Here are all the 2024 public holiday dates so you can book your next trip, ASAP.

As we turn the corner and look towards what 2024 will bring (hopefully less outrageous grocery prices and more luxuriating), it's time to organise how we will be spending our downtime. Because if there's one thing 2023 taught us, it's that moments of rest are absolutely essential in order to keep life in balance. 

As well as hopefully getting some much needed R&R, in 2024, you're also going to be able to maximise your public holiday leave by being strategic with your annual leave. After crunching the numbers and filing through the calendar we've discovered you can take 17 days of annual leave which will accrue to 45 days off throughout the year. We do love to see basic maths returning in our adult life to genuinely help us.

Watch: Inside my wardrobe- Holidays. Post continues below.

While this number may change given the difference in public holidays across the various states and territories, we've compiled all of the dates to be aware of so you can make your calendars work harder for you all year. We'll see you on the beach, slathered in sunscreen, rested, hydrated and unbothered.

New Year's Day

Public Holiday: January 1

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA

Ring in the new year or nurse your gentle soul after New Year's Eve celebrations. 

Australia Day

Public Holiday: January 26

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA

This year Australia Day falls on a Friday, which means you can take one day of annual leave on Monday 29 January and give yourself an extra long four-day weekend.

Royal Hobart Regatta

Public Holiday: February 12

Observed: In certain areas of Tas

Those Tasmanians sure do love their water activities, so much so they take a whole long-weekend and public holiday to proclaim it! 2024 will mark the 186th year of the Royal Hobart Regatta.

Labour Day (WA)

Public Holiday: March 4

Observed: WA

The first of many Labour Days littered throughout the calendar year. First cab off the rank is WA.

Labour Day (Vic)

Public Holiday: March 11

Observed: Vic

And just a few days later, Victorians get their go at celebrating Labour Day!

Canberra Day

Public Holiday: March 11

Observed: ACT

Canberra Day is a cheeky little public holiday for those living in ACT and Jervis Bay Territory in honour of the naming of Canberra.

Eight Hours Day

Public Holiday: March 11

Observed: Tas

Eight Hours Day takes place in Tasmania in tribute to the Australian labour movement. What better way to celebrate hard work than by taking a day off?

Adelaide Cup Day

Public Holiday: March 11

Observed: Adelaide Cup Day (subject to proclamation)

The Adelaide Cup Day public holiday is observed for South Australian residents to watch the big horse race at the tracks.

Good Friday

Public Holiday: March 29

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA

(Psst... If you live in a state that observes all four days across the Easter break, you can take four days annual leave from April 2-5, and you'll receive a whopping 10-day break.)

Easter Saturday

Public Holiday: March 30

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic

Easter Sunday

Public Holiday: March 31

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, Vic, WA

Easter Monday

Public Holiday: April 1

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA

Easter Tuesday

Public Holiday: April 2

Observed: Tas (Tasmania Public Service only)

Anzac Day

Public Holiday: April 25

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA

Get savvy with your annual leave and cop another big break by taking four days off from April 22-24, and April 27, to get a nine-day holiday.

May Day

Public Holiday: May 6

Observed: NT

May Day in the Northern Territory is another celebration of the contribution of working Australians.

Labour Day

Public Holiday: May 6

Observed: Qld

Here yet another Labour Day pops up – this time for Queenslanders!

Reconciliation Day

Public Holiday: May 27

Observed: ACT

Part of Reconciliation Week, this holiday marks the anniversary of the 1967 Australian Referendum.

Western Australia Day

Public Holiday: June 3

Observed: WA

This day is for Western Australians to commemorate the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829.

Sovereign's/King's Birthday

Public Holiday: June 10

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, SA, TAS, VIC

Picnic Day

Public Holiday: August 5

Observed: NT

On August 5, residents in the Northern Territory get a public holiday to literally go to a park and eat delicious food. All of a sudden I'm relocating to the NT.

Royal Queensland Show

Public Holiday: August 14

Observed: Qld (Brisbane area only)

The Royal Queensland Show is a big date in the calendar for Brisbane/Gold Coast residents to head to the EKKA. In 2023 Matt Damon was spotted enjoying the show, which feels like 10 Christmases all at once.

Labour Day

Public Holiday: October 7

Observed: ACT, NSW, SA

Another! Labour! Day!

King's Birthday

Public Holiday: October 7

Observed: Qld

King's Birthday

Public Holiday: September 23

Observed: WA

AFL Grand Final

Public Holiday: TBC (Friday before AFL Grand Final)

Observed: Vic

Whether you love AFL or not, Victorians get a day off to celebrate/ignore the AFL Grand Final.

Recreation Day

Public Holiday: November 4

Observed: Tas (certain areas of state that don't observe Royal Hobart Regatta)

Melbourne Cup

Public Holiday: November 5

Observed: Vic

Christmas Eve

Public Holiday: December 24 

Observed: NT, SA (7pm to midnight), Qld (6pm to midnight)

Christmas Day

Public Holiday: December 25

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA

If you feel like taking 12 days off (would be rude not to) get in your five days of annual leave now for December 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31. 

Boxing Day

Public Holiday: December 26

Observed: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA

New Year's Eve

Public Holiday: December 31

Observed: NT, SA (7pm to midnight)

Feature Image: Getty.

Do you have kids aged under 13 years? Take our survey now to go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.