Decisions, decisions, decisions
Long weekends...where to go, what to do? #13
Late(ish) last year I went on a weekend getaway interstate and absolutely loved it. I loved having only carry-on luggage on the plane. I loved that I didn’t have to fret about my indoor plants dying while I was gone. I loved that I got away from crowds during footy fever (it was Grand Final weekend). I loved it so much that I set an intention to incorporate more shorter trips away during 2024. The fallout is now I have more decisions to make and more research to do to find a sweet, inexpensive, not-so-crowded getaway haven. Or I could just stay at home. But no, I’m not going to set up camp in my living room, although this does look pretty cosy!
It’s currently summer in Australia, and the kids are off school, which for most people means a holiday at the beach. I live in a small, beach town and there is a massive influx of visitors at this time of year. I’m sure our population easily doubles, probably triples, for the four weeks of January, which is great for the local economy, not so great for getting around or going to the shops. This will be a factor in my choice of summer getaways, because I’m not a great fan of crowds. As much as I love the beach and think that Australia and the Pacific have some of the best, unpolluted beaches in the world, for my upcoming January getaway (I plan to do at least one a month!) I’m seriously thinking of going inland, to the high country, perhaps a lake, a forest, the bush, just somewhere away from the crowds - that’s my first decision made. Also somewhere not flooded by the recent heavy rains we’ve been experiencing across the country. Many parts of my home state are flooded, or under warning of being flooded if the rain continues. So if roads are blocked by floodwaters, that will be one less decision to make.
Now I know we’re already halfway through January, it’s summer, and most places are crazy booked out, but I’m known for winging it with travel and making spontaneous, last-minute decisions. I mean, with the cost of living pressure for those with home loans and kids and all that, I’m sure I can scrape together an absolute bargain, last-minute deal, particularly if I’m headed in the opposite direction to most! So the Australia Day long weekend (I’m not going into the politics behind this day, but we do get a paid day off!) is coming up at the end of the month and with a 4-day weekend available to me it’s the perfect time to get on the road and spend some time at a place I’ve never been or haven’t been to in a long, long time. Somewhere I can relax poolside and read a book, go for leisurely walks, visit local cafes, waterholes, and wineries. Explore museums, fresh produce and craft markets, day spas, perhaps an outdoor cinema night if I’m lucky.
So during the week I was researching many places across the state that would make a great weekend away and some that would also involve a bloody good road trip to boot! I have whittled down my decision to two choices. One closer to home that I have previously visited as a child with annual, family camping trips and another further away in what would be snow country (for a few weeks at least) if it was winter. The latter I can’t recall staying in for any period of time but I know I have driven through it plenty of times on road trips for work and to visit family. Therefore, I am leaning towards the one further away, I mean who doesn’t love a good road trip to a place you’ve barely been before? But that decision will depend on the floods in the region. If I can’t get there by road, then the decision is made for me, I will stay closer to home and indulge in a way I never could as a child.
The next decisions are what to do while I’m there. What is on? What is the region famous for? Is there anything special on for the long weekend? Any must-do attractions or wineries or restaurants? Arghhhh…the choices are endless. I find these decisions exhausting to make, especially when one looks at reviews and curated online content. I do read reviews, but I always take them with a grain of salt. One person’s idea of a great day (or night) out is another’s nightmare. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, do what YOU want to do. If you miss out on something “amazing” by other’s standards, it’s not the end of the world. You probably found something unique for you that made you far happier and satisfied than something that everyone has done or is the “it” place to be at the moment. I’m all for being vulnerable and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, like eating out alone, but you don’t have to endure an experience you’re not really into. I, for one, wouldn’t force myself to sit through a live tennis match at the Australian Open, it’s just not my cup of tea.
However, I will always do a winery tour. Although I’m no longer a massive consumer of alcohol, I do like to go wine (and beer) tasting in the different regions. This is definitely a result of not only my childhood holidays, but also my parents running a motel and winery tours in a well-known Victorian wine region for several years. As a solo traveller, I will always book a good winery tour if it’s a known wine region, and if you’re lucky you will meet a great bunch of people for the day or an afternoon. If I stay near the ocean I will usually go for a sunset sailing on a yacht or catamaran, provided there is availability. These book out fast so you do have to plan ahead. Many have local seafood and wines for dinner, which is a great way to experience it all. Another must do is walk, walk, walk. You see things better close-up when you walk around a place. I’ve many times gotten lost walking and ended up finding some great hidden, local gems. Whether they be artisan food stores, gift shops, museums, bookshops or cafes. Wandering the streets by foot will allow you to see, hear and smell things that you can’t from a car or a bus. Bike tours are always fun too, I recently did one in Oaxaca, Mexico to see the El Tule tree, one of the oldest, largest trees in the world, with the widest girth. Or just a hire a bike and ride around yourself, it’s another great way to see the sights at your own pace. I’ve done this many places overseas, and even hired an electric bike to ride through the beach cities of LA all the way to Santa Monica Pier and back to Redondo Beach. It was a great day out!
So with all those decisions made what are we waiting for? Go on book that weekend adventure away, I sure plan to…soon. My days will now be spent researching all the different things to do in my chosen two places so that I can be prepped and ready to go when I finally make the decision of which place to visit. Although I have a gut feeling that the weather forecast will choose for me.
What I’m watching: I’m a bit late to the party but I just started watching Succession (available on BINGE or Foxtel in Australia). I haven’t read or listened to any spoilers. I didn’t think it would be my kind of show, but I was surprisingly mistaken. I love it. Roman Roy is my favourite character thus far…I’m still only in Season 1 - don’t hate on me.
