30 for 30 - Living life with no regrets!

Ok, so this isn't travel related, but something that I thought would be nice to share. Plus there are some items on here that do involve travel! So, a friend of mine turned 30 a few months before me and she did a list called her '30 for 30' list. It was a list of things she wanted to do in the year that she was 30. In actual fact, it was just a list of things she wanted to do, period. But, the idea of putting them down on a list and having a time frame meant that she actually did them! I enjoyed watching her tick off things on her list so much, that I thought, why don't I do this too!

I highly recommend everyone does this, not just for your 30th but every year and maybe just have 5 to 10 things on your list. It is a great way to tick off those things that you have always wanted to do, but keep putting off. I personally didn't get all 30 things do in the one year, but definitely tried to!

So here is my '30 for 30' list:

1. Cirque du soleil

I had always wanted to go to a Cirque du soleil performance because people I know had been and raved about it. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and was in awe of the talent of the performers and also bewildered at how they get into some of those positions!

2. Aqua duck tour

The Aqua duck is this weird duck shaped 4 wheel drive/boat that drives around the Gold Coast and then drives into Boardwater to begin the river cruise part of the adventure. I had always seen it when I had gone to the Gold Coast and always wanted to give it a try. My sister, brother in-law, two nephews and my Grandad came with me and as the website say, we had a quacking time! My nephews even getting a turn to drive the boat.

3. Holiday in Asia

My friend Hannah was going on a trip to China, so after a swipe of my credit card, I also booked the trip. It was a trekking trip on the Great Wall of China and an incredible experience. You can read all about it in my blog: China Part 2 - Trekking the Great Wall.

4. See a show at Draculars

'Draculars' is a horror-themed cabaret dining experience on the Gold Coast, Australia. I had always seen signs for it and growing up around the theatre I thought it would be worth seeing. My sister and I went but we weren't very impressed, it was quite slap stick

and seemed like you really needed to have drunk a bit to find it enjoyable.

5. Do another 10km run

Up until my 30th, I had only done one 10km run. I had been doing Parkrun (a free organised 5km run) ever Saturday for a few years and decided that I should do another 10km 'fun' run. Interesting that they call if fun, 10km is quite hard when you're used to half the distance. Anyway, I am pleased to say I completed the Bridge to Brisbane 10km! The aim was under an hour and I did 56.44 Very happy considering I was had been in a moon boot 3 months prior! Thanks to my awesome little sister who kept me going.

6. Go on a hot air balloon

I had already parachuted in my 20s so I thought I would take it down a noch and try hot air ballooning! This is such an awesome experience, it is just so silent (except when they pump more hot air into the balloon) and beautiful as you gently hover over the landscape. I did it with my friend in the Gold Coast Hinterlands. It was very picturesque and we end saw some kangaroos below us. The landing was interesting though as the hot air balloon lands on it's side, so that the balloon doesn't fall on top of everyone. This means that you end up lying on your back in the basket when you reach the ground. Our balloon actually did a few hops before stopping, so that was an interesting experience.

7. Have a teppanyaki dinner

These nothing like getting an egg or spoonfuls of rice thrown right at your face and calling it dinner! Having teppanyaki was a fun experience watching the chefs entertain you as they cook your delicious dinner. Definitely something I would do again.

8. Ride a jet ski

Luckily for me, my cousin and her husband owned a jet ski! So, they took me out one weekend to the North Pine River, just north of Brisbane and I had a great time being a passenger. Then they gave me a go...let's just say, I did the slowest donut know to man, maxing at about 5km/ph.

9. Laser

Weird one on the list, I know, but seriously this was definitely worth it as I no longer have to shave my underarms! Winning!

10. Horse riding on the beach

This one is one that I wasn't able to fit into my 30th year, I had gone too crazy with everything else and it just got a bit too expensive. UPDATE: I finally went horse riding on the beach! It may have been 7 years later, but I did it! I did this one with Equathon Horse Riding along Noosa North Shore. It was a beautiful day and a lot of fun.

11. Play a game of putt putt again

Putt Putt is always something that reminds me of my childhood so I thought why not try it as an adult too! I went to Victoria Park Putt Putt and I tell you what, it was dam hard! I still enjoyed it though.

12. Paint another traffic signal box

This is something that I had been intrigued about as you see these little pieces of art all over Brisbane city. When I looked into it, it is actually open to anyone to apply to paint through Artforce. You apply and if you are lucky to be accepted you then submit your design for approval. Once approved, they supply you with paint and safety gear and off you paint! I had painted one the year prior and really wanted to do another. Update: I have now painted three traffic signal boxes and one Energex box.

