2022 Travel Plans: A Tale of Cautious Optimism

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I’m feeling cautiously optimistic as I sit down to write my 2022 travel plans. After two years of absolute pandemic mayhem, sitting at home in lockdown and Australia’s borders being closed to international travel, it does feel like there is a glimmer of hope.

However, with Omicron raging around the world, we’re not out of the pandemic woods just yet and I’m certainly venturing out with care.

For now, the first half of my 2022 travel plans are firmly focused on domestic exploration, with the hope that the second half of the year may bring a little more joy of International travel.

Read my travel round up for 2021.

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January

Melbourne and the Blue Mountains

With state borders open and no travel restrictions between Sydney and Melbourne any longer, I once again have access to my family! This means my 2022 travel plans kick off with a couple of Melbourne trips this month to make up for lost time.

I’ll also be headed to the iconic Blue Mountains of New South Wales for a weekend away with friends this month. January is shaping up to be full of fun.

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February

Home in Sydney

There’s really no better place to experience the last throes of summer than at home in Sydney.

This month, I’ll be soaking up the summer sun with lots of beach walks, rooftop bars and a little bit of local exploring.

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March

Mudgee

I’ve had to carry over a weekend away in Mudgee from last year’s travel plans since we ended up in lockdown!

This little wine region in New South Wales apparently punches well above its weight for food and drink, so I’m excited to finally get to experience it as part of my 2022 travel plans.

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April

Sydney

April is Matt’s birthday month, so we always try to stay close to home so he gets a big celebration.

And we are headed to the Crowded House concert in Darling Harbour this month – one of our favourite bands, so we’re very excited.

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May

Launceston

Last year in May, we snuck away to Hobart in Tasmania for a few days. This year, I’m eager to get back to our most southern state, but this time to explore Launceston and surrounds.

There is a fantastic sparkling wine trail in the area as well as quaint little villages and the stunning Cradle Mountain is only a couple of hours away.

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June

Snowy Mountains

Another one continued on from last year – our snowboarding holiday was cancelled due to lockdown, so I am desperately hoping that we’ll be able to dust off the winter gear and hit the slopes this year.

We plan to stay on Lake Jindabyne and get the ski tube up to the slopes everyday.

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July

Jenolan Caves & Blue Mountains

In winter, there’s nothing better than cosying up by a roaring fire at night and The Blue Mountains has plenty of B&B accommodation that offers this hygge up in spades. I’m also eager to head out to the Jenolan Caves to explore one of the oldest cave systems in the world.

When I first visited, my photography skills were pretty average, so I’m keen to get out the camera and take some stellar shots of this beautiful region.

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August

Cairns

It’s been a while since Aussies have been able to travel to Queensland and the pull of the tropical north is magnetic.

I’m eager to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore the Daintree Rainforest using Cairns as a jumping off point.

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September

Canberra

I’ve been saying it for years, but I absolutely must tick off the last of Australia’s eight states and territories from my list.

The city of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory has flourished from a government region to a hub of museums, galleries and memorials that has to be experienced.

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October

Melbourne

With my mum and sister’s birthdays both falling in October, I’ll be headed off to Melbourne to celebrate with them.

I’m also hoping to get to some of my favourite restaurants and maybe even squeeze in a trip to the National Gallery of Victoria since it has been a long time since I’ve been able to pop in.

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November

Newcastle

It’s been some time since I’ve been to Newcastle and I remember this lovely town as having beautiful beachside walks and plenty of great food to enjoy a weekend away.

An easy day trip from Sydney or a perfect weekend getaway, this trendy town is well and truly on my radar for a return trip.

December

Europe

I’m hoping to be able to embark on my first international trip in nearly three years and explore the many iconic Christmas markets of Europe this year.

This trip has been on my bucket list for quite some time, so I’m hoping that by this stage, COVID won’t be a determining factor and I’ll be able to finally experience the whimsy of drinking hot wine amongst the snow and fairy lights in some of Europe’s most beautiful old towns.

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Read my travel plans from previous years

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