What To Do On A Long Weekend In Australia

The October Long Weekend is coming up for many states in Australia, so here is some inspiration for celebrating like the Aussies! The actual reason for the upcoming public holiday in October varies from state to state. For example, it’s the King’s Birthday Celebration in Queensland and a Labour Day Holiday in New South Wales. But whatever the reason for the upcoming "pubby hol," grab a cold one, head to the beach, and relish a day of sweet relaxation as you discover the chilled culture of Aussie days off!

Many backpackers in Australia reside in popular destinations along the East Coast such as Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Airlie Beach, or Cairns. If you’re living and working in QLD or NSW, you’ll have a long weekend coming up at the beginning of October! Here is some more info about the public holidays and how you can make the most of your long weekend. 

Is the King's birthday a public holiday in Australia?

Most states around Australia celebrate the King’s Birthday with a public holiday. That means a 3-day weekend for local Australians and visitors who are working on a visa! The exact dates for the King’s Birthday celebration can be confusing because they vary from state to state. 

June Long Weekend: NSW, VIC, TAS, SA, NT

Most states celebrate the King’s Birthday on the second Monday in June. This was the 10th of June for 2024, and will be the 9th of June in 2025. States that have a June Long Weekend for the King’s Birthday include New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Northern Territory. 

October Long Weekend: QLD, WA 

Queensland celebrates the King’s Birthday on the first Monday of October. So this will be the 7th of October in 2024 and the 6th of October in 2025, and residents will celebrate an October Long Weekend instead of June. Western Australia celebrates the King’s Birthday on either the fourth Monday of September or the first Monday of October. This year WA celebrated on the 23rd of September. 

Is Labour Day a public holiday in Australia?

Labour Day is another public holiday in Australia that varies between states. ACT, NSW, and SA celebrate Labour Day on the first Monday in October. So these states also have an October Long Weekend, but for a different holiday.

WA celebrates Labour Day on the first Monday in March, whereas VIC and TAS celebrate it on the second Monday in March. QLD and NT celebrate it on the first Monday in May. 

Labour Day signifies the introduction of the eight-hour working day. Though us modern-day workers may think it’s a drag to celebrate a 48-hour work week, this was actually a huge victory for workers in the 19th Century. It’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day hustle and forget to appreciate how lucky we are to have jobs. But being part of the working class in Australia is a privilege, so take a moment to cherish the ability to work hard and be paid a fair wage in return!

What To Do On A Long Weekend In Australia

With a long weekend coming up, there are so many ways to make the most of your time and enjoy the wonders of Australia. Aussies love a long weekend and they often use this opportunity to spend time with loved ones, have casual beach BBQs, or go on adventures in the wilderness. Here are some fun things to do on a long weekend in Australia!

Hit the beach

Australians love spending time outside, particularly by the sandy shores of the Pacific Ocean. Try to enjoy at least one epic beach day on your long weekend if the weather is in your favour. Bring some friends, a speaker, a surfboard, and some snacks for a lovely day out in the sunshine, or have an outdoor feast at a public BBQ spot in a beachside park!

Hiking and camping trips

A long weekend means more time for ambitious adventures, and Australia is packed full of lush forests, wilderness trails, and national parks. If you’re an outdoorsy and active traveller, consider a hiking or camping trip on the long weekend. Just remember to book campsites in advance because the holidays can be busy in the Australian national parks.

3-day, 2-night tours

Whether you’re a backpacker or an Aussie local, a long weekend is the perfect time to book an incredible tour on the East Coast. 3-day, 2-night tours offer an immersive experience for solo travellers, backpackers, couples, and families alike. Try sailing through the Whitsunday Islands or joining a 4WD adventure on K’gari (Fraser Island)!

Quality time with family and friends

The biggest perk of a long weekend in Australia is more time to spend with loved ones. Family members, groups of friends, flatmates, coworkers, or neighbours can all get together and enjoy meals, games, and quality time with an extra day off work. Even if you’re a traveller who doesn’t have family here, meet up with your fellow foreigners in a social backpacker hostel and bond over your shared experiences abroad. 

Contact our travel experts if you need any advice or planning tips for your journey along Australia’s East Coast!