Relish the sunshine and balmy air of the Australian spring on the new 27-hole Greg Norman-designed course at The Eastern Golf Club in Melbourne, Victoria, opening on Oct. 16. Play and stay at Yering Gorge Cottages next to the course in the gorgeous Yarra Valley setting. While you’re there, head to Warrnambool for whale watching, or visit the Middle Island penguin colony where the famous Maremma dogs guard the penguins from marauding foxes. Later, treat yourself to lunch or dinner at historic Proudfoot’s Boathouse, established in 1886, where executive chef Christopher Grace’s modern cuisine is delivered with striking views of the Hopkins River

North America’s gardens may have wilted, but until Oct. 6 visitors to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival can revel in colorful blooms. The festival takes place in the town of Silvan, close to Melbourne in the Dandenong mountain range. An annual event since 1954, the festival showcases more than 120 varieties and 100,000 blooms, with plenty of food and live music. Victoria also boasts a number of exceptional culinary experiences, including the new Tram to Market walking tour featuring Queen Victoria Markets. New restaurants include clean-food emporium Hunter’s Roots, 5 & Dime Bagels and Mr. Huang Jin. Don’t miss fine dining venue Brae, where chef Dan Hunter was named Chef of the Year by Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine.