'This hidden coastal town only 2.5 hours from Sydney is the perfect place to recharge.'

I made a mistake this year. Winter rolled around, and I didn't have a holiday planned. While everyone else was sipping limoncello poolside in Italy, I was forced to watch it unfold via Instagram stories at home in my 17 layers.

Cue the inevitable case of Seasonal Burnout.

I knew I needed to take a day (or a few) off ASAP, but thanks to our mate cozzie livs, I wanted to avoid my getaway breaking the bank. Luckily for me, my happy place is only a 2.5 hour drive from home.

I'm from Cronulla, so the South Coast has always been my family's holiday spot of choice. You can imagine my surprise when I grew up and found out that some Sydneysiders are used to travelling North and have never experienced the bliss that is Jervis Bay. 

Image: Supplied.

Our town of choice, Currarong—in my biased opinion—is the perfect place to recharge. With only one shop, a handful of locals and an endless supply of beaches, it's the kind of place where you really have no choice but to slow down.

And while I'd be happy to sit outside with a book until my annual leave runs out, I do try to make an effort when I'm down the coast and pack it full of wholesome activities to maximise my reset.

So, if you too are in need of a few days of TLC for the soul, here's my itinerary for the ultimate weekend in Currarong.

Watch: Modern Etiquette: Travel. Post continues after video.

Make the most of the drive.

First thing's first. One of my favourite parts about the South Coast has always been the drive down from Sydney. Not only is it the most picturesque, there are plenty of cute towns along the way to make a quick pit stop.

For me, Berry always takes the crown for 'best stopover'. Park the car, stretch your legs and stroll around Berry's historical buildings and cutesy shops. I'll never skip a trip to Few and Far to sniff the candles, and Berry Bon Bon for a bag of freckles. After all, road trip = lolly shop, right?!

For lunch, pop into Milkwood Bakery for their beef bourguignon pie (trust me on this one) and then of course, a hot cinni from the famous Donut Van for dessert.

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Now your tummy is sufficiently filled and soul equally nourished, you're ready for the trip ahead. 

Go for a dip at Long Beach.

If you've only got a few days in Currarong, choosing which beach to visit can be overwhelming, and at times, stressful. 

So let me make it easier for you: Beecroft Weapons Range (I know, intense name, but stay with me), sits right at the entrance of the town, and is basically a one-stop shop for three stunning beaches. 

My personal favourite is Long Beach. It's a 2-kilometre stretch of squeaky white sand, so it's the perfect place to sprawl out for the day without feeling like you're sitting on someone else's lap. The water is crystal clear and you'd be lucky to spot any waves, so it resembles something of a lake. TBH, my favourite kind of beach. 

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Chuck some drinks and snacks in an esky, fling a few chairs in the car, and head down for an afternoon of doing absolutely nothing. 

Try a prawn roll at Jim Wild's Oysters.

Tucked just around the corner from Currarong is a seaside town called Greenwell Point. Home to award winning fish and chips, and down by the Crookhaven River you'll find a handful of oyster farms with the freshest prawns and (you guessed it) oysters you can find.

Jim and co. make a mean prawn roll that everyone deserves to experience at least once in their life. Plus, it costs about a third of what you'd pay for the same thing in Sydney, if you're lucky enough to even find one as good.

There's beer and bubbles on offer too, which feels like the only appropriate pairing for a relaxing arvo by the water.

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Walk the Wreck Walk to Wilsons Beach.

A breath of fresh air always fills my cup. If the weather permits, put on your walking shoes and follow the Wreck Walk from Abrahams Bosom Beach out to Wilsons Beach.

It's an easy, picture-perfect walk through the bush with ocean views, swimming spots, and cliffs to perch and whale watch. There are even the remnants of an old shipwreck if you make it to the end.

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Pack your togs because Wilsons Beach makes it hard to resist a swim even in the thick of winter.

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Head to Huskisson for a bevvy.

If I haven't made it clear enough, Currarong is perfect in my eyes. But when it comes to grabbing a drink, it's fair to say your options are limited. So you may want to venture out for the day to explore more of Jervis Bay. Or just search for the area's best Aperol. 

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I'd encourage you to drive on over (or catch the ferry from Myola) to Huskisson and park yourself at the famous Husky Pub for a cocktail and a pizza.

Grab a sweet treat at Alma's Currarong Kombi Cafe.

Breaking the fourth wall for a second—I'm writing this quickly because I'm already jealous of my past self, sitting at Alma's in Currarong with a coffee and a slice of cake in hand.

Nothing quite says 'recharge' like a sweet treat (especially for breakfast), and these are truly some of the best in the biz. Priscilla, one of the owners, bakes each cake/slice/bagel by hand throughout the week and, trust me, you can taste the LOVE.

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Open until midday on the weekends, you can order your coffee then pop yourself on the outdoor chairs in the front yard to enjoy your brekky in the morning sunshine.

Before you head back home, make sure to try the coconut lemon slice or raspberry brownie. Thank me later.

So if you've been toying with the idea of some time off to reset, consider this your sign. A visit to Currarong is simple, it's wholesome, and it's exactly what I need when life feels a bit too loud. 

Opt out of the airport chaos and fill your petrol tank instead for your next mini-break. You might even find this little pocket of the South Coast is the happy place you just didn't know about yet. 

Feature Image: Supplied.

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