How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026 & Where to Travel?
What if you could turn your 20 days of annual leave into 60+ days of travel in 2026? With a little strategic planning around Australia’s public holidays, you can unlock extended international getaways using just a few days of annual leave.
Whether you’re craving the cherry blossoms of Japan, the beaches of Greece, or a culinary adventure through Vietnam, this guide shows you how to make the most of your annual leave, plus recommended destinations so you can make your break truly unforgettable.
A traveller is exploring Can Tho floating market in Vietnam
Key public holidays for Australians in 2026
Public holidays can be different depending on the state or territory you’re in.
Date | Day | Holiday |
Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
Jan 26 | Monday | Australia Day |
Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
Apr 4 | Saturday | Easter Saturday |
Apr 5 | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
Apr 25 | Saturday | Anzac Day |
June 8 | Monday | King’s Birthday (except Queensland) |
Oct 5 | Monday | Labour Day (includes NSW, ACT, SA) |
Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
Dec 26 | Saturday | Boxing Day |
Dec 28 | Monday | Additional public holiday for Boxing Day |
Jan 1, 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
New Year Holiday 2026
- Dates: 25 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
- Take leave: 26, 29, 30, 31 Dec 2025 & 2 Jan 2026
- Total days off: 11 days with 5 leave days
This is a great time to maximise your annual leave in 2026 and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Get ready to explore destinations that truly shine during the festive season. Japan offers a magical winter experience with snow festivals, winter sports, hot spring baths, and picturesque snow-covered landscapes. If you’re after sunshine and relaxation, head to Thailand or Vietnam for warm weather, beach resorts, and vibrant local festivities.
Shirakawa-go village, Japan in winter
Australia Day Break
- Dates: 24 Jan – 1 Feb 2026
- Take leave: 27, 28, 29, 30 Jan 2026
- Total days off: 9 days with 4 leave days
This late-January period is ideal for destinations that are warm, vibrant, and easy to reach. Think New Zealand’s South Island for stunning summer landscapes, adventure activities, and wine trails. Or soak up the sun in Bali, Indonesia or Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, where beach clubs, spa resorts, and cultural experiences await. It’s the perfect way to extend the summer break before the work year kicks into high gear.
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Easter Escape
- Dates: 3 Apr – 12 Apr 2026
- Take leave: 7, 8, 9, 10 Apr 2026
- Total days off: 10 days with 4 leave days
This time of year is perfect for travelling to destinations in their spring or dry seasons. Japan is in peak cherry blossom mode – ideal for travellers wanting to witness its pink-hued parks and temples. Italy and Spain are also fantastic this time of year, with mild spring weather, fewer crowds, and long daylight hours to explore. If you’re chasing warmth and nature, Sri Lanka is ideal — it’s the dry season in the cultural centre and east coast, with elephants, tea country, and pristine beaches all in top form.
Japan in the cherry blossom season
Anzac Day Break
- Dates: 25 Apr – 4 May 2026
- Take leave: 27, 28, 29, 30 Apr & 1 May 2026
- Total days off: 9 days with 5 leave days
Late April is ideal for exploring Turkey, where you can visit Gallipoli for Anzac Day services and then explore Istanbul, Cappadocia, or the Turkish Riviera. It’s also shoulder season in Greece and Croatia, with pleasant weather and fewer tourists. For something further afield, Morocco offers exotic markets, desert adventures, and spring sunshine — perfect for a unique cultural escape.
The surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkey
Easter and Anzac Day are perfect times to maximise your annual leave in 2026
King’s Birthday Break
- Dates: 6 Jun – 14 Jun 2026
- Take leave: 9, 10, 11, 12 Jun 2026
- Total days off: 9 days with 4 leave days
June is perfect for a European getaway, with long daylight hours and warm weather in places like Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, all just before peak-season crowds. Or head north to Canada for breathtaking natural landscapes and wildlife spotting. If you’re after a beach escape, Vietnam is an unmissable spot, with sunny weather along the central coast, beautiful beaches, and vibrant local culture to explore.
The Mosque–Cathedral & Roman Bridge in Cordoba, Spain
Labour Day Getaway
- Dates: 3 Oct – 12 Oct 2026
- Take leave: 6, 7, 8, 9 Oct 2026
- Total days off: 10 days with 4 leave days
October is a brilliant time to visit Japan for autumn foliage, Italy for food festivals and harvest season, or Jordan for desert adventures in pleasant, dry weather. It’s also a great time to explore China and South Korea, with colourful fall landscapes and mild temperatures ideal for city tours and temple stays.
The Great Wall of China amidst vibrant autumn foliage
Ultimate Christmas Holiday 2026
- Dates: 25 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
- Take leave: 29, 30, 31 Dec 2026
- Total days off: 10 days with 4 leave days
You’ve earned a proper break — and there’s no better time to take it than the festive season. It’s the perfect opportunity to maximise your annual leave in 2026 by combining Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day public holidays for up to 10 days off. Celebrate the season by cruising through Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, heading off on a safari in Kenya to spot the Big Five and more, or witness the Northern Lights dancing across Arctic skies in Canada.
Christmas in Vietnam
Northern Lights in Canada
We’ve crunched the numbers—now it’s your turn to lock in the leave. Get your requests in early, before the rest of the office catches on. Let our travel specialists help you plan your unforgettable 2026 getaway!
