Good Friday

Good Friday kicks off the Australian Easter celebrations and will next be observed on Friday, the 18th of April 2025.

Good Friday is a public holiday with almost all shops and stores closing and people spending the day at home with family and friends or attending a church service. Traditionally, fish or seafood is served on Good Friday, with many fish and chip shops remaining open to serve thousands of customers.

The four-day Easter holiday occurs as part of a Christian festival that, according to tradition, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death. According to the New Testament, this happened on what is now known as Easter Sunday, the third day of his burial in 30AD.

The 2025 Easter long weekend in Australia will be celebrated with several public holidays, starting with Good Friday on the 18th of April, Easter Saturday on the 19th of April, Easter Sunday on April 20th, and Easter Monday on the 21st of April. This creates a 4-day long weekend for Australians, meaning many families use this time to travel and spend time with their family and friends.

One of the major hallmarks of Good Friday is the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Every year a massive charity drive is held to raise money for the Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. In support of this event, Channel 7 televises the fundraising event with thousands of celebrities and volunteers participating. On this special day, thousands of businesses and private citizens donate millions of dollars to this worthy cause.

Visitors to Melbourne should note that most shops, supermarkets and attractions are closed on Good Friday. You will, however, find service/petrol stations and 7/11 stores open, some cinemas still open, and the Crown Casino complex typically open from noon. Other attractions that remain open on Good Friday include the Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Skydeck, and the Melbourne Aquarium.

Thousands of people travel during the Easter long weekend, causing a lot of traffic and booking accommodation quickly. If you want to take a holiday over the long weekend, click the link below to find the best accommodation deals. Don’t hesitate, as holiday accommodation is very popular during this time.