Complete school term and holiday information for 2026
South Australia (SA) has approximately 1.8 million residents, with 1.4 million concentrated in the Greater Adelaide metropolitan area. The state operates over 500 government schools administered by the SA Department for Education. The 2026 academic year follows a four-term structure. Adelaide, the state capital, is ranked as one of the world's most liveable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
South Australia observes Adelaide Cup Day in March as a state-specific public holiday, providing a long weekend during Term 1. The state's Mediterranean climate produces hot, dry summers (December–February) and mild, wet winters (June–August). SA occupies a central position on the Australian continent, bordering all other mainland states and the Northern Territory. The state's wine regions — Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and Coonawarra — are among the most recognised in the Southern Hemisphere.
Start: Tuesday 27 January 2026
End: Friday 10 April 2026
Duration: 74 days
Start: Monday 27 April 2026
End: Friday 3 July 2026
Duration: 68 days
Start: Monday 20 July 2026
End: Friday 25 September 2026
Duration: 68 days
Start: Monday 12 October 2026
End: Friday 11 December 2026
Duration: 61 days
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Duration (Days) | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Tue 27 January | Fri 10 April | 74 | ~11 |
| Term 2 | Mon 27 April | Fri 3 July | 68 | ~10 |
| Term 3 | Mon 20 July | Fri 25 September | 68 | ~10 |
| Term 4 | Mon 12 October | Fri 11 December | 61 | ~9 |
Start: Friday 12 December 2025
End: Monday 26 January 2026
Duration: 46 days
Start: Saturday 11 April 2026
End: Sunday 26 April 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 4 July 2026
End: Sunday 19 July 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 26 September 2026
End: Sunday 11 October 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 12 December 2026
End: Monday 26 January 2027
Duration: 46 days
| Break Period | Dates | Adelaide Temp | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Holidays | Dec–Jan | 25–40°C | Hot to extreme heat. Beach season along Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas. Bushfire risk inland. |
| Autumn Break | April | 15–25°C | Mild. Wine region harvest (vintage) season. Peak outdoor activity conditions. |
| Winter Break | July | 8–15°C | Cool with occasional rain. Whale watching season along SA coast (June–October). |
| Spring Break | Sep–Oct | 12–22°C | Warming. Wildflower blooms statewide. Optimal Kangaroo Island conditions. |
Adelaide Zoo houses over 2,500 animals across 8 hectares and is the only zoo in Australia to exhibit giant pandas. The South Australian Museum (free entry) contains the largest collection of Aboriginal cultural artefacts in the world. The Art Gallery of South Australia holds over 45,000 works. Glenelg Beach is accessible by the heritage Glenelg Tram (a 30-minute ride from the CBD). Adelaide Central Market has operated since 1869 with over 80 traders.
Seal Bay Conservation Park provides guided walks among a colony of approximately 800 Australian sea lions. Flinders Chase National Park contains Remarkable Rocks (granite boulders shaped by 500 million years of erosion) and Admirals Arch (a natural rock arch with a New Zealand fur seal colony). The island supports koala, echidna, and tammar wallaby populations. SeaLink ferry operates the 45-minute crossing from Cape Jervis.
The Barossa Valley, 60 km northeast of Adelaide, contains over 150 wineries and cellar doors. German settlement heritage from the 1840s is preserved in Tanunda and Hahndorf. The Barossa Farmers Market runs on Saturdays. Family-oriented activities include chocolate factories, cheese tastings, and cycling the Riesling Trail (a 35 km shared-use path through the Clare Valley).
Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre measuring 17 km by 8 km, formed over 600 million years. The Flinders Ranges contain fossil evidence of the Ediacaran biota — the oldest known complex multicellular organisms (560 million years old). Yellow-footed rock wallabies, emus, and wedge-tailed eagles inhabit the ranges. The region is accessible from April to October; summer temperatures exceed 40°C.
Port Lincoln (on the Eyre Peninsula) is the Australian seafood capital, producing the majority of Australia's southern bluefin tuna catch. Cage diving with great white sharks operates from Port Lincoln for participants aged 12+. Swimming with sea lions and dolphins operates at Baird Bay. The coastline features Coffin Bay National Park and the cliffs of the Great Australian Bight.
SeaLink ferries depart Cape Jervis for Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island (45-minute crossing). Regional Express (Rex) flights connect Adelaide to Kingscote Airport (30 minutes). A car is required on the island — distances between attractions range from 30 to 100 km. Ferry bookings fill 4–6 weeks in advance during school break periods.
The Adelaide Metro system uses the Metrocard for buses, trains, and trams. A free city tram operates along King William Street and to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Adelaide's grid-based street layout and ample parking make it navigable by car compared to larger Australian capitals. Regional SA routes include the Barrier Highway (to Broken Hill), Augusta Highway (to Port Augusta), and Dukes Highway (to Melbourne).
The South Australian Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, and Adelaide Botanic Garden provide free general admission. Adelaide Central Market is free to enter (individual vendor purchases apply). Glenelg, Henley Beach, and Brighton Beach are patrolled and free to access. State forests and many conservation parks offer free pedestrian entry.