ahoyne9After an unforgettable stopover in Singapore, Katy and I boarded another Singapore Airlines Business Class flight—thanks again to Air Canada’s Aeroplan stopover perk. This redemption allowed us to tack on a second luxury flight to Perth for just 5,000 extra miles, making our dream journey even sweeter.
✈️ Why Perth?
I chose Perth because I’d visited before and genuinely love the vibe—laid-back city energy meets some of the best beaches in the world, in my opinion. This part of the trip was meant to be a bit slower-paced. I needed to catch up on work remotely (the price of traveling with a 9–5), but at least I was able to reclaim PTO I’d previously cashed in.
🏨 Staying in Scarborough: Pullman Hotel
We stayed at the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough, a perfect beachside retreat about 25 minutes from downtown Perth. I used my Capital One Venture X $300 annual travel credit to cover the stay—so while not technically “free,” it essentially offset the credit card’s annual fee. Win-win!
We spent our evenings walking along Scarborough Beach, grabbing food from local cafes, and catching sunsets from our balcony. Nothing fancy—just chill time.
✈️ From Perth to Brisbane: Qantas on Points
Our next leg took us across the country to Brisbane. I booked this Qantas flight with British Airways Avios, transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards. It cost just 10,000 points + $33 per person in taxes and fees—a great value for a domestic Australian flight.
🎯 Why Brisbane?
Brisbane was a strategic stop to break up the journey to New Zealand. The goal? Spend a few days relaxing on the Gold Coast. But, as travel luck would have it, a cyclone rolled in, and it rained the entire time.
🏨 Luxury Stay at IHG InterContinental Sanctuary Cove
Despite the weather, we made the most of our time thanks to our incredible stay at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove, located just north of the Gold Coast.
I booked four nights at 36,667 IHG points per night, using the points I received after buying Diamond Elite status during a December IHG promo. The promotion cost me about $800, but it also included bonus points that covered this stay. And that Diamond status? Total game changer.
✅ Free daily breakfast for two (estimated value: ~$35 per person/day × 4 days = ~$280 total)
✅ Room upgrade to the Queenslander Suite (typically sells for $400–$500+ per night)
✅ Late checkout and priority service
This was one of the most upscale and relaxing resort experiences we’ve had—despite the gloomy weather!
🐾 Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Even in the Rain
On March 3rd, we headed to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, about 45 minutes from our hotel by Uber ($40–$50 AUD). General admission costs $59.95 AUD per adult ($40 USD).
Even though we got absolutely poured on due to the cyclone, the sanctuary was 100% worth it. We had the chance to feed kangaroos, see koalas, and walk through beautifully maintained natural enclosures. If you’re ever on the Gold Coast, this place is a must-visit for animal lovers.
🌴 Final Day: Rainy But Restful
On our last full day in Australia, we stayed at the resort, made use of the pool and spa (before the next wave of the storm came in), and just relaxed. This quiet moment of stillness was a gift before hopping on our next flight—this time to Christchurch, New Zealand.
🧳 Final Thoughts
Perth gave us that classic Aussie beach vibe, and while Brisbane brought more rain than sun, the luxury stay at Sanctuary Cove and our up-close encounter with Australian wildlife more than made up for it.
Next stop: New Zealand—a country I’ve been dreaming of revisiting since attending University there from 2019 – 2020.
Cheers!