Permission to Pike

If you’re tired of New Year’s Eve parties, fireworks and the thumping headache the next morning, why not ditch the countdown and try something different this year? Stay at home, have a quiet night in and forget about all the hype – celebrate New Year’s DAY instead. You’ll feel completely refreshed, skip all the lines at the café, have the road to yourself and start the new year without any morning after regrets.

Here are our tips for the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Day.

1. Destination Lunch

The best part about this day-trip lunch is while everyone else is in bed feeling sorry for themselves, you’ll have free reign of the roads. No traffic. No congestion. No road-rage. You might even get there on time!

Plan your trip to suit the weather – the coast or inland? Bather’s Pavillion in Balmoral, NSW is a fabulous restaurant to dine-in or get take-away from their top-notch kiosk and sit and eat in the beautiful gardens, beachside. The Lakehouse at Daylesford, VIC never disappoints and it’s just a short trip from Melbourne, while Frangos at Lorne (also VIC) offers a relaxed lunch atmosphere while you overlook the beach. Make it an escape and stay the night!

2. The Beach

A trip to the beach is a cheap and easy way to relax and unwind as you prepare for the year ahead. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Better still, leave the menu to someone else and order a hamper! Be sure to get there early to secure your prime position and enjoy a day of nothing – relaxing and laziness, food and drink. You are on holidays, remember.

3. Giddy-up

If you’re keen for something a little more exciting and fun-filled, why not celebrate 2014 at the races? The first race day for the year is at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne and offers a fun day out for the family. There are free pony-rides, outdoor games and stalls to keep the kids entertained – while you enjoy a civilised beverage or a festive punt.

4. Open House

We promise this suggestion isn’t as terrible as it sounds. Invite your friends and family over for a New Year’s Day brunch or lunch. Keep it relaxed by using an ‘open house’ format where attendees can come and go as they please – there may be some that have partied through the night! Ask guests to bring a plate of food to share – this means you won’t have to do any work but offer the venue for the day.

As more people seem to be ditching the countdown and staying at home on New Year’s Eve, this gives everyone something fun to look forward to.

5. It’s Showtime

Last on our list is a trip to the theatre, so check out what’s on in your city. In Melbourne, King Kong is playing on New Year’s Day in the evening, so book a ticket and enjoy a fun night out with the family. In Sydney, The Lion King is in town.

So whether you book a matinee performance or something exciting for the evening, welcome in the New Year with something cultural. Book your tickets now so you don’t miss out.

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