Adventure Calendar 2026: Turn 20 Leave Days into 47 Days Off (Australia)

Table of contents

• The best national leave blocks for 2026 (most Australians can use these)
• How to actually use your leave to make the most of 2026 (Kevin’s Rule + one Misogi)
• How to gear up for your 47 days of adventures
• State-by-state leave blocks for 2026 (47 days off using 20 leave days)

 

If you’re a full-time employee in Australia with 20 annual leave days, with a bit of savvy planning, you can turn them into 47 days off in 2026 by booking leave on the workdays between weekends and public holidays. This guide shows the five best leave blocks, plus state-by-state dates so you can plan bigger and better adventures.

This guide gives you:

• Plug-and-play leave blocks that are easy to request at work
• State-by-state public holiday dates for 2026 (scroll down for the full table)
• Adventure ideas on how to make it a memorable year (and the gear that makes for better adventures)

All public holiday dates below are from Fair Work’s 2026 public holidays list, plus a few official state notes where relevant. So, grab your pen, open your Google Calendar, and let's turn 2026 into the biggest adventure year yet.

Here’s the short version if you’re in a rush, although I recommend scrolling down for the deep dive as well as Jesse Itzer’s amazing breakdown on how to plan an epic and memorable year. 
 

The best national leave blocks for 2026 (most Australians can use these)

These are the easiest wins because the key holidays are nationwide (or close enough across states). If you’re looking for specific states, we’ve placed tables for each state below.

Australia Day block: 4 leave days = 9 days off

Public holiday: Mon 26 Jan 2026 

• Take leave: Tue 27 Jan – Fri 30 Jan (4 days)
• You get off: Sat 24 Jan – Sun 1 Feb (9 days)

Wild adventure ideas:

• Coastal: 2-night hike + swims + sunset stove dinners
• Alpine: a cooler high-country loop before the year gets busy
• Desert: outback road trip with early starts and long lunches in tiny towns
• Overseas Travel: New Zealand Summer, India (a great time for Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle)

 

 

2) Easter block: 4 leave days = 10 days off

Public holidays around Easter: Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr) + Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), with Easter weekend days in many states 

• Take leave: Mon 30 Mar – Thu 2 Apr (4 days)
• You get off: Sat 28 Mar – Mon 6 Apr (10 days)

Optional upgrade: If you want a longer trip, you can turn Easter into 16 days off by using 8 leave days!

• Take leave: Mon 30 Mar – Thu 2 Apr and Tue 7 Apr – Fri 10 Apr (8 days)
• You get off: Sat 28 Mar – Sun 12 Apr (16 days)

Note: this won’t fit the “20 leave days = 47 days off” plan but you can shuffle the other dates around to make space for this whopper of a trip.

Wild adventure ideas:

• Tassie and Vic: multi-day walk (like Three Capes Track or a long weekend bikepacking loop)
• NSW and QLD: visit inland national parks before the winter crowds descend
• WA: head out on a coast-to-forest road trip 
• Overseas Travel: Japan, Taiwan, Korea & India, Nepal are all in a pretty good weather window

 

 

3) Christmas week block: 4 leave days = 10 days off (common in most states)

Many states have an extra Boxing Day holiday observed on Mon 28 Dec 2026 (check the state by state tables to confirm yours).

• Take leave: Mon 21 Dec - Thu 24 Dec (4 days)
• You get off: Sat 19 Dec - Mon 28 Dec (10 days)

Wild adventure ideas:

• Low-stress: quiet beach camp at Lord Howe Island, Tasmania East Coast, WA South West
• Road Trip: a hot-weather road trip with dawn hikes and long swims around the QLD coast, NSW North Coast, VIC, SA Eyre Peninsula and NT
• Overseas travel: New Zealand South Island, Thailand (Bangkok & Chiang Mai), Vietnam (Phu Coc Island), Fiji (shoulder season expect some showers but still totally doable).

 

 

Overview: 47-day plan uses five key blocks:

• 3 × 9-day breaks (each uses 4 leave days, anchored to a Monday public holiday)
• 2 × 10-day breaks (each uses 4 leave days, anchored to Easter and Christmas/Boxing Day observed)
• Total: (3 × 9) + (2 × 10) = 47 days off using 20 leave days

Want longer breaks? You can build bigger blocks (like a 16-day Easter), as shown above and use those to leverage time off to do things like Camino De Santiago and The Bibbulmun Track.

