'I just got back from the perfect family holiday, and it was surprisingly close to home.'

My kids are five and three, and I've been feeling like we're stuck in a bit of a rut. It's so easy to get caught up in the weekend routine of school sports and birthday parties — before you know it, half the year's gone by, and you haven't had much quality time together as a family. Throw a cost-of-living crisis in the mix, and it makes it even more unappealing to deviate from routine.

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But here's the thing: my kids are at that wonderful age where they don't need to get on a plane to feel like they've actually had a holiday.

Recently, I decided to make the most of that little fact by taking them on a break in our own city, and honestly? There's so much to explore. You get the win of an affordable trip that's easy to organise, and most importantly, you get to create core memories with your loved ones. Research shows that kids' earliest memories are of family holidays, so I'm making it my mission to take the opportunities to plan getaways whenever I can.

After spending some quality time exploring western Sydney with my family, I'm already planning our next local adventure. Here's what I've learnt about creating the perfect staycation.

Booking a weekend away in a nice hotel can still feel like a proper getaway.

There's something incredibly special about booking a night or two at a hotel. Even when you're just 45 minutes from home, it can feel like a proper getaway.

We stayed at the Pullman Penrith, and it was an amazing experience. Staying in Penrith rather than the city meant we got luxury amenities at a fraction of the cost, and having our car made it easy to explore the broader region.

The novelty of being somewhere new wasn't lost on the kids. We shared a junior suite with two queen beds and spent the nights snuggled up watching movies (and taking advantage of a very extensive room service menu!).

Perfect for snuggling! Image: Supplied.

Of course, the biggest flex of all was the buffet breakfast. We gave the self-serve cereal bar a workout, and honestly, even just not having to prepare a bowl of warm weetbix in the cold was enough to make it feel like a holiday. Sometimes, as parents, it's the little things that make all the difference, right?

The sleep menu meant we didn't have to bring our white noise machine, which also added to the luxurious feel, and the sauna and gym facilities meant we could get some alone time while the other parent was minding the kids. I highly recommend a hotel stay. 

But the best part? We were actually able to have a date night — or at least a nice family dinner. We enjoyed the most delicious dinner (the steak and duck fat potatoes are a MUST) at Marcel, before quickly heading back upstairs when the kids started to lose their patience. 

Given that it's located opposite the Panthers club, there is so much to do and see, and we will definitely be back. Hopefully, we can catch a footy game next time!

Pick activities you'll actually enjoy too.

The great thing about having kids of this age is that with my son becoming a little more independent, we can graduate from going exclusively to places with trampolines and ball pits. Sure, they still have their place, but what parent really enjoys the inevitable back injury that comes from ducking and diving into those germ-infested places?

On this trip, we tried our hand at Aqua Golf, and the kids absolutely loved it. Being outside in the fresh air while doing an activity was a big win for everyone. It's a really affordable activity too, and the buckets of golf balls will last little ones ages. If you're lucky/skilled enough to get a hole-in-one, there are many prizes on offer as well.

We absolutely LOVED Aqua Golf. Image: Supplied.

I'd definitely recommend looking for activities that tick the box for both kids and adults — it makes such a difference to your enjoyment of the day.

Become a tourist in your own city.

While an overseas winter escape would have been high on my wishlist, my finances don't always agree. But by becoming a tourist in our own city, we were able to enjoy a family holiday that didn't break the bank.

Seeing as we usually explore the North or South Coast during the warmer seasons, we decided to head 60 minutes west to visit the Blue Mountains. This meant I finally had the opportunity to head to Scenic World, which has been on my list for the last few years, since they introduced the Gruffalo trail (a favourite in our household). It didn't disappoint. The Gruffalo trail kept the kids entertained and energised, which meant that our time flew by. We enjoyed the fresh mountain air and lush greenery, and as a bonus, the walk was really easy, with wide, flat and pram-friendly paths that the kids were able to walk by themselves — without the usual complaints about being tired or wanting to be carried.

To break up the walking, we also made the most of the rides on offer. We went on the scenic railway, which is in the Guiness Book of World Records as the steepest passenger railway in the world (luckily it goes quite slow, so it isn't too scary), as well as the Scenic Skyway and Cableway, both of which treat you to the most breathtaking views of the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Orphan Rock and the Jamison Valley.  

The best part? I loved it as much as my kids did, but I knew we'd absolutely nailed it when my son came home from school with a drawing of his "favourite memory from the school holidays" — a picture of our family at Scenic World. Core memory locked in. #winning.

I am literally counting the days until we can head back there to explore Dinosaur Valley and Nocturnal experiences.

Animals are always a winner.

A school holiday trip isn't complete without a visit to some sort of animal park or zoo. In preparation, we spent the evening watching the live action Mufasa movie, which was great. This time, we tried out Sydney Zoo, and it was the perfect zoo for families, and particularly those with young kids. The paths are wide, the road is flat, and you can see the whole place in under three hours (did I mention it's flat?).

At Sydney Zoo. Image: Supplied.

We saw tigers, lions, hyenas, giraffes, zebras and, of course, my favourite — a rhino.

Tino, the Rhino at Sydney Zoo. Image: Supplied.

I was lucky enough to have an encounter with Tino (the rhino) that allowed me to get up close and personal with this 10-year-old cutie. There are lots of animal encounters on offer and, for younger kids, camel feeding is a big hit.

The bottom line? Don't underestimate the power of novelty. Even staying somewhere one suburb over can feel like an adventure for kids at times when every dollar counts. The kids couldn't care less about the postcode — they just want adventure, snacks, and your undivided attention.

All in all, it was a great trip out west. I'm definitely going to head back to explore even more — there are so many things to do!

Feature image: Supplied.