A Tale of Wonders- Arun’s Family Escapade to Australia with Thrillophilia

Shining like a million stars, the cityscape of Melbourne was something that appeared to have come right out of a dream. We were standing atop the Eureka Skydeck with ice cream in our hands, and the entire Melbourne sparkled right before us. We all knew that our 15-day Australia trip with Thrillophilia was going to be an unparalleled experience.
Our itinerary was packed with tours, adventures, and excursions. Although we had read about the destination before coming here, being present before these wonders of the world made our legs tremble with excitement. My kids were especially curious to visit the Sydney Zoo and the Great Barrier Reef, and my wife was looking forward to visiting the MCG Stadium and going for the hot air balloon ride. I, on the other hand, was hell-bent on self-driving through the Great Ocean Road.
With all these plans in mind, we approached Thrillophilia after reading their reviews for international trips. Their itinerary seemed like a fair deal, and the cost was reasonable as well. So we decided to finally lock the deal.

Activity 1- Hot Air Balloon ride in Yarra Valley
As we stepped onto the basket of the hot air balloon, I felt an unreliable feeling of confidence. And as the balloon started to rise, so did my anxiety level. But only when the balloon had reached its optimum height in the air and I could see the broad horizon stretched out before me, my heartbeat slowed down and I was finally able to breathe in the cool air.
Everything below us seemed tiny and the forest areas seemed to blanket most of the scenery making us realise how insignificant we are in the face of nature. The Yarra River, the bridge, the railways, everything that seemed to be so grand from down below, now seemed to have lost its charm. The trees and the sky, on the other hand, seemed to have a greater dominance.

Activity 2- A Visit to the MCG Stadium
My wife was ecstatic to know that it was included in the itinerary. Never before had I seen her so happy, grinning and hopping like a child in the memorabilia gallery of the stadium. She is a big fan of cricket, and it was always her dream to explore all the major stadiums of the world. This was her first one off the list, and she was way too thrilled.
The best moment of this tour was when we all stood in the middle of the field, looking at the encircling seats and the massive stature of the place. The flashlights turned on, and it was as if we stood in the spotlight. It was a feeling worth sharing with my wife, although I knew that she was perhaps feeling the same thing with thrice as much intensity. The kids, on the other hand, were awe-stricken to be there and to be honest, it was funny looking at their faces.

Activity 3- Snorkelling to see the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system which is home to millions of sea creatures. When we dived into the water to witness their beauty, we were taken aback. The world underwater was magical, with colourful corals and schools of fish painting a scenery unforgettable. The blue ocean and the rainbow-like corals stood in such contrast with each other that no picture could do justice to the sight.
It was the first snorkelling experience for my kids, and I just wondered if they would like any other from now on. The bar that this experience set for them was so high that it was unlikely that any place else could beat it.

Activity 4- Self Drive tour to the Great Ocean Road
It was perhaps the best thing that happened on the trip. We all drove around the Great Ocean Road with the lush forest to our right, the azure ocean to the left, and the road snaking ahead of us like the ripples of time. I wished for the moment to just freeze there, holding the serenity and peace together forever. That day we were supposed to go to multiple beaches, so we decided to carry a picnic basket with us to savor a lunch by the coast.
At Gibsons Steps, the kids ran around as if there was no end to the shore, and at Loch Ard gorge, the mesmerising sea mounts stood like markers of time and tide. Apollo Bay showed us what the true colour of turquoise looks like, and the sunrise at Twelve Apostles proved to us that there is no better place than nature to truly connect with the people you love.

Activity 5- The Night Show Cruise Dinner Boat Ride on Sydney Harbour
Hands down, it was a marvellous experience to have in the heart of Australia. The Sydney Opera House looked like a giant lotus standing in the middle of the water, and the skyline boarding the harbour sparkled in a way that seemed like the galaxy had descended on Earth.
Dinner that day was all about local dishes like Meat pies and Lamingtons, and we relished every bite of them while humming to the tunes of folk music performances on board. It was a lovely time to spend with my family.

Activity 6- Feeding Kangaroos and Gorillas at the Sydney Zoo
The kids were particularly excited about the part where they could literally touch and feed the kangaroos with their own hands. Although they were a bit scared at first, with time they grew quite comfortable. They enjoyed it so much that they started to whine about taking one of the kangaroo kids back home, and the only way to distract them from this demand was to take them to the giraffes and koalas. And it worked like magic! All in all, it was a great experience to have with my family.
So, if you ask me how the trip went, I would first say it was noteworthy. But on second thoughts, it was life-changing for the entire family as a team, as partners, as parents, and as humans.
Read More: Thrillophilia Australia Reviews