October Long Weekend Labour Day

The first Monday in October is Labour Day, a public holiday in NSW, which gives you a long weekend to explore the state.  

Scenic bushland drive Green Point at Angourie, Yamba

Scenic bushland drive Green Point at Angourie

Head to one of the beautiful beaches as the weather warms up, take a road trip or explore incredible national parks over the three-day weekend that marks the start of spring.


Road trips 

Make the most of the break and explore Regional NSW on a road trip. From Sydney, you can tackle the Greater Blue Mountains Drive and the Grand Pacific Drive along the South Coast. Follow the Rainforest Way and Waterfall Way in the north of the State, the Kosciuszko Alpine Way from Canberra or the Snowy Valleys Way in the Riverina

Aerial of Sea Cliff Bridge - Grand Pacific Drive - South Coast

Family fun 

The October long weekend falls right in the middle of the school holidays and there are lots of fun things for kids to do in NSW. Ride the waterslides at Jamberoo Action Park, meet the animals at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, ride horses on the beach in Port Stephens and join Elvis the crocodile for feeding time at the Australian Reptile Park

Crocodiles on the banks of the waterhole at the Australian Reptile Park, Somesby

Crocodiles on the banks of the waterhole at the Australian Reptile Park, Somesby

Outdoor adventures 

Gorgeous spring days mean it’s a great time to be outside. Hike the waterfall circuit in the Blue Mountains, climb to the top of Australia’s highest peak, follow the White Sands Walk in Jervis Bay and camp along the three-day Light to Light Walk. If you’re looking for adventure, go abseiling in Barrington Tops, quad biking on Worimi Conservation Lands or mountain biking in The Hunter

Couple enjoying quad bike tour on Stockton Sand Dunes with Sand Dune Adventures, Port Stephens

Quad bike tour on the Stockton Sand Dunes with Sand Dune Adventures, Port Stephens

On the water, you can try sea kayaking in Byron Bay or snorkel with seals off Montague Island. It's a great time to learn to surf, with schools up and down the coast, including at Merewether Beach in Newcastle. October is the tail end of whale watching season as migrating humpbacks make their way back to Antarctica. Jervis Bay is one of the best viewing points. 

Fur seals swimming around Montague Island, Narooma

Fur seals swimming around Montague Island, Narooma

Public holiday dates 2022-2023 

Holiday 2022 2023
New Year's Day Saturday, 1 January (Additional Day Monday, 3 January ) Sunday 1 January (Additional Day Monday, 2 January )
Australia Day Wednesday, 26 January Thursday 26 January
Good Friday Friday, 15 April Friday 7 April
Holy Saturday Saturday, 16 April Saturday 8 April 
Easter Sunday Sunday, 17 April Sunday 9 April 
Easter Monday  Monday, 18 April Monday 10 April 
Anzac Day  Monday, 25 April Tuesday 25 April 
Queen's Birthday  Monday, 13 June Monday, 12 June
October Long Weekend (Labour Day) Monday, 3 October Monday 2 October
Christmas Day public holiday Sunday, 25 December (Additional Day Tuesday, 27 December) Monday 25 December
Boxing Day Monday, 26 December Tuesday 26 December