An Aussie Love Affair: Shashank’s Australia Trip Review with Thrillophilia
When Shashank, a software engineer, decided to take a much-needed break with his partner, they set their sights on Australia.
The couple wasn’t sure what they were looking for—a dash of adventure, some downtime, or just a breather from their hectic lives.
But one thing they knew for sure: it had to be fun. And, with a little help from Thrillophilia, their journey to Australia turned into a memory-packed adventure full of laughs, thrills, and moments – the one they never saw coming.
From Sky High to Sea Deep
“Honestly, I thought the flight to Brisbane would be the most relaxing part of our trip,” Shashank laughs as he reminisces.
But their adventure had only just begun. Brisbane welcomed them with its laid-back vibe, but it wasn’t long before the couple was headed for the thrill-packed Gold Coast.
“Movie World was like walking into a childhood dream,” Shashank grins. His partner, however, had her sights on the roller coasters. "I think she screamed louder than the ride itself," he chuckles.
One of their favourite moments? Well, it was getting soaked at Seaworld. “We thought we'd stay dry, just watch the dolphins and sea lions do their thing,” Shashank recalls. “But we didn’t expect to get completely drenched during the jet boat ride!"
The adrenaline rush, mixed with belly laughs, made it a day to remember. "By the end, I was clinging to her, trying not to fall overboard while she was pretending to be the captain!"
For their next leg, they swapped the city’s glitz for Cairns’ natural beauty. “We’ve all heard about Australia’s landscapes, but the Scenic Rail and Skyrail? That’s next-level stuff,” Shashank says, his eyes lighting up.
Flying above the treetops, with the rainforest stretching beneath them, felt like floating in a different world. “At one point, I think we just stopped talking and enjoyed the silence and the view.”
But it wasn’t just the skies that captivated them. The next day, they took to the waters for a Green Island Tour.
“It was unreal. We were snorkelling in crystal-clear waters with the Great Barrier Reef below us,” he says. For someone who spends most of his time behind a computer screen, it was a welcome change.
“I’m not exactly a pro swimmer, but seeing her dive in so gracefully, I had to follow. The fish, the colours—it was like swimming in a live painting.”
A Love Letter to the Ocean
As their journey continued, Shashank and his partner found themselves on the iconic Great Ocean Road, soaking in some of the most breathtaking views Australia has to offer. “It felt like we were driving through a postcard.
Every turn had another jaw-dropping view," he shares. “We had lunch by the ocean, and it was perfect. We just sat there, with the waves crashing, and I remember thinking, 'Why didn’t we do this sooner?'”
The road wasn’t just about scenic stops, though. Shashank’s partner, always the curious explorer, insisted on a detour into the rainforest. “We ended up wandering through ancient trees, and I swear, the place had its own magical energy," Shashank says.
For lunch, they sat with their group (as it was a group tour) at a cosy restaurant overlooking the ocean. Shashank recalls the laughter they shared with other travellers. “It’s funny, you meet people from all walks of life, and suddenly you’re all sitting together, sharing stories over fish and chips. It was so fun.”
Penguins, Koalas, and the Surprises
And the last leg of their journey took them to Phillip Island, where things took an unexpected turn.
“We thought we were going to see a few penguins and call it a day, but Phillip Island had so much more in store for us,” Shashank says, shaking his head with a smile.
The Koala Conservation Center turned out to be one of the highlights. “You think you know what a koala looks like until you’re standing a few feet away from one, watching it munch on eucalyptus leaves.”
Churchill Island gave them a glimpse of Australia’s quieter, pastoral side. "It was refreshing," he admits. “We’re city folks at heart, but watching the sunset over the farm, with nothing but sheep around us—it made us want to slow down, if only for a bit.”
And then came the grand finale: the Penguin Parade. “Oh, man. Those little guys,” Shashank laughs. “I didn’t expect to be so emotionally invested in penguins, but here we are.”
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the couple sat quietly on the beach, waiting. Slowly, from the edge of the sea, hundreds of tiny penguins waddled their way up the shore.
“We were both so captivated that we barely said a word. It was just us, the penguins, and the waves,” he says. "If you'd told me a bunch of penguins would be the most romantic part of our trip, