Get that OOO email ready – here’s how to best use your annual leave to hack your way to an extended break this year.
A public holiday is always a welcome break from the workweek frenzy. But even better than that? Strategically stacking your annual leave around weekends and public holidays for continuous time off and thus maximising your holiday time. And in 2025, Australians have lucked out with more opportunities than in 2024 to leave-hack their way to an extended break.
Here’s how to make the most of your annual leave, plus seasonal travel tips so you can make your break truly unforgettable.
9 days off in January
Struggling to get into the flow of work after the Christmas/New Year break? Not to worry – you can stay in vacation mode and treat yourself to a nine-day break over the Australia Day public holiday. The public holiday falls on 27 January, so booking four days of leave (28-31 January) will free up nine days between 25 January – 2 February. It’s the perfect way to extend the summer break a little longer before the work year kicks into high gear.
Top travel picks for January
You can’t really go too wrong planning a summer holiday in Australia, especially if you hug the coast. NSW’s north and south coasts are a highlight at this time of year, both characterised by sparkling beaches fringed by pristine bushland.
For travellers seeking adventure, head to the Snowy Mountains to see it transformed from a skier’s playground to a hiker’s paradise in summer. Breathe in fresh mountain air and perhaps tackle the brand-new four-day Snowy Alpine Walk.
The Snowies transform from a skiing playground to a hiking paradise in summer. (Image: B Ferguson/DCCEEW)
If you’re seeking something more relaxing, set your sights on the Great Victorian Bathing Trail, where you can dip between rejuvenating natural thermal pools and rejuvenating spas.
Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is on The Great Victoria Bathing Trail.
16 days off in April
Fancy a 16-day break for the price of seven days of annual leave? Thanks to the proximity of the Easter long weekend and ANZAC Day, April is the prime time to book an extended getaway. Here’s the breakdown: The Easter long weekend is from 18-21 April and ANZAC Day falls on 25 April. Use a total of seven days leave (on 14-17 April as well as 22-24 April) and have yourself a sweet 16-day break.
Top travel picks for April
April is a great time of the year to travel in Australia. It’s shoulder season for many of the country’s blockbuster attractions, meaning fewer crowds and lower prices. April is an ideal and quiet time to visit The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Red Centre, as well as Kakadu in the Northern Territory’s Top End.
April is shoulder season for Australia’s Red Centre, making it an idyllic yet quiet time to visit. (Image: Tourism NT / Kate Flowers)
April also marks the beginning of whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef in WA. Dive into an unforgettable experience swimming alongside the biggest sharks in the world, spotting dolphins and turtles as you watch these majestic animals glide through the water.
April is the start of whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef. (Image: Live Ningaloo/ Justin Bumpstead)
9 days off June
Take a much-needed mid-year break by stacking your leave around the 9 June King’s Birthday Public Holiday (except if you’re based in Queensland or WA). Book in four days of leave (10-13 June) and you’ll receive nine consecutive days off from 7-15 June.
Top travel picks for April
Take the ultimate cool-cation to Tasmania. The temperatures may be dropping, but the cultural calendar is heating up, especially with the triumphant return of the iconic culture and arts festival Dark Mofo 5-15 June.
Dark Mofo will make a triumphant return in 2025.
Sun chasers can head north to Queensland to sail around the Whitsundays, explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest or snorkel at the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Escape winter in the Whitsundays. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)
June is also peak season for the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, presenting the perfect opportunity to explore the country’s spiritual heart.
9 days off in October
As the country heads into spring, the flowers are blooming, the sun is emerging and the cities are beginning to hum with life. What better time to take a holiday? Luckily, there are several state holidays in early October. The King’s Birthday falls on 6 October in Qld and 29 September in WA, and Labour Day is also observed on 6 October for NSW, ACT & SA. Use four days of leave around the public holiday to lock in a nine-day break.
Top travel picks for October
Spring is in bloom! You can still catch some of the colourful wildflowers on show in Western Australia, particularly in the Margaret River region where the world-class vines share the terrain with vast floral carpets.
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park runs along most of the Margaret River coastline and the Cape to Cape Track, which snakes through it, is lined with wildflowers.
Sydney and NSW’s north and south coasts are also quite pleasant at this time of year, with the temperature becoming perfect for swimming and sleepy little beach towns awakening for the summer ahead.
Go barefoot on Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay. (Image: Destination NSW)
9 days off in December/January
Why not cap off the year with a 16-day stretch of time off? If you’ve made it through the year, you’ve certainly earned it! Thanks to Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day public holidays, you can get 16 consecutive days off for the price of seven days annual leave. Here’s the breakdown: Block out 22-24 December, 29-30 December and 2 January to enjoy a well-deserved break.
Top travel picks for December/January
This is notoriously a tricky time of year to book a holiday. But if you want to end the year on a high note, Tasmania is certainly a place to have on your list. The landscapes are otherworldly in summer: Cradle Mountain with its dramatic peaks and Freycinet with its coastline scalloped by bays which contain some of the country’s fresh seafood.
See incredible views when you hike at Wineglass Bay. (Image: Jason Charles Hill)
South Australia is a must for foodies – not only is the wine incredible, but the beaches are perfect for swimming in, too (hint: Kangaroo Island offers some of the finest in the state!)
Admire the rugged coastline of Kangaroo Island along the way. (Image: Heidi Who Photos)
How will you be using your extra days off work this year? Let us know in the comments below.
