Quickie answer: In 2027 you can turn just 4 days of annual leave into a 9 to 10 day break around Easter (Friday 26 March), the King’s Birthday (Monday 14 June), Labour Day (Monday 4 October) and Australia Day (Tuesday 26 January). Over Christmas, 3 days of leave gets you 9 days off. Public holidays vary by state, so check the table below as a guide! 

Key findings:

• Best value: Easter (Good Friday is 26 March, Easter Monday is 29 March). Use 4 leave days (30 March to 2 April) for a 10-day break.
• Christmas lands on a Saturday, so most states add extra public holidays on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. Use 3 leave days (29 to 31 December) for a 9-day break.
• Anzac Day is a Sunday (25 April). Only ACT, NSW, NT, QLD and WA get Monday 26 April off. Victoria, SA and Tasmania do not.
• King’s Birthday isn’t the same everywhere: Monday 14 June in most states, Monday 27 September in WA and Monday 4 October in QLD.

Trying to maximise annual leave in 2027 to swing more travel time? Aren’t we all! We’ve crunched the numbers so you can submit that leave request and start blocking out your calendar. Looking for last year’s dates? See our 2026 annual leave guide.

How to maximise your holidays in 2026

Having a squiz at the 2027 calendar, there are some prime periods to get more days off while using less of your precious leave. The simple way to maximise your leave is to bookend national public holidays with weekends to extend your time off. 

Keep in mind, though, that this is only a guide as annual leave days can differ per State. So, be sure to check your local area before locking in any plans! 

Best time to book annual leave in January

Australia Day falls on a Tuesday in 2027, so the Monday before it is a perfect bridge day. Take Monday 25 January off for a 4-day weekend using 1 leave day. Want to go further? Request four days and score a 9-day break (Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 January):

• Monday, January 25
• Wednesday, January 27
• Thursday, January 28
• Friday, January 29

January travel suggestions 

Hit the slopes in Hokkaido, Japan

Looking for something adventurous? Skiing in Hokkaido is the perfect way to start the new year on a high! And with 9 days to play with, you’ll have a solid week, after flying in and out, to shred some powder and recharge in the onsens. 

Just don’t forget to take some Japanese Yen (JPY) with you! 

Bum out in Phuket, Thailand

Dreaming of something more tropical? January is an exceptional time to visit, with the dry season in full swing, so you can enjoy sunny beach days in Phuket and pleasant humidity in Bangkok. 

Thailand still relies heavily on cash, so be sure to grab some Thai Baht (THB) and a Currency Pass travel card before you go. 

Best time to book annual leave in March and April 

Easter is early in 2027, with Good Friday on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March, and Anzac Day follows on Sunday 25 April. There are three ways to hack your leave, depending on how much time you can take:

Option 1: a 10-day break for 4 leave days. Friday 26 March to Sunday 4 April. Request Tuesday 30 March, Wednesday 31 March, Thursday 1 April and Friday 2 April.

Option 2: a 16-day holiday for 8 leave days. Saturday 20 March to Sunday 4 April. Request Monday 22 to Friday 25 March, plus Tuesday 30 March to Friday 2 April.

Option 3: a 31-day adventure for 19 leave days. Friday 26 March to Sunday 25 April. Request every weekday from Tuesday 30 March to Friday 23 April. If you’re in ACT, NSW, NT, QLD or WA, Monday 26 April is a public holiday too, so your break stretches to 32 days at no extra cost.

Bonus for ACT, NSW, NT, QLD and WA: Anzac Day might be observed on Monday 26 April (check for updates from your local Sate government!), so request Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 April for a 9-day break (Saturday 24 April to Sunday 2 May). In QLD and NT, Monday 3 May is also a holiday (Labour Day and May Day), which makes it a 10-day break for 4 leave days.

Early March bonus: In VIC, TAS, ACT and SA, Monday 8 March is a public holiday. Request Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 March for a 9-day break (Saturday 6 to Sunday 14 March).

Book flights and accommodation as early as possible to beat Easter long weekend price hikes!

March/April travel suggestions 

Fall in love with Japan’s cherry blossoms 

One of the best places to visit in late March to mid-April is Japan to experience its spectacular cherry blossom season, also known as Sakura. The timing changes year to year, and the blossoms vary by location in Japan, so do your research before going! 

Cash is still widely used in Japan, so stock up on Japanese Yen (JPY) before taking off. 

Live on island time in Fiji 

April in Fiji marks the sweet spot between the rainy season and the peak holiday season, offering beautiful weather and budget-friendly resort deals before tourists flock in. 

