There are two public holidays observed in Australia on the 7th of October 2019. One is the Labour Day in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia and the other one is the Queen’s Birthday in Queensland. And what does that mean? That is a good time to plan a weekend trip or take the day to lay down on the beautiful beaches and parks around the country.

Despite the fact it is a day off, do you know why they were created and why do we celebrate these holidays? We have collected some information to share with you:

Labour Day

Labour Day is a Public Holiday in various countries all over the world that celebrates the remarkable days on labours’ fight for better conditions on a work journey.

Its history started in the early 19th Century when most labours worked for up to twelve hours a day for six days per week. On 21 April 1856, a significant number of stonemason workers started a well-organised protest in Melbourne. Their main argument was grounded on that labour force should have a balance on time spent to work, leisure and rest.

The government agreed on reducing the work journey to an eight-hour a day with no changes on labours payment. The win was celebrated on a parade on May 1856 and only in 1948, it was approved a five-day working week.

Although internationally it is celebrated on the 1st of May, in Australia it is always on a Monday so that people can have a long weekend. In Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania it is celebrated on March, in Queensland and North Territory is on May and in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and South Australia it is in October.

Queen's Birthday

The Queen’s Birthday is a public holiday proclaimed in some of Commonwealth realms to celebrate the monarch’s birthday. It is important to highlight that the date does not necessarily match the Queen’s or King’s birth and there is a curious reason for that.

The tradition of celebrating twice a year the Monarch’s Birthday has started over 250 years ago, in 1748 in Britain, and in Australia since 1788. King George II was born in November during winter, and considering that is not perfect time for a street parade, he decided to celebrate the day on a summer parade in June.

The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, was born in 21 April of 1926. As a heritage, her birthday is still celebrated in June, with a formal parade in London. For her actual date of birth she usually spends the day with her family.

In Australia, the Queen’s birthday is observed on the second Monday of June, except in Western Australia that is on the first Monday of June and Queensland that is in on the first Monday of October. The different dates of celebration in Australia regards to coincidence with others State public holidays.

Australia is a massive country with approximately 7.7 million km2. Visiting the country and exploring it properly is not an easy task if you do not organise yourself and prioritise. We have a few tips for you to help you plan a road trip so you can get the most out of the experience and see as many Australia’s wonders as possible:

1) THE ROUTE

Do your research and decide what is the best available route for you considering your current location, the places you want to see, your budget and the time you have for your trip. The most common routes are:

▪    From Sydney – The Grand Pacific Drive
▪    From Melbourne – The Great Ocean Road
▪    From Alice Springs – The Red Centre Way
▪    From Adelaide – The Flinders Ranges and outback
▪    From Darwin – The Nature's Way
▪    From Cairns – The Great Barrier Reef Drive
▪    From Broome – The Gibb River Road
▪    From Hobart – The Great Eastern Drive
▪    From Perth – The Nullarbor

More info CLICK HERE.

2) THE CAR

There are different types of cars available to rent and choosing a car for your road trip is vital. It can make all the difference between an amazing or terrible experience. After choosing your route, check if you will be sticking to major highways and sealed roads, OR if you will take unsealed and remote roads. 
Another thing to consider is the budget, the number of people you are travelling with and the style of trip you want to do. 
The most common car types for a road trip are:

▪Station Wagons - affordable option, good for small groups

▪Campervans – a bit more expensive but offers more comfort, with kitchen, fridge, stove and beds. Good option for groups of 2 travelling for long periods of time

▪4WD - the most expensive option, but also the best for a road trip. Good for those that prefer to sleep in hotels or hostels

3) THE SAFETY

Driving around Australia can be dangerous, so ensure the car you are renting has insurance and road service, and that you have appropriate travel insurance as well.

Australia is also home to a diverse wildlife so be aware that collisions with kangaroos, koalas and other wild animals often occur, especially if you are driving at night.

For more road safety tips, CLICK HERE.

4) PACKING

Packing the essentials for your trip will help you survive challenges you may face on your way. Here is a short list of essentials you may want to consider:

▪Maps – do not rely on the mapping app on your mobile. Invest in a good GPS and always have a paper map. They seem obsolete but if you are stuck, they can save your life!

▪Water – ideally you should bring at least 3 – 4 litres per person per day with you

▪Food – non-perishable food for 2 days to keep you going should you break down

▪Clothes – focus on the essential items and have options for the cold and heat

▪Toiletries – they will be a godsend if you are travelling for days on end!

▪Medicine – band-aids, paracetamols , antiseptic cream, sunblock, insect repellent, and any medicine you take on a regular basis.

Having a safe and enjoyable road trip in Australia is all about planning ahead and preparing for the unexpected, but it is absolutely one of the most exciting and adventurous way to discover this beautiful country!

Find out more content like this in our section Discovering Australia.