Complete school term and holiday information for 2026
Victoria (VIC) is Australia's second-most populous state with approximately 6.7 million residents. The state operates over 1,550 government schools administered by the Victorian Department of Education. The 2026 academic year follows a four-term structure totalling approximately 200 instructional days. Melbourne, the state capital, contains 5.1 million residents and the highest concentration of secondary schools per capita in Australia.
The Victorian Department of Education determines term dates for government schools. Catholic Education Melbourne and the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria coordinate calendars for non-government schools. Victoria is the only Australian state that observes Melbourne Cup Day (first Tuesday of November) as a public holiday, falling during Term 4. The state's temperate oceanic climate produces four distinct seasons, each influencing school holiday activity patterns.
Start: Wednesday 28 January 2026
End: Thursday 2 April 2026
Duration: 65 days
Start: Monday 20 April 2026
End: Friday 26 June 2026
Duration: 68 days
Start: Monday 13 July 2026
End: Friday 18 September 2026
Duration: 68 days
Start: Monday 5 October 2026
End: Friday 18 December 2026
Duration: 75 days
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Duration (Days) | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wed 28 January | Thu 2 April | 65 | ~10 |
| Term 2 | Mon 20 April | Fri 26 June | 68 | ~10 |
| Term 3 | Mon 13 July | Fri 18 September | 68 | ~10 |
| Term 4 | Mon 5 October | Fri 18 December | 75 | ~11 |
Start: Saturday 20 December 2025
End: Tuesday 27 January 2026
Duration: 39 days
Start: Friday 3 April 2026
End: Sunday 19 April 2026
Duration: 17 days
Start: Saturday 27 June 2026
End: Sunday 12 July 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 19 September 2026
End: Sunday 4 October 2026
Duration: 16 days
Start: Saturday 19 December 2026
End: Tuesday 27 January 2027
Duration: 39 days
Great Ocean Road, Mornington Peninsula, and Phillip Island accommodation reaches capacity during the December–January summer holidays. Summer coastal properties require 2–3 month booking lead times. Winter break coincides with peak ski season; Mount Buller, Falls Creek, and Mount Hotham lodges sell out months in advance.
| Break Period | Dates | Temperature Range (Melbourne) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Holidays | Dec–Jan | 20–35°C | Warm to hot. Fire danger in regional areas. Peak beach season. |
| Autumn Break | April | 12–20°C | Mild. Autumn foliage in Dandenong Ranges. Harvest in wine regions. |
| Winter Break | July | 6–14°C | Cold. Snow in Alpine region. Ski season at Mt Buller, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham. |
| Spring Break | Sep–Oct | 10–18°C | Variable, warming. Wildflowers in the Grampians. Spring racing begins. |
Melbourne Museum occupies a 35,000 m² facility in Carlton Gardens and holds over 17 million specimens and objects. Scienceworks in Spotswood contains interactive science exhibits and the Melbourne Planetarium. Melbourne Zoo (established 1862) houses 320 animal species. Werribee Open Range Zoo spans 225 hectares in a savannah-style layout. Federation Square and Southbank Promenade host programmed family events during each school break period.
The Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford along Victoria's southwestern coast. The Twelve Apostles are limestone stacks formed by erosion over 10–20 million years. Lorne and Apollo Bay serve as the primary accommodation towns. The Otway Ranges contain temperate rainforest; the Otway Fly treetop walk spans 600 metres at 25 metres above the forest floor. A 2–3 day minimum is required to cover the route.
Phillip Island's penguin parade draws approximately 1 million visitors annually. Little penguins (Eudyptula minor) emerge from Bass Strait at sunset to return to shoreline burrows. The Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island Heritage Farm provide additional wildlife and agricultural exhibits. Advance booking is required during school break periods.
Healesville Sanctuary specialises in native Australian fauna including platypus, dingoes, and raptors. Puffing Billy Railway operates a heritage steam train on a 24 km track through the Dandenong Ranges. The Yarra Valley contains over 80 cellar doors alongside berry farms and farm-gate produce retailers. Autumn produces peak foliage colour in the Dandenongs.
Victoria's alpine resorts comprise Mount Buller (3 hours from Melbourne), Falls Creek, and Mount Hotham. The ski season runs from June to October, with snowmaking extending coverage across 300+ hectares of skiable terrain. Summer transforms the region for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Bright and Beechworth in the northeast serve as year-round accommodation bases.
Victorian councils, YMCA branches, and sporting clubs operate vacation care programs during each school break. The Australian Government Child Care Subsidy (CCS) applies to approved OSHC providers. Melbourne's major museums run curated school holiday activity programs with separate registration and fees.
The Myki card covers trains, trams, and buses across metropolitan Melbourne and regional towns within the Myki zone. Tram travel within Melbourne's Free Tram Zone incurs no charge. V/Line trains and coaches connect Melbourne to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and the Gippsland region. Car hire is required for the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, and alpine destinations.
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), State Library of Victoria, and Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne offer free general admission. St Kilda Adventure Playground provides free outdoor play facilities. Melbourne's 480+ public parks, including Fitzroy Gardens and Edinburgh Gardens, are free to access. The Free Tram Zone covers the CBD and Docklands, enabling cost-free transport between central attractions.