We all love a break, a holiday or a long weekend away. If you're like us, you've probably found yourself wondering, 'how can I fit more holidays in?' Being crafty with your allotted annual leave is the answer!

Maximising your annual leave really is the ultimate travel hack. With some strategic planning around public holidays and long weekends, you can stretch your time off into multiple short breaks or even an extended getaway. Here’s how to make the most of your leave and enjoy more holidays throughout the year.

BIG4 Noosa North Shore Retreat, QLD

Longer holidays with fewer leave days

Want an extended getaway without using too much annual leave? Some well-placed holidays can turn a small number of leave days into a much longer break.

  • Easter and Anzac Day: Good Friday and Easter Monday create a four-day weekend. With Anzac Day falling in the same week as Easter Monday this year, taking just three extra days off can result in a 10-day holiday. Score!
  • Christmas and New Year: Many businesses close between Christmas and New Year. Taking just three days of leave can often give you 10+ days off. Many of us have no choice in whether we take time off during this period or not due to offices shutting down, so you might as well make the most of it with a getaway.
BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Bargara, QLD

Short breaks with minimal leave

Public holidays often fall next to a weekend, meaning you can take just one day of leave and get a four-day break – perfect for an intrastate escape. Some great opportunities include:

  • Australia Day: If it falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, one day of leave gives you a four-day break.
  • Melbourne Cup (VIC): Falls on a Tuesday, so taking Monday off gives you a four-day weekend.
  • Labour Day (varies by state): Many states have Labour Day near a weekend, creating an easy extended break.
  • Queensland and WA public holidays: With unique holiday dates, these states offer additional chances for extended breaks.

Check your state’s public holiday schedule to find the best opportunities. For inspiration on short breaks, check out top short breaks in Australia.

While long weekends can be great for a trip away, adding one more day can extend the trip, while four days of annual leave can yield an eight-day getaway.

For ideas on where to go, explore the best road trips in Australia.

BIG4 Maroochy River, QLD

The benefits of multiple short holidays

Rather than saving up for one big trip a year, spreading out your leave across multiple holidays can have great benefits:

  • More opportunities to relax: Frequent short breaks help you recharge more often.
  • Less planning stress: Short getaways require less organisation than a long holiday.
  • Discover more destinations: Visiting different places throughout the year lets you explore more of Australia.
  • Better value: Travelling in off-peak times can save money on accommodation and attractions.

BIG4 Holiday Parks make short and long stays easy, with a range of accommodation options to suit every traveller. Find out more about why BIG4 is the perfect option to stay at for a great value getaway. Check out this article for even more trips on how staying at a BIG4 park can stretch you holiday budget even further.

BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park, QLD

Start planning your holidays now

With a little planning, you can turn your annual leave into multiple getaways throughout the year. Check your state’s public holiday calendar, book early, and make the most of your time off with BIG4. Whether it’s a road trip, a beach escape, or a nature retreat, there’s a perfect holiday waiting for you.

Book your next adventure today

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