If your New Year’s resolution involves doubling down on adventure then you’ve got to make your leave work smarter, not harder. Here are the best days to take off work in 2024 to optimise your leave and public holidays....
If your New Year’s resolution involves doubling down on adventure then you’ve got to make your leave work smarter, not harder. Here are the best days to take off work in 2024 to optimise your leave and public holidays.
If the first day back at work for 2024 already had you Googling ‘best multi day hikes around Australia’ then you best be in the know about how to get the most out of your public holidays this year.
Some public holidays will differ from state to state, but the big ones are almost all the same. Let’s dive in!
Best Days to Take Off Work in 2024
January
Book leave on: 25th or 29th
This year, Invasion Day (Australia Day public holiday) lands on Friday 26th of January, which means taking just one day of leave on Thursday 25th or Monday 29th will get you four days off in a row. Now that’s just good maths.
1 day of leave = 4 days off in January!
Read more: 12 Best Multi Day Hikes in NSW
Soak up that summer sun!
March
Book leave on: 25th-28th or 2nd-5th April
Easter is always a great time to take a break. After a strong start to the work year, March rocks around and you’re ready to escape to nature again.
This year, Easter falls on the last weekend in May; Friday 29th of March to Monday 1st of April.
Of course, a four-day weekend could be enough for ya, but take four days of leave – either 25th to 28th of March – and you’ve got yourself ten days off for the price of four! Now that’s a lot of adventure time.
4 days of leave = 10 days off in March!
Read more: Top 10 Road Trips Across Australia
Did someone say road trip?
April
Book leave on: 2nd-5th & 26th
Alternatively, you can take off the four days after Easter Monday, the 2nd to 5th of April, to indulge in a ten day break then instead.
Come the end of April and ANZAC Day is here again, this time on Thursday 25th of April. You know what that means – take a day off on Friday 26th and you’ll be living the four-day weekend dream once again.
5 days of leave = 14 days off in April!
June
Book leave on: 7th or 11th or 11th-14th
The now King’s Birthday public holiday falls for most states, except WA and QLD, on Monday 10th of June. Take off Friday 7th of June or Tuesday 11th of June and you’ve landed another four-day weekend – do the good times ever end?
Craving a solid mid-year break? Take leave for the rest of the week for a sweet nine days off!
1 day of leave = 4 days off in June!
OR
4 days of leave = 9 days off in June!
Read more: Best Places in Vic For Your First Snow Camping Trip
Time to head to the mountains
October
Book leave on: 4th or 9th or 8th-11th
For most states, except NT, TAS, and VIC, Monday 7th of October is another public holiday, either as Labour Day or the King’s Birthday.
You know what to do; take the Friday or Tuesday for a weekender-extender, or take the whole rest of the week to gain nine days off for the price of four. Cha-ching!
1 day of leave = 4 days off in October!
OR
4 days of leave = 9 days off in October!
Read more: Best Hikes Near Brisbane With Waterfalls
Is there any better time for hiking than spring??
December
Book leave on: 23rd, 24th, & 27th
OR 27th, 30th, 31st
OR 23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th, 31st, 2nd, & 3rd
I know I know, a bit early to be thinking about Christmas again already – but it’s never too early to think about holidays!
This year, Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall a little awkwardly on a Wednesday and Thursday, which means you’ll have to juggle the leave a little.
If you’re into popping the champagne early and kicking off the Christmas holidays from 5pm 20th of December, you best book to take off Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th, and Friday 27th for a total of nine days off.
If you like working right up to the last minute before Santa slides down the chimney, save your leave and take off Friday 27th, Monday 30th, and Tuesday 31st instead for eight days off (including the public holiday for New Year’s Day 2024 – OK maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves now).
Alternatively, if by the end of December you’re chomping at the bit to make office life a distant memory, take seven days of leave and score 16 consecutive days off. Now that is good holiday math.
3 days of leave = 8 or 9 days off in December!
OR
7 days of leave = 16 days off in December & January!
Read more: 10 Secret Swimming Holes in NSW
Maxo Summer Relaxo
You’ve got more time off than you think, so don’t squander it, get out there and wander it!
Feature photo by @ben.savage