How to maximise your annual leave in 2025

You're not alone if you're already eyeing your 2025 calendar and dreaming of time away from the daily grind. It's never too early to start planning your well-deserved getaways for the year ahead. Planning early means you can snag the prime dates and make the most of your annual leave, doubling or perhaps even tripling your days off. And by giving your friends and family plenty of notice, it will also make it easy to bring everyone together on holiday, creating unforgettable memories. Here's how you can strategise your time off in 2025 to optimise your holidays.

What are the public holidays in 2025?

There are a total of seven national public holidays in Australia during 2025:

  • Wednesday, 1 January 2025: New Year's Day

  • Monday, 27 January 2025: Australia Day public holiday 

  • Friday, 18 April 2025: Good Friday

  • Monday, 21 April 2025: Easter Monday

  • Friday, 25 April 2025: Anzac Day

  • Thursday, 25 December 2025: Christmas Day

  • Friday, 26 December 2025: Boxing Day

Each state also has its special public holidays, perfect for squeezing in even more downtime!

The Holiday Hacks for 2025

Ring in the New Year with a Week-long Break

New Year's Day falls midweek in 2025, but it still provides you the perfect opportunity to kick off the year with a whole week of holiday bliss by booking just four days off.

  • Wednesday, 1 January 2025: New Year's Day public holiday
  • Thursday, 2 January 2025: Annual Leave
  • Friday, 3 January 2025: Annual Leave
  • Saturday, 4 January 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, 5 January 2025: Weekend
  • Monday, 6 January 2025: Annual Leave
  • Tuesday, 7 January 2025: Annual Leave

A Bonus January Break

With the Australia Day public holiday falling on Monday, January 27, 2025, you can plan a refreshing seven-day getaway with just four days of annual leave.

  • Saturday, January 25, 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, January 26, 2025: Weekend (Australia Day)
  • Monday, January 27, 2025: Australia Day public holiday
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025: Annual Leave
  • Wednesday, January 29, 2025: Annual Leave
  • Thursday, January 30, 2025: Annual Leave
  • Friday, January 31, 2025: Annual Leave

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Easter Escape, Extended by Anzac Day

In 2025, you can extend your Easter break by just a few days and score a total of ten days off in a row. With Good Friday kicking things off on April 18th and Anzac Day wrapping it all up on Friday, April 25th, you'll get a chance for an extended getaway with just three days of leave. It's the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and create some unforgettable memories. 

  • Friday, April 18, 2025: Good Friday public holiday

  • Saturday, April 19, 2025: Weekend

  • Sunday, April 20, 2025: Easter Sunday public holiday

  • Monday, April 21, 2025: Easter Monday public holiday

  • Tuesday, April 22, 2025: Annual Leave

  • Wednesday, April 23, 2025: Annual Leave

  • Thursday, April 24, 2025: Annual Leave

  • Friday, April 25, 2025: Anzac Day public holiday

Of course, if the leave allowance permits, you could tack on another few days of annual leave and end up with a rejuvenating two-week break.


Get the King's Birthday Week Off

For all of Australia, except for QLD and WA, you could take a whole week off in the middle of the year. Most states have a couple of public holidays between winter and the festive season, but this is an excellent opportunity for a midyear reset to get you through. Book four days of annual leave between Tuesday, June 10 and Friday, June 13, 2025.

  • Saturday, June 7, 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, June 8, 2025: Weekend
  • Monday, June 9, 2025: King's Birthday public holiday
  • Tuesday, June 10, 2025: Annual Leave
  • Wednesday, June 11, 2025: Annual Leave
  • Thursday, June 12, 2025: Annual Leave
  • Friday, June 13, 2025: Annual Leave
  • Saturday, June 14, 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, June 15, 2025: Weekend

Spend Labour Day week away

For another week away from work, book four days of annual leave between Tuesday, 7 October to Friday, 10 October 2025.

  • Saturday, 4 October 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, 5 October 2025: Weekend
  • Monday, 6 October 2025: Labour Day public holiday
  • Tuesday, 7 October 2025: Annual Leave
  • Wednesday, 8 October 2025: Annual Leave
  • Thursday, 9 October 2025: Annual Leave
  • Friday, 10 October 2025: Annual Leave
  • Saturday, 11 October 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, 12 October 2025: Weekend

Christmas Extravaganza

For the ultimate Christmas indulgence, consider organising an extended break from Saturday, December 20, to Wednesday, January 1, 2026. By strategically using just five days of annual leave, you can enjoy an uninterrupted getaway spanning the festive season and into the New Year.

  • Saturday, 20 December 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, 21 December 2025: Weekend
  • Monday, 22 December 2025: Annual Leave
  • Tuesday, 23 December 2025: Annual Leave
  • Wednesday, 24 December 2025: Annual Leave
  • Thursday, 25 December 2025: Christmas Day public holiday
  • Friday, 26 December 2025: Boxing Day public holiday
  • Saturday, 27 December 2025: Weekend
  • Sunday, 28 December 2025: Weekend
  • Monday, 29 December 2025: Annual Leave
  • Tuesday, 30 December 2025: Annual Leave
  • Wednesday, 31 December 2025: New Year's Eve public holiday
  • Thursday, 1 January 2026: New Year's Day public holiday

Experience it all aboard a P&O cruise

With some strategic planning, you can make the most of your annual leave in 2025, indulging in extended breaks and memorable adventures. And what better way to spend these precious moments than onboard a P&O cruise? Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, our cruises offer something for everyone.

Don't miss out — bring your friends and family together and book your dream getaway with a P&O Cruise Deal today.

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