Wish you had more time off in 2026? Well, turns out you could have more than you realise (with some help from yours truly)
Same allowance, more time off
Most of us will get about a month off work each year, but did you know that there's a way to extend this even further? If you plan smarter and book annual leave in between public holidays, you can get even more holiday time in 2026 (so not having enough days off will no longer be an excuse for not taking that dream trip!)
Days to take off to get longer holidays in 2026
Getting more paid time off in 2026
Stat holidays in Australia depends on how many hours you work a year but generally, most full-time employees get 4 weeks of paid leave a year. Additionally, there are 9 national public holidays, and depending on where you live, regional holidays apply too. But who would say no to extending your holiday even more?
When you add in a bank holiday or two around your holidays, you could stretch your time off even further than you realise, (and you could even keep some of your annual leave in your back pocket for a cheeky day off here and there to extend your weekends too!)
So, we've done the heavy lifting for you. Here's how to combine public holidays with time off work in 2026:
Public holidays in 2026:
Below, you’ll see a list of all the national, state and territory-based public holidays in Australia for 2026, and the dates they fall on to help you optimise your annual leave and plan your trips with ease:Use Skyscanner's Price Alerts feature to find the best deals on flights
So, where could you go with all that time off?
Based on our suggestions of how to group your annual leave with public holidays, these top trending destinations for Australian travellers for 2026 will help you make the most of that extra holiday time:
Labuan Bajo: Get 9-days for Australia Day
Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Komodo National Park, a region of rugged islands, coral-rich waters and sunlit hills. The park offers impeccable snorkelling, where sea turtles glide through clear, warm water and reefs are stacked with colour, as well as the chance to see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. Outside the park, travellers can spend time in the fishing villages, where small eateries serve regional specialities and some of the freshest seafood adorned with chilli, lime and sambal.
Phu Quoc: Take 4 off for a 10-day Easter holiday
Phu Quoc is Vietnam’s laid-back island retreat with an enviable night market serving grilled seafood, coconut ice cream and the island’s signature pepper-infused dishes. Travellers can spend time at the An Thoi archipelago, known for some of Vietnam’s best snorkelling, or ride the longest over-water cable car in the world across bright blue water to Hon Thom Island. Travellers can also visit fish-sauce factories, take cooking classes, spend an afternoon at local cafés in Duong Dong, or explore Phu Quoc National Park for forest trails and local wildlife
Paro: Take 4 off and get 9-days for Anzac Day
Paro is one of Bhutan’s most atmospheric mountainous valleys, characterised by forested hillsides and traditional farmhouses. Best known for Taktsang, the glorious Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched high on a cliff, the valley also offers traditional cafés and small shops set against the backdrop of sweeping Himalayan ridgelines, or ancient dzongs (traditional fortress-monastery hybrids) next to picturesque riverside trails that wind through pine forests. There are also Bhutanese craft workshops, where artisans carve wood, weave textiles and prepare herbal incense by hand.
