Surviving the Switch Off with a family getaway to Glenworth Valley

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang

On the weekend we particpated in the 24 hour switch off. We shut ourselves off from the outside world: no phones, no email, no facebook, or internet.

We actually did it for longer than 24 hours and loved it.

I have no problem switching off from the outside world. I’ve spent most of my life doing it travelling. In fact, I’d rarely be connected if it wasn’t for this travel blog.

I love escaping and not being able to be found.

Switching off is much easier if you get away from your normal environment. Travel is what always helps me willingly and lovingly disconnect. I know that if I was at home, with the phone, the computer and the gadgets staring at me I would have struggled.

Switching off at Glenworth Valley

We went to Glenworth Valley, a very special place here on the Central Coast, only an hour’s drive north of Sydney. We were filiming video for Central Coast Tourism and had the best time. It was Savannah’s first camping trip and she loved it.

Clap hands for camping

We slept in a tipi, went horse riding, kayaking, abseiling, and quad bike riding. Kalyra had her first real horse ride and was so so adorable.

Craig’s parents came to hang out for the day to help with the kiddies while we did the non-child activities and filming.

Kalyra learned how to make a fire and we got back to basics cooking over hot coals and sitting around the campfire, chatting under the stars with a couple of bottles of Shiraz. It was perfect.

Daddy daughter fun

Spending such quality time together with no outside distractions helped me to appreciate just how funny and cute my daughters are, how wonderful my husband is, and how beautiful and serene my country is.

We did break the Switch off for 10 minutes on the morning it began, but for two very important reasons.

1. We did not have enough firewood or warm blankets for our camping trip and needed supplies dropped into us. I call this a survival phone call so it’s okay.

2. My sister had a baby girl, so I of course had to phone her to say congrats. (Yay I’m an Aunty again.)  You cannot ignore a precious new baby girl being born into the family.

To be honest, I have been having a lot of switch offs lately. We did on our recent Carnival Cruise and I did last week on my camping trip to the River Red Gum Forest. As I said, if travel is involved I find it easy to do.

The hardest part is coming back to the real world and having to deal with the work that piled up while you checked out. Believe me the relaxed state soon disappears, but at least you have the memories of your switch off to stay with you forever.

My final thoughts

I think everyone should take time, at least every month, to switch off from the connected world around you and reconnect with family, friends and nature.

Get back to basics for a day. You will not regret and will remember just how wonderful real living is once again.

Kangaroo Island is a place of untouched beauty where you can go and do this whenever you choose. You can still enter their competition to win a trip to Kangaroo Island via their fanpage.

I recommend making good use of the time and travelling while you switch off, it is the perfect excuse and the perfect way for you to enjoy life.

Always works a treat for us!

How do you switch off?