Spring school holidays 2026 fall at different times across Australian states — most commonly late September to early October. It's one of the most popular family travel windows of the year, with mild temperatures, no Christmas price surge, and just enough holiday time to fit in a proper trip.
Spring School Holiday Dates 2026 (Key States)
- NSW: 28 September – 9 October
- VIC: 19 September – 5 October
- QLD: 19 September – 4 October
- WA: 26 September – 11 October
- SA: 26 September – 11 October
Tip: travelling to a state whose holidays don’t overlap with yours means smaller crowds and better prices at popular destinations.
Best Family Destinations for Spring School Holidays
Queensland Theme Parks (Gold Coast)
Sea World, Dreamworld, Movie World and WhiteWater World are all within 30 minutes of each other on the Gold Coast. Spring weather (20–26°C) is ideal for outdoor parks — not the brutal summer heat of January. Book tickets online well in advance; spring school holidays are among the busiest periods of the year for the parks.
Tasmania for Families
Underrated as a family destination. MONA in Hobart, Cradle Mountain, Freycinet National Park and the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo are all excellent with kids. Spring temperatures (12–18°C) require proper layering but make hiking far more pleasant than summer.
Bali for Families
Many Australian families visit Bali for spring school holidays. Ubud's rice paddies, Seminyak beaches and the water parks (Waterbom Bali is consistently rated one of Asia's best) make it ideal for kids of all ages. Flights from most Australian cities are under 6 hours.
New Zealand for Outdoor Families
NZ spring (same calendar as Australia) offers hiking, Hobbiton, Rotorua geysers and Queenstown adventure activities without a long international flight. Same plug type as Australia so no adapter needed.
The Family Travel Packing Guide
The Golden Rule: One Bag Per Person
Even young children (5+) should carry their own small daypack with their entertainment, snacks and comfort items. It gives them ownership of their travel experience and frees your hands.
For Babies and Toddlers
The ComfyNest Baby Backpack replaces a nappy bag, change bag and day bag in one. It has a built-in fold-out changing station, an insulated bottle pocket for formula or expressed milk, and enough compartments for nappies, wipes, a change of clothes, snacks and your own small essentials. Goes on your back, leaving both hands free for your toddler.
For All Ages: Compression Bags
Packing for a family of 4 is a space problem above all else. PackEase™ Compression Bags compress each person’s clothing to half the normal volume. A family of 4 can often fit spring school holiday clothing into 2 carry-on bags when using compression, rather than 4 checked bags.
Medications and First Aid
Family travel with kids means someone always needs something. The Travel Pills Organizer keeps children’s paracetamol, antihistamines, motion sickness tablets and any personal medications sorted and labelled so you can find exactly what you need without emptying your whole bag.
Sleep Comfort for Long Flights
If you’re flying to Bali, NZ or interstate, long flight comfort matters even for short trips. The NapMate™ Travel Pillow works for older children and adults. The noise-reduction ear plugs are for parents — so you can rest when they do.
Weighing Your Bags
Family bags always end up heavier than planned. Weigh every bag with the PackCheck™ Luggage Scale before you leave home. Budget airline overweight fees for a family of 4 can easily add $150–$300 at the gate — entirely avoidable.
Spring School Holiday Family Packing Checklist
✅ One bag per family member
✅ ComfyNest Baby Backpack (if travelling with under-3s)
✅ Compression bags (one set per person)
✅ PackCheck™ Luggage Scale (weigh before you leave)
✅ Travel Pills Organizer with family medications
✅ Travel pillow + ear plugs for flights
✅ Snacks for airport and flight (far cheaper than buying at the terminal)
✅ Entertainment downloaded offline (tablets, Kindles)
✅ Lightweight layers (spring weather is variable)
✅ Sunscreen SPF 50+ (spring UV is stronger than it feels)