If you feel like you need a lot more adventure in your life, we’re here to help!
By using your annual leave strategically, you can maximise the amount of time off you have through the year by lining it up over the public holidays.
Follow our suggestions below to make the most out of the public holidays in 2026 by taking advantage of public holidays and weekends. With these time off hacks for 2026, you can really expand your breaks and give yourself more head out on the road to more epic adventures.
Take four days off and enjoy a whole week off.
In 2026, the Australia Day public holiday falls on a Monday. You could just leave it as a long weekend, or you could take 4 days off to enjoy the end of January.
For 4 days of annual leave, you’ll enjoy a 9-day long break from Saturday 24 January to Sunday 1 February.
Esperance, Western Australia
Trip Suggestion: Make the most of summer and experience some of the best beaches in the world in Esperance. Often dubbed ‘Australia’s most beautiful stretch of road,’ this spectacular 40-kilometre coastal route takes you past a string of stunning Esperance beaches, karri forests, lush wine regions, and breathtaking panoramas.
Take eight days off and enjoy a 16-day break.
In 2026, Good Friday falls on Friday 3 April, with Easter Monday following on Monday 6 April.
Trip Suggestion: If you’re feeling ambitious, head out to Karijini National Park and follow out 10 Day Perth to Karijini road trip guide. Break this drive up into five or ten days to give you time to enjoy some of the best sights, restaurants, and attractions that WA has to offer.
Take one day annual leave to enjoy 4 days off.
The King’s Birthday public holiday falls on Monday, 28 September. You could just take the long weekend, but by adding a day off either on the Friday before or the Tuesday after, you can enjoy four days off
You’ll enjoy a four-day break from Friday 25 through to Monday 28 September, by adding one day of annual leave.
Treetop Walk in Walpole
Trip Suggestion: Take a trip to Walpole, you can experience walking amongst the giants at the Treetop Walk, or fish and swim to your heart’s content at the Walpole Inlet.
Take one day of annual leave and enjoy a four-day break.
Labour Day falls on different days around Australia. In WA, it falls on Monday 2 March 2026, take one day annual leave to enjoy four days off.
You’ll enjoy 4 days off from Friday 27 February through to Tuesday 3 March, by using one day of annual leave.
Trip Suggestion: There are some great weekend getaways from Perth that will be perfect for a 4-day weekend. Hop in the car and be in some amazing destinations within a few hours that will take you right out of the hustle and bustle of city life.
Book seven days off to get 16 in a row.
By using a full 7 days of annual leave, you can extend your summer break to enjoy a whole 16 days off!
Book 7 days annual leave and you’ll enjoy 16 days in the sun from Friday 18 December to Monday 4 January.
Jurien Bay, Australia's Coral Coast
Trip Suggestion: We suggest a trip to the breathtaking Coral Coast where you can soak in mesmerising landscapes, epic beaches and unveil the treasures of Australia’s Coral Coast.
It’s important to remember that taking regular, consistent breaks throughout the year helps manage your overall stress levels. Annual leave is there for a reason, so don’t feel bad about taking a well-deserved break.
Well, there you have it, 16 days annual leave to get you 41 days off in 2026, giving you 5 breaks through the year to get on the roads for epic road trip adventures!
Summerstar Tourist Parks has affordable, family-friendly accommodation options dotted all along the West Australia coast to help you have a memorable holiday with those who matter most.
