Here’s how to hack your leave in 2025 (and where to go)

Elizabeth WhiteheadBy Elizabeth Whitehead
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Get that OOO email ready – here’s how to best use your annual leave to hack your way to an extended break this year.

A public holiday is always a welcome break from the workweek frenzy. But even better than that? Strategically stacking your annual leave around weekends and public holidays for continuous time off and thus maximising your holiday time. And in 2025, Australians have lucked out with more opportunities than in 2024 to leave-hack their way to an extended break.

Here’s how to make the most of your annual leave, plus seasonal travel tips so you can make your break truly unforgettable.

9 days off in January

Struggling to get into the flow of work after the Christmas/New Year break? Not to worry – you can stay in vacation mode and treat yourself to a nine-day break over the Australia Day public holiday. The public holiday falls on 27 January, so booking four days of leave (28-31 January) will free up nine days between 25 January – 2 February. It’s the perfect way to extend the summer break a little longer before the work year kicks into high gear.

Top travel picks for January

You can’t really go too wrong planning a summer holiday in Australia, especially if you hug the coast. NSW’s north and south coasts are a highlight at this time of year, both characterised by sparkling beaches fringed by pristine bushland.

For travellers seeking adventure, head to the Snowy Mountains to see it transformed from a skier’s playground to a hiker’s paradise in summer. Breathe in fresh mountain air and perhaps tackle the brand-new four-day Snowy Alpine Walk.

Snowies Alpine Walk
The Snowies transform from a skiing playground to a hiking paradise in summer. (Image: B Ferguson/DCCEEW)

If you’re seeking something more relaxing, set your sights on the Great Victorian Bathing Trail, where you can dip between rejuvenating natural thermal pools and rejuvenating spas.

Bathing in Alba Spa
Alba Thermal Springs and Spa is on The Great Victoria Bathing Trail.

16 days off in April

Fancy a 16-day break for the price of seven days of annual leave? Thanks to the proximity of the Easter long weekend and ANZAC Day, April is the prime time to book an extended getaway. Here’s the breakdown: The Easter long weekend is from 18-21 April and ANZAC Day falls on 25 April. Use a total of seven days leave (on 14-17 April as well as 22-24 April) and have yourself a sweet 16-day break.

Top travel picks for April

April is a great time of the year to travel in Australia. It’s shoulder season for many of the country’s blockbuster attractions, meaning fewer crowds and lower prices. April is an ideal and quiet time to visit The Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Red Centre, as well as Kakadu in the Northern Territory’s Top End.

uluru
April is shoulder season for Australia’s Red Centre, making it an idyllic yet quiet time to visit. (Image: Tourism NT / Kate Flowers)

April also marks the beginning of whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef in WA. Dive into an unforgettable experience swimming alongside the biggest sharks in the world, spotting dolphins and turtles as you watch these majestic animals glide through the water.

Whale shark swim with Live Ningaloo at Ningaloo Reef
April is the start of whale shark season at Ningaloo Reef. (Image: Live Ningaloo/ Justin Bumpstead)

9 days off June

Take a much-needed mid-year break by stacking your leave around the 9 June King’s Birthday Public Holiday (except if you’re based in Queensland or WA).  Book in four days of leave (10-13 June) and you’ll receive nine consecutive days off from 7-15 June.

Top travel picks for April

Take the ultimate cool-cation to Tasmania. The temperatures may be dropping, but the cultural calendar is heating up, especially with the triumphant return of the iconic culture and arts festival Dark Mofo 5-15 June.

Dark Mofo 2025
Dark Mofo will make a triumphant return in 2025.

Sun chasers can head north to Queensland to sail around the Whitsundays, explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest or snorkel at the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef.

Hook Island The Whitsundays
Escape winter in the Whitsundays. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

June is also peak season for the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, presenting the perfect opportunity to explore the country’s spiritual heart.

9 days off in October

As the country heads into spring, the flowers are blooming, the sun is emerging and the cities are beginning to hum with life. What better time to take a holiday? Luckily, there are several state holidays in early October. The King’s Birthday falls on 6 October in Qld and 29 September in WA, and Labour Day is also observed on 6 October for NSW, ACT & SA. Use four days of leave around the public holiday to lock in a nine-day break.

