How to get the most out of travelling locally (VIDEO)

Our book expert Karen was invited to spend a relaxing and adventurous weekend away in Queensland, but when she found out that she would be spending her time in Ipswich, she wasn’t so sure what to expect. Sure, Ipswich is a growing suburb hub, but not a place Karen had ever imagined she would go on a vacation. But, boy, was she surprised!

“It just goes to show how blind you can be to the beauty around you if you only have a look,” Karen said after her weekend getaway thanks to Ipswich City Council.

Read more: How to get out of your comfort zone on holiday (VIDEO)

“I’m as keen as anybody to travel overseas, but when you see that just at your destination, a train ride in my case away you can go to a vineyard, a beautiful botanical gardens, you can go in a hot air balloon, you can go on a ride on a motorbike, but it was terrific fun.”

“I found out that I don’t have to go all the way to Tasmania to see a lavender farm,” she says.

Take a tip from Karen, and the next time you decide you’re ready to take a holiday, think about where you can go locally.

Here are a few ways you can explore your local towns and cities like a tourist rather than a local:

• Get in touch with the local councils about things to see and do in the area. You might think you know the area well, but you’ll be surprised to find out about events, museums and other points of interest.
• Do some research about your own region. You might not think the area is of particular interest as a holiday region, but you might be surprised by what you find.
• Get out of your comfort zone and organise some activities that you wouldn’t normally do. Go out for dinner at a fancy restaurant, go on a tour or buy tickets to a show.

What do you think? Will you be getting out and going on holiday in your local region? Let us know in the comments section below.