Maryborough to become Australia's political headquarters as Abbott goes on leave

With Prime Minister Tony Abbott set for a short holiday, Australia is to be run out of the small Queensland town of Maryborough over the next week, with National Party leader Warren Truss to take the reins.

Truss, who resides in the regional town of Maryborough, which is situated 250 kilometers north of Brisbane and is home to just 21,000 people, will begin his duties as deputy prime minister on Monday.

Abbott's week-long break began over the weekend and comes after the Australian leader chose to work through the Christmas and New Years period.

During his holiday, Abbott will stay in a caravan park off the coast of New South Wales, continuing a long-standing tradition between himself and former university friends.

It continues the modest trend of Australian prime ministers holidaying at low-key resorts, with John Howard often choosing to reside in the small New South Wales town of Hawks Nest, while Julia Gillard venturing to country Victoria.

Abbott will return temporarily to Canberra on Tuesday, where he will attend a cricket match between England and the Prime Minister 's XI at Manuka Oval.

Abbott's break follows that of Opposition leader Bill Shorten, who on Monday returns from a short absence. Endi