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    How to maximise your annual leave in 2025

    How to maximise your annual leave in 2025

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    This handy guide is designed to help you maximise your holiday time in 2025 by combining your paid annual leave with Australian and state public holidays. Whether you’re envisioning a winter beach getaway, a magical snow escape, or a festive Christmas adventure, we’re ready to help you fill your year with as many memorable experiences as possible.

    Side note: there are some state variations to these dates, so we recommend checking here to see which ones apply to you.

    January

    antartica, how to maximise your annual leave in 2025

    Australia Day (Monday 27th January 2025):

    Book four annual leave days (28 – 31 January) and get a nine-day break from Saturday 25th January to Sunday 2nd February.

    Our favourite places to visit in January:

    Antarctica – the extended daylight hours mean you’ll have ample time to appreciate the breathtaking landscapes and incredible biodiversity of this remote and beautiful part of the world.

    Sri Lanka – January in the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ delivers warm sunny days – ideal for exploring modern cities and ancient temples or lazing on idyllic, white-sand beaches.

    March

    how to maximise your annual leave in March 2025

    Labour Day (WA) (Monday 3rd March 2025): Book four annual leave days (4 – 7 March) for nine days off from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th March.

    Eight Hours Day (TAS) or Labour Day (VIC) (Monday 10th March): Book four annual leave days (11 – 14 March) for nine days off from Saturday 8th March to Sunday 16th March.

    Our favourite place to visit in March:

    Philippines – vibrant cultural events, pristine beaches and world-class diving are all part of The Philippines’ charm, especially if you visit during March. The end of the dry season means warm, sunny weather that is just right for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing.

    Ireland – St Patrick’s Day is one of the world’s favourite festivals, especially if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Ireland for the celebrations. Join the crowds that line the parade route in Dublin, or find a cosy country pub and raise a glass to Ireland’s beloved patron saint.

    April

    how to maximise your annual leave in 2025

    Easter & ANZAC Day (18-21 April and 25 April 2025): Book three annual leave days (22 – 24 April) and get a 10-day break from Friday 18th to Sunday 27th April.

    Our favourite places to visit in April:

    Lake Tahoe, United States – an April getaway in the pristine alpine setting of Lake Tahoe is a chance to enjoy sublime spring skiing at its world-class ski resorts. Away from the snowy slopes, you can explore the region’s tranquil hiking and mountain biking trails, explore the lake’s serene bays and coves by kayak or just enjoy the pristine mountain scenery.

    Japan – April is peak Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season in Japan, with thousands of in-bloom Sakura (cherry trees) provide a pretty-in-pink settings for picnics and parties. Pack your picnic rug, pick up a bento box and head to one of Tokyo or Kyoto’s peaceful parks and temple gardens for a lantern-lit evening of floral delight.

    Gallipoli, Türkiye – More than a century after the horrors of World War 1, Anzac Cove remains a place of great historical and cultural significance for Aussies, Kiwis and Turks. Standing among the thousands who gather in the pre-dawn at Anzac Cove on 25th April each year to pay their respects to the fallen is a deeply moving and memorable experience.

    May

    maximise your annual leave in 2025

    May Day (NT) or Labour Day (QLD) (Monday 5th May): Book four annual leave days (6 – 9 May) for nine days off from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 11th May.

    Our favourite places to visit in May:

    Amalfi Coast, Italy – during late Spring, the villages and hillsides are adorned with flowers and there’s a sunlit sparkle on the blue waters of the Mediterranean. You could hike the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei), explore the coastline’s caves and coves on a private boat tour, or take a day trip to the colourful island of Capri.

    Machu Picchu, Peru – May is the beginning of peak visitor season, and still a relatively quiet time to visit this UNESCO World Heritage listed treasure, which is set high in the Peruvian Andes. It’s the beginning of the dry season, so the mountains are still lush with greenery, and the weather is settled and sunny – ideal for exploring the ancient ruins and hiking the famous Inca Trail.

    June

    Cote d' Azur - how to maximise your annual leave

    King’s Birthday (national except WA + QLD) (Monday 9th June 2025): Book four annual leave days (10 – 13 June) for nine days off from Saturday 7th to Sunday 15th June.

    Our favourite places to visit in June:

    Rwanda – June marks the beginning of the second dry season in Rwanda, where Volcanoes National Park is one of just three places where you can see majestic Mountain Gorillas in the wild.

    Cornwall, England – explore the golden beaches and charming villages of Cornwall before the peak summer crowds arrive. The region’s mild, year-round climate makes it a paradise for garden lovers – especially in June, when iconic sites like the Lost Gardens of Heligan are in vibrant bloom.

    Côte d’Azur, France – summer arrives early to this stunning coastal region in the south of France, where the movie-star glamour of Cannes and Cap d’Antibes is balanced by the tranquil beauty of medieval hilltop villages of Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Lourmarin.

    September

    morocco - the blue city - maximise your annual leave

    King’s Birthday (WA only) (Monday 29th September 2025): Book four annual leave days (30 September – 3 October) for nine days off from Saturday 27th September to Sunday 5th October.

    Our favourite place to visit in September:

    Morocco – Whether you’re exploring the narrow, cobbled streets of the celebrated Blue City of Chefchaouen, or browsing the rainbow of spice stalls of Marrakesh, the gentle autumn temperatures are ideal for experiencing Morocco’s vivid colours and vibrant culture.

    National Parks, United States – From Alaska to Yellowstone, there are 63 national parks to explore across the United States, each one offering its own unique blend of dazzling landscapes and incredible wildlife. If you’ve always dreamed of experiences the brilliance of the East Coast’s famous autumn colours, September is the ideal time to plan your visit – our favourite spots include Maine’s Acadia National Park and Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park.

    October

    how to maximise your annual leave - Vietnam

    Labour Day (ACT, NSW & SA) or King’s Birthday (QLD) (Monday 6th October 2025): Book four annual days (7 – 10 October) for nine days off from Saturday 4th to Sunday 12th October.

    Our favourite place to visit in October:

    Egypt and Jordan – October is ideal for experiencing the rich history and stunning landscapes of Luxor, Petra and Wadi Rum without the extremes temperatures of summer or the busy crowds of the peak tourist season.

    Vietnam – In most regions, the monsoon rainy season has come to an end and the dry season is beginning. The country’s diverse landscapes, from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the stunning Halong Bay, the lush rice terraces of Sapa and the vibrant Mekong Delta, are at their scenic best during this time of year.

    December/January

    Lapland - how to maximise your annual leave

    Christmas & New Year (Thursday 25th – Friday 26th December & Thursday 1st January): Book seven annual leave days (22-24 December, 29-31 December and 2 January) to get a 15-day break: Saturday 20th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.

    Our favourite place to visit in December:

    New York City, US – the ‘city that never sleeps’ is one of the most memorable places on Earth to mark the end of another year: a world-class blend of tradition, festivity, and exhilarating energy that seems to be powered entirely by twinkling lights and tinsel.

    Europe’s Christmas markets – every December, towns and cities across Europe put on their most sparkling Christmas finery to welcome visitors and locals to their festive Christmas markets. You can get into the holiday spirit while shopping for handmade crafts in Prague’s Wenceslas Square, sipping mulled wine at Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, or listening to carol singers performing on the steps of Salzburg Cathedral.

    Lapland – why wait for Santa to deliver your presents on Christmas Eve when you can visit him at home in Finland’s snowy Lapland region? While you’re in the neighbourhood, you can also take a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride through the forest, go ice fishing on a frozen lake, and watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky above your glass igloo accommodation.

     

    If you’re still not sure where to spend your well-deserved time off, you could look for more inspiration among our latest deals. For personalised ideas and advice, have a chat with one of our travel experts.

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