2025: How to turn 20 days of annual leave into up to 63 days off

Don't waste your leave! Here's the ultimate Australian travel hack to max your holidays in 2025.

Travel Insurance

Key takeaways

  • No matter where you live in Australia, you can turn your 20 days of standard annual leave into at least 57 days of glorious holidays
  • Anzac Day and Easter are adjacent in 2025 which helps you score more days off in a row without burning through your leave.
  • Our travel experts list which days to take off and highlight the best strategies.

Lucky ACT residents get the most potential time off, with a possible 63 days of holidays.

In 2025, maxing out your annual leave means taking advantage of a late Easter for an extended Easter break, stacking up days off around Christmas, and sprinkling long weekends throughout the year.

This list doesn't include half-days, retail holidays, bank holidays or city-specific breaks like the Ekka in Brisbane – if you score any of those as well, enjoy the extra leisure!

FULL GUIDES FOR: New South Wales – Victoria – Queensland – Western Australia – South Australia – Tasmania – Australian Capital Territory – Northern Territory

How to turn your annual leave into 57 days off in NSW

Sydney
There are 9 official public holidays in NSW in 2025. To get 57 days of holidays across the year, plan for these breaks:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2024
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
March long weekend
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Mon 10 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
King's Birthday
Sat 7 Jun 2025
Mon 9 Jun 2025
3
July long weekend
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Mon 21 Jul 2025
3
September long weekend
Sat 6 Sep 2025
Mon 8 Sep 2025
3
Labour Day
Sat 4 Oct 2025
Mon 6 Oct 2025
3
November long weekend
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Mon 17 Nov 2025
3
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
57

This plan includes two extended breaks (at Easter and Christmas) and a stack of additional long weekends. I've positioned these to break up the year, so you could easily adjust the dates.

If you don't fancy all those mini-breaks, you could add 4 days to either the King's Birthday holiday in June or Labour Day in October. That will score you 51 days off across the year.

To achieve the 57 days, book these dates for your annual leave:

How to turn your annual leave into 59 days off in Victoria

Great Ocean Road
There are 11 official public holidays in Victoria in 2025. For the most consecutive days off, aim for these breaks:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2024
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
Labour Day
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Mon 10 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
May long weekend
Sat 17 May 2025
Mon 19 May 2025
3
King's Birthday
Sat 7 Jun 2025
Mon 9 Jun 2025
3
July long weekend
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Mon 21 Jul 2025
3
AFL Grand Final
Thu 25 Sep 2025
Sun 28 Sep 2025
4
Melbourne Cup
Sat 1 Nov 2025
Tue 4 Nov 2025
4
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
59

We're maxing out leave here by taking advantage of the AFL Grand Final holiday, a Victorian exclusive, and Melbourne Cup day (which is widely observed across the state although it's only officially a Melbourne holiday).

To get this result, book these dates for your annual leave:

How to turn your annual leave into 57 days off in Queensland

Gold Coast
There are 9 official public holidays in Queensland in 2025. To get the most days off, aim for these breaks:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2025
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
March long weekend
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Mon 10 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
Labour Day
Sat 3 May 2025
Mon 5 May 2025
3
July long weekend
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Mon 21 Jul 2025
3
September long weekend
Sat 6 Sep 2025
Mon 8 Sep 2025
3
King's Birthday
Sat 4 Oct 2025
Mon 6 Oct 2025
3
November long weekend
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Mon 17 Nov 2025
3
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
57

To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:

How to turn your annual leave into 60 days off in Western Australia

Perth skyline
There are 10 official public holidays in Western Australia in 2025. To maximise your days off, plan for these breaks:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2025
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
Labour Day
Sat 1 Mar 2025
Mon 3 Mar 2025
3
March long weekend
Sat 15 Mar 2025
Mon 17 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
Western Australia Day
Sat 31 May 2025
Mon 2 Jun 2025
3
July long weekend
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Mon 21 Jul 2025
3
September long weekend
Sat 6 Sep 2025
Mon 8 Sep 2025
3
King's Birthday
Sat 27 Sep 2025
Mon 29 Sep 2025
3
November long weekend
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Mon 17 Nov 2025
3
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
60

This plan includes extended Easter and Christmas breaks and a stack of additional long weekends, which you could place wherever you like. If you don't fancy all those mini-breaks, you could add 4 days to either the King's Birthday holiday in September or WA Day in June. That will score you 54 days off across the year.

