Backpack to Santa Monica

Backpackers looking for things to do while staying in Santa Monica need look no further as the town has lots of activities planned for the coming winter months. The first thing you need to check out while you're on holiday there is the pier's 100th anniversary celebrations on September 9th. The first firework display on the jetty for 18 years will be taking place, which means that it will probably be a good one. The Santa Monica construction - which took 16 months to build - is one of the last remaining structures of its kind along the Gold Coast so, even without the fireworks, it would be worth going to see. You might also recognise the carousel which was featured in the film, The Sting. If you don't make it to the September event, the pier is open 365 days a year and provides entertainment of other kinds each day, from musicians to artists.

Other than that, there's the Museum of Flying - found at the airport - which is planned to be reopened in December. Apparently, it's managed to acquire two planes - replicas of a Wright Flyer and a Lockhead Vega - from the movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. They will be on permanent display so if you don't go on your first trip to Santa Monica, you can see them again when you next visit.

Another museum soon to open is the Santa Monica Historical Society museum which will be the first in the town to exhibit the area's art, culture and history. Displays will include a virtual rollercoaster - modelled on the pier's original Whirlwind Dipper - and a touch screen map of the region.