Top travel picks for October

Spring is in bloom! You can still catch some of the colourful wildflowers on show in Western Australia, particularly in the Margaret River region where the world-class vines share the terrain with vast floral carpets.

Flora flowers season bloom wa native plants
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park runs along most of the Margaret River coastline and the Cape to Cape Track, which snakes through it, is lined with wildflowers.

Sydney and NSW’s north and south coasts are also quite pleasant at this time of year, with the temperature becoming perfect for swimming and sleepy little beach towns awakening for the summer ahead.

an aerial view of Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay
Go barefoot on Murrays Beach, Jervis Bay. (Image: Destination NSW)

9 days off in December/January

Why not cap off the year with a 16-day stretch of time off? If you’ve made it through the year, you’ve certainly earned it! Thanks to Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day public holidays, you can get 16 consecutive days off for the price of seven days annual leave. Here’s the breakdown: Block out 22-24 December, 29-30 December and 2 January to enjoy a well-deserved break.

Top travel picks for December/January

This is notoriously a tricky time of year to book a holiday. But if you want to end the year on a high note, Tasmania is certainly a place to have on your list. The landscapes are otherworldly in summer: Cradle Mountain with its dramatic peaks and Freycinet with its coastline scalloped by bays which contain some of the country’s fresh seafood.

Wineglass Bay aerial
See incredible views when you hike at Wineglass Bay. (Image: Jason Charles Hill)

South Australia is a must for foodies – not only is the wine incredible, but the beaches are perfect for swimming in, too (hint: Kangaroo Island offers some of the finest in the state!)

Wild South Coast Way in Deep Creek National Park, South Australia
Admire the rugged coastline of Kangaroo Island along the way. (Image: Heidi Who Photos)

How will you be using your extra days off work this year? Let us know in the comments below.

Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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Wine, art and good food: 15 ways to spend your time in Albury Wodonga

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    More than just a stopover, Albury Wodonga is an elevated city escape immersed in nature.

    Perhaps best known as a road trip stop between Sydney and Melbourne, Albury Wodonga offers a combination of natural beauty, cultural experiences and a vibrant food scene that make it well worth its own journey.

    Nestled on the banks of the mighty Murray River and surrounded by famed wine and gold rush regions, this riverside town packs a broad punch. Discover how best to spend your days on the border.

    Exploring the Murray River

    1. The Crossing Place Trail

    woman looking at sculpture along Crossing Place Trail loop
    Admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists.

    Head to the original crossing places of the Murray River since 1848 – at the junctions of Bungambrawatha Creek and Oddies Creek. Today, these crossings are still used by cars and cattle, but the five-kilometre Crossing Place Trail loop connects the two bridges for bike riders and walkers.

    Wander through gum trees, and maybe even spot local platypus and birdlife. Stop along the way to admire sculptural works from local Indigenous artists, see evidence of a scar tree and learn about the importance of this billabong environment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

    2. Canoe The Murray

    two people kayaking along the murray river at Noreuil Park
    Hire canoes or kayaks and get out on the river.

    What better way to get a feel for the Murray River than by getting out on its waters? Hire canoes or kayaks from Canoe the Murray , then explore solo or join one of the offered tours. Get up early for a Sunrise and coffee tour, watch the sun dip below the water on a sunset tour or choose one of several daytime trips.

    Stand-up paddleboard hire and other water sports, fishing and swimming are also available to river explorers.

    3. Noreuil Park Foreshore

    aerial of Noreuil Park albury wodonga
    Cool off at Noreuil Park Foreshore. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Just outside Albury’s CBD, the riverside Noreuil Park becomes a hub of activity as the weather heats up. Set up on picnic tables under shady trees, use the public barbecues (or pop into the nearby cafe) and cool off with a float down the river.

    4. Mungabareena Reserve and Water Works

    Mungabareena Reserve albury wodonga
    Spend time at Mungabareena Reserve. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Delve into nature and culture at the beautiful Mungabareena Reserve . Recognised by state law as a ‘Declared Aboriginal Place’, it was once a historical meeting point for trade and journeys to Mount Bogong for the local Wiradjuri people and still holds deep significance.

