Good Friday may be a Christian tradition, but in Australia it comes with a custom of its own – the scramble to find open food and alcohol shops.
Across the country, various restrictions on alcohol sales are imposed on the Friday before Easter and supermarket openings change from state to state.
Here are the rules in each state and territory.
New South Wales
In NSW, takeaway alcohol sales are not allowed, while licensed venues are restricted to serving alcohol between midday and 10pm on Good Friday.
Pubs and bars will generally stay open, but bottle shops will be closed.
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailOne exception for takeaway alcohol is venues with a producer licence – such as breweries and cellar doors – which sell alcohol on Good Friday.
All major supermarkets across NSW will be closed.
Coles will reopen with limited hours on Saturday across NSW. The majority of Woolworths stores will reopen on Saturday with the exception of certain metro stores.
Victoria
Victoria also allows producers to sell their drinks to the public on Good Friday, while most takeaway shops will be closed.
There are exceptions, with the Victorian government providing a small number of bottle shops with a special licence to trade on the holiday.
Venues can also serve alcohol from midday to 1am.
All major supermarkets are closed on Good Friday in Victoria.
Coles will reopen with limited hours on Saturday across Victoria. The majority of Woolworths stores will also reopen on Saturday.
Queensland
Queensland’s drinking venues are restricted on Good Friday, with an alcoholic beverage only allowed with a meal between 10am and midnight.
Sports facilities, such as stadium bars, are exempt; otherwise, takeaway alcohol is unavailable.
Brisbane airport’s Woolworths will be open on Good Friday, with the majority of other branches reopening on Saturday.
Coles will reopen with limited hours on Saturday across Queensland.
Western Australia
As in other states, takeaway bottle shops are closed on Good Friday.
As of this year, venues in Western Australia will be able to sell a drink without a meal at pubs and other venues on Good Friday from 10am to midnight.
Nightclubs are open on Good Friday and can serve drinks until 3am.
Some Coles and Woolworths stores will be open in WA, including in Margaret River and Busselton.
South Australia
South Australia has no restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday or on other public holidays.
It means pubs and venues can open as usual, and there are no restrictions on takeaway purchases, though some venues may choose to stay closed.
Coles and Woolworths supermarkets are open at various locations on Good Friday.
Tasmania
Tasmania has relaxed rules for buying alcohol on Good Friday. There are no restrictions apart from the usual trading hours.
All major supermarkets are closed in Tasmania on Good Friday.
Australian Capital Territory
In the capital, it will be business as usual for publicans. There are no restrictions on alcohol sales or trading hours across the ACT on Good Friday.
All major supermarkets will be closed.
Northern Territory
The NT restricts the sale of takeaway alcohol altogether but clubs, bars and restaurants are allowed to sell liquor with a full meal to patrons between 11am and 9pm.
All major supermarkets will be closed in the NT on Good Friday.