To achieve the maximum days off on holiday, book these dates for your annual leave:

How to turn your annual leave into 60 days off in South Australia

Glenelg tram
There are 10 official public holidays in South Australia in 2025. To score the maximum number of consecutive days off, go for these breaks:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2025
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
Adelaide Cup Day
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Mon 10 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
May long weekend
Sat 10 May 2025
Mon 12 May 2025
3
King's Birthday
Sat 7 Jun 2025
Mon 9 Jun 2025
3
July long weekend
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Mon 21 Jul 2025
3
September long weekend
Sat 6 Sep 2025
Mon 8 Sep 2025
3
Labour Day
Sat 4 Oct 2025
Mon 6 Oct 2025
3
November long weekend
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Mon 17 Nov 2025
3
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
60

To get this outcome, ask for these dates for your annual leave:

How to turn your annual leave into 60 days off in Tasmania

Tasmania
There are 10 official public holidays in Tasmania in 2025. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks, which include several long weekends you can shuffle anywhere you like:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2025
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
Royal Hobart Regatta
Sat 8 Feb 2025
Mon 10 Feb 2025
3
8 Hour Day
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Mon 10 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
King's Birthday
Sat 7 Jun 2025
Mon 9 Jun 2025
3
July long weekend
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Mon 21 Jul 2025
3
September long weekend
Sat 6 Sep 2025
Mon 8 Sep 2025
3
October long weekend
Sat 4 Oct 2025
Mon 6 Oct 2025
3
November long weekend
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Mon 17 Nov 2025
3
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
60

Outside Hobart, folks get Recreation Day on 3 November 2025 rather than the Royal Hobart Regatta holiday, but this doesn't affect the total.

To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:

How to turn your annual leave into 63 days off in the Australian Capital Territory

Parliament House
There are a whopping 11 official public holidays in the ACT in 2025 (public servants know what they're doing). Here's how to space them for maximum effect:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2025
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
Canberra Day
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Mon 10 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
Reconciliation Day
Sat 31 May 2025
Mon 2 Jun 2025
3
King's Birthday
Sat 7 Jun 2025
Mon 9 Jun 2025
3
July long weekend
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Mon 21 Jul 2025
3
August long weekend
Sat 16 Aug 2025
Mon 18 Aug 2025
3
September long weekend
Sat 6 Sep 2025
Mon 8 Sep 2025
3
Labour Day
Sat 4 Oct 2025
Mon 6 Oct 2025
3
November long weekend
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Mon 17 Nov 2025
3
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
63

You could place the long weekends anywhere you like – that's useful for weddings, birthdays and other anniversaries.

To achieve this result, book these dates for your annual leave:

How to turn your annual leave into 60 days off in the Northern Territory

Darwin
There are 11 official public holidays in the NT in 2025. To get the most consecutive days off, plan for these breaks:

BreakStartFinishDays
New Year's Day 2025
Wed 1 Jan 2025
Sun 5 Jan 2025
5
Australia Day
Sat 25 Jan 2025
Mon 27 Jan 2025
3
March long weekend
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Mon 10 Mar 2025
3
Easter/ANZAC Day
Sat 12 Apr 2025
Sun 27 Apr 2025
16
Labour Day
Sat 3 May 2025
Mon 5 May 2025
3
King's Birthday
Sat 7 Jun 2025
Mon 9 Jun 2025
3
Darwin Show Day
Fri 25 Jul 2025
Sun 27 Jul 2025
3
August long weekend
Fri 15 Aug 2025
Sun 17 Aug 2025
3
September long weekend
Sat 6 Sep 2025
Mon 8 Sep 2025
3
November long weekend
Sat 15 Nov 2025
Mon 17 Nov 2025
3
Christmas/New Year
Sun 21 Dec 2025
Sun 4 Jan 2026
15
Total
60

The table shows the Darwin Race Day holiday. Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek have different race days, but that doesn't affect the overall total.

To achieve this, book these dates for your annual leave:

Frequently asked questions

How do I maximise my annual leave?

The easiest way to maximise your annual leave dates is to work them around public holidays.

The big nationwide public holiday periods are Easter (where you're always guaranteed a 4-day weekend) and Christmas (where you're guaranteed at least 2 annual leave days off).

In 2025, Anzac Day falls on a Friday in the same week as Easter Monday, so you can take just 7 days of leave and score 16 days in a row.

What if I want to save my leave?

If you're accumulating your leave for a bigger holiday down the track you can still have a few mini holidays throughout the year. Hone in on Monday public holidays for 3-day weekend breaks that won't use any annual leave.

When should I book my trip?

ASAP. These hacks work around public holidays which are peak travel seasons. If you know when you want to travel, submit your annual leave as soon as you can. Also, booking your trip as early as possible helps secure the best prices.

Angus Kidman's headshot
Written by

Editor-at-large

Angus Kidman is Finder’s International Editor-at-Large and an award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience in tech, travel and finance. He was previously the editor of Lifehacker Australia and Australian Personal Computer, and is a recognised commentator, appearing on shows like Sunrise and The Project. A two-time IT Journalism Award winner, Angus has written for top publications such as The Sydney Morning Herald, the AFR, The Australian and Gizmodo, and is known for his expertise in travel rewards and consumer technology. See full bio

Angus's expertise
Angus has written 203 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Frequent flyer
  • Travel
  • Technology
  • Broadband
More resources on Finder

Ask a question

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

More guides on Finder

Go to site