Have a Go Day returned to Burswood Park yesterday in another spectacular celebration of active, positive ageing — and what a day it was! Organised each year by the Seniors Recreation Council of Western Australia (SRCWA), the event brings together organisations from across the state that support health, wellbeing, social connection and lifelong learning. With an estimated crowd of over 10,000 visitors, this year’s festival delivered its biggest and liveliest turnout yet.

Villa Carlotta Travel has proudly taken part in Have a Go Day for more than 15 years, and 2025 was no exception. As always, it was a wonderful chance to reconnect with our regular travelers, welcome new faces and introduce people to the world of worry-free, fully hosted holidays.



What is Have a Go Day?

Have a Go Day is SRCWA’s flagship event, created to encourage seniors and over-55s to stay active, engaged and socially connected. The day showcases a huge variety of activities, clubs, demonstrations and community services — all designed to promote healthy ageing.

Visitors could try their hand at everything from tai chi, archery and rowing machines to dancing, bocce, arts and crafts, technology workshops and more. Health services, community groups, lifestyle brands and travel providers set up stalls across the park, giving attendees endless opportunities to explore, participate and “have a go”.

A Full House of Exhibitors

The event brought together an impressive range of stallholders and community organisations. Fitness clubs, hobby groups, volunteer associations, medical services, regional tourism bodies and recreational organisations were all represented. Many demonstrated activities on-site, while others offered information, guidance and resources to help visitors stay active and engaged throughout the year.

The atmosphere was upbeat, energetic and wonderfully inclusive — a true reflection of WA’s vibrant seniors’ community.

Villa Carlotta Travel at Have a Go Day

For our team at Villa Carlotta Travel, Have a Go Day is a highlight of the year. It gives us the chance to speak directly with travellers and potential travellers, answer questions, share itineraries and hear firsthand why people love exploring the world with Villa.

Michelle, Marnie and Matt — affectionately known on the day as the “M&M’s” (because they were Meeting, Mingling and Motivating from morning till close!) — were kept busy from the moment the gates opened. They spent the entire day chatting with a steady stream of past and future passengers, many stopping by to share stories from tours, get advice on destinations or simply enjoy the friendly company.

We were thrilled to offer an exclusive $100 discount on selected tours for those who visited our stall. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and many guests took the opportunity to plan their next getaway.

Why Events Like This Matter

Travel plays a powerful role in healthy ageing. It keeps the mind active, encourages social interaction and provides opportunities for physical movement, creativity and exploration. Whether it is walking through a national park, joining a cultural workshop, meeting new friends on tour or simply enjoying the change of scenery, travel contributes to overall wellbeing.

Have a Go Day celebrates exactly these values — staying active, staying curious and staying socially connected. Villa Carlotta Travel’s participation allows visitors to discover how group touring can enrich their lives, offering:

• Social interaction – Travelling with others builds friendships and camaraderie
• Mental stimulation – New destinations and experiences keep the mind sharp
• Physical activity – Light walking, nature experiences and gentle exploration help maintain mobility
• Purpose and excitement – Planning a holiday gives people something wonderful to look forward to.
• 
  

The alignment couldn’t be clearer: both SRCWA and Villa Carlotta Travel are committed to helping seniors live life to the fullest.

A Big Thank You

To everyone who visited us at Have a Go Day 2025 — thank you. Your stories, enthusiasm and laughter filled our stall all day long. We always feel honoured to be part of this community event and look forward to another wonderful year of travel, companionship and adventure.

Until next year’s Have a Go Day, we hope to see you somewhere on the road — exploring, discovering and, of course, having a go!

Congratulations to Alex Alban - the winner of our $300 Villa Carlotta Travel Voucher!