Who's excited to say ‘g'day' to new places in 2026 and make it a year full of getaways?
Now’s the time to get out your calendar (and the G'day Parks app) and begin planning your next trip. To give you a head start, we've compiled your state's public holiday dates below to help you maximise your annual leave entitlements. With some strategic thinking, there's plenty of opportunities for juicy nine-day holidays, relaxing four-day breaks, and even a big Easter road trip, including the following:
- Monday 26 January – Australia Day (all): Take off Tuesday 27 January to Friday 30 January for a nine-day holiday
- Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April – Easter long weekend: Enjoy a four-day weekend, or take off Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April for a ten-day break
- Monday 8 June – King's Birthday public holiday (all except QLD and WA): Take off Tuesday 9 June to Friday 12 June for a nine-day holiday
- Monday 5 October – Labour Day (NSW, ACT, and SA), King's Birthday public holiday (QLD): Take off Tuesday 6 October to Friday 9 October for a nine-day holiday.
Image Credit: Mandurah Caravan & Tourist Park
There’s so much of Australia to explore and turning a long weekend into an intrastate getaway is a great way to see more of our beautiful country. Read on for our tips about where to go during the coming year’s state and national public holidays, then get booking so you can start counting down the days.
Ready, set, book ... here's how to maximise your annual leave in 2026!
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Get out of town for Cup Day weekend with a trip to McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Coast (McLaren Vale Cabin & Caravan Park, Moana Beach Tourist Park, Christies Beach Tourist Park). Less than an hour’s drive from the city, enjoy long lunches at world-class wineries, a beach day or two, and rides along the Coast to Vines trail. Another top option is to drive further south to Cape Jervis and catch the ferry across to Kangaroo Island (Discovery Parks - Kangaroo Island, Kangaroo Island Cabins) for a wonderland of nature, wildlife, and gourmet treats.
Image Credit: McLaren Vale Cabin & Caravan Park
QUEENSLAND
The middle of the year is the best time to visit Queensland’s outback destinations, so why not make May the month you stay in Longreach (Longreach Tourist Park, Outback Pioneers)? This is no ordinary country town. Dig into history at the QANTAS Founders Museum or the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Go bushwalking among the red dirt or fishing in the Thomson River, knowing there’s a cracking sunset and starry night waiting for you at the day’s end. Rather a tropical getaway? Check out the magic of Mackay (Mackay Caravan Park, Discovery Parks - Mackay).
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Mackay
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
There’s no better season than winter to venture north to Broome, the perfect cocktail of coastal and outback scenery (Broome Caravan Park, Discovery Parks - Broome). Ride a camel along Cable Beach. See dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point. Join a pearl farm tour. You can even take a scenic flight over the natural wonder that is Horizontal Falls. Heading south instead? Celebrate Western Australia Day with the state’s famous dolphins in Mandurah (Mandurah Caravan & Tourist Park, Mandurah Twin Waters Caravan Park). Take a scenic dolphin-watching cruise, hire a kayak, or walk along riverside trails to get a glimpse of these friendly ocean creatures.
Image Credit: Discovery Parks - Broome
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Keen to take a breather and get out of the city? You don't have to travel far to unplug from work mode in Canberra. Stay at Capital Country Holiday Park or Discovery Parks - Canberra, where you can enjoy park facilities or get out and about, like hiking the Canberra Centenary Trail or having brunch with alpacas at Blackwattle Alpaca Farm. Plus, whether you're camping or tucked up in a cabin, there's no reason why you can't rediscover the nation's capital and its famous attractions – like the National Gallery and Museum or the War Memorial – as a tourist in your own town.
Image Credit: Capital Country Holiday Park
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Indulge in beachside R&R on Picnic Day with a trip to the secluded and spectacular coastline at Dundee Beach (Dundee Beach Holiday Park). In the middle of the Dry Season, it’s the perfect opportunity to go fishing, make a splash in the swimming pool, or share a picnic by the coast with your loved ones. Not far away, outdoor adventurers will thrive at Litchfield National Park (Litchfield Tourist Park, AAOK Lakes Resort & Caravan Park), where you’ll find cascading waterfalls, refreshing swimming spots, native Aussie wildlife, and lush bushwalking trails.
