Update — 20 September 2026: The 2026 Anzac Day weekend has passed. This article has been retained as a guide to the confirmed 2026 dates and refreshed with the current booking, cancellation and fire-safety rules plus the 2027 NSW dates.
In 2026, Anzac Day fell on Saturday 25 April. The NSW Government declared Monday 27 April 2026 an additional public holiday, creating a three-day weekend for many NSW workers.
The NSW Government has also confirmed the arrangement for 2027: Anzac Day falls on Sunday 25 April 2027, with an additional public holiday on Monday 26 April 2027.
NSW Anzac Day dates#
| Year | Anzac Day | Additional NSW public holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday 25 April | Monday 27 April |
| 2027 | Sunday 25 April | Monday 26 April |
The additional Monday is an NSW public-holiday decision. This guide does not generalise the arrangement to other states or territories; check the relevant jurisdiction if travelling interstate.
Planning a NSW camping trip for the long weekend#
Use the NSW National Parks camping and accommodation search and the individual property page for the dates, price, site type, access, booking instruction and current alerts that apply to your trip. Complete any required booking before arrival.
Do not rely on the old claim that every NPWS campground releases dates exactly 12 months in advance. NPWS booking terms refer to property booking windows, and the safest approach is to check the specific campground's live availability.
If your first choice is full, a cancellation can create a new opening. Current NPWS camping cancellation terms are:
- 31 days or more before arrival: 75% refund, excluding the booking fee
- 0 to 30 days before arrival: 50% refund, excluding the booking fee
- booking fees are non-refundable
CampWatch can monitor supported campground availability and send an SMS when a matching site appears. The alert does not reserve the site; booking still happens through the campground operator.
Campgrounds to consider#
The following are established NSW National Parks options that may suit an autumn long weekend. Always check the live property page before relying on access, facilities, fire rules or availability.
Mid-north and north coast#
- Diamond Head campground, Crowdy Bay National Park
- Trial Bay Gaol campground, Arakoon National Park
- Woody Head campground, Bundjalung National Park
Near Sydney and the Blue Mountains#
- The Basin campground, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
- Euroka campground, Blue Mountains National Park
Inland and South Coast#
- Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp campground, Wollemi National Park
- Sheepstation Creek campground, Border Ranges National Park
- Depot Beach campground, Murramarang National Park
These are suggestions, not claims of current availability. Seasonal demand and access can change quickly.
Fire rules: do not assume April means campfires are allowed#
The original 2026 version of this article treated late April as if it were a general return to campfire season. That is too broad.
Before lighting a fire or using a cooking appliance:
- check the individual campground's rules
- check NPWS park alerts and any Park Fire Ban or Solid Fuel Fire Ban
- check the NSW RFS fire-danger and Total Fire Ban information
NSW RFS guidance says campfires and other solid-fuel cooking are prohibited on Total Fire Ban days. An electric barbecue may be used under adult supervision with combustible material kept at least 2m away. A gas barbecue also needs an immediate, continuous water supply and must be within 20m of a permanent private dwelling, or be an appliance approved by council, NPWS or State Forest in a designated picnic area. Check current site-specific restrictions before cooking.
Planning for Anzac Day 2027#
For NSW, the key dates are Sunday 25 April 2027 and the additional public holiday on Monday 26 April 2027.
If a campground is important to the trip, use the live property booking page rather than a generic release-date rule. If it is full, consider watching several acceptable campgrounds so a cancellation at any one of them gives you another option.
Immediately before travelling, re-check campground access, park alerts and fire conditions. A booking confirms a campsite; it does not guarantee that every road, track or activity around it will be unaffected by short-notice operational changes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Was Anzac Day 2026 a long weekend in NSW?
Yes. Anzac Day was Saturday 25 April 2026 and the NSW Government declared Monday 27 April 2026 an additional public holiday. That 2026 weekend has now passed.
Is there an additional Anzac Day public holiday in NSW in 2027?
Yes. Anzac Day is Sunday 25 April 2027 and the NSW Government public holiday calendar lists an additional public holiday on Monday 26 April 2027.
Are campfires allowed at NSW national park campgrounds in late April?
There is no blanket April rule. Check the individual campground, NPWS alerts and NSW RFS information before lighting a campfire or using a cooking appliance. Total Fire Bans and park-specific restrictions override seasonal assumptions.
When should I book for Anzac Day camping in NSW?
Check the live availability for the specific campground you want. NPWS does not publish one universal 12-month release rule for every property. If the dates are already full, cancellations can return sites to the booking system.
What are the current NSW National Parks cancellation refunds?
Current NPWS camping terms provide a 75% refund, excluding the booking fee, for cancellations 31 or more days before the stay and a 50% refund, excluding the booking fee, for cancellations inside 31 days.