Little Escapes: Why Our Day Trip to Bairnsdale Was Just What We Needed

My Thoughts

Bairnsdale

Sometimes, life just feels a little…grey. You know that feeling? The week stretches out ahead, responsibilities loom, and you just long for a change of scenery, a breath of fresh air. That’s exactly how I was feeling the other day. Luckily, a little voice in my head – or maybe it was Dave nudging me – suggested a day trip. And honestly, it was the perfect antidote to the midweek blues.

Yesterday, my partner Dave, our furry companion Ziggy, and I piled into the car and set off for Bairnsdale. It’s only about an hour and forty minutes away from us, which is ideal for a day’s travel. The weather gods were smiling down on us; it was a beautifully crisp day, not too warm, with just a hint of sunshine breaking through the clouds. The drive itself was gorgeous. We wound our way through rolling hills and past fields starting to show the vibrant greens of early autumn. Already, I could feel myself unwinding, the everyday stresses starting to fade into the background.

On the way home, we decided to pull into a rest area for a quick break – and of course, to let Ziggy stretch her legs. Oh my goodness, what a lucky find that was! This wasn't just your average roadside stop. We were suddenly surrounded by towering woods, the kind where the trees reach high into the sky, their canopies creating a dappled shade on the forest floor. It was such a pretty place, so unexpectedly serene. Ziggy, being Ziggy, was immediately in her element, sniffing at every tree trunk and bush with boundless enthusiasm.

Dave and I took the opportunity to have a quick coffee from our thermos, and sat on folding, wooden chairs, that we carried in the back of the car. Sitting on the grass munching on some homemade biscuits, sipping our steaming coffee, and just breathing in the stillness of the woods was incredible. There was something calming about being surrounded by the big, tall trees near us. The air smelled clean and earthy, and the only sounds were the rustling leaves, the cars on the highway muffled by the shrubbery, and Ziggy happily sitting nearby. It was such a lovely, relaxing pause in our journey, a moment of pure tranquility that I hadn't realized I so desperately needed. It felt a million miles away from the usual rush of our daily lives, even though we were technically still 'on the way' to somewhere.

Refreshed and invigorated by our woodland interlude, we continued on our way home. Having been to Bairnsdale itself we reflected on what a charming little town it was nestled on the banks of the Mitchell River. We also passed through another quaint little town called Stratford on the River Avon, which reminded Dave of Stratford-upon-Avon in England, where he is from, and I was reminded of a town called Stratford and the river Avon in New Zealand, where I am from.

As we made our way back home, we decided to stop in Sale, a city about 40 minutes from our home, and buy a bag of Chinese takeaway for our dinner. Neither of us had, had Chinese for a long time, so we really looked forward to eating it that night.

The drive back was just as lovely, the scenery bathed in the golden light of the late afternoon. We chatted about our favorite parts of the day – the unexpected beauty of the rest area, Bairnsdale itself, and just the simple pleasure of being out and about together.

Arriving home, I felt that wonderful sense of contentment that comes from a day well spent. It wasn't a grand adventure, no exotic locations or adrenaline-pumping activities. It was just a simple day trip to a nearby town, punctuated by moments of quiet beauty and shared enjoyment. But it had worked its magic. That little grey cloud that had been hovering over me had completely dissipated, replaced by a feeling of lightness and renewed energy.

It truly reminded me of the power of these small escapes. You don't need to book a week-long vacation or fly to the other side of the world to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery, a few hours away from the routine, to hit reset and come back feeling like yourself again. And as the saying goes:

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."

That little travel adventure, that simple day trip to Bairnsdale, was a perfect reminder of that. It wasn't about escaping life, but about embracing it, appreciating the simple pleasures, and making sure that life, in all its beauty, doesn't pass us by. If you’re feeling a bit ‘blah’, I highly recommend planning your own little escape – you might be surprised at just how much good a day trip can do.