Holding out for a holiday at the end of the year?
As you’re reading this, I’m packing my bags and boarding a flight bound for Sydney for a quick weekend getaway… simply because my feet were getting (metaphorically) itchy, and I couldn’t wait any longer to have a holiday! Some ‘me’ time.
When we last spoke – in Travel To-Do’s: Your September Surprises – we discovered a ruined Spanish castle in Cairns, a historic monastery town near Perth, and Australia’s largest international display gardens in Hunter Valley.
This month, there are a few more surprises in store, and new destinations that you’ll want to tick off your list ASAP!
Your travel to-do list for October
Heart-racing thrills at the Gold Coast 600 // French indulgence
Want to see some racing action, but not up for a trip overseas? This weekend, the Gold Coast plays host to the V8 Supercar racing event, the Armor All Gold Coast 600, one of the few places in the world with a track next to the beach. If you’re staying in one of your WorldMark resorts in Surfers Paradise, then you will be right in the thick of it all!
If watching cars drive in circles isn’t how you picture spending an ideal day, head to nearby Broadbeach on Saturday for macaroons and the best almond croissants this side of the Pacific, at the Mme Grenouille French patisserie. Yum!
Cuddle exotic animals at Australia Zoo
Tired of patting the same kangaroos, koalas and wallabies at every animal attraction? I’m not (I love all animals), but there’s no need to brave the Amazon if your tastes are leaning towards something a little more exotic.
Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, QLD, offers plenty of exciting animal encounters– like walking tigers, playing with lemurs, and cuddling echidnas. Feel like putting a wombat on a leash and taking him for a leisurely stroll? No problem. Want to pat a tortoise? Sure.
Or, to save your moolah, you can hand feed Asian elephants twice daily for free. To save even more money, your WorldMark Travel Club currently has a hot deal for 2 adult admission tickets to Australia Zoo & accommodation for 4 nights in your resort at Golden Beach… but you didn’t hear it from me 🙂
Boast about a ghostly experience in Ballarat
Though the holiday isn’t formally celebrated in Australia, Halloween is an excellent excuse to uncover the country’s rich heritage, spellbinding tales and beautiful Gothic architecture. I’m talking, of course, about Ballarat, Victoria. ‘Ghost’ tours are led by professional historians, so discover Ballarat’s past – the Gold Rush era, the Eureka stockade. Oodles of atmosphere!
Tip: Get a fine dining and walking tour package for something a little bit extra
Tip 2: Stay in your historic resort and estate in Ballarat (pictured above) for old-country charm.
So did anyone tick any items from last month’s list? What about this month – are you planning a trip to see some of these sights? Leave a comment below!
And don’t forget – keep your eyes peeled for your November list of travel to-do’s!

Connect with Ilona on Google+
Ilona compiles that treasury of Owner tips and memories known as the MyStory blog. She’s discovered so much to do at our WorldMark South Pacific destinations from you all, that her ‘must-do’ list has grown at an alarming rate. In returning the favour, she will be sharing some of her travel tips, secrets and curiosities here every fortnight…
Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast images above are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Hi there, nice to meet you online. Nice post, well done 🙂 I like your blog and followed you! Maybe you like my blog too… I blog about travels, health and well being, exercise and photography. If you like you can also follow me on Facebook to stay in touch: http://www.facebook.com/CarolineBakkerBlog
Warm regards Caroline