Just don’t forget to pick up Fijian Dollars (FJD) before jetting off! 

Best time to book annual leave in June 

Fancy a mid-year reset? June is a great time to sneak it in! 

The King’s Birthday is Monday 14 June in ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS and VIC (QLD and WA celebrate on different dates). Request four days for a 9-day break (Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 June), or nine days for a 16-day trip (Saturday 12 to Sunday 27 June).

For the 9-day break, take:

• Tuesday, June 15
• Wednesday, June 16
• Thursday, June 17
• Friday, June 18

In WA? Western Australia Day falls on Monday 7 June. Request Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 June for a 9-day break (Saturday 5 to Sunday 13 June).

June travel suggestions 

Indulge in the Euro summer

If you’re leaning towards a longer break in June, Euro summer is the way to go! From the Amalfi Coast to the Greek islands, soak up sunny days, long evenings, and a bunch of festivals and events. 

Just make sure to pack some Euros (EUR) for all those market finds and beach cocktails! 

Chase powder in New Zealand 

If you’re into extreme sports, our pals across the pond have the goods! Queenstown, Wanaka, and Mt Hutt are perfect for skiing and snowboarding in June. Plus, with a short flight time, you’ll have more time to pack more into your days off! 

It’s a good idea to pack some New Zealand Dollars (NZD), plus a Currency Pass, so you’re ready for anything. 

Best time to book annual leave in October

Need to holiday for more than a week, but less than two? October is a perfect time. 

Need to holiday for more than a week but less than two? Spring is a sweet spot, and the dates depend on your state

• NSW, ACT and SA (Labour Day) and QLD (King’s Birthday), Monday 4 October: request Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 October for a 9-day break (Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 October).
• WA (King’s Birthday), Monday 27 September: request Tuesday 28 September to Friday 1 October for a 9-day break (Saturday 25 September to Sunday 3 October).
• VIC (Melbourne Cup), Tuesday 2 November: request Monday 1, Wednesday 3, Thursday 4 and Friday 5 November for a 9-day break (Saturday 30 October to Sunday 7 November).

NT and TAS don’t have a spring long weekend this year, but NT’s Picnic Day on Monday 2 August is a great winter-escape option (request Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 August for a 9-day break).

October travel suggestions 

Frolic in South Korea

With stunning autumn foliage starting to show and cooler temps rolling in, October is a pleasant time to explore Seoul, Busan, and Jeju. And with fewer crowds, you can skip the queues and accidental photobombing! 

Just take some South Korean Won (KRW) to have on hand. 

Safari in South Africa

Ready to take a walk on the wild side? October is a great time for a safari thanks to cooler temperatures, fewer mosquitoes, and increased animal activity. 

If you’re looking for something a bit tamer, Cape Town is perfect for scenic drives, good food, and wine. Cash is still widely used in South Africa, so be sure to take some South African Rand (ZAR) with you. 

Best time to book annual leave in December

And suddenly, it’s Christmas again! Christmas Day is a Saturday in 2027, so every state adds extra weekday holidays to make up for it: Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December. That means you won’t need much leave at all, which is handy if you’re running low by year’s end.

• 9 days off for 3 leave days: Saturday 25 December to Sunday 2 January. Request Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 December.
• 16 days off for 8 leave days: Saturday 18 December to Sunday 2 January. Also request Monday 20 to Friday 24 December.

New Year’s Day 2028 falls on a Saturday, so check your state’s 2028 public holiday list once it’s released. If Monday 3 January is declared a holiday where you live, you’ll get an extra day on the end for free.

December travel suggestions 

Experience Christmas magic in New York 

If you’ve got room in the budget, a white Christmas is a once-in-a-lifetime treat! We’re talking real-life Home Alone vibes – the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, ice skating in Central Park, sparkly department stores, and plenty of hot cocoa. 

Just don’t forget to take United States Dollar (USD) with you for all those Christmas markets. 

Live it up in London

Still dreaming of a white Christmas? London is a winter wonderland! Dazzling Christmas lights, cosy pubs, winter markets, and ice rinks will get into the festive spirit! 

It's wise to keep some Great British Pounds (GBP) in your pocket along with your Currency Pass. 

There you have it, folks, the best months to maximise your annual leave in 2027!  

Before you go, pop in-store to any Travel Money Oz store, or shop online, to grab all the foreign currency you’ll need for your well-deserved holidays. 

^{This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or is appropriate for you. We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog.}