QLD School Holidays 2026 & 2027 (Full Dates + Term Dates & Public Holidays)

Looking for QLD school holidays in 2026 or 2027? Here are all the official dates at a glance, plus term dates and public holidays to help you plan ahead.

Tip: Bookmark this page – it’s updated with the latest dates so you don’t have to keep checking multiple sites.

Official QLD school holiday dates for 2026 and 2027 at a glance

2026 QLD school holidays

  • Autumn: 3 Apr – 19 Apr 2026
  • Winter: 27 Jun – 12 Jul 2026
  • Spring: 19 Sep – 5 Oct 2026
  • Summer: 12 Dec – 26 Jan 2027

2027 QLD school holidays

  • Autumn: 26 Mar – 11 Apr 2027
  • Winter: 26 Jun – 11 Jul 2027
  • Spring: 18 Sep – 4 Oct 2027
  • Summer: 11 Dec – 23 Jan 2028

Scroll down for exact school holiday dates and public holidays.

Here are the exact QLD school holiday dates for 2026 and 2027 so you can plan ahead quickly.


QLD school holidays 2026 & 2027


Here are the official QLD school holiday dates for 2026 and 2027, based on the current term schedule.

QLD school holidays 2026

TermDates
Autumn3 April – 19 April 2026
Winter27 June – 12 July 2026
Spring19 September – 5 October 2026
Summer12 December 2026 – 26 January 2027

QLD school holidays 2027

TermDates
Autumn26 March – 11 April 2027
Winter26 June – 11 July 2027
Spring18 September – 4 October 2027
Summer11 December 2027 – 23 January 2028

💡 Tip: These dates are the busiest (and most expensive) times to travel – book early if you’re planning a family getaway.


QLD term dates 2026 & 2027


QLD term dates 2026

TermDates
Term 127 January – 2 April 2026
Term 220 April – 26 June 2026
Term 313 July – 18 September 2026
Term 46 October – 11 December 2026

QLD term dates 2027

TermDates
Term 127 January – 25 March 2027
Term 212 April – 25 June 2027
Term 312 July – 17 September 2027
Term 45 October – 10 December 2027

For more information on the QLD term dates and school holidays, visit the QLD Government Education website.

QLD term dates
Aqua Park Gold Coast © Destination Gold Coast

QLD public holidays 2026 & 2027


Here are all the official Queensland public holidays for 2026 and 2027 to help you plan long weekends and family getaways.

QLD public holidays20262027
New Years DayThursday 1 JanuaryFriday 1 January
Australia DayMonday 26 JanuaryTuesday 26 January
Good FridayFriday 3 AprilFriday 26 March
Easter SaturdaySaturday 4 AprilSaturday 27 March
Easter SundaySunday 5 AprilSunday 28 March
Easter MondayMonday 6 AprilMonday 29 March
Anzac DaySaturday 25 AprilSunday 25 April
Labour DayMonday 4 MayMonday 3 May
Royal QLD Show (Brisbane only)Wednesday 12 AugustWednesday 11 August
King’s BirthdayMonday 5 OctoberMonday 4 October
Christmas Eve (6pm-midnight)Thursday 24 DecemberFriday 24 December
Christmas Day*Friday 25 DecemberSaturday 25 + Monday 27 December
Boxing Day*Saturday 26 December + Monday 28 DecemberChristmas Eve (6 pm-midnight)

*When public holidays fall on a weekend, an additional weekday public holiday is observed. For more information on QLD Public Holidays, visit the QLD Government website.

QLD term dates
Mossman Gorge © TEQ

Now that you’ve got all the key dates sorted, here’s how to actually use them to plan a smarter (and cheaper) family holiday.


Best times to travel based on QLD term dates


Now that you know when the kids are off school, the next question is – when is the best time to actually travel?

Because let’s be honest, school holidays are great in theory… but they also mean crowds, higher prices and the occasional “why did we book this week?” regret.

Here’s how to use the QLD term dates to your advantage:

Best value: Early or late in the school holidays

If you can travel right at the start or end of the holidays, you’ll often find:

  • Slightly cheaper flights and accommodation
  • Fewer crowds than peak weeks
  • More availability for tours and experiences

This is a great time to plan a trip to places like the Sunshine Coast, Outback Queensland or the Capricorn Coast.

Quietest time: During the school term (if you can swing it)

If you have younger kids not yet in school – or you’re comfortable taking them out for a few days – mid-term travel is the sweet spot. You’ll get lower prices, fewer tourists and a much more relaxed experience.

Destinations like the Whitsundays, Tropical North Queensland, K’gari or the Gold Coast are especially good outside peak holiday periods.

Busiest (and most expensive): Christmas & Easter holidays

These are the big ones and they come with peak pricing, packed attractions and bookings filling up months in advance. If you’re travelling during summer holidays (Christmas holidays) or Easter break, book as early as possible, especially for accommodation and car hire.

Sweet spot for weather & crowds

Some of the best travel windows in Queensland fall just after Easter and in late winter (August to early September). You’ll often get great weather, manageable crowds in hot spots and better prices than in peak season. Perfect for a relaxed family getaway without the chaos!

Plan around long weekends

Combining school holidays with public holidays or pupil-free days can stretch your trip without using extra leave. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn a short break into a proper family holiday.

QLD term dates
Loch Ard Gorge and Razorback, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Jessica Palmer

FAQs: QLD school holidays & term dates


When do QLD school terms start in 2026?

QLD school holidays in 2026 are:
Autumn: 3 April – 19 April 2026
Winter: 27 June – 12 July 2026
Spring: 19 September – 5 October 2026
Summer: 12 December 2026 – 26 January 2027

When are QLD school holidays in 2027?

QLD school holidays in 2027 are:
Autumn: 26 March – 11 April 2027
Winter: 26 June – 11 July 2027
Spring: 18 September – 4 October 2027
Summer: 11 December 2027 – 23 January 2028

When do QLD school terms start in 2027?

Term 1 in Queensland starts on 27 January 2027. There are four school terms each year.

How many school terms are there in Queensland?

There are four school terms each year in Queensland, with school holidays between each term and a longer summer break from December to January.

Are QLD school holiday dates the same for all schools?

Most Queensland state schools follow the official term dates and school holiday calendar. However, private and independent schools may have slightly different dates.

Do QLD school holidays include public holidays?

Some public holidays fall during school holidays (like Easter and Christmas), but others occur during school terms. Planning around public holidays can help you extend your family trip without using extra leave.

What are the best times to travel during QLD school holidays?

The best times to travel during QLD school holidays are usually at the very start or end of each break, when prices and crowds are slightly lower. Mid-term travel (if possible) is often cheaper and quieter.


Where to next?


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