13. Go to Fraser Island again

I had been to Fraser when I was younger and really wanted to go again. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do this one in my 30th year. Make sure you don't try to pack too much in in the year, you'll run out of weekends or funds! I did however go again in 2019. You can read all about it in my blog: K'gari (Fraser Island) with Sunrover Tours.

14. Go to Moreton Island again

When I mentioned this one to a friend she was more than happy to come along. You can read all about it in my blog: Mulgumpin (Moreton) Island.

15. Do another canvas painting

My sisters and I did this together at Cork & Chroma, a place where you do a painting class and BYO your own drinks and nibbles. It was a fun night and we all have the same painting (with our own personal twists) that we hang in our homes.

16. Be part of a flash mob

I found a group that was learning the thriller dance to preform a flash mob at an event called the 'zombie walk'. I talked a few of my friends into doing it too and we joined the walk where everyone dresses as a zombie (not on my list, but now something I can say I have done 🤪. This would have been really weird sight (or maybe scary if you have seen a lot of the Walking Dead) to see if you didn't know what was going on in the city. Imagine coming to Brisbane for the first time and seeing zombies getting off public transport and walking through the streets! Anyway, with torn clothes and fake blood splatted on us, we broke out in dance. I had practiced as much as everyone else but I still had two left feet and missed a few steps, definitely a fun experience though! If you want a laugh, check out the video, some how I ended up in the front row 🤣.

17. Get a caricature

While in Melbourne I went to the Queen Victoria markets and was able to get a caricature done there, was fun to see how someone else portrays you, the artist gave me a huge smile!

18. Get a tattoo

So, this one I kind of chickened out on and, luckily for me, my sister had decided to try out doing Henna and I still got a tattoo, just a not so permanent one. She is also a really talented drawer, so it looks great too!

19. Have a degustation dinner

This one was interesting, food was accessional but because it was a degustation each of the 8 dishes were quite small and some of them were so good, I could have had a whole plate just of that. Not sure I would do it again or just order one really delicious meal.

20. Do an escape room

The escape room we did was to de-arm a bomb, it was a fun experience and definitely got the heart racing to try and solve the puzzle before the allocated time. It is also a bit stressful as it is very out of the box thinking, definitely something I will try again!

21. Go abseiling again

Another one that I unfortunately didn't do in my 30th year, I did abseil again when I went climbing in Portugal in 2021, you can read all about it in my Blog: Portugal (being written).

22. Do a cooking class in Asia

This one worked out well as I decided to go with my friend Hannah to China, so we did a noodle and dumpling making class there. You can read more about this awesome experience here.

23. Do a makeup lesson

A friend bought a voucher for her and I to do a makeup course on the Gold Coast. Did I mention that this list gives people great ideas for presents! Plus, most of them mean you spend quality time together too! I got a lot out of this class as I only every usually wore eyeliner. Although I still don't wear makeup everyday, this class showed me how to put it on for special occasions and how important primer and lip liner can be...two things I hadn't even heard of before the course!

24. Cake decorating class

My lovely sister bought a voucher for her and I to do a cupcake decorating class. We learn how to make a good butter cream as well as fancy flowers out of fondant.

25. Helicopter ride

Another great present I was given because friends and family knew I had my 30 for 30 list! As I was going down to Melbourne, I was given a voucher to go on a helicopter ride over the Great Ocean Road! What a place to do it! I had driven the Great Ocean Road before but seeing it from above was something else. Being in a helicopter is also very fun!

26. Watch a musical

This was a do again kind of thing, I have been to quite a number of musical in my lifetime, but it was something that I hadn't done in a while and decided it should go on the list. I was very lucky and my friend Lauren had a spare ticket to see Cats. So that was 'watch a musical' ticked off my list. Thanks Lauren!

27. Learn the sum 41 dance

Just going to leave this video here so you can see what this is! Haha, definitely not pros but we did it! Props to the girls for doing it with me!

28. Go glamping

I was able to tick this one off when I did number 14 - Go to Moreton Island again. These glamping tents were even equiped with their own bathrooms!

29. Go to an all you can eat yum cha

In theory, this is a great idea, right?! But in actual fact, I think we ate the same amount that we always do when we go to yum cha, aka TOO MUCH! However, at least the price was capped and not a huge shock at the end when you go to pay. My little nephew definitely enjoyed trying all the different types of yum cha! For those that don't know, yum cha is basically Chinese entree items that you consume large quantities of to get a full meal (mostly you eat more than that)! Think dumplings, spring rolls, pork buns, sticky rice, chicken feet and more. You even get some desserts like coconut jelly and egg custard tarts, both highly recommended!

30. Go to a shooting range

Not sure why I wanted to do this one, neither the less, it was fun, a bit strange and very loud! I don't think I would do this again!

Published Oct 2015, Updated Oct 2022