New South Wales (NSW) public holidays 2026
Explore page

New South Wales (NSW) public holidays 2026

By strategically adjusting your vacations around public holidays, you can maximise the benefits of your annual leave!

Public holidays are peak travel periods, so we typically advise those with plans to submit their annual leave requests as early as possible.

NSW Public Holidays in 2026

Holiday2026 Date
New Year’s DayThursday, 1 January 2026
Australia DayMonday, 26 January 2026
Good FridayFriday, 3 April 2026
Easter SaturdaySaturday, 4 April 2026
Easter SundaySunday, 5 April 2026
Easter MondayMonday, 6 April 2026
Anzac DaySaturday, 25 April 2026
King’s BirthdayMonday, 8 June 2026
Bank HolidayMonday, 3 August 2026
Labour DayMonday, 5 October 2026
Christmas DayFriday, 25 December 2026
Boxing DaySaturday, 26 December 2026
Additional DayMonday, 28 December 2026

https://www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au/public-holidays/public-holidays-in-nsw/

Best times in 2026 to take annual leave

To maximise your time off and create an extended weekend by combining annual leave with weekends and public holidays, we’ve prepared a guide to help you make the most of your annual leave allocation efficiently. Here are some smart strategies to consider.

HolidaySuggested Leave DatesTotal Days OffAnnual Leaves
New Year’s Day1 – 4 January4 daysTake leave on Friday, 2 January to enjoy a 4-day break.
Australia Day26 – 29 January4 daysTake leave on Friday, 29 January after the public holiday.
Easter (Good Friday to Easter Monday)6 – 10 April10 days (with 4 days leave)Take leave from 6 – 10 April, covering the public holidays from 3 to 6 April.
Anzac Day25 April – 27 April3 daysTake leave on Friday, 24 April to get a 3-day weekend.
King’s Birthday8 – 12 June5 daysTake leave from 8 – 12 June for a 9-day break (with weekends).
Labour Day5 – 9 October5 daysTake leave from 5 – 9 October for a 9-day break.
Christmas & Boxing Day25 December – 3 January10 days (with 3 days leave)Take leave from 29 December – 1 January for a long holiday stretch.

Our Top tips for saving money when booking a holiday

Booking in advance can often help save money when it comes to travel. Here are some general guidelines:

Travel TypeRecommended Booking Lead Time (To Save Money)
Domestic Flights1-3 months
International Flights2-8 months
Peak Season FlightsCloser to 6-8 months
Midweek Travel (Flights)Consider Tuesdays or Wednesdays
Hotels1-3 months
Vacation RentalsSeveral months
Hostels/Budget AccommodationsFew weeks to a month
Peak Season/Special Events (Accommodations)Book well in advance

Top Holiday Destinations

Unique Things to Do in Phillip Island That You Cannot Miss

The Unique Rain Forests of Australia

Discover the Magnificent Snowy Mountains in NSW

New South Wales (NSW) public holidays 2026
There is a Bluey’s world in Brisbane

There is a Bluey’s world in Brisbane

As huge fans of Bluey, we booked our tickets for Bluey’s World back in June, and after a long wait, it finally arrived! It was still in soft opening. The recreation of Bluey’s house was incredibly detailed, so if you’re
Read more
Where to find the best soufflé in North Sydney

Where to find the best soufflé in North Sydney

Sydney’s weather has been changing so fast lately, freezing a few days ago, and now it’s scorching like summer. We took the kids to Manly Beach for a vacation vibe and were lucky to stumble upon this gem, which might
Read more
Upgraded Darling Harbour Playground

Upgraded Darling Harbour Playground

Last weekend, we finally took our little one to the new playground at Darling Harbour, it’s absolutely fantastic! The newly expanded Darling Quarter playground totally won me over! The moment we arrived, kids were already having the time of their
Read more