Holidays in Australia

Holiday Dates in Australia

Australia has many national and state holidays based on the structure of the school term and special days set aside for memorial or celebratory purposes.
It is important to be aware of these dates as they may affect the price and availability of accommodation, transport and the general running of shops and other businesses. Bear in mind that most Australian families go travelling during the peak tourist period of the school holidays, so often the best time for backpacking and travelling is during the school terms.  

The Australian school year runs from January to December, broken into four terms averaging about ten weeks, divided by holidays. The summer holidays are the longest of the year, and include Christmas and New Years.

Be sure to check state-government websites for the most up-to-date term dates.


School term dates for each Australian state in 2010

New South Wales
Semester 1
Term 1 – Wednesday 27 January - Thursday 1 April
Break – Friday 2 April – Friday 16 April
Term 2 – Monday 19 April – Friday 2 July
Break – Monday 5 July – Friday 16 July
Semester 2
Term 3 – Monday 19 July – Friday 24 September
Break – Monday 27 September – Friday 8 October
Term 4 – Monday 11 July – Friday 17 December
Summer Holidays – Monday 20 December – Thursday 27 January

Victoria
Semester 1
Term 1 – Monday 1 February – Friday 26 March
Break – Monday 29 March – Friday 9 April
Term 2 – Monday 12 April – Friday 25 June
Break – Monday 28 June – Friday 9 July
Semester 2
Term 3 – Monday 12 July –Friday 17 September
Break – Monday 20 September – Friday 1 October
Term 4 – Monday 4 October – Friday 17 December
Summer Holidays -

Queensland
Semester 1
Term 1 – Wednesday 27 January - Thursday 1 April
Break – Monday 5 April - Friday 9 April
Term 2 – Monday 12 April - Friday 25 June
Break – Monday 28 June – Friday 9 July
Semester 2
Term 3 – Monday 12 July - Friday 17 September
Break – Monday 20 September – Friday 1 October
Term 4 – Monday 4 October - Friday 10 December
Summer Holidays – Monday 13 December – Monday 24 January

Australian Capital Territory
Semester 1
Term 1 – Thursday 28 January – Friday 9 April
Break – Monday 12 April – Monday 26 April
Term 2 – Tuesday 27 April – Friday 2 July
Break – Monday 5 July – Friday 16 July
Semester 2
Term 3 – Monday 19 July – Friday 24 September
Break – Monday 27 July – Friday 8 October
Term 4 – Monday 11 October – Friday 17 December
Summer Holidays – Monday 20 December – Thursday 3 February

South Australia
Semester 1
Term 1 – Wednesday 27 January – Thursday 1 April
Break – Friday 2 April – Friday 16 April
Term 2 – Monday 19 April - Friday 2 July
Break – Monday 5 July – Friday 16 July
Semester 2
Term 3 – Monday 19 July – Friday 24 September
Break – Monday 27 September – Friday 8 October
Term 4 – Monday 11 October – Friday 10 December
Summer Holidays – Monday 13 December – Tuesday 26 January

Northern Territory
Semester 1
Term 1 – Monday 25 January - Thursday 1 April
Break – Monday 5 April - Friday 9 April
Term 2 – Monday 12 April - Friday 18 June
Break – Monday 21 June - Friday 16 July
Semester 2
Term 3 – Monday 19 July - Friday 24 September
Break – Monday 27 September - Friday 1 October
Term 4 – Monday 4 October - Friday 10 December
Summer Holidays – Monday 13 December - Friday 22 January

Western Australia
Semester 1
Term 1 – Monday 1 February - Thursday 1 April
Break – Friday 2 April - Monday 19 April
Term 2 – Tuesday 20 April - Friday 2 July
Break – Saturday 3 July – Monday 19 July
Semester 2
Term 3 – Tuesday 20 July - Friday 24 September
Break – Saturday 25 September - Monday 11 October
Term 4 – Tuesday 12 October - Thursday 16 December
Summer Holidays – Friday 17 December – Friday 22 January

Tasmania (3 terms)
Term 1 – Wednesday 10 February - Friday 28 May
Break – Monday 31 May – Monday 14 June
Term 2 – Tuesday 15 June - Friday 3 September
Break – Monday 6 September – Friday 17 September
Term 3 – Monday 20 September - Thursday 16 December
Summer Holidays – Friday 17 December – Monday 14 February


National Public Holidays in Australia

Although travel may be difficult or more expensive during these dates, they are often occasions for fun events, a chance to get to know locals and partake in some very traditional Australian rituals.

Australia Day – 26 January

ANZAC Day – 25 April

Christmas Day – 25 December

Boxing Day – 27 December

New Years Day – 1 January

Good Friday – 2 April (2010)

Easter Sunday – 4 April (2010)

Easter Monday – 5 April (2010)


State Public Holidays 2010
Be sure to check state-government websites for the most up-to-date term dates.

New South Wales
Easter Saturday – 3 April
Queens Birthday – 14 June
Bank Holiday – 2 August
Labour Day – 4 October
Boxing Day Holiday – 27 December

Victoria
Labour Day – 8 March
Queens Birthday – 14 June
Melbourne Cup Day (metro only) – 2 November
Christmas Day Holiday – 27 December
Boxing Day Holiday – 28 December

Queensland
Easter Saturday – 3 April
Queens Birthday – 14 June
Royal Queensland Show (metro only) – 11 August
Christmas Day Holiday – 27 December
Boxing Day Holiday – 28 December

Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Day – 8 March
Queens Birthday – 14 June
Labour Day – 4 October
Christmas Day Holiday – 27 December
Boxing Day Holiday – 28 December

South Australia
Adelaide Cup – 8 March
Easter Saturday – 3 April
Queens Birthday/Volunteers Day – 14 June
Labour Day – 4 October
Christmas Day Holiday – 27 December
Proclamation Day – 28 December

Northern Territory
Easter Saturday – 3 April
May Day – 3 May
Queens Birthday – 14 June
Alice Springs Show Day – 2 July
Tennant Creek Show Day – 9 July
Katherine Show Day – 16 July
Darwin Show Day – 23 July
Borroloola Show Day – 20 August
Picnic Day – 2 August
Christmas Day Holiday – 27 December
Boxing Day Holiday – 28 December

Western Australia
Labour Day – 1 March
Foundation Day – 7 June
Queens Birthday – 27 September
Christmas Day Holiday – 27 December
Boxing Day Holiday – 28 December

Tasmania
Eight Hours Day – 8 March
Easter Tuesday – 6 April
Queens Birthday – 14 June
Recreation Day (North Tasmania only) – 1 November
Christmas Day Holiday – 27 December
Boxing Day Holiday – 28 December