We all know the feeling.

Fresh from the Christmas and new year break, desperately wondering when your next holiday will be. Scrolling social media and thinking of all the annual leave you need to use up. 

But if you already get public holidays and weekends off work, there are some tips and tricks to maximise the amount of time you get to yourself.

So, if you're planning your annual leave in 2023 — here's how to get strategic about it. 

Easter 2023

Which days to book: April 3-6, April 11-14

Booking days off between April's weekend start, the Good Friday and Easter Monday public holidays (April 7-10), and Sunday, April 16 gets you a whopping 16 days off work using just eight days of annual leave.

It's an opportunity too good to miss, and by far the longest stretch on this list — it's plenty long enough to take a road trip, go on a trip overseas, or just stay home.

ANZAC Day 2023

Which days to take off: April 24, April 26-28 

Taking your annual leave on either side of ANZAC Day means you'll be on holidays from Saturday, April 22 to Sunday, April 30.

That's a neat nine days on holiday for just four days of annual leave.

King's Birthday, May Day & Labour Day 2023

This one's a little tricky state-by-state, so bear with me. 

If you're in Western Australia, the King's Birthday public holiday is Monday, September 25. 

You should book in your annual leave from September 26-29 to get a weekend on either side, earning you nine days off for four days of leave time. 

If you're in South Australia, NSW or the ACT, Labour Day falls on Monday, October 2 — the same principle applies. Book leave on October 3-6, putting a weekend either side and meaning nine days off work in total. 

And in the Northern Territory, you have May Day on Monday, May 1. Again, same logic. Book your annual leave May 2-5, getting you nine days off in exchange for four annual leave days. 

In Tasmania, there's a public holiday on October 26 for the Royal Hobart Show. Taking the following day off nabs you an easy four-day weekend. 

Christmas and new year 2023

Which days to take off: December 27-29

Christmas Day in 2023 falls on a Monday, meaning if you don't work weekends your holiday starts on December 23. Taking annual leave from the 27-29 sees you through to the next weekend and then New Year's Day on the Monday.

Cruise through a full 10 days off and into 2024 (don't faint, it's still 12 months away I swear) for just three days of annual leave.