Victoria 2026
A useful calendar is not enough. Here are the official Victorian public holidays, the leave windows worth considering, and what each break is actually good for from Melbourne.
Official public holiday dates
Use this as the practical starting point. Public holiday dates come from Business Victoria, but dates can change, and some holidays have special notes around trading or replacement days.
Source: Business Victoria. Business Victoria says dates are accurate at publishing but may be subject to change.
Dates worth reading twice
Where annual leave actually helps
Not every public holiday needs a trip. Some are better as one strong day. These are the breaks where one to four annual leave days can turn into something genuinely useful.
4 leave days · 10 days off
3 Apr → 12 Apr
Early April is strong for autumn colour, forest drives, food regions and cooler walking weather.
Victoria ideas
Macedon Ranges · Marysville and Black Spur · Yarra Valley · Daylesford · Ballarat or Bendigo
No car
Ballarat by V/Line · Bendigo by V/Line · Dandenong Ranges via Belgrave train
Accommodation and restaurants around Easter need early booking.
1 leave day · 4 days off
5 Jun → 8 Jun
June is winter — lean into it. Plan for warm interiors, good food, shorter daylight and a weather backup that does not feel like a compromise.
Victoria ideas
Daylesford and Hepburn Springs · Bendigo galleries and food · Ballarat by V/Line · Yarra Valley winter lunch · Melbourne city staycation
No car
Ballarat by V/Line · Bendigo by V/Line · Melbourne city gallery and dinner day
Accommodation and restaurants around the long weekend can fill quickly. Book the main stay, meal or experience early.
1 leave day · 4 days off
25 Sep → 28 Sep
Late September is good for spring gardens, coastal walks and food-led weekends, but Melbourne event crowds can be heavy.
Victoria ideas
Mornington Peninsula · Bellarine · Macedon gardens · Warburton · Melbourne staycation
No car
Geelong by V/Line · Williamstown by train · Dandenong Ranges via Belgrave train
AFL fixture and city crowds can affect accommodation and restaurant availability.
1 leave day · 4 days off
31 Oct → 3 Nov
Early November is ideal for spring energy, gardens, coast and winery lunches.
Victoria ideas
Mornington Peninsula · Bellarine · Yarra Valley · Macedon Ranges · Phillip Island
No car
Geelong and waterfront by V/Line · St Kilda/Brighton by tram/train · Ballarat or Bendigo by V/Line
Melbourne Cup is statewide unless an alternate local holiday applies in some non-metro areas.
3 leave days · 10 days off
25 Dec → 3 Jan
Summer planning needs heat backup, early starts and beach safety common sense.
Victoria ideas
Mornington Peninsula · Bellarine · Phillip Island · Melbourne staycation · Dandenongs early morning
No car
Williamstown/Altona · St Kilda to Brighton · Geelong by V/Line · CBD arts and food days
Christmas and New Year trading hours, accommodation and transport can vary. Verify before locking in.
Plan the break
