Australians preparing for the Easter long weekend in 2026 are facing a major disruption, with up to 90% of retail stores expected to shut on Good Friday. From supermarkets to shopping centres and bottle shops, the country will see one of the most widespread retail closures of the year.
The shutdown is not uniform across all four days, though. While Good Friday brings a near-total halt, trading gradually returns from Saturday, before becoming complicated again on Easter Sunday due to strict state-based rules. By Easter Monday, most stores reopen — but often with reduced hours.
For shoppers, the message is simple: plan ahead or risk finding doors closed.
Good Friday: Near Total Shutdown Across Australia
Good Friday remains the most restrictive retail day of the year, and 2026 is no different. Major supermarket chains including Coles, Woolworths and Aldi will be closed nationwide, except for a small number of exempt stores in South Australia and Western Australia.
The closures extend far beyond groceries. All Westfield shopping centres across Australia will remain shut, along with major retailers such as Kmart, Target, Big W and Bunnings Warehouse.
Bottle shops, including Dan Murphy’s and BWS, will also be closed nationwide, with very limited exceptions. In some areas, alcohol may only be served with meals at licensed venues.
The result is a near-complete pause in retail activity, catching out anyone relying on last-minute shopping.
Easter Saturday: Nationwide Reopening Begins
By Saturday, most of the country begins to reopen. All major supermarkets return to trading across Australia, although hours may vary depending on location.
Coles is expected to operate largely at standard hours, while Woolworths and Aldi stores will reopen with some variation — especially among Metro stores and regional outlets.
Westfield shopping centres will also reopen nationwide, typically operating between 9am and 5pm, though exact timings differ by state.
Retailers such as Kmart, Target, Big W and Bunnings will be back in operation, although some stores in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland may run reduced hours.
Bottle shops will reopen as well, generally returning to normal trading patterns.
Easter Sunday: State-by-State Confusion Returns
Easter Sunday brings the most confusion for shoppers, with trading rules varying sharply across Australia.
In New South Wales, some of the strictest restrictions apply. Many supermarkets — particularly in metropolitan areas — will be closed, although select exempt and regional stores may remain open.
South Australia also limits trading heavily, with most metropolitan supermarkets closed. Only a small number of exempt locations, including Adelaide CBD and key regional centres, are allowed to operate under reduced hours.
By contrast, the ACT and Western Australia remain broadly open, with supermarkets and retailers trading across most locations.
Victoria and Tasmania also see widespread openings, generally at standard or slightly reduced hours.
Queensland sits somewhere in between. Most supermarkets will be open, but reduced hours are common, and some regional stores may stay closed.
The Northern Territory remains open as well, though many stores operate shorter hours.
Shopping centres follow a similar pattern. Westfield centres are open in ACT, Victoria and WA with reduced hours, while most centres in NSW remain closed. South Australia keeps all Westfield locations shut on Sunday.
Retailers like Kmart, Target and Big W face the same restrictions, with NSW and SA seeing widespread closures, while other states operate with varying hours. Bunnings remains open nationally, except for some locations in NSW.
Bottle shops are mostly open on Sunday across Australia, though trading hours are often reduced.
Easter Monday: Stores Reopen With Reduced Hours
By Easter Monday, most of the country returns to trading, although not fully back to normal.
Coles, Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets will reopen nationwide, generally with reduced or public holiday hours.
Westfield shopping centres will reopen across most states, though South Australia continues to lag, with centres remaining closed.
Retail chains including Kmart, Target, Big W and Bunnings will also reopen, but South Australia will again see more limited trading, with only select stores operating.
Bottle shops across the country will be open, though many will operate shorter hours. Dan Murphy’s, for example, is expected to run standard hours on Sunday (excluding some cellar stores) and reduced hours on Monday.
What Shoppers Should Do Before the Weekend
With closures stretching across multiple days and rules changing by state, preparation is key. Good Friday offers almost no retail access, while Easter Sunday can still catch shoppers off guard depending on location.
The safest approach is to complete grocery shopping, buy essentials, and plan ahead for meals and gatherings before Friday begins. This includes stocking up on food, drinks, medications and any last-minute household items.
Checking local store hours is also critical, as exemptions and trading times can vary even within the same city. Updates from retailers like Coles can help confirm specific store openings.
For broader updates and state-by-state guidance, shoppers can also refer to coverage from SBS News, which regularly publishes holiday trading information.
Ultimately, Easter 2026 is shaping up as a weekend where planning ahead makes all the difference. With Good Friday effectively shutting down retail nationwide and Sunday rules varying widely, those who prepare early will avoid the inconvenience of closed doors and limited options.
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