In need of a holiday but don't have the time or money? Here are five ideas and tips to make the most of a 'staycation' this winter.

As winter continues apace, we often daydream of the perfect getaway to help us break free from our daily routines.

Sun, sea and sand may sound like the perfect way to unwind, but taking a break from it all doesn’t mean you have to hop on a plane and jet to the other side of the world.

Instead, you can stay close to home and plan the ultimate money saving staycation!

So, if you’re in need of a break, but don’t have the time or money, take a look at our fun filled guide to holidaying at home.  

Learn a new skill 

With holidays come freedom and the opportunity to do the things you’ve always wanted to.

Why not use yours to learn a set of new skills to show off to your friends and family?

With the access to fast speed internet, the possibilities appear endless. We’ve listed a couple of thought starters below:

• Learn to play an instrument; with the likes of iPerform 3D or even YouTube, you could be a pro in no time
• Take an online language course with the likes of Duolingo or Babbel
• Learn to cook with online cooking tutorials on YouTube, Craftsy, and Taste of Home

Don’t limit your options – if there’s something you always wanted to know how to do, there’s a good chance you can find a way to learn it online.

Connect with your neighbourhood 

Have you ever felt as though there’s probably something interesting happening in your neighbourhood but never quite sure what?

You can stay tuned by logging into these handy sites and be the among the first to know what’s happening around town.

• Nabo
• What’s On
• Around You
• Timeout
• Facebook (join local communities)

E-read your favourite books 

Thanks to E-books, wherever you are around your home you can sit back and relax knowing all your favourite reads can be in one nifty location.

You won’t even have to leave home to pick up any available new titles; just download them straight to your chosen device and start reading.

With the likes of Kindle and Kobo, or even a tablet or phone in a pinch, you’ll never be stuck for something to read, so immerse yourself in a novel and let your mind unwind.

Streamathon 

What better way to kick back than with a couple of friends and an all night movie marathon!

Set up your own homemade movie theatre, dim the lights and stream your favourite shows/movies with ease.

Give subscription services like Netflix, Stan or Presto a go; if you’re a new subscriber then there are often discount incentives for signing up, like limited-time free or discounted access, after which most of these subscription services then charge a monthly fee.

Alternatively, via iTunes and the Google Play store, you could rent or buy HD movies.

Just make sure you plan your night in advance – with this many options on the table, you might end up spending as much time deciding as watching!

Glamp in your own backyard (with wi-fi!)

Who said you couldn’t camp in style? Enjoy the outdoors in your own comfort zone.

Invite over a couple of friends, roast marshmallows, download the night sky app and stream a scary movie to a connected device over your own wi-fi network for a tech-filled glamping experience.

Just make sure you rug-up!

Learn new skills online with fast broadband over the nbn™ network. Check out our School of the Screen stories to see how Aussies are finding new ways to learn in a connected world.