How to Make the Most of Your Annual Leave in 2024
Whether you’re planning next year’s family beach break, a Mediterranean escape or an epic road trip exploring the Great Ocean Road, a few clever holiday-leave hacks can help stretch out your getaway. No matter which state you’re in, here’s how to maximise your annual leave in 2024.
New South Wales
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
June, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 16 June
Public holiday Monday, 10 June (King's Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 11 June; Wednesday, 12 June; Thursday, 13 June; Friday, 14 June
October, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 5 October to Sunday, 13 October
Public holiday Monday, 7 October (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 8 October; Wednesday, 9 October; Thursday, 10 October; Friday, 11 October
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: Which NSW Holiday is Best For You?
Victoria
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 11 March to Sunday, 19 March
Public holiday Monday, 11 March (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 12 March; Wednesday, 13 March; Thursday, 14 March; Friday, 15 March
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
June, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 16 June
Public holiday Monday, 10 June (King's Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 11 June; Wednesday, 12 June; Thursday, 13 June; Friday, 14 June
September, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 September to Sunday, 29 September
Public holiday Friday, 27 September (Grand Final Friday)
Days to book Monday, 23 September; Tuesday, 24 September; Wednesday, 25 September; Thursday, 26 September
November, 2024
Use a day of annual leave for a four-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 2 November to Tuesday, 5 November
Public holiday Tuesday, 5 November (Melbourne Cup Day)
Days to book Monday, 4 November
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: Explore the Great Ocean Road on this Epic Road Trip
Western Australia
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 2 March to Sunday, 10 March
Public holiday Monday, 4 March (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 5 March; Wednesday, 6 March; Thursday, 7 March; Friday, 8 March
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
June, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 1 June to Sunday, 9 June
Public holiday Monday, 3 June (Western Australia Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 4 June; Wednesday, 5 June; Thursday, 6 June; Friday, 7 June
September, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 28 September to Sunday, 6 October
Public holiday Monday, 30 September (King’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 26 September; Wednesday, 27 September; Thursday, 28 October; Friday, 29 September
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: 7 Perfect Weekend Escapes in WA
Queensland
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
May, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 4 May to Sunday, 12 May
Public holiday Monday, 6 May (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 7 May; Wednesday, 8 May; Thursday, 9 May; Friday, 10 May
August, 2024
If you live or work in Brisbane, use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 10 August to Sunday, 19 August
Public holiday Wednesday, 14 August (Royal Queensland Show)
Days to book Monday, 12 August; Tuesday, 13 August; Thursday, 15 August; Friday, 16 August
October, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 5 October to Sunday, 13 October
Public holiday Monday, 7 October (King’s Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 8 October; Wednesday, 9 October; Thursday, 10 October; Friday, 11 October
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: 30 Queensland Resorts Where You Don’t Have to Lift a Finger
Northern Territory
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
May, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 4 May to Sunday, 12 May
Public holiday Monday, 6 May (May Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 7 May; Wednesday, 8 May; Thursday, 9 May; Friday, 10 May
June, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 16 June
Public holiday Monday, 10 June (King's Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 11 June; Wednesday, 12 June; Thursday, 13 June; Friday, 14 June
August, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 3 August to Sunday, 11 August
Public holiday Monday, 5 August (Picnic Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 6 August; Wednesday, 7 August; Thursday, 8 August; Friday, 9 August
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: 5 Perfect Short Breaks In the Northern Territory
South Australia
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 9 March to Sunday, 17 March
Public holiday Monday, 11 March (Adelaide Cup Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 12 March; Wednesday, 13 March; Thursday, 14 March; Friday, 15 March
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday);
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
June, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 16 June
Public holiday Monday, 10 June (King's Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 11 June; Wednesday, 12 June; Thursday, 13 June; Friday, 14 June
October, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 5 October to Sunday, 13 October
Public holiday Monday, 7 October (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 8 October; Wednesday, 9 October; Thursday, 10 October; Friday, 11 October
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: How to Spend the Perfect Weekend on Kangaroo Island
Tasmania
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 9 March to Sunday, 17 March
Public holiday Monday, 11 March (Eight Hours Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 12 March; Wednesday, 13 March; Thursday, 14 March; Friday, 15 March
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
June, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 16 June
Public holiday Monday, 10 June (King's Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 11 June; Wednesday, 12 June; Thursday, 13 June; Friday, 14 June
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: Your Guide to Tasmania’s Most Unique Stays
Australian Capital Territory
January, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 20 January to Sunday, 28 January
Public holiday Friday, 26 January (Australia Day)
Days to book Monday, 22 January; Tuesday, 23 January; Wednesday, 24 January; Thursday, 25 January
March, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 9 March to Sunday, 17 March
Public holiday Monday, 11 March (Canberra Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 12 March; Wednesday, 13 March; Thursday, 13 March; Friday, 14 March
March/April, 2024
Use seven days of annual leave for a 14-day break.
When to travel Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 7 April
Public holidays Friday, 29 March (Good Friday); Saturday, 30 March (Easter Saturday); Sunday, 31 March (Easter Sunday); Monday, 1 April (Easter Monday)
Days to book Monday, 25 March; Tuesday, 26 March; Wednesday, 27 March; Thursday, 28 March; Tuesday, April 2; Wednesday, April 3; Thursday, April 4; Friday, April 5
May, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 25 May to Sunday, 2 June
Public holiday Monday, 27 May (Reconciliation Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 28 May; Wednesday, 29 May; Thursday, 30 May; Friday, 31 May
June, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 8 June to Sunday, 16 June
Public holiday Monday, 10 June (King's Birthday)
Days to book Tuesday, 11 June; Wednesday, 12 June; Thursday, 13 June; Friday, 14 June
October, 2024
Use four days of annual leave for a nine-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 5 October to Sunday, 13 October
Public holiday Monday, 7 October (Labour Day)
Days to book Tuesday, 8 October; Wednesday, 9 October; Thursday, 10 October; Friday, 11 October
December, 2024
Use five days of annual leave for a 12-day break.
When to travel Saturday, 21 December to Wednesday, 1 January
Public holidays Wednesday, 25 December (Christmas Day); Thursday, 26 December (Boxing Day); Monday, 1 Wednesday (New Year’s Day)
Days to book Monday, 23 December; Tuesday, 24 December; Friday, 27 December; Monday, 30 December; Tuesday, 31 December
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Exploring New Zealand’s Doubtful Sound
