Easter Sunday 2027 Countdown

In 2027, Easter Sunday in Australia falls on Sunday 28 March, and the observed date is the same as the traditional date. The day sits in the middle of the broader Easter period, framed by Good Friday and Easter Monday, creating a key autumn long weekend for many Australians.

Easter Sunday 2027 is treated as a public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Tasmania typically does not list Easter Sunday as a statewide public holiday, so work and trading arrangements there can differ from the rest of the country.

Because it falls on a Sunday, standard weekend patterns combine with public holiday rules, which can make opening hours and penalty rates more complex. Families often plan travel, gatherings and church attendance around this date, and schools are usually in or near their term break, which adds to the number of people on the roads and at popular destinations.

In Christian tradition, Easter Sunday marks the belief in the resurrection of Jesus, making it one of the most significant days in the church calendar worldwide. Australian congregations refer to it as Easter Sunday in both everyday English and church contexts, and many churches treat it as the spiritual high point of the Easter season.

The date of Easter Sunday is movable, calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox, which is why it falls on 28 March in 2027 rather than on a fixed calendar date. European Christian practices introduced during colonisation blended over time with local customs, so today the day combines religious services with recognisably Australian traditions, such as outdoor gatherings and warm-weather activities.

Beyond church life, Easter Sunday in Australia has taken on a strong family and community character. Exchanging chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, organising Easter egg hunts for children, and spending time with extended family are common ways people mark the day, even among those who do not attend religious services.

On Easter Sunday 2027, many government offices and most schools will already be closed for the long weekend or school holidays in the states and territories where it is a public holiday. Essential services such as hospitals and emergency responders continue to operate, though some non-urgent services may run with reduced staffing.

Retail trading can be quite mixed, and rules vary by state and even by local council. Large shopping centres in states like New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia often have restricted or shorter trading hours on a public holiday Sunday, while smaller convenience stores, petrol stations and some pharmacies typically stay open, though hours can vary.

Hospitality and tourism businesses, including cafes, restaurants, pubs and major attractions, usually trade on Easter Sunday but may add public holiday surcharges. Public transport networks in cities commonly operate on a Sunday or public-holiday timetable, so services may be less frequent than on a normal weekday, and checking schedules ahead of time is sensible.

Church services shape the day for many Australians, with early-morning or sunrise services, large mid-morning gatherings and special music or choir performances. Cathedrals and larger congregations may hold multiple services to accommodate increased attendance, while smaller rural churches often become focal points for their communities.

Outside religious settings, households often treat Easter Sunday as a relaxed family day. Shared meals, backyard barbecues, park picnics and beach trips are common, particularly in coastal cities and regional areas where late-March weather is still mild enough for outdoor activities.

Children’s egg hunts, gift-giving of chocolate and hot cross buns, and community fairs or markets are part of the secular side of Easter Sunday. Some people extend the weekend into a camping or road trip, using the extra days off to travel to national parks, caravan parks or to visit relatives in other parts of Australia.

Easter Sunday 2027 sits in the centre of a four-day long weekend for many Australians, so planning ahead can make a big difference. Accommodation in popular coastal areas, wine regions and national parks often books out weeks or months in advance, and highways leading out of major cities can be especially busy on the days before and after the weekend.

If you rely on public transport, check Easter timetables early, as services may follow Sunday or public-holiday patterns across the entire long weekend. Drivers should allow extra travel time, particularly around holiday hotspots and at traditional bottlenecks near city exits and regional centres.

For everyday errands, arranging grocery shopping and essential purchases before Easter Sunday helps avoid reduced trading hours and crowds. Those who plan to eat out on 28 March 2027 may benefit from making restaurant bookings, as cafes and eateries in tourist areas can become quite busy and may run limited sittings.

Visitors in Australia on Easter Sunday 2027 will notice a blend of quiet city centres and lively leisure areas. Central business districts in large cities can feel subdued, while beaches, waterfronts, parks and holiday towns often become very active as locals make the most of the break.

Most major tourist attractions, such as museums, zoos and galleries, tend to open on Easter Sunday, though many operate on public-holiday hours and may charge surcharges in cafes or restaurants. Checking opening times online the day before is a practical way to avoid surprises.

Travellers interested in the religious side of Easter Sunday can usually attend church services as visitors, with many churches explicitly welcoming tourists and offering services in accessible formats. Those focused on sightseeing should factor in potential timetable changes on public transport and allow for queues at popular spots, especially in good weather.