Looking for a summary of the 2023 school holidays in Australia? You’re in the right place. No matter if you’re in NSW, VIC, QLD or any other Aussie state or territory, we’ve mapped out the holiday dates so you can get planning adventures for 2023.
With the rising cost of living a real consideration for so many of us in late 2022, planning good value family holidays in 2023 has been a frequent topic of conversation amongst my friendship circles this holiday season.
For those who don’t need to travel during school holidays, knowing when they are around the country will help you find some great low or shoulder season deals. For those who can only holiday between terms, the further in advance you can plan, the more likely you are to find a good deal.
So spread out your calendars, travel guides, Instagram inspo and mood boards – we’ve got some dreaming to do for the 2023 school holidays!
Mark the following dates in your diaries. Then check out these month-by-month suggestions for your 2023 school holidays:
- Where to go in Europe each month
- Where to go in Asia each month
- What to do and where to go in Australia each school holiday break
Australian summer school holiday dates 2022-23
Most people will have these holidays already sorted and international travel has definitely been an option for many (despite the crazy flight prices).
| NSW | 21 December 2022 to 26 January 2023 |
| Victoria | 21 December 2022 to 29 January 2023 |
| ACT | 17 December 2022 to 30 January 2023 |
| Tasmania | 22 December 2022 to 7 February 2023 |
| South Australia | 17 December 2022 to 29 January 2023 |
| Western Australia | 16 December 2022 to 31 January 2023 |
| Northern Territory | 16 December 2022 to 30 January 2023 |
| Queensland | 10 December 2022 to 22 January 2023 |
Things to do in the Australian summer 2022-23 school holidays
With a whopping 6 weeks to play with, and the fun and frivolity of the festive season to fuel you, many families prefer to avoid the holiday price hikes overseas and take longer breaks at home in Australia.
In NSW the 2023 school holidays are a great time for a South Coast road trip. If you’re thinking about Queensland fun, think Noosa or Fraser Island over the summer break. The Tassie temperatures are certainly alluring at this time of year. Go for a dip in Cataract Gorge or delve into the MONA air con to make the most of your school holidays in 2023.
Read more: the top 10 sizzling summer destinations in Australia
Australian autumn school holiday dates 2023
| NSW | Monday 10 April to Friday 21 April 2023 |
| Victoria | Friday 7 April to Friday 21 April 2023 |
| ACT | Friday 7 April to Friday 21 April 2023 |
| Tasmania | Friday 7 April to Tuesday 25 April 2023 |
| South Australia | Monday 17 April to Friday 28 April 2023 |
| Western Australia | Friday 7 April to Friday 21 April 2023 |
| Northern Territory | Friday 7 April to Friday 14 April 2023 |
| Queensland | Monday 3 April to Friday 14 April 2023 |
Remember, Easter falls within these school holidays so there are lots of public holidays. Book accommodation and experiences early to avoid disappointment.
Things to do in the autumn 2023 school holidays
If you’re sticking down under during autumn, consider regional NSW for your 2023 school holidays – it’s a great time of year to road trip to Dubbo and visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Or venture to regional Victoria and Queensland for an outback adventure or farm stay.
If you’re travelling with teens, this is a great time to tackle a multi-day hike or test drive a new city.
April is also ideal in the Kimberley, where you can explore the Bungle Bungles and Lake Kunanurra. Or head to Broome, where, if you time it right, you might just get to see the staircase to the moon.
If you’re keen to head overseas around Easter, Japan beckons with the pink of cherry blossoms. And South-east Asia enjoys the last of its dry season, with mild temperatures in Cambodia and Laos.
Australian winter school holiday dates 2023
| NSW | Monday 3 July to Friday 14 July 2023 |
| Victoria | Monday 26 June to Friday 7 July 2023 |
| ACT | Monday 3 July to Friday 14 July 2023 |
| Tasmania | Monday 10 July to Friday 21 July 2023 |
| South Australia | Monday 10 July to Friday 21 July 2023 |
| Western Australia | Monday 3 July to Friday 14 July 2023 |
| Northern Territory | Monday 26 June to Monday 17 July 2023 |
| Queensland | Monday 26 June to Friday 7 July 2023 |
What to do in the 2023 Australian winter school holidays
Many families who reside in the southern half of the Aussie map dread the winter school holidays. It signals the time to don woolly hats and rug up for winter.
For some schools, the winter 2023 school holidays are a luxurious three weeks long, providing lots of opportunities for families to venture a little further from home.
Some of my favourite options are:
- Chase the sun north to Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef.
- Hire a house on Hamilton Island for an easy Whitsundays escape. (here are 11 reasons why Hamiliton Island is a perfect family escape)
- Make the most of the dry season in the Top End’s national parks.
- Hit the ski slopes in NSW or Victoria (or consider crossing the ditch to ski New Zealand).
Read more: Top tips for skiing with kids and teens or Where to ski in Australia and New Zealand
Fiji and the pacific islands are perfect places to escape to the sun over winter. This is peak season for Aussie families, so book early to get the best airfares and hotel deals.
Read more: Why Fiji is the best place for families
If you’re planning a staycation over the winter holidays here are some ideas to help you keep the kids entertained at home
- 21 rainy day activities for kids
- Nine steps to a sensational Staycation
- The inside scoop on rainy day activities
- 21 awesome rainy day activities for teens
Australian spring school holiday dates 2023
| NSW | Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October 2023 |
| Victoria | Monday 18 September to Friday 29 September 2023 |
| ACT | Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October 2023 |
| Tasmania | Monday 2 October to Friday 13 October 2023 |
| South Australia | Monday 2 October to Friday 13 October 2023 |
| Western Australia | Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October 2023 |
| Northern Territory | Monday 25 September to Friday 6 October 2023 |
| Queensland | Monday 18 September to Monday 2 October 2023 |
Note: For a number of Australian states Monday 2 October 2023 is a public holiday,
Things to do in the 2023 spring school holidays
Australia blushes with the springtime colour as Canberra hosts the Floriade Festival and Western Australia’s wildflower fields bloom.
It’s the end of the whale watching season on the NSW coast and some of the best viewings are down south around Merrimbula and Eden.
If you’re considering an international trip for the spring school holidays, families will enjoy fewer crowds and cooler weather in China and Taiwan.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, consider tapping into the festival season in Nepal, which celebrates Dashain, Diwali and Tihar in October.
Alternatively, make the most of Europe’s shoulder season in the quaint English Cotswolds, and enjoy Oktoberfest in Germany.
Australian summer school holiday dates 2023-24
| NSW | Wednesday 20 December 2023 to Monday 29 January 2024 |
| Victoria | Thursday 21 December 2023 to Monday 29 January 2024 |
| ACT | Monday 18 December 2023 to Monday 29 January 2024 |
| Tasmania | Friday 22 December 2023 to Tuesday 6 February 2024 |
| South Australia | Monday 18 December 2023 to Monday 29 January 2024 |
| Western Australia | Friday 15 December 2023 to Tuesday 30 January 2024 |
| Northern Territory | Monday 18 December 2023 to Monday 29 January 2024 |
| Queensland | Monday 11 December 2023 to Friday 19 January 2024 |
With lots of public holidays falling across December and January, this is the busiest holiday period of the year for Australian families so make sure you book travel and experiences as far in advance as possible.
Things to do in the Australian summer 2023-24 school holidays
We’re crossing our fingers that by the summer 2024 school holiday all Covid-19 challenges and disruptions will be a thing of the past. And the cost of living challenges will have eased, which puts bucket list trips back on the radar.
January is prime Northern Lights viewing season in Scandinavia, Christmas mayhem in Austria and ski madness in Switzerland. (And for the non skiers, here’s 7 things to do in Switzerland in winter without skiing)
Skip Sri Lankan monsoon season by surfing and snorkelling in January instead, or luxe it up in the Maldives.
Or how about a trip to Canada? It’s a great place to teach the kids to ski, spot killer whales off Vancouver Island or check out Niagara Falls.
Links to the individual state education department websites with all the 2023 school terms (and holiday) dates
| NSW school terms and holiday dates | nsw.gov.au/living-in-nsw/school-holidays |
| Victoria’s school term dates | vic.gov.au/school-term-dates-and-holidays-victoria |
| ACT school term dates | education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/term_dates_and_public_holidays |
| Tasmanian school term dates | decyp.tas.gov.au/about-us/term-dates-2023/ |
| South Australian school term dates | education.sa.gov.au/parents-and-families/term-dates-south-australian-state-schools |
| Western Australia school term dates | education.wa.edu.au/future-term-dates |
| Northern Territory school term dates | nt.gov.au/learning/primary-and-secondary-students/school-term-dates-in-nt |
| Queensland school term dates | education.qld.gov.au/about-us/calendar/future-dates |
If you’re looking for extra school holiday 2023 inspiration, have a read of these:
Why you should avoid ‘vanilla holidays’
24 famous landmarks to tick off your bucket list
11 travelling families on Instagram
School holidays on a shoe-string
Top Aussie destinations for large group holidays
How to find a good coffee while travelling
Janeece Keller is the founder and editor of Family Travel. She mostly travels with her husband and two young kids. She has a large blended family that lives in Australia and Europe. She has visited 52 countries and lived on 3 continents. From camping to luxury resorts Janeece tries to make sure her family has diverse holiday experiences each year. She is an avid hiker and ocean swimmer who loves good food, margaritas and heading off the beaten path.