In need of a weekend away? Here’s some inspiration.

Go on – you deserve it.

You know who’s been working hard?

You.

And even if you haven’t, then maybe you’re about to. Or you did last year. Or you’ve thought about working hard. Okay, even if you are the laziest person on the planet, you deserve a weekend away. WE ALL DO.

Taking a mini-break is not just fun, it’s good for you. We spend so much time being ‘on’ all the time, we hardly know how to switch off anymore. It’s like our minds are internet browsers with 20 windows open. It’s time to shut down, switch off, and take a break. You’ve earned it.

Here’s my top suggestions for some little trips away that are less of a commitment than an overseas trip, but just as memorable and rewarding. Book one in. You know you want to.

1. Wine and dine weekend.

I had a ridiculously enjoyable weekend away with my two best friends recently in the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong ranges. We ate. We drank. We ate some more. And then we drank some more. And then we… you get the picture. It was the most indulgent weekend of my life, and from the moment that first platter of cheese hit my lips, I was in a different state of mind.

In the Yarra Valley, there is no such thing as over-indulging. Every winery, cheese factory, brewery, restaurant, bakery and cafe that we visited (and yes, we did all of those. In fact, we did several of each) made us salivate. It felt naughty. It felt delicious. It felt absolutely glorious.

2. Adventure weekend.

If indulgence isn’t your style, how about some activity? If it’s a clear weekend, a walk through nature will blow the stress from your mind (and make for desirable Instagram photos, most importantly).

The forests of Dandenong will make you feel like you’re Little Red Riding Hood… especially if you pack a picnic. Want MORE adventure? Find areas that offer adrenaline-fuelled activities like hot air ballooning, skydiving, mountain biking, hiking or tree climbing adventures.

3. Winter weekend.

It’s getting cold. Get me to a fireplace. Stat. My girlfriends and I have a yearly tradition of holing up in a winter retreat house for one cold weekend every year. The destination changes, but the activity doesn’t.

We drink wine, sit around the fireplace, roast marshmallows, eat a truckload of chocolate (seriously the chocolate consumed on our winter weekend is probably too much for an actual truck), make a big lamb roast and solve the world’s problems. There is usually an impromptu twerk-off, and always a group photo that takes far longer than planned. Heaven has nothing on our winter weekend.

4. Pamper  weekend.

You and I both know that you are dying for one. It may be an expensive option, but it will be a weekend you’ll never forget. Get away for a mini-break and book yourself in to be pampered. We’re talking the whole experience: White towelling dressing gown, funny little slippers, hair slicked back with oil and liberation.

Get the kind of massage where you don’t worry about the price: You deserve it, especially if you’ve never done it before. Consider it good for your health (it genuinely is), and your skin will be glowing with glee and gratitude afterwards.

5. Road trip weekend.

Get out of town, and don’t even plan it. If you want to be as boho and carefree as a sitcom couple, then take to the hills and highways close to your capital and discover some new villages that you didn’t know about. Do what they do in the films: Show up at a cute and cosy B&B, book in for the night, and then get around and explore.

I guarantee you’ll find a good country pie. Or a breathtaking view. Or a quaint gift shop with knitted hats. Or a new boyfriend. Hopefully, all of the above. Find yourself in a sweet new town, and you’ll feel like it’s your special place, because you found it all by yourself. Go you.

What is your favourite type of weekend away?

Still not jealous enough? Here are a few more of Lucy’s happy snaps from her weekend away…