Is parking free on public holidays?

Is parking free on public holidays?

Most of the time, payment for parking will be required on a public holiday. However, in most states, if the parking sign specifies days (Mon - Fri) and does not say ‘includes public holidays’ and the public holiday falls on one of those days – parking should be free. But as with almost everything, there are caveats.

Are parking rules different on public holidays in Australia?

Parking on public holidays can be a nightmare just to find a spot and once you find that spot, you may wonder, is parking free on public holidays?

The ability to read a parking sign correctly, especially in a big city CBD, is a hard-won (and rare) skill. So often, you’ll see people check the sign, go back to make sure they read it correctly and even take a photo of it (just in case). I’m one of those people!

Fig1: Courtesy of Dump a Day meme website.

Street parking on public holidays is generally free if:

1. You’re not in a central business district
2. The parking sign specifies a week day (Mon – Fri/ 8:00am to 6:00pm) and does not say ‘includes public holidays’
3. There is no sign stating ‘No Stopping’ or ‘No Parking’ with an unbroken line.

If the metered signage specifies weekends as well, generally you’re charged for the Sunday rate (which is often cheaper than normal pricing) on a public holiday, but is not guaranteed.

For example, the City of Sydney website clearly outlines that most of the metered parking in Sydney falls almost exclusively within the CBD and "parking meter rates vary depending on the time and location'. The rates are defined as Area 1 and Area 2, and rates apply on public holidays".

To read more on what areas are included in Area 1 and 2, as well as parking rates, click here.

If in doubt, carefully assess the signage but also the parking meter for additional information and whether it would accept your payment (they’re disabled if not required on a public holiday) to figure out if public holiday parking is free in that area.

Do you have to pay for parking on public holidays in privately-owned car parks or popular tourist areas?

Ha ha. Yes. Privately owned parking usually always charges for parking; 365-days a year – rain, hail or shine.

Although, some (definitely not most) privately-owned car parks may charge a weekend flat rate, if pre-booked early enough or on public holidays and this is often far cheaper than the usual weekday rate. It’s important to note 'casual' rates apply if you don’t pre-book.

In popular tourist areas, particularly around waterfronts/beaches (think St Kilda/Bondi etc), metered parking is usually charged regardless of whether it's a public holiday or not.

For example, the Byron Shire Council website confirms, "Pay parking operates in Byron Bay 9:00am to 6:00pm and Brunswick Heads between 9:00am to 5:00pm, seven days a week including public holidays."

Do loading zones apply on public holidays? And do parking restrictions apply on public holidays?

Yes, but only if the sign does not specify that it applies on Monday to Friday between set times, like 9:00am and 4:00pm.

If it does specify set days/time periods and the public holiday falls on a Monday to Friday, the sign does not have effect.

For example, if the public holiday fell on a Monday and you had parked in a Loading Zone with the below sign, it would be a no go.

But if you parked with this sign, it would be okay.

Other examples are signs stating ‘No Stopping’ or ‘No Parking’ with an unbroken line – you may ONLY park there on a public holiday IF they have set times/ days and the public holiday falls on one of those days.

Do parking inspectors work on public holidays?

In NSW, parking inspectors and rangers work on public holidays.

For example, the North Sydney Council states that "Parking Officers and Rangers monitor parking between the hours of 5.30am and midnight, seven days a week."

Do you have to pay for parking on public holidays in Brisbane CBD?

Some parking restrictions do not apply on public holidays for the Brisbane CBD, check out their website for more information here.

Parking signs that specify certain days of the week (example Monday-Friday) do not apply on public holidays.

All parking signs that do not show certain days (example 'P15 minutes') are enforced on public holidays. If you park in one of these areas you can receive a fine.

The following public holidays are currently observed by Brisbane City Council: New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Labour Day, Queen's Birthday, RNA Show Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Is parking free on public holidays Melbourne?

Like other states, the application of a sign panel on a public holiday depends on whether a day of the week is stated on the panel. ​​Check out the City of Melbourne website for more information.

Signs that do not apply on a public holiday are when any day of the week is stated on the parking sign.

For example, '2P Meter, Mon-Fri, 7am-10pm’ would not apply on a public holiday.

Do you have to pay for parking on public holidays in Tasmania?

Hobart is one of the few areas where on-street parking restrictions do not apply on public holidays.

As per the City of Hobart website, "This means you do not need to pay using the meter or EasyPark, and time limits do not apply. Multi-storey car parks (Argyle Street, Centrepoint and Hobart Central) use the same fees as they do on a Sunday. These can be viewed on the car parks page."

The free parking arrangement applies to 'gazetted public holidays'. This means that when a public holiday falls on a weekend, these arrangements are applied to the day the public holiday is recognised. For example, if New Years Day (January 1) falls on a Saturday, the public holiday will be recognised on the Monday (January 3)’.

Do you have to pay for parking on public holidays in Western Australia?

The Visit Perth website makes it easy to understand whether or not parking is free on public holidays "recognising whether the sign has a day of the week shown on it is the key to figuring out whether it applies on a public holiday".

When they don’t, it means you can park for free and for as long as you like.

Do you have to pay for parking on public holidays in the Northern Territory?

For built up areas, like Darwin’s CBD, "Paid parking is required from 8.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday and from 8.00am and 2.00pm Saturday (Zone A only). Outside of these hours and weekends in Zone B & C are free" (City of Darwin)

It is not stated whether a public holiday affects these rules, so best to expect them not to.

Do you have to pay for parking on public holidays in South Australia?

Again, like most states, CBDs feature the most parking rules and the City of Adelaide website states, "When parking within Adelaide city and North Adelaide on locally-recognised public holidays you can use time-limited on-street parking bays (paid or unpaid) that are signposted MON to FRI free of charge and without a time limit."

Do parking signs apply on public holidays? Restrictions still apply on locally-recognised public holidays to all other parking controls, including: Continuous yellow edge lines, stopping within 10 metres from the nearest point of an intersecting road, No Stopping zones, No Parking zones, Loading Zones, Bus Zones, Taxi Zones, Permit Zones or Any sign that indicates: At All Times, Any Day or At Other Times.

So, how do you know whether parking is free on a public holiday?

Unfortunately, not easily as rules and application of those rules depends on where you are and what signage is available.

A general rule of thumb is to expect to pay for parking on public holidays so you're not surprised by a parking fine but it pays to double check if you’re heading into a popular area on a public holiday and plan ahead.

Most Council websites have interactive maps showcasing free and paid parking areas (along with their rates).