 land on working days.
When is the best long weekend in Australia in 2026?
The best long weekend in Australia in 2026 is New Year's Day, from 1 January to 4 January. Booking 1 day of leave turns it into 4 consecutive days off.
How many bridge days can I use in Australia in 2026?
Australia has 1 bridge days in 2026 — public holidays that fall on a Tuesday or Thursday, where a single day of leave creates a four-day weekend. January is the densest month, with 2 public holidays.
Plan your time off in Australia
Turn these dates into a real leave plan, or compare them with another country.