The return to normal times had us thinking about our first holiday since 2019.
Options we considered included flying to an interstate tourist destination such as Margaret River or the Barossa.
With some generous offers of accommodation from friends, we also thought about a road trip down the NSW South Coast.
International travel was never a serious consideration, for a number of reasons, including skyrocketing airfares as the industry slowly returns to meet strong demand from the public.
But it was also the wrong season with winter approaching in the northern hemisphere, so we decided that if we did go away it would be local.
However, like many other people, we decided to stay home.
We felt that under the circumstances it was the best way to catch up with friends and family, as well as recharge the batteries after a long, hard year.
Two weeks later we feel we made the right decision and are ready to get stuck into it in 2023.
There was an added benefit to staying at home: discovering more of your own backyard.
Living on the edge of the metropolitan area means you are near the bush, and that means so many more places of interest to visit, from fruit farms to “pick your own’’ to villages with fascinating histories.
Staying home also means you have time to explore how your area is changing, and Macarthur and South Western Sydney are certainly on the move.
Drive down Menangle Road and past Menangle Country Club, The Northern Road or Camden Valley Way, just to name a few, and you will see how things are changing.
Which means that there are more things than ever to do right here in Macarthur.
Here’s our Top 5 when staying home for the holidays:
Number 1: Eat out just about every day but try to visit local family run restaurants. We avoid franchise places as much as possible.
Number 2. Picnic at Mt Annan Botanic Garden, with a leisurely walk before and after eating.
Number 3. Visit local art galleries such as Campbelltown arts centre, Casula Powerhouse and the Alan Baker gallery in Camden town centre.
Number 4. Take the grandkids to the movies.
Number 5. Play golf or go bowling, heaps of choice there.
