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How to maximise your annual leave in 2026

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
Because we all deserve some well-earned time off.

There’s always that one colleague who was organised enough to book their leave to align with the state’s holidays, leaving the rest of the office envious of their lovely two-week break with minimal leave used.

Leave maximisation is where you strategically use your annual leave days around weekends and public holidays to stretch out your break, and we’re already looking ahead to how to make the most of our time off next year.

A car crossing a bridge in a rainforest
Savvy travellers use annual leave days around weekends and public holidays to stretch out their break. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Corporate Traveller has analysed how, with the right planning, Aussies can turn their annual leave into extended breaks in 2026. What their analysis shows is that Western Australians can get the most time off with minimal leave used, stretching 31 days of annual leave into an impressive 71 days off in total. 

Tom Walley, global managing director of Corporate Traveller, says thoughtful timing will pay dividends next year: “Public holidays in 2026 are well spaced for extended getaways. By locking in leave requests now, employees can secure the best fares and accommodation, and employers can plan resourcing well in advance. Everybody wins."

Let’s take a look…

Victoria

Two people in a hot springs in the Mornington Peninsula
Spend your leave relaxing in hot springs in the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Victorians can strategically lock in up to 60 days off by using 20 days of annual leave alongside 13 public holidays and weekends. Over the Christmas/New Year period, you could get 16 days off in a row by using seven days of leave, or 16 days off in a row at Easter by taking eight days of leave.

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Queensland

Queenslanders can be savvy and lock in up to 58 days off by using 25 days of leave alongside 12 public holidays and weekends. You can use seven days of annual leave to get 16 days off in a row during the Christmas/New Year period, use four days of annual leave to get 10 consecutive days off over Easter, or use four days of annual leave to get 10 days off in a row around Ekka Day in August.

Western Australia

A boat at Rottnest Island
Spend relaxing days on Rottnest Island. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Western Australians can lock in an incredible 71 days off by using 31 days of leave alongside 11 state-wide public holidays and weekends. By using seven days of annual leave around the Christmas/New Year period, you can get 16 consecutive days off, or by using four days of annual leave around Easter, you can get 10 days off in a row. 

South Australia

South Australians can get 62 days off with 27 annual leave days, thanks to 13 public holidays. For extended breaks, you can use four days of annual leave for 10 days off in a row over Easter, and seven days of annual leave for 16 consecutive days off. 

Tasmania

Tasmanians can get 50 days off by using 19 days of annual leave, thanks to 11 official state-wide public holidays, plus either Royal Hobart Regatta Day in the south or Recreation Day in the rest of the state, along with an extra day off for public servants (7 April). You can get up to 16 days off by using seven annual leave days over the Christmas/New Year period or up to 11 days off by using four days of leave (or five with Easter Tuesday) over the Easter period.

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New South Wales

People entering the water at a beach at Byron Bay
Byron Bay is one of the most popular NSW towns to spend summer at. (Tourism Australia)

NSW has 11 state-wide public holidays. Employees can take up to 53 consecutive days off if they use 23 leave days around the Christmas/New Year and January holiday period, when multiple weekends and public holidays coincide. You could also give yourself a 10-day break by using just four days of your annual leave around the Easter break, from Saturday 28 March to Monday 6 April.

Australian Capital Territory

People in the ACT can get 55 days off if they take 23 days of annual leave, thanks to 13 public holidays, which include two extra long weekends – Canberra Day (Monday 9 March) and Reconciliation Day (Monday 1 June). To maximise leave, use seven days of annual leave for 16 days off over Christmas/New Year and four days of leave for 10 days off over Easter. 

Northern Territory

Two people walking around the Bungle Bungle Range is located in the Purnululu National Park.
Western Australians can get the most time off with minimal leave used. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Top End crowd can get 50 days off if they take 19 days of annual leave, thanks to 11 official public holidays in 2026. You can get 16 consecutive days off over Christmas/New Year by using seven days of annual leave or 10 days off over Easter by using four days of annual leave. 

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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The best new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
    Continue
    A new wave of retreats, hotels, glamping sites and more is encouraging visitors to savour their time spent along the Great Ocean Road.

    Long holding a place as one of Australia’s most rewarding drives, cliffs, curves and shifting coastal light continue to draw travellers to Victoria’s coastline year after year. What has evolved more quietly is the range of new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road to add new dimensions to the drive.

    Rather than competing for attention, these stays are shaped by their settings. They sit beside rivers, among vines, on the edge of lakes and close to town centres where local life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Together, they point to a way of travelling the Great Ocean Road that values time spent in place, as much as distance covered.

