Hack your holidays: How to maximise your annual leave in 2024

We swear holidays must exist in their own time zone, because it doesn’t matter how many days we take off, they always seem to fly by and leave us wanting more.

The average Australian worker gets 20 days of annual leave a year. Of course, that number varies between industries and businesses – but if you ask us, 20 days hardly feels like enough time away from the daily grind.

Luckily for you, we’ve hacked the holidays. Here’s how you can use your public holidays just right to maximise your annual leave in 2024! 

All states and territories

Australia Day

You won’t have to wait too long for your first opportunity to get away this year, thanks to Australia Day falling on a Friday in 2024. Hello, extra long weekend!

Take off: One day of annual leave on Monday 29 January.

Book in: A four-day break from 26-29 January.

This is the perfect amount of time to explore your own backyard with a relaxing staycation. Explore Oaks’ range of properties to find sophisticated and affordable accommodation options near you.

Easter

Fancy a longer break to recover from your chocolate coma this year? No worries. Good Friday (29 March) and Easter Monday (1 April) already have your four-day weekend covered – but why stop there?

Take off: Four days of annual leave from 2-5 April.

Book in: A ten-day break from Friday 29 March to Sunday 7 April. 

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day falls on Thursday 25 April this year – but if you play your cards right, you’ll have plenty of time to pay your respects and enjoy some time away from the office.

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 22-24 April as well as Friday 26 April.

Book in: A nine-day break from 20-28 April.

Labour Day

What better way to celebrate the fruits of your labour than by turning four days of annual leave into a nine-day getaway?

Labour Day is observed on different dates throughout Australia.

In New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, Labour Day falls on Monday 4 March.

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 5-8 March.

Book in: A nine-day holiday, from 2-10 March.

If you’re in New South Wales, this weekend is the perfect window to visit the Hunter Valley, and experience everything from world-renowned vineyards and valley vistas to hot air ballooning, horseback riding and wild World Heritage national parks. Stay at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, which boasts its own pro golf course and country club, for the ultimate Hunter Valley experience.

In Victoria and Tasmania, Labour Day falls on Monday 11 March.

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 12-15 March.

Book in: A nine-day holiday, from 9-17 March.

In Queensland and the Northern Territory, Labour Day falls on Monday 6 May.

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 7-10 May.

Book in: A nine-day holiday, from 4-12 May. 

King’s Birthday

Thanks to good ol’ King Charles celebrating his ‘birthday’, you can use four days of annual leave and get nine days off – which sounds like a right royal plan to us.

Much like Labour Day, the King’s Birthday is celebrated on different dates around the nation.

In all states and territories except Queensland and Western Australia, the King’s Birthday falls on Monday 10 June.

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 11-14 June.

Book in: A nine-day break from 8-16 June.

This timing positions you perfectly for the beginning of the ski season in New Zealand. Head to Queenstown, where you can strap on your ski boots and hit the slopes at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables Ski Fields, and stay at your very own winter wonderland at Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort.

In Western Australia, the King’s Birthday falls on Monday 23 September.

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 24-27 September.

Book in: A nine-day break from 22-29 September.

In Queensland, the King’s Birthday falls on Monday 7 October.

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 8-11 October.

Book in: A nine-day break, from 5-13 October.

That’s the perfect amount of time to head up north and experience the natural wonders of Tropical North Queensland, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Wet Tropics rainforest. Stay at Oaks Cairns Hotel, ideally located on Cairns Esplanade, or Oaks Port Douglas Resort, located just moments from the iconic Four Mile Beach, to make the most of your visit.

Christmas and New Year’s

By the end of the year, it can feel like we’re crawling to the finish line, with the sweet, sweet taste of holidays so close, yet so far. Luckily, with the amount of public holidays around this time of year, you can get 12 consecutive days off by using just four days of annual leave. Thanks, Santa!

Take off: Four days of annual leave, from 23-24 December as well as 27 December and 30-31 December.

Book in: A refreshing and revitalising 12-day holiday, from Saturday 21 December all the way through to Thursday 2 January.

You can expand your holidays even further by taking off 2-3 January, which will get you a mammoth 16-day break (from Saturday 21 December to Sunday 5 January) with just six days of annual leave.

Looking for things to do with the kids over summer? Check out our extensive, nation-wide rundown here. 

Victoria

But wait, that’s not all! If you’re in Victoria, there are a couple of major state-specific public holidays that you can use to keep boosting your break time. 

AFL Grand Final

Victoria’s newest public holiday, the AFL Grand FInal holiday is held on the Friday preceding the big game – this year, that’s Friday 27 September.

Take off: One day of annual leave on Monday 30 September.

Book in: A four-day holiday, from 27-30 September.

Two words: Book now. The AFL Grand Final is not something that Melbourians (or most Australians, for that matter) take lightly. Many interstate travellers make the trip to Melbourne to cheer on their favourite team, so make your move now to beat the rush and book in a long weekend in Melbourne.

Oaks’ Melbourne properties can be your home away from home, with a variety of locations available to book all around the CBD.  

Melbourne Cup

It’s the race that stops the nation – but it won’t stop you from booking in another holiday. The Melbourne Cup public holiday falls on Tuesday 5 November this year.

Take off: One day of annual leave on Monday 4 November.

Book in: A four-day holiday, from 2-5 November.

Planning a staycation in the CBD? Oaks’ Melbourne properties have got you covered once again.

This doesn’t even include the city-specific breaks, such as show holidays, that you might be able to take throughout the year – so think of them as an added bonus.

And of course, whatever you choose to do with all of your leave this year, Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites has the perfect range of accommodation options to suit your needs. We look forward to seeing you!