How to hack your Public Holidays for 2026

January

Public Holiday: 26 January – Australia Day

• Days to take off: 27 - 30 January (4 days annual leave)
• Time off: 24 Jan - 1 Feb (including weekends and public holidays).

Where to go: Esperance and the coast are where you’ll want to spend these long summer days. The weather is perfect, with an average high of 26 degrees and a very low chance of rain, so it’s a fantastic time to go swimming at the turquoise beaches. There is an array of beaches to explore, as well as rock climbing, hiking, swimming, surfing, stargazing, and so much more!

March

Public Holiday: 2 March – Labour Day

• Days to take off: Take off 26 & 27 Feb (2 days annual leave)
• Time off: 26 Feb - 2nd March (5 days)

Where to go: Hopetoun and the Fitzgerald Coast. The pristine wilderness of Fitzgerald River National Park on the southern coast is perfect for anyone with a love of nature and a thirst for adventure. Drive from Perth to Hopetoun, which takes just under 6 hours, and spend 5 days at this coastal paradise. The Fitzgerald Coast is recognised as one of the most diverse botanical regions on earth with around 1,800 species of flowering plant alone. It won’t be wildflower season, so instead of wildflower watching you can hike, swim, whale watch, fish, and catch some amazing sunsets behind East Mount Barren.

Easter

Public Holidays: 3 April – Good Friday | 6 April – Easter Monday

• Days to take off: Take off 1 & 2 April (2 days Annual Leave)
• Time off: 1 - 6 April (5 days off)

Where to go: If you have a whole ten days off, we’d highly recommend heading to the Gascoyne Murchison and tackling the Road to the Rock road trip. Explore miles of rich red and lush outback paradise with rugged rock formations, station stays, swimming holes, ancient rock art, and some of the best 4WD trails in all of Australia! You’ll see Burringurrah (Mount Augustus), the largest rock in the world, which is twice the size of Uluru and has the most epic views from the top if you decide to hike!

NOTE: If you are attempting to high up Mount Augustus, you’ll need to be well prepared as the return hike can take 6-8 hours and should be only attempted by experienced hikers and bush walkers. You will need to carry enough water (at least 3-4 litres per person, per day). Find out more from the Department of Parks and Wildlife website.

May/June

Public Holidays: 1 June – Western Australia Day

• Days to take off: Take off 29 May (1 day of annual leave)
• Time off: 29 May - 1st June (4 days)

Where to go: The middle of the year is the perfect time to head out into the Goldfields region. The cooler, winter months provide the perfect conditions for exploring, camping, hiking, and road tripping. What better way to celebrate WA Day by discovering the rich and extensive gold mining history dating back to the discovery of gold in the 1890s in the small towns and communities in the Goldfields. We’d recommend getting out in the Golden Quest Discovery Trail to explore the vast salt flats of Lake Ballard and see one of the world’s most remote art installation, head to a real-life ghost town, visit a pub with a resident horse, see some epic goldfields landscapes, and so much more.

September

Public Holidays: 28 September – King’s Birthday

Days to take off: Take off 25th of September for a 4-day weekend of wildflowers.

Where to go: It’s wildflower season! Head to the Northern Wheatbelt to experience an array of colour and fields of petals that burst into colour in September. You’ll be treated to a sea of colour as far as the eye can see along your 4-day road trip, so plan for some epic picnics among the fields of flowers and visit the small towns dotted along the way with some beautiful heritage buildings. Suggested road trip: Wildflower Way.

December

Public Holidays: 25 December – Christmas Holiday | 26 December – Boxing Day Holiday

• Days to take off: Take off the 23^rd, 24^th, 29^th, 30^th & 31st December (5 days annual leave)
• Time off: 23 Dec - 3rd January (12 days)

Where to go: Head south and enjoy The South West Edge. This epic road trip takes you through one of the most beautiful parts of the country, departing from Perth, through Margaret River, Denmark, Albany, all the way to beautiful Esperance. Experience out of this world beaches, indulgent food and drink at the extensive list of wineries and restaurants, gigantic karri forests surrounding you, and much more. Discover the small towns along the way and wind your way back through the Wheatbelt region to experience Wave Rock, or journey even further up into the Goldfields!