Image Credit: Dundee Beach Holiday Park
VICTORIA
For a chill escape from the city, it takes just 90 minutes to reach the Bellarine Peninsula (Collendina Caravan Park, Dylene Holiday Park - Portarlington) from Melbourne. Best known for its brilliant beaches, you can also pop into the AFL-mad city of Geelong, catch the ferry to the Mornington Peninsula, or taste the local drop at nearby wineries. Want to take the adventure even further? Extend your trip along the Great Ocean Road or head inland for lakeside camping in Colac (Lake Colac Holiday Park). From here, you can get stuck into Great Otway National Park with its fern glades, waterfalls, beaches, and forest ziplines!
Image Credit: Collendina Caravan Park
NEW SOUTH WALES
Ultimate relaxation awaits on your Labour Day long weekend with a trip to Wallaga Lake (Regatta Point Holiday Park). Whether you’re camping right on the lake’s edge or checking into a waterfront cabin, you’re assured of a gorgeous view. The lake will be your home of water activities and fishing trips, or you can make excursions to nearby towns along the Sapphire Coast like Bermagui, Narooma, and Tilba Tilba. Prefer the river to lake? Drive inland to the country town of Coonamble (Coonamble Riverside Holiday Park) to explore the Great Outdoors at Pilliga Forest, Warrumbungle National Park, and Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve.
Image Credit: Regatta Point Holiday Park
TASMANIA
Recharge on Recreation Day with a northern road trip to Beauty Point (Beauty Point Tourist Park). Surrounded by picturesque water views, it’s the best place to kick back and relax. In the heart of spring, it’s a big bonus to have the Tamar Valley right on your doorstep for vineyard visits. Kids will love the aquatic animals at Platypus House and Seahorse World, and Launceston is less than an hour away. It’s also a beautiful time of year to holiday in Hobart (Discovery Parks - Hobart, Discovery Parks - Mornington Hobart).
Image Credit: Beauty Point Tourist Park
HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR HOLIDAYS IN 2026
JANUARY
- Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day (all): Take off Friday 2 January for a four-day holiday
- Monday 26 January – Australia Day (all): Take off Tuesday 27 January to Friday 30 January for a nine-day holiday
FEBRUARY
- Monday 9 February – Royal Hobart Regatta Day (TAS location dependant, Hobart region): Take off Friday 6 February for a four-day weekend
MARCH
- Monday 2 March – Labour Day (WA): Take off Friday 27 February for a four-day weekend
- Monday 9 March – Labour Day (VIC), Canberra Day (ACT), Adelaide Cup Day (SA), Eight Hours Day (TAS): Take off Friday 6 March for a four-day weekend
APRIL
- Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April – Easter long weekend: Enjoy a four-day weekend, or take off Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April for a ten-day break
- Monday 27 April – ANZAC Day public holiday (all): Take off Friday 24 April for a four-day weekend
MAY
- Monday 4 May – May Day (NT), Labour Day (QLD): Take off Friday 1 May for a four-day weekend
JUNE
- Monday 1 June – Reconciliation Day (ACT), Western Australia Day (WA): Take off Friday 29 May for a four-day weekend
- Monday 8 June – King's Birthday public holiday (all except QLD and WA): Take off Tuesday 9 June to Friday 12 June for a nine-day holiday
AUGUST
- Monday 3 August – Picnic Day (NT): Take off Friday 31 July for a four-day weekend
- Wednesday 12 August – Royal Queensland Show (Brisbane area only, QLD): Take off Thursday 13 August to Friday 14 August for a five-day weekend
SEPTEMBER
- Friday 25 September – Friday before Grand Final Day (VIC): Take off Monday 28 September for a four-day weekend
- Monday 28 September – King's Birthday public holiday (WA, location dependent): Take off Friday 25 September for a four-day weekend
OCTOBER
- Monday 5 October – Labour Day (NSW, ACT, and SA), King's Birthday public holiday (QLD): Take off Tuesday 6 October to Friday 9 October for a nine-day holiday
- Thursday 22 October – Royal Hobart Show (TAS, location dependant): Take off Friday 23 October for a four-day weekend
NOVEMBER
- Monday 2 November – Recreation Day (TAS, location dependent): Take off Friday 30 October for a four-day weekend
- Tuesday 3 November – Melbourne Cup Day (VIC): Take off Monday 2 November for a four-day weekend
DECEMBER
- Thursday 24 December – Christmas Eve (QLD, 6.00pm to midnight)
- Friday 25 December – Christmas Day (all)
- Monday 28 December – Boxing Day public holiday (all), Proclamation Day (SA)
- Thursday 31 December – New Year's Eve (SA/NT, 7.00pm to midnight).
Image Credit: Lake Colac Holiday Park
