Holiday Parking: Is parking free on holidays?

Is parking free on public holidays?

In most cases, parking fees will be required on holidays. However, in most states, if the parking sign states days (Monday through Friday) and does not state “including holidays” and a public holiday falls on one of those days, parking must be free. But, as with almost everything, there are caveats.

Do parking rules change during public holidays in Australia?

Parking during the holidays can be a nightmare just to find a space, and once you find that spot, you may be wondering, is parking free during the holidays?

Knowing how to read parking signs correctly, especially in a big city’s central business district, is a hard-won (and rare) skill. Very often you will see people checking the sign, going back to make sure they read it correctly, and even taking a photo of it (just in case). I’m one of those people!

Fig.1: provided Blame the day meme site.

Street parking on holidays is generally free if:

1. You No in the central business district
2. The parking sign states weekdays (Monday – Friday from 8:00 to 18:00) and does not say “including holidays.”
3. There are no “No Stopping” or “No Parking” signs with a continuous line.

If meter signs also indicate holidays, you will usually be charged the Sunday rate (which is often cheaper than normal prices) on public holidays, but this is not guaranteed.

For example, the City of Sydney website clearly states that the majority of metered parking in Sydney occurs almost exclusively in the CBD, and “metered parking rates vary depending on time and location.” Rates are defined as Zone 1 and Zone 2 and rates apply on public holidays.”

To find out more about which areas are included in Zones 1 and 2 and parking rates, click here.

When in doubt, check the signage carefully as well as the parking meter for more information and to see if it will accept your payment (they are turned off unless required on holidays) to find out if parking is free on holidays in the area.

(Image: John-Paul Beirouti)

Do you have to pay to park during the holidays in private parking lots or at popular tourist spots?

Haha. Yes. Private parking usually always charges a parking fee; 365 days a year – rain, hail or shine.

Although some (definitely not most) private car parks may charge a flat rate on weekends if booked in advance or on public holidays, and this is often much cheaper than the regular weekday price. It is important to note that “occasional” rates apply if you do not book in advance.

In popular tourist areas, especially around the seafront/beaches (eg St Kilda/Bondi etc), metered parking is usually charged regardless of whether it is a public holiday or not.

For example, the Byron County Council website confirms: “Paid parking is available in Byron Bay from 9am to 6pm and in Brunswick Heads. from 9:00 to 17:00, seven days a week, including holidays.”

Are loading zones open on holidays? And are there any parking restrictions on holidays?

Yes, but only if the sign does not indicate that it is valid from Monday to Friday during set times, for example from 9:00 to 16:00.

If it states fixed days/time periods and a public holiday falls on Monday-Friday, the sign is not valid.

For example, if a public holiday falls on a Monday and you park in a loading zone with a sign below, it will be prohibited.

But if you parked with this sign, everything would be fine.

Other examples are signs that say “No Stopping” or “No Parking” with a continuous line – you can ONLY park there on public holidays IF they have designated times/days and the public holiday falls on one of those days.

Are parking inspectors working on holidays?

In New South Wales, parking inspectors and rangers work on public holidays.

For example, North Sydney Council states that “parking officers and rangers monitor parking from 5:30am to midnight, seven days a week.”

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

Some parking restrictions do not apply on public holidays in the Brisbane CBD. More information can be found on their website here.

Parking signs indicating specific days of the week (such as Monday through Friday) are not valid on public holidays.

All parking signs that do not indicate specific days (eg “P15 minutes”) apply on holidays. If you park in one of these areas, you may receive a ticket.

Brisbane City Council currently observes the following public holidays: New Year’s Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Labor Day, Queen’s Birthday, RNA Show Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Is parking free on public holidays in Melbourne?

As in other states, the use of a sign on holidays depends on whether the sign shows the day of the week. For more information, visit the City of Melbourne website.

Signs that do not apply on holidays are when the parking sign indicates any day of the week.

For example, “2P meter, Monday-Friday, 7:00-22:00” will not apply on holidays.

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 during public holidays.

According to the City of Hobart website: “This means you don’t have to pay by meter or EasyPark and no time limits apply. Multi-storey car parks (Argyle Street, Centrepoint and Hobart Central) charge the same charges as on Sunday. They can be viewed on the car parks page.”

Free parking applies on “public holidays”. This means that if a public holiday falls on a weekend, these rules apply on the day the public holiday is recognized. For example, if New Year’s Day (January 1) falls on a Saturday, Monday (January 3) will be recognized as a public holiday.”

Do I have to pay to park on public holidays in Western Australia?

The Visit Perth website makes it easy to tell if parking is free on public holidays by “checking to see if the sign has day of the week what is depicted on it is the key to finding out whether it is applicable on the holiday.”

If not, that means you can park for free and for as long as you like.

Do I have to pay to park on public holidays in the Northern Territory?

In populated areas such as the Darwin CBD, “Paid parking is required from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturday (Zone A only). Outside these hours and on weekends, parking is free in zones B and C. (City of Darwin)

It is not stated whether these rules are affected by a holiday, so it is best to expect that this will not happen.

Do I have to pay to park on public holidays in South Australia?

Again, like most states, CBDs contain the most parking regulations, and the City of Adelaide website states: “When parking in the City of Adelaide and North Adelaide on local public holidays, you may be able to use time-limited on-street parking spaces ( paid or free). ), which are indicated by signs Mon to Fri free and without time limit.”

Are parking signs valid on holidays? Restrictions still apply on local holidays to all other parking controls, including: solid yellow edge lines, stopping within 10 meters of the nearest point of an intersecting road, no stopping zones, no parking zones, loading zones, bus zones, Taxi. Zones, permit zones or Any sign indicating: Always, any day or any other time.

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

Unfortunately, this is not easy as the rules and how they apply depend on where you are and what signage is available.

The general rule of thumb is to expect to pay for parking on holidays so you won’t be surprised by a parking ticket, but it’s worth double-checking if you’re heading to a popular location on a public holiday and planning ahead.

Most council websites have interactive maps showing free and paid parking (and their costs).