Looking for NSW term dates for 2026 and 2027 so you can plan your next family holiday (or just keep on top of the school calendar)? You’re in the right place.
We’ve pulled together all the key New South Wales school term dates, school holidays and public holidays in one easy-to-scan guide – no digging required.
Whether you’re planning a long weekend, a road trip, or a proper family getaway, this will help you line everything up around the school calendar.
NSW term dates 2026 & 2027 (quick answer)
2026 NSW term dates – Eastern Division
- Term 1: 2 Feb – 2 Apr 2026 (Western Division 9 Feb – 2 Apr 2026)
- Term 2: 22 Apr – 3 Jul 2026
- Term 3: 21 Jul – 25 Sep 2026
- Term 4: 13 Oct – 17 Dec 2026
2027 NSW term dates
- Term 1: 28 Jan – 9 Apr 2027 (Western Division 4 Feb – 9 Apr 2027)
- Term 2: 27 Apr – 2 Jul 2027
- Term 3: 19 Jul – 24 Sep 2027
- Term 4: 11 Oct – 20 Dec 2027
Scroll down for full school holiday dates and public holidays.
NSW term dates 2026
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Term 1 (Eastern Division) | 2 February – 2 April 2026 |
| Term 1 (Western Division) | 9 February – 2 April 2026 |
| Term 2 (Eastern & Western Division) | 22 April – 3 July 2026 |
| Term 3 (Eastern & Western Division) | 21 July – 25 September 2026 |
| Term 4 (Eastern & Western Division) | 13 October – 17 December 2026 |
NSW term dates 2027
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Term 1 | 28 January – 9 Apr 2027 |
| Term 1 (Western Division only) | 4 February – 9 April 2027 |
| Term 2 | 27 April – 2 July 2027 |
| Term 3 | 19 July – 24 September 2027 |
| Term 4 | 11 October – 20 December 2027 |
For more information on the NSW term dates and school holidays, visit the NSW Government Website.
NSW school holidays 2026 & 2027
Here are the official NSW school holiday dates based on the current term schedule.
NSW school holidays 2026
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn | 3 April – 21 April 2026 |
| Winter | 4 July – 20 July 2026 |
| Spring | 26 September – 12 October 2026 |
| Summer | 18 December 2026 – 27 January 2027 |
| Summer (Western Division only) | 18 December 2026 – 3 February 2027 |
NSW school holidays 2027
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn | 10 April – 11 April 2027 |
| Winter | 3 July – 18 July 2027 |
| Spring | 25 September – 10 October 2027 |
| Summer | 21 December 2027 – 30 January 2028 |
| Summer (Western Division only) | 21 December 2027 – 6 February 2028 |
Tip: These dates are the busiest (and most expensive) times to travel – book early if you’re planning a family getaway.
NSW public holidays 2026 & 2027
| NSW public holidays | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New Years Day | Thursday 1 January | Friday 1 January |
| Australia Day | Monday 26 January | Tuesday 26 January |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April | Friday 26 March |
| Easter Saturday | Saturday 04 April | Saturday 27 March |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday 05 April | Sunday 28 March |
| Easter Monday | Monday 06 April | Monday 29 March |
| Anzac Day* | Saturday 25 April + Monday 27 April | Sunday 25 April + Monday 26 April |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 08 June | Monday 14 June |
| Labour Day | Monday 05 October | Monday 4 October |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December | Saturday 25 December + Monday 27 December |
| Boxing Day* | Saturday 26 December + Monday 28 December | Sunday 26 December + Tuesday 28 December |
* When a public holiday falls on a weekend, an additional weekday public holiday is observed. For more information on NSW Public Holidays, visit the NSW Industrial Relations website.
Best times to travel based on NSW term dates
Now that you’ve got the key dates sorted, here’s how to use them to plan a smarter (and less chaotic) family holiday.
Best value: Start or end of school holidays
If you can travel right at the start or end of the holidays, you’ll often find:
- Slightly cheaper flights, accommodation and car rental
- Fewer crowds than smack in the middle of the school holidays
- More availability for tickets and experiences
This is a great time to plan a trip to places like the South Coast, Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley.
Quietest time: Mid-term travel
If you’re comfortable taking the kids out of school for a few days or have younger kids, travelling mid-term is a great option. Prices are lower and there are less tourists.
Destinations like coastal holiday parks and Sydney are especially good outside peak holiday periods due to the lower accommodation costs and availability.
Peak periods
Peak periods such as Christmas holidays, Easter holidays and long weekends, unfortunately, come with peak pricing. If you’re travelling during these times, try to book as early as possible, especially for accommodation.
Sweet spots
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, there are a few “golden windows” in NSW where you get the best of everything – good weather, fewer crowds and better prices.
Late February to early April (before Easter) is one of the best times to travel in NSW. You’ll (usually) have warm weather along the coast, school is back in so it’s quiet, and accommodation prices are lower after the summer peak. It’s perfect for beach destinations like the South Coast, Central Coast or Byron Bay.
Late April to early June is also a top choice once Easter and the autumn holidays wrap up. The crowds thin out quickly, mild weather makes it ideal for exploring and its a good time for regional trips. It’s ideal for places like the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley or country NSW road trips.
August to early September is often overlooked but this late winter sweet spot often has crisp, clear days, lower prices and fewer tourists. It’s perfect for a relaxed getaway to Katoomba, Mudgee or even Sydney city without peak crowds.
💡 Pro tip: These “in-between” periods are where you’ll often find the best deals on accommodation and flights and a much more relaxed travel experience overall.
FAQs: NSW term dates
Term 1 starts on 28 January 2027 for the Eastern Division and 4 February 2027 for the Western Division.
NSW has Eastern and Western divisions to account for climate differences.
There are four school terms each year.
Most are similar but may vary slightly.
Where to next?
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