School Holidays Feb 2026: Australia Term Dates

· school holidays feb 2026

Understanding School Holidays in February 2026

February 2026 falls squarely within Term 1 for all Australian states and territories. There are no scheduled school holidays during this month, as it marks the early part of the school year following the long summer break. Families searching for ‘school holidays Feb 2026’ often want to confirm when classes resume after the holidays, plan short getaways around weekends, or account for public holidays. This guide provides an overview based on typical patterns, but families must verify exact dates with their state or territory education department websites, as official 2026 calendars are released closer to the year.

Australian schools operate on a four-term calendar, with holidays between terms. Summer holidays usually run from mid-December to late January or early February. By February, students are back in class, focusing on settling into the new year.

State-by-State School Term Dates for 2026

Term dates vary slightly by jurisdiction. Below are indicative dates based on historical patterns and advance planning from education departments. These are not official—always cross-check with sources like nsw.gov.au/education, education.vic.gov.au, or equivalent sites for your state.

New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

NSW and ACT schools typically start Term 1 on the last Tuesday in January. For 2026, this could be around 27 January, running through to late March (e.g., 24 March). No February holidays. Public schools may have pupil-free days early in Term 1.

Victoria (VIC)

Victorian schools often begin on the last week of January, such as 27 or 28 January 2026, ending Term 1 around 27 March. February is full school weeks, with possible long weekends around Australia Day (26 January, a Monday in 2026).

Queensland (QLD)

Queensland public schools usually start late January, around 27-28 January, with Term 1 finishing late March (e.g., 23-30 March depending on region). North Queensland schools might start slightly later due to wet season considerations. No Feb term breaks.

Western Australia (WA)

WA schools generally commence Term 1 on the last week of January, such as 28 January 2026, extending to 27 March. Watch for regional variations, especially in the north.

South Australia (SA)

South Australian schools start around 27 January, with Term 1 to about 2 April 2026. February remains term time.

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmanian public schools often begin 27-28 January, Term 1 ending mid-April due to later Easter timing in 2026.

Northern Territory (NT)

NT schools vary by region: Urban areas like Darwin start late January (e.g., 27 January), while remote schools may delay to early February. Term 1 typically runs to late March.

Key Reminder: Education departments publish confirmed 2026 dates by mid-2025. Factors like Easter (12 April 2026) influence Term 1 length. Private schools may differ.

Public Holidays Impacting February 2026

While no school holidays occur, public holidays can create short breaks:

  • Australia Day (26 January 2026): Falls on a Monday for most states, extending the summer holiday tail-end. Schools start the following week.
  • State-specific: Western Australia has no February public holiday in 2026. Victoria’s Labour Day is early March. Check for local shows or regional holidays, like in rural QLD.

These can mean 3-4 day weekends for family outings before full Term 1 routine kicks in.

Family Travel and Activity Ideas for February 2026

With schools in session, February suits low-key family adventures. Focus on weekends, public holidays, or day trips to avoid disrupting routines.

Weekend Getaways

  • Beach Days: Head to Sydney’s Bondi or Gold Coast for swimming and picnics. February weather is warm (25-30°C average across coasts).
  • National Parks: Explore Blue Mountains (NSW) or Daintree Rainforest (QLD) for bushwalks. Pack sunscreen and water—UV index peaks.

Long Weekend Plans Around Australia Day

If extending from 26 January:

  • Melbourne: Visit Phillip Island for penguins or Great Ocean Road drives.
  • Perth: Rottnest Island ferry for quokka spotting and cycling.
  • Brisbane: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or Moreton Bay snorkelling.

Budget Travel Tips

  • Book domestic flights early via Qantas or Virgin Australia for interstate hops.
  • Use school holiday apps like SchoolHolidays.com.au for reminders.
  • Campgrounds fill fast—sites like Big4 or NPWS offer family cabins.

Indoor/After-School Fun

For working parents:

  • Local pools, libraries, or science centres (Questacon in ACT, Sciencentre in QLD).
  • February school events: Many host ‘welcome back’ assemblies or sports carnivals.

Planning Ahead for Families

To make the most of 2026:

  1. Subscribe to Alerts: Sign up for your education department’s newsletter.
  2. Calendar Sync: Add tentative dates to Google Calendar or FamilyWall app.
  3. Childcare Check: Before/after-school care ramps up in Term 1.
  4. Health Prep: Update vaccinations; flu season starts late summer.
  5. Sustainable Travel: Opt for trains (e.g., NSW TrainLink) or carpooling to reduce emissions.

February 2026 emphasises routine-building post-holidays. Use it for quality family time without full breaks. For upcoming holidays, note Autumn break starts late March/early April 2026.

This guide totals around 850 words—practical info to help you plan confidently. Always confirm with official sources for the latest.

Sources: Based on patterns from education.gov.au, state department sites (as of 2024 planning). Verify for 2026.