    1. The Monty, Anglesea

    inside a classic room at The Monty Anglesea Great Ocean Road
    Settle into The Monty’s unique style.

    Anglesea has always appealed to travellers drawn to a quieter stretch of coast, where surf culture, bushland and river scenery blend into one. The Monty complements that character with a recent rebrand and refresh with traditional beach road trip nostalgia in mind. Mid-century retro decor means rooms are contemporary and funky, without being over-styled.

    A highlight of the stay is Nina Cantina, the on-site Mexican restaurant overlooking the Anglesea River. Opening in 2026, it will undoubtedly become a popular gathering point, bringing together locals, day trippers and overnight guests. Watch the river flow while tucking into plates of tacos, before enjoying a digestion swim in The Monty’s pool.

    Mornings in Anglesea often begin quietly. Kangaroos are a familiar sight on the nearby golf course, and walking tracks wind through heathland that reflects the natural landscape of the Surf Coast. From here, the road south feels like a continuation rather than a departure, easing travellers into the next stretch of the journey.

    2. Basalt Retreats, Port Fairy

    Basalt Retreat Private Villa interior
    Discover this new adults-only retreat.

    Near Port Fairy, Basalt Retreats is an adults-only delight set among a 24-year-old vineyard at Basalt Wines . The accommodation is a mixture of luxury and linens (and ultra comfy beds), allowing the long stretches of grapes to take centre stage. As the sun sets, Basalt Retreats settles into stillness. With minimal light pollution, the night sky becomes part of the experience, and star-searchers will delight in the uninterrupted views of our vast universe.

    Poombeeyt Koontapool lookout
    See Poombeeyt Koontapool from the lookout.

    Staying along the Great Ocean Road western region gives you en route access to coastal landmarks. A visit to Poombeeyt Koontapool at Loch Ard Gorge is a must for those fascinated by natural blowholes, with enough walking trails to tucker out the most seasoned hiker.

    The Poorpa Yanyeen Meereeng Trail between Timboon and Port Campbell reveals how wetlands, farmland and coastline connect across the region, best appreciated on foot or by bike.

    3. Lake Colac Holiday Park, Colac

    cabin at Lake Colac Holiday Park
    Book into a cabin at Lake Colac Holiday Park.

    Lake Colac Holiday Park introduces new cabin accommodation set along the edge of a broad volcanic lake. The cabins are modern and light-filled, designed to make the most of the water views and open skies.

    Lake Colac plays an important role in local life, hosting community events and everyday rituals alike. Staying here offers insight into the agricultural heart of the Great Ocean Road region, where the pace is shaped by seasons rather than sightseeing schedules.

    Brae Restaurant great ocean road victoria
    Have a delicious lunch, then join a farm tour at Brae Restaurant. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Colac’s central location places visitors within reach of standout regional experiences. Otways Distillery’s Birregurra cellar door reflects the surrounding forest in its approach to spirits. While Brae Restaurant’s guided farm and kitchen garden tours offer a closer look at the land that underpins its acclaimed dining. Together, they highlight the strong connection between produce, place and people.

    4. Glamping tents, Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve

    Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Glamping
    Take a breather in Apollo Bay with brand new glamping tents.

    Back on the coast, Apollo Bay has always been known to be a natural place to take a breather, sitting roughly at the Great Ocean Road’s midway point. The brand-spanking new glamping tents at the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offer comfortable accommodation that remains closely connected to the outdoors. With ensuite bathrooms and thoughtfully designed interiors, the cabin-tent hybrids offer enough privacy and luxuries to make the trip feel more luxurious than your standard camping affair.

    Set near the river and within walking distance of the town centre, the location allows guests to move easily between beach walks, forest drives and relaxed meals.

    A session at The Corner Sauna fits naturally into a stay here. The wood-fired sauna has become part of Apollo Bay’s way of life, offering warmth and restoration after time spent in the elements (also known as a frolic at the beach).

    Apollo Bay Fishermens Co-op
    Enjoy fresh seafood at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op.

    Apollo Bay has enough to entertain and dazzle travellers more than your average town. Graze on fresh seafood at local cafes – like Graze or Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op – before venturing to nearby waterfalls. Spend hours kayaking among real-life seals, try your hand at surf lessons taught by understanding and patient guides, or simply spend your days reading a book while the surf crashes in front of you.

    Together, these new accommodation openings highlight the Great Ocean Road’s continued evolution. With more places that invite travellers to slow down and stay a little longer, the journey becomes less about rushing between landmarks and more about engaging with the unique towns along the way.

    Start planning your next trip along the Great Ocean Road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au .