    It’s another popular spot for fishing, swimming and picnics, while the nearby Water Works area is a great place for spotting wildlife. Try your luck seeing platypuses, wood ducks or rainbow bee-eaters.

    Adventuring on Lake Hume

    1. Walk the dam wall

    parent and child look at the view from the damn wall walk at lake hume
    Enjoy the view from the dam wall. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    The majestic Lake Hume – a massive man-made reservoir on the Murray River – was once the largest dam in the Southern Hemisphere.

    A great way to get acquainted is by walking along the dam wall, taking in views of outflows, electricity turbines and the transmission plant from above. Not to mention vistas of the lake and the Murray. It’s a particularly gorgeous spot for sunsets and sunrises.

    A wide sealed walkway gives easy access to the wall, and informative signs and displays along the way educate on the dam’s construction.

    2. The High Country Rail Trail

    This 44-kilometre trail hugs the shoreline. Stop along the way at the historic town of Tallangatta, relocated to its current position in the 1950s after its original location was flooded. Cross the lake over the bright red Sandy Creek Bridge. Enjoy a lakeside picnic or go for a swim at Ebden, Ludlow’s or Huon Reserve.

    3. Water sports

    two people watching SUP boarders and a boat our on the water at lake hume
    Dive into water sports on Lake Hume.

    Lake Hume is a popular local spot for boating, fishing, and swimming. Drop a line or dive right into the clear waters.

    Sip and Savour

    1. Dux Albury

    two people sitting at counter drinking wine inside Dux Albury
    Sit down to delicious meals and wine at Dux.

    Those looking for a high-end dining experience need to book a table at Dux Albury in the heart of Albury Wodonga. Sit down for curated wine lists, cocktails and share plates. Think starters like burrata with beetroot, chervil, caper berry and sherry, mains like Wagyu sirloin with Café De Paris, red wine and caramelised onions and all manner of fresh seafood.

    2. Murray Towns Brewing Co.

    people being served lunch at Murray Brewing Co.
    Recharge at Murray Brewing Co.

    Perched on the banks of the river, Murray Towns Brewing Co . has come a long way since two mates started experimenting in their backyard chook shed. With all beer brewed onsite and a sun-drenched beer garden to drink them in, it’s a perfect stop along a bike ride or walk.

    3. Temperance and General

    Step into Albury’s original laneway bar, Temperance and General . Set inside a historic building, but offering a modern vibe, the bar is locally famous for its cocktail list. Stop in before or after dinner for a creative tipple.

    4. BeanStation Cafe

    two people drinking coffee at Bean Station albury wodonga
    Dine on a modern Australian menu.

    Dine on a modern Australian menu , inside the historic Wodonga train station building, dating back to 1873. Pop over in the morning and line up with the locals for great coffee and all-day brekkie, or head over after midday to swap the beans for local wines and Aussie boutique beers.

    5. River Deck Cafe

    waiter holding two dishes at Riverdeck Cafe albury wodonga
    Soak in views and good food at Riverdeck Cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Another dining destination next to the Murray, the award-winning River Deck Cafe provides a large deck covered in dappled sunlight that makes for the ideal long lunch spot. Here, menus focus on natural, native and local ingredients sourced from regional farmers and producers across Albury Wodonga and surrounds.

    Museums, murals and more

    1. Albury Wodonga Public Art Trail

    Gain a sense of Albury Wodonga’s vibrant arts community while wandering the Public Art Trail. Works range from sculptures and murals to wrapped infrastructure. Be sure to check the council map before you head out, so you don’t miss a thing.

    2. Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA)

    couple admiring the art at Murray Art Gallery
    Stop into one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. (Image: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    MAMA forms the heart of art and culture in Albury Wodonga, some may say the entire Murray region. In fact, it’s one of the most visited galleries outside of Sydney. What makes it so lauded? The museum has earned a reputation for curating innovative, original exhibitions from some of the best contemporary Australian and international artists.

    3. HotHouse Theatre

    Originally built in 1928 as the Butter Factory Theatre, HotHouse Theatre has been a home of performance since 1997. Stop by to see the best of new Australian theatre. Continue to explore unique architecture on the Historic Building Walking Tour of Albury, the perfect way to round out your stay.

    Start planning your Albury Wodonga getaway at visitalburywodonga.com.