Before you book anything: the 30-second holiday leave checklist 

• Pick your location and confirm your public holidays (some differ). 
• Aim to leverage public holidays: public holiday + (leave) + weekend. 
• Lock flights/gear early for the big ones (Easter + Christmas blocks go fast). Best places to book cheap flights are Trip.com and Kiwi.com, make sure you check dates and times for the cheapest options.  
• Tell your boss early (you’ll look organised and it’s more likely you'll get what you want).

How to actually use your leave to make the most of 2026 (Kevin’s Rule + one Misogi)

A few years ago I watched the below video on LinkedIn and it made a big impact on how I try to plan my year. Surely, the goal is to squeeze every drop out of life and be more intentional with how we spend our time? 

 

Misogi: choose one “slightly terrifying” adventure for the year

A misogi is one big, personal challenge that feels just out of reach. Not dangerous or reckless but big enough that you’ll need to train, prepare, and show up differently. Good misogi examples:

• Hike a legendary multi-day track you have been putting off (with proper prep) like the Larapinta
• Head overseas on an epic World Walk like the Camino De Santiago, The Jordan Trail, The Kumano Kodo, Via Delgi Dei
• Travel the Hai Giang Loop in Vietnam
• Run your first trail half-marathon or 50km trail run, or step up to a longer distance if that’s the challenge

This idea works because it becomes a north star that helps define your year. The smaller adventures stop being random weekends and start becoming training, practice, and confidence builders.

 

Kevin's Rule

In short, every 8 weeks you should put one mini adventure on the calendar. This should be something that’s outside of your comfort zone and memorable. Not something you normally do if you stay home and default to running errands, screentime, and done and dusted hiking trails.

This plan turns adventure into a real-life habits, not just hopes. The two-month cycle is close enough that you stay excited and actually follow through, but spaced enough that you can sort work, money, fitness, and logistics without it becoming another stressful commitment. It also keeps the stakes low, which makes it easier to say yes, build confidence, and try new places and activities. Over a year, those “small” mini adventures stack up into real skills, real memories, and a calendar that feels full in the best way, without needing a single massive trip to make the year count.

Good Kevin’s Rule examples:

• A weekend bush survival course 
• Your first overnight solo camp (in a safe, familiar area)
• A multi-day bikepacking trip with friends
• A winter swim goal paired with a calm, consistent training plan
• A navigation challenge: learn maps and compass, then use them on a real hike

Your 2026 calendar becomes:

• 1 big misogi that defines your year
• 6 mini adventures (every 8 weeks)
• 1 good habit every quarter

A handful of leave blocks that create the time to do it all and start becoming training, practice, and confidence builders to help turn 2026 from another fizzled-out resolution of “we should get outside more” into a year you will actually remember for years to come.

 

 

One last tip that saves work friendships (and annual leave approvals)

When you request leave, make sure you do it like a professional:

• Put it in writing, put it in the calendar and tag your direct team so everyone's across it
• Volunteer to cover a shift or wrap projects early so you don't leave your team in the deep end
• Prepare a stellar handover if necessary (cross your ts!)
• Schedule an email reminder one month out and one week out to your team so there's no surprises

Your future self, sitting on a summit somewhere eating noodles out of a Jetboil, will be genuinely grateful!

 

How to Gear Up for Your 47 Days of Adventures

Now that you have the dates locked in, you'll need the gear upgrades to match. Planning ahead for your 2026 leave means you can prep for your adventures early and stagger out gear purchases. Whether you're aiming for an overseas Misogi or planning six "Kevin's Rule" mini-trips, we’ve got you covered.
 

Three epic outdoor categories to start your 2026 prep: 

1. Multi-Day Hike Essentials: Planning for the 16-day Easter break? You'll need a reliable backpack, a lightweight backpacking tent, and durable footwear.
2. Road Trip & Camp Setup: Prepping for the 10-day Christmas road trip? Check out our range of car camping and cooking gear for long days on the road.
3. Travel essentials: From the best carry-on backpacks to wheeled duffel bags to keep your adventures organised and streamlined.

 

State-by-state leave blocks for 2026 (47 days off using 20 leave days)

How to read these tables: Each state below shows the core 47-day plan: 5 leave blocks, 4 leave days each (20 total). That gives you 3 × 9-day breaks and 2 × 10-day breaks (Easter + Christmas).

Jump to Your State-by-State Public Holiday & Leave Tables

• Queensland (QLD)
• New South Wales (NSW)
• Victoria (VIC)
• Western Australia (WA)
• South Australia (SA)
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• Tasmania (TAS)
• Northern Territory (NT)

 

Queensland (QLD) Best Times To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (QLD): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, Labour Day Mon 4 May, King’s Birthday Mon 5 Oct, and an additional Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026.

 

New South Wales (NSW): Best Times To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (NSW): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, King’s Birthday Mon 8 Jun, Labour Day Mon 5 Oct, and an additional Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026

Victoria (VIC) Best Times To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (VIC): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Labour Day Mon 9 Mar, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, King’s Birthday Mon 8 Jun, and an additional Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026

 

Western Australia (WA )Best Times To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (WA): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Labour Day Mon 2 Mar, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, King’s Birthday Mon 28 Sep, and an additional Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026

 

South Australia (SA) Best Time To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (SA): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Adelaide Cup Day Mon 9 Mar, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, Labour Day Mon 5 Oct, and an additional Proclamation Day/Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026

 

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Best Time To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (ACT): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Canberra Day Mon 9 Mar, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, Labour Day Mon 5 Oct, and an additional Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026.

 

Tasmania (TAS) Best Time To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (TAS): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Eight Hours Day Mon 9 Mar, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, King’s Birthday Mon 8 Jun, and the Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026.

 

Northern Territory Best Time To Take Leave 2026

Public holiday anchors (NT): Australia Day Mon 26 Jan, Good Friday Fri 3 Apr, Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr, May Day Mon 4 May, Picnic Day Mon 3 Aug, and an additional Boxing Day holiday Mon 28 Dec 2026.

More articles you might like:

• Why You Should Road Trip Japan
• Best Lightweight Travel Gear
• The Jordan Trail: 5 days Hiking Dana to Petra
• A Conversation with the First British Woman To Motorcycle Around The World

Not sure what gear you need for your adventure? Chat with our friendly team of Outdoor Gear Specialists in-store or online today, and don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @wildearthaustralia in your next post.

 

Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 Annual Leave Planner Australia

Q: How do I turn 20 days of annual leave into 47 days off in 2026 (Australia)?
A: You can use a five-block leave plan by booking leave on the workdays in-between weekends and public holidays. The core structure is 3 × 9-day breaks (each uses 4 leave days, usually around a Monday public holiday) plus 2 × 10-day breaks (each uses 4 leave days, anchored to Easter and Christmas/Boxing Day observed). Check your state table which shows the exact dates for 2026.

Q: If a public holiday falls during my annual leave, does it come out of my leave balance?
A: No. If a public holiday happens during a period of approved annual leave, you don't need to worry as it’s still treated as a public holiday and does not reduce your annual leave balance for that day. 

Q: What are the best times to take annual leave in 2026 for a longer trip?
A: The easiest time to take leave for most Australians is:
Easter (core plan): 10 days off using 4 leave days (Good Friday + Easter Monday do the heavy lifting)
Christmas week: 10 days off using 4 leave days (many states also observe an extra Boxing Day holiday on the Monday, confirm your state)
If you want a bigger break, you can leverage Easter into a whopping 16 days off using 8 leave days, but that’s an optional upgrade and won’t fit the strict “20 leave days to 47 days off” plan unless you swap out other leave dates.

Q: Are public holiday dates the same in every Australian state in 2026?
A: Not always, so make sure you check the public holiday dates and tables in this article for each state. National holidays like Australia Day, Easter, and Christmas are consistent, but many of the best 9-day breaks rely on state-specific holidays (and some states observe holidays on different dates). Always double-check your state-by-state table for the state/territory where you work.

Q: When should I book annual leave to secure the best breaks in 2026?
A: Book as early as your workplace allows, especially for Easter and Christmas, as these are the busiest and will be most popular amongst your colleagues. 

Q: Does this annual leave strategy work for part-time, casual, or shift workers?
A: Not really, but it depends on your setup:
Part-time: Yes, but your leave accrues pro-rata, but you may have fewer than 20 days to use.
Casual: Casual employees generally don’t accrue paid annual leave, so this won’t apply the same way.
Shift workers: Rules can vary by award or agreement, so use the same stacking principle, but confirm your entitlements with your manager.