Complete school term and holiday information for 2026
New South Wales (NSW) is Australia's most populous state, with approximately 8.2 million residents and over 3,100 government schools administered by the NSW Department of Education. The 2026 academic year follows a four-term structure totalling approximately 200 instructional days. Five break periods separate the terms: a summer holiday of approximately six weeks, an autumn break of about two and a half weeks encompassing Easter, a winter break of about two and a half weeks, a spring break of about two and a half weeks, and a year-end summer holiday of approximately six weeks.
The NSW Department of Education sets official term dates for government schools. Catholic schools in NSW follow the dates set by the relevant Catholic diocese, and independent schools set their own calendars. Both non-government sectors typically align within one week of government school dates. Sydney, the state capital, serves 5.3 million residents in Greater Sydney and contains the highest density of school-age children in Australia.
Start: Thursday 30 January 2026
End: Friday 10 April 2026
Duration: 71 days
Start: Wednesday 29 April 2026
End: Friday 3 July 2026
Duration: 66 days
Start: Wednesday 22 July 2026
End: Friday 25 September 2026
Duration: 66 days
Start: Wednesday 14 October 2026
End: Friday 18 December 2026
Duration: 66 days
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Duration (Days) | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Thu 30 January | Fri 10 April | 71 | ~10 |
| Term 2 | Wed 29 April | Fri 3 July | 66 | ~10 |
| Term 3 | Wed 22 July | Fri 25 September | 66 | ~10 |
| Term 4 | Wed 14 October | Fri 18 December | 66 | ~10 |
Start: Monday 22 December 2025
End: Wednesday 29 January 2026
Duration: 39 days
Start: Saturday 11 April 2026
End: Tuesday 28 April 2026
Duration: 18 days
Start: Saturday 4 July 2026
End: Tuesday 21 July 2026
Duration: 18 days
Start: Saturday 26 September 2026
End: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Duration: 18 days
Start: Saturday 19 December 2026
End: Thursday 29 January 2027
Duration: 42 days
Coastal accommodation in Byron Bay, the South Coast, and Blue Mountains reaches capacity during the December–January summer holidays. Booking lead times of 3–4 months apply for summer coastal properties. Shorter break periods (April, July, September) require 6–8 week lead times for popular destinations. Mid-week travel during shorter breaks reduces accommodation costs by 20–40% compared to weekend rates.
| Break Period | Dates | Temperature Range (Sydney) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Holidays | Dec–Jan | 22–30°C | Hot, humid. Bushfire risk in regional areas. Peak beach season. |
| Autumn Break | April | 15–23°C | Mild, low humidity. Autumn foliage in Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands. |
| Winter Break | July | 8–17°C | Cool to cold. Snow at Thredbo and Perisher (Snowy Mountains). Frost inland. |
| Spring Break | Sep–Oct | 14–22°C | Variable, warming. Wildflower season in many regions. |
Taronga Zoo houses over 4,000 animals across 21 hectares on Sydney Harbour. The Australian Museum (established 1827) and Powerhouse Museum contain interactive science and cultural exhibits. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk spans 6 km along sandstone cliffs with free public access. The Royal Botanic Garden covers 30 hectares adjacent to the Sydney Opera House.
The Blue Mountains World Heritage Area covers 268,000 hectares of eucalypt forest, sandstone cliffs, and canyons. Scenic World operates the steepest railway in the world (52-degree incline) and a 270-metre cableway. Jenolan Caves contains the largest and most complex limestone cave system in Australia, with guided tours through 11 show caves. Winter temperatures drop to 2–8°C, supporting log-fire accommodation.
Jervis Bay contains Hyams Beach, recorded in the Guinness Book of Records for having the whitest sand in the world. The coast supports seasonal humpback whale migration visible from May to November. Dolphins inhabit the bay year-round. The Sapphire Coast section (Bermagui to Eden) provides camping and fishing access in Mimosa Rocks and Ben Boyd National Parks.
The Hunter Valley contains over 150 wineries alongside chocolate factories, cheese producers, and Hunter Valley Gardens (a 25-hectare display garden). Hot air balloon operators offer sunrise flights over vineyards year-round. The region hosts holiday-specific events for families during each school break period.
The Snowy Mountains contain Australia's highest peak (Mount Kosciuszko, 2,228 m) and two major ski resorts: Thredbo and Perisher. The snow season runs from June to October. Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo spans 300 hectares and offers camping among African animal exhibits. Lightning Ridge in outback NSW produces black opals — visitors can fossick in designated areas.
NSW councils and community organisations operate government-subsidised vacation care programs during each break period. The Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) applies to approved Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) providers. Enrolment for summer holiday programs closes 4–6 weeks before the break. Local council websites list available programs by suburb.
The Opal card system covers trains, buses, ferries, and light rail in Greater Sydney. Children under 4 travel free; children aged 4–15 pay a discounted child fare. NSW TrainLink operates intercity and regional train services connecting Sydney to Newcastle, Wollongong, Blue Mountains, Bathurst, Canberra, and Dubbo. Regional NSW is most efficiently explored by car — major routes include the Pacific Highway (north coast), Princes Highway (south coast), and Great Western Highway (Blue Mountains).
The Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Australian National Maritime Museum (permanent galleries) offer free general admission. National parks charge vehicle entry fees ($8–$12/day) but are free for pedestrians and cyclists. Lifeguard-patrolled beaches operate between October and April at over 100 locations. Public libraries in every NSW council area run free school holiday activity programs including workshops, film screenings, and reading challenges.
Official 2026 term dates are published by the NSW Department of Education. Live Traffic NSW provides real-time road condition updates for regional travel. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) maintains campground availability and fire condition alerts.