Have you ever dreamed of more vacations? Wondering how on earth are you going to see the world with only 20 days of annual leave? Are you planning to quit your job, pack your bags and head straight to the airport? Well, worry not, because with careful and strategic planning, you can turn those 20 days into 45 days or more, leaving you enough time for 4 international getaways and a few cheeky weekend getaways. Yes, that’s right, we’ve crunched the numbers and are going to show you exactly how to make the most of the bank holidays and maximize your 2019 bank holidays.
Public holiday in Australia
Luckily for us, in 2019 the Australian public holiday falls on January 28, which happens to be a Monday. So by taking just five days of annual leave from Friday 25th to Friday 1st February, you can enjoy a great 10-day holiday if you include the weekends! Pretty cool, right? 10 days is the ideal duration to fly to the tropical island of Thailand. In just 11 hours, you will be transported to the magical archipelago that is home to pristine natural beauty, azure waters and a rich cultural history. Spend your days island hopping, snorkeling and scuba diving, and experiencing the alluring island lifestyle.
The extra long weekend
With Labor Day and Queen Lizzie’s Birthday each falling on a Monday next year, you can turn 1 day of annual leave into 4 days of vacation by taking off the Friday before. And, if you live in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, ACT, Western Australia or the NT, you get an extra public holiday (sorry NSW and QLD…), which means if you take these three Fridays off, you will benefit from a supplement. 12 days of vacation! If you’re looking for a destination for the perfect weekend, why not head to the beautiful coastal town of Noosa? Boasting Hastings St’s sunny beaches, shopping and fine dining, Noosa is a dreamy seaside getaway that will have you relaxing from the moment you arrive.
Easter
Ok, this one is a little more complicated, so bear with us. Over the Easter long weekend we are lucky enough to have 2 public holidays including Good Friday (April 19) and Easter Monday (April 22) then you have Anzac Day which falls on April 25. So if you take Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday off this week, you’ll get a great 10-day vacation! And for those lucky people living in QLD, Labor Day falls on May 6, which is a Monday, meaning if you take another 5 days off, your vacation can be extended for up to 18 days off! With 18 days of vacation up your sleeve, it’s the perfect excuse to venture abroad to the charming nation of Japan. During the month of April, Japan is at the height of cherry blossom season and is one of the most beautiful times to visit. Cherry blossoms roam the country and pink trees fill the streets, parks and mountains, transforming Japan into a floral wonderland.
Midweek public holiday
For those living in Melbourne or Brisbane, midweek public holidays such as Melbourne Cup and Ekka Day are the perfect way to gain some free time. By taking annual leave on the days before or after the public holiday and combining it with the weekend, you can benefit from a cheeky 4-5 day weekend. Or if you have extra time off, why not take the 4 days off and enjoy 9 days of vacation? For 9 days off, we recommend going directly to the airport and the paradise island of Fiji. Just 3 hours from the east coast of Australia, Fiji is an island oasis brimming with culture and adventure. Boasting sandy beaches and sparkling waters that are almost dreamlike, Fiji is the relaxing tropical escape you deserve.
Christmas/New Year
To take full advantage of the crazy season, take 7 days of annual leave from Friday December 20 to Monday January 6 to create a dream break of 17 days. The perfect time to relax with family and celebrate Christmas cheer, or just enough time for another trip abroad! If you want to escape the scorching heat of Australia, why not venture to the Polynesian paradise of Hawaii? As December marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, Hawaii is a little cooler at this time of year with pleasant temperatures of 20°C to 24°C. Still warm enough to enjoy spectacular surf and beach culture, extraordinary mountain landscapes and lush rainforests, Hawaii is the ultimate vacation island.
