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How to Hack SA’s Public Holidays to Achieve Maximum Days Off in 2026
Score more than 60 days off this year using these public holiday hacks.
Adulthood is fun and all… until you realise you’ll be clocking full-time hours for decades, and those precious four weeks of annual leave are supposed to sustain you the entire year. But what if we told you there’s a smarter way?
With a little tactical planning, you can turn South Australia’s public holidays into your greatest work perk — stretching your leave further, stacking long weekends and unlocking extended breaks. That means more holidays, more road trips, more lazy beach days, and a whole lot more joy in the everyday grind.
Keep reading to find out how to score more than 62 days off using a typical 25 days of annual leave.
Sitchu tip: Book fast — those hot March, April, June, October and December weekends disappear quick.
Public Holiday 1: New Year’s Day & Australia Day
After the New Year’s lull, we’re already craving a little more time away from the office grind. Thursday, January 1st is New Year’s Day, kicking off 2026 in style. Stretch it into a four-day weekend by taking Friday, January 2nd off — with the weekend around it, that’s a glorious 4-day break for just one annual leave day.
Then comes Australia Day on Monday, January 26th. Take Tuesday to Thursday, January 27th–29th off, and you’ll score a massive 9-day escape from Saturday, January 24th to Sunday, February 1st.
The trade:
New Year’s: 1 annual leave day for 4 days off
Australia Day: 4 annual leave days for 9 days off
Key dates:
January 2nd – 5th
January 24th – February 1st
Sitchu tip: If you’re looking for an interstate summer getaway, check out Byron Bay and its only beachside resort, Elements.
Public Holiday 2: Adelaide Cup Day
March is the perfect time for a little mid-autumn escape, and Adelaide Cup Day gives you just the excuse. In 2026, the public holiday falls on Monday, March 9th.
Take Tuesday to Friday, March 10th–13th as annual leave, and you’ll enjoy a full 9-day break when combined with the weekends before and after — Saturday, March 7th to Sunday, March 15th.
The trade: 4 annual leave days for 9 days off
Key dates: March 7th – 15th
Public Holiday 3: Easter Long Weekend
Easter is already a perfect reason to take a break, but with a little annual leave magic, you can turn it into an epic 10-day escape. In 2026, the Easter long weekend falls from Friday, April 3rd (Good Friday) to Monday, April 6th (Easter Monday).
Stretch it further by taking Tuesday to Thursday, March 31st – April 2nd as annual leave. Combined with the weekend before and after, you’ll enjoy a full 10 consecutive days off from Saturday, March 28th to Monday, April 6th.
The trade: 3 annual leave days for 10 days off
Key dates: March 28th – April 6th
Public Holiday 4: King’s Birthday
If the mid-year winter blues are creeping in, the King’s Birthday holiday is the perfect excuse to escape. In 2026, the public holiday falls on Monday, June 8th.
Take Tuesday to Friday, June 9th–12th as annual leave, and you’ll enjoy a full 9-day break from Saturday, June 6th to Sunday, June 14th. Perfect for a mini road trip, a cosy beach escape, or just some winter R‑and‑R.
The trade: 4 annual leave days for 9 days off
Key dates: June 6th – 14th
Public Holiday 5: Labour Day
Spring is the perfect season to hit the road, explore wineries, or soak up the coast, and Labour Day gives you a great reason to take a break. In 2026, the public holiday falls on Monday, October 5th.
Take Tuesday to Friday, October 6th–9th as annual leave, and you’ll enjoy a full 9-day escape from Saturday, October 3rd to Sunday, October 11th.
The trade: 4 annual leave days for 9 days off
Key dates: October 3rd to 11th
Sitchu tip: Make the most of the last break before the summer holidays with a camping trip (Discovery Parks in the Barossa Valley offer glamping, if a tent on the ground isn’t your thing).
Public Holiday 6: Christmas Holidays + New Year’s Eve
The summer break is a golden opportunity to squeeze the most out of your annual leave. In 2026, SA’s year-end holidays fall on Friday, December 25th (Christmas Day), Monday, December 28th (Boxing Day holiday), and Friday, January 1st (New Year’s Day).
Take Tuesday to Wednesday, December 22nd–23rd and Tuesday to Thursday, December 29th–31st as annual leave — that’s 5 days in total. Stack these with the public holidays and weekends, and you’ll enjoy a 12-day block from Saturday, December 19th to Sunday, January 3rd.
The trade: 5 annual leave days for 12 days off
Key dates: December 19th to January 3rd
Sitchu tip: When you no longer know what day it is between Christmas and New Year, take
Enjoyed learning how to hack SA’s public holidays and keen to make the most of your time off? Be sure to catch our monthly and weekend guides for up-to-date info on what’s happening around town.
