Queen's Birthday 2026: State-by-State Guide to Dates & Long Weekends

Understanding the Queen's Birthday Holiday

Australia celebrates the Queen's Birthday (now often referred to as the King's Birthday following the accession of King Charles III) as a public holiday, but unlike most national holidays, the date varies significantly between states and territories. This variation reflects historical decisions by individual state governments and creates interesting planning considerations for businesses operating across state borders and families with members in different locations.

The holiday does not mark the actual birthday of any monarch. Instead, it serves as an occasion to recognise the contribution of the Crown to Australian public life and provides a convenient mid-year public holiday. The timing differences across states were influenced by factors including weather, agricultural calendars, and the desire to spread public holidays throughout the year.

Queen's Birthday 2026 Dates by State

Understanding when the Queen's Birthday falls in your state is essential for holiday planning, particularly if you coordinate with family, friends, or business associates in other states. Here is the complete breakdown for 2026:

June Long Weekend States

The majority of Australian states and territories observe the Queen's Birthday on the second Monday of June, creating a winter long weekend. In 2026, this falls on Monday 8 June. The following jurisdictions observe this date:

• New South Wales: Monday 8 June 2026
• Victoria: Monday 8 June 2026
• Tasmania: Monday 8 June 2026
• Australian Capital Territory: Monday 8 June 2026
• South Australia: Monday 8 June 2026
• Northern Territory: Monday 8 June 2026

This creates a three-day weekend from Saturday 6 June to Monday 8 June 2026, providing an excellent opportunity for short winter getaways, particularly to ski resorts as the snow season begins.

Western Australia

Western Australia celebrates the Queen's Birthday on the fourth Monday of September. In 2026, this falls on Monday 28 September. This later date provides Western Australians with a spring long weekend, coinciding with the famous wildflower season that draws visitors from around the world.

The September timing was chosen to avoid clustering public holidays in the first half of the year and to take advantage of Western Australia's spectacular spring weather and natural displays.

Queensland

Queensland stands alone in celebrating the Queen's Birthday in October, on the first Monday of the month. In 2026, this falls on Monday 5 October. Queensland moved its Queen's Birthday celebration from June to October in 2012, creating better spacing between public holidays and providing a spring long weekend.

The October timing aligns well with Queensland's climate, offering pleasant weather for outdoor activities and travel as the state transitions from the dry season to the warmer months.

Planning Long Weekends Around the Queen's Birthday

Each Queen's Birthday long weekend offers unique opportunities depending on the season and your location. Here are planning tips for each timing:

June Long Weekend (NSW, VIC, TAS, ACT, SA, NT)

The June long weekend marks the beginning of winter in southern Australia, making it ideal for several activities. The Australian snow season typically opens in early June, and the Queen's Birthday weekend often represents the first opportunity for ski trips to Thredbo, Perisher, Mount Buller, Falls Creek, and other resorts. Check conditions before travelling, as early-season snow coverage can vary.

For those preferring warmth, the June long weekend is excellent for escaping to northern Queensland, where the dry season offers perfect weather for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, and the Daintree Rainforest. Flights north can be competitive around this weekend, so booking early is advisable.

Wine regions like the Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley, and Barossa Valley offer cozy winter experiences with fewer crowds than peak tourist seasons. Many wineries host special events and long lunch experiences during winter long weekends.

September Long Weekend (WA)

Western Australia's September timing coincides with one of the state's most spectacular natural events: the wildflower season. The regions north of Perth, including the Midwest and Wheatbelt, burst with colour as thousands of wildflower species bloom. Organised wildflower tours and self-drive routes allow visitors to experience this world-renowned natural display.

Spring weather in Perth and surrounding regions is typically pleasant, making outdoor activities particularly enjoyable. The Margaret River region offers excellent touring conditions, with wineries, beaches, and natural attractions all accessible in comfortable temperatures.

October Long Weekend (QLD)

Queensland's October Queen's Birthday weekend arrives as the state warms up for summer. The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Brisbane all offer excellent beach conditions without the intense heat of peak summer. It represents an ideal time for reef trips, as water temperatures become more comfortable for snorkelling and diving while avoiding the stinger season that arrives later in summer.

Theme parks on the Gold Coast, including Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World, and Wet'n'Wild, are popular October long weekend destinations for families. Booking accommodation in advance is essential, as the Surfers Paradise area fills quickly.

Interstate Travel Considerations

The different Queen's Birthday dates across states create both opportunities and challenges for those travelling or doing business interstate. Understanding these variations helps avoid confusion and allows for creative planning.

Business Implications

Companies operating across multiple states must account for different office closures and staffing arrangements. When NSW, Victoria, and other June states observe their long weekend, Queensland and Western Australian operations continue as normal, and vice versa. This requires careful coordination for project deadlines, deliveries, and customer service arrangements.

The variation also affects banking and financial services, with transaction processing times potentially affected during long weekends in different states at different times.

Travel Advantages

Savvy travellers can use the date differences to their advantage. When your state observes the Queen's Birthday, you might find lower crowds at interstate destinations that aren't on holiday. For example, a Victorian travelling to Queensland during Victoria's June long weekend will find normal prices and availability, as Queensland doesn't share that public holiday.

Conversely, avoiding Queensland destinations during their October long weekend means encountering lower demand and potentially better prices during what is a normal work period for southern states.

Extending Your Queen's Birthday Break

Each Queen's Birthday long weekend can be extended with minimal annual leave for maximum time off. Consider these strategies for 2026:

June Long Weekend Extension

Taking Tuesday 9 June and Wednesday 10 June off creates a five-day break from Saturday to Wednesday. Adding Thursday 11 June and Friday 12 June extends this to nine days off using only four days of annual leave, connecting to the following weekend. This extended break is perfect for skiing holidays, interstate adventures, or international trips to nearby destinations.

September Extension (WA)

Western Australians can take Friday 25 September off to create a four-day weekend, or extend further by taking the full week from Monday 21 September for a nine-day break using only four days of leave. This timing is ideal for extended wildflower touring or exploring the state's diverse regions from Esperance to Broome.

October Extension (QLD)

Queenslanders taking Friday 2 October off create a four-day weekend. Extending through the week by taking leave from Tuesday 6 October allows nine days off with four days of leave. October weather makes this an excellent time for Outback exploration, barrier reef trips, or escaping interstate.

Use our 2026 Australian Calendar to visualise these opportunities and plan your leave strategy for maximum holiday enjoyment throughout the year.

Public Holiday Entitlements and Workplace Rights

The Queen's Birthday is a gazetted public holiday in all states and territories, entitling employees to specific rights under the Fair Work Act and relevant state legislation.

Permanent full-time and part-time employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on the public holiday without loss of pay. Casual employees are not entitled to a paid day off but receive penalty rates if they work. Specific penalty rates depend on the applicable award or enterprise agreement but commonly range from time-and-a-half to double time.

Employees have the right to refuse to work on public holidays if the request is unreasonable, considering factors such as the nature of the workplace, personal circumstances, and whether adequate notice was given. Conversely, employers can request employees to work if the request is reasonable, particularly in industries that commonly operate on public holidays such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare.