Weekend vacay with the family

So often, it feels as though we finish up our busy week at work, only to jump headlong into an equally busy weekend of social events, running kids around to activities and finally, flopping down on the  couch at the end of each day exhausted to binge on some Netflix.  Getting  the family up and out over the weekend for a mini-vacation can often provide a much-needed circuit breaker to our hectic lives without needing to use up all of that precious annual leave in the process.

Here are some ideas for a family-friendly weekend getaway.

Wine and dine

You don’t need a whole lot of time to experience the beauty of some of Australia’s premiere wine regions and most Australian capital cities are located close enough to a wine region that you can slip away with the family for the weekend. With plenty of flights servicing these areas and a number of wineries and cellar doors providing activities and special menus for the kids, a weekend wine tour could be just the thing your family needs to recharge the batteries.

Fun run anyone?

Many fabulous running events are held in Australia each year, just a short drive or flight away.  Training together for a fun run is not only beneficial for everyone’s health and well-being, it provides the opportunity to visit exciting cities and spectacular scenery, making it a perfect weekend getaway option. Not a runner? Most events have walking categories as well, which are perfect for taking in city sites or pushing a stroller for littlest family members.

Camping adventures

Opportunities to get the kids outside and into nature can be found almost anywhere in Australia. Camping is an obvious go-to for families looking to break the cycle of the weekly grind, disconnect from technology and spend some quality time together. Not a camper? The rise of ‘Glamping’ (think well-appointed tents with all the comforts and facilities of home) makes camping more accessible for family members not so inclined to rough it up and also provides opportunities to go further afield without the need to lug camping gear around.

Beach time

Most people will agree that spending some time by the ocean is a great way to relax, rejuvenate and refresh. With a combination of the sounds and smell of the ocean and ready-made, sand-filled fun for the kids makes the beach a perfect location for a weekend getaway. Be sure to pack plenty of sand-friendly toys and castle-making tools to keep the kids occupied and if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, hire a 4WD drive and look for a beach-side camping option to really disconnect.