Discovering Australia with Family: Arun's Thrillophilia Review of a Memorable Trip
As we began planning our long-awaited family vacation, we wanted to find a destination that offered both adventure and relaxation. Their team provided great suggestions, and after considering everything from the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney's landmarks, we decided Australia had the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
Thrillophilia helped us tailor the itinerary to include the must-see destinations, ensuring we didn’t miss any highlights. What I loved most was how well they balanced it - plenty of fun adventures for the kids and enough leisure time for us parents to recharge.
Exploring the Gems of Melbourne
Our trip to Australia started in Melbourne, and we began our sightseeing tour with a visit to the Eureka Skydeck in the evening. Over there, we got the chance to admire great views of Melbourne’s cityscape. It was a perfect way to begin the trip and appreciate the beauty of the city from the top. We also had a great time clicking pictures of each other at the conservation deck.
The next day, we visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Being a huge cricket fan myself, it was a great experience for me and my kids. The guide gave us a detailed overview of the stadium's history and the major events held there. We got to see various memorabilia and hear about the legendary players who made their mark at the MCG. Standing on the field and walking through the stands really gave us a sense of how important of a venue it must be for Australian sports.
Afterwards, we set out on a drive along the Great Ocean Road, which is popular for its spectacular coastal views. We made stops at the Twelve Apostles, which were much larger than we had expected. We also visited Gibson Steps, where the powerful ocean waves crashed against the cliffs, creating stunning scenery. The Great Ocean Road drive allowed us to experience some of the best views of the coastline, with stops at Loch Ard Gorge and Apollo Bay along the way.
Balloon Rides and Mountain Exploration
One of the highlights of our family trip was the hot air balloon ride over the Yarra Valley. We woke up early to grab the opportunity, and it was worth getting up for. As it lifted into the sky, it gave us a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the vineyards and valley below. The whole experience was calm and peaceful, and it was a great way to see the area from a new perspective. After landing, we enjoyed a nice breakfast, followed by a wine-tasting session. Just like the destination experts from Thrillophilia had mentioned, exploring the Yarra Valley went beyond the hot air balloon rides. My wife and I immersed ourselves in a wine-tasting tour where we enjoyed some of the local varieties.
Next, we made our way to Mt Buller for a day of mountain exploration. The drive to the mountain was scenic, with plenty of greenery and winding roads. Once at Mt Buller, we spent the day walking around and taking in the views. The area had a peaceful atmosphere, and we enjoyed the chance to relax and take a break from the busy city life. While we didn’t participate in skiing, we still had a good time exploring the surroundings before heading back to Melbourne in the evening.
To Impressive, Iconic Sights
In Cairns, we went on a full-day cruise to explore the Great Barrier Reef - and it did not disappoint. We went snorkelling and saw an impressive variety of marine life, including colourful fish and coral reefs. It was a unique experience, and we were glad to have had the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. The boat also had a buffet lunch, which gave us a chance to refuel before heading back out to the water for more exploration.
From Cairns, we travelled to the Gold Coast, where we visited the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Here, we got the opportunity to interact with some of Australia’s most popular animals. We fed kangaroos and held a koala, which was undoubtedly the best part of the trip for my kids. My wife loved how the sanctuary also offered educational information about the animals and their habitats, making it both enjoyable and informative.
Finally, we reached Sydney, and there was so much to see. One of the first things we did was tour the Sydney Opera House. We were guided through the building, learning about its history and design. Without a doubt, the Opera House amazed us with its architecture - and it looked way better in person than it did in the pictures. We also visited the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where we had a chance to walk along and take in the views of the city and the Opera House.
During our time in Sydney, we also took a full-day tour of the Blue Mountains. Our guide told us how it was a famous spot among travellers because of its beautiful natural landscapes that included cliffs and waterfalls. We spent the day exploring the area and learning about the indigenous culture and history. It was a good way to see more of Australia’s diverse scenery.
We wrapped up our time in Sydney with a night cruise around the harbour. The boat ride gave us a chance to see the city’s skyline illuminated at night, and we had a nice dinner while enjoying the views. Our last stop was Bondi Beach, where we spent time walking along the coastal path and enjoying the views of the beach.
All in all, our time in Australia was incredible. A big thank you to Thrillophilia and their expert team for crafting an itinerary that had something special for every member of our family!
Read More: Thrillophilia Australia Reviews