How to Hack QLD’s Public Holidays to Achieve Maximum Days Off in 2026

If this is the year you’re determined to prioritise rest, maybe it’s time to lock in some downtime for future you. And what if we told you there’s a way to maximise your time off, whilst barely using any of your annual leave?

We’ve crunched the numbers to get you more time to do you, by playing into the timing of next year’s public holidays.

Here’s how to score 53 days off for just 23 days of your hard-earned annual leave.

Public Holiday 1: January 26th

Coming back from the Christmas holidays can be tough, so make sure you lock in a little something to look forward to. The January 26th public holiday falls on a Monday this year. Why not take a little summer sojourn and escape to somewhere with air conditioning and an infinity pool?

The trade: 9 days off for 4 annual leave days

Key dates: Pencil in Saturday 24th January to Sunday 1st February

Sitchu Tip: Escape the sweltering heat of a Queensland summer for the relatively temperate climate of Tasmania. 

Public Holiday 2: Easter Holidays

The Easter holiday weekend has got to be one of the most underrated heavy-hitters on the holiday scene. Four days off?! Chocolate?! Cooler temps?! It’s all here, and we’re oh-so-ready to luxuriate in it.

For a teeny three days of annual leave, you’ll nab ten sweet, sweet days of free time to spend however you please… might we suggest the Gold Coast? The water is utterly divine at this time of year.

The Trade: Ten days off for four annual leave days

Key dates: Friday 3rd April to Sunday 12th April

Sitchu Tip: Looking for a coastal escape? Head down to Byron Bay to spend your summer eating delicious food, relaxing in luxurious accommodation and hitting the beach.

Public Holiday 3: Labour Day Public Holiday

You made it halfway! Now, book yourself a midyear break and treat yourself like the royalty you are. You’ve got a couple of options here to make the most of your leave, so opt for a nine-day escape or a low-key luxe long weekend getaway.

The trade: Nine days off for four days of leave, or a cheeky four-day weekend for one day of leave

Key dates: Monday 4th May to Sunday 10th May or Friday 1st May to Monday 4th May

Sitchu Tip: Embrace the cooler weather with one of these romantic and cosy stays.

Public Holiday 4: The King’s Birthday Public Holiday

Do future you a favour, and book a little break before the silly season is in full swing. A long weekend escape never did any harm, and you can really make the most of it without using much of your leave!

Head interstate for a week, or opt for a long weekend staycay to catch up on life admin (or your Goodreads Reading Challenge goal) with two different options here for maximising your holiday time.

The trade: Nine days off for four days of leave, or four days off for one day of leave

Key dates: Saturday 3rd October to Sunday 11th October or Friday 2nd October to Monday 5th October

Sitchu Tip: Use this as a chance to get out of town before the madness of the final quarter of the year descends. Cairns is particularly lovely at this time of year and has a little bit of everything–from snorkelling and sunsets to rainforests and resorts.

Public Holiday 5: Christmas and New Year’s 2026

Make 2026 the year you finally take a decent holiday. Whether you opt for the sixteen days we’ve suggested or stretch it out an extra week, you can minimise your annual leave usage with a strategic time off request. Just make sure you get this one in nice and early in the year, to make sure you can secure this enviable time-off period.

The trade: Sixteen days off for seven days of annual leave

Key dates: Saturday 29th December to Sunday 3rd January

Sitchu tip: There is something a little bit delightful about the way Brisbane turns into a sleepy city during the festive period. Make the most of people being out of town and consider this your opportunity to explore the best beaches, walks and restaurants Sydney has to offer.

Enjoyed learning how to hack QLD’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.