Melbourne Victoria School Holidays 2026: Dates & Guide

Melbourne Victoria School Holidays 2026 Overview

Planning family time around school holidays is essential for Australian families, especially in Melbourne, Victoria. With four main term breaks each year—summer, autumn, winter, and spring—2026 offers plenty of opportunities for local adventures or interstate trips. Victoria’s government schools follow a statewide calendar set by the Department of Education, but dates can shift slightly due to public holidays or adjustments.

Important note: As of now, official 2026 dates are not released. The Victorian government typically announces the next year’s calendar in mid-to-late 2025. This guide uses patterns from recent years (like 2025’s schedule) to project approximate dates. Families must verify exact dates via the Victorian Department of Education website or your school’s calendar. Private and independent schools may vary.

Expected Victoria School Term Dates for 2026

Victorian schools generally run 195 days per year, with student-free days at the start of terms. Here’s a projection based on historical patterns:

Term 1 (January–April)

• Start: Around Tuesday, 27 January (Australia Day public holiday on Monday, 26 January).
• End: Around Thursday, 2 April (leading into Easter long weekend).
• Approximate length: 11 weeks.

Summer holidays: From mid-December 2025 (around 19 December) to late January 2026. Perfect for beach trips to the Mornington Peninsula.

Autumn Holidays (April)

• Dates: Around Saturday, 4 April to Sunday, 19 April (about 2 weeks, including Easter from 3–6 April).

Term 2 (April–July)

• Start: Monday, 20 April.
• End: Friday, 3 July.
• Approximate length: 10 weeks.

Winter holidays: Around Saturday, 4 July to Sunday, 19 July (2 weeks). Queen’s Birthday public holiday falls in Term 2, usually early June.

Term 3 (July–September)

• Start: Monday, 20 July.
• End: Friday, 25 September.
• Approximate length: 10 weeks.

Spring holidays: Around Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 11 October (2 weeks). AFL Grand Final public holiday around late September.

Term 4 (October–December)

• Start: Monday, 12 October.
• End: Friday, 18 December.
• Approximate length: 10 weeks.

Summer holidays: From Saturday, 19 December 2026 onward. Note Labour Day in March and Melbourne Cup Day in November as public holidays.

These are estimates—check for student-free days (e.g., Term 1 often starts with one) and regional variations. Rural schools might align differently.

Family Activities During Melbourne School Holidays 2026

Melbourne’s holiday calendar aligns with mild weather shifts, making each break ideal for different pursuits.

Summer Break (Dec 2025–Jan 2026)

Escape the heat at St Kilda Beach, Scienceworks, or the Royal Melbourne Show (September, but plan around it). Free zoo visits or Luna Park rides keep kids entertained.

Autumn Break

Cooler weather suits the Great Ocean Road day trips or Healesville Sanctuary for wildlife spotting. Easter events include egg hunts at Melbourne Museum.

Winter Break

Indoor fun at ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) or SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium. Yarra Valley hot air balloon rides if weather permits.

Spring Break

Phillip Island for penguin parades or Dandenong Ranges hikes. Spring Racing Carnival vibes around Melbourne Cup lead-in.

Many attractions offer holiday programs—book ahead via Visit Melbourne.

Family Travel Ideas from Melbourne

Victoria’s compact size makes road trips easy. Rent a campervan for flexibility.

• Weekend Getaways: Sovereign Hill (gold rush history, 1.5 hours away) or Sovereign Hill during holidays.
• Regional Victoria: Grampians National Park for hiking (4 hours) or Wilsons Promontory beaches (3 hours).
• Interstate: Drive to Sydney (9 hours) during summer or fly to Tasmania for winter school camps.
• Budget Tips: Use V/Line trains for Phillip Island or Ballarat. Regional public holidays might extend breaks.

For international travel, align with summer holidays to avoid peak Term 4 crowds. Check Smart Traveller for family advisories.

Planning Tips for 2026 School Holidays

1. Mark Calendars Early: Once official dates drop (expected August 2025), sync with work rosters.
2. Accommodation Hacks: Book holiday parks via Parks Victoria 6 months ahead.
3. Cost-Saving: Free entry days at museums; Myki cards for public transport.
4. Health & Safety: Pack sunscreen, hats; monitor Bureau of Meteorology for forecasts.
5. School-Specific Info: Contact your principal for exact term starts/ends, especially for specialist schools.
6. Working Parents: Explore holiday care programs through Out of School Hours (OOSH) services.

Holiday Period	Expected Dates	Top Melbourne Activity
Summer	Mid-Dec–Late Jan	Beach days at Brighton
Autumn	Early-Mid Apr	Easter at Royal Botanic Gardens
Winter	Early-Mid Jul	Indoor skating at Medley Park
Spring	Late Sep–Early Oct	Ballooning in Yarra Valley

Stay updated via the Victorian Department of Education’s term dates page. By planning now, your 2026 holidays can be stress-free and memorable for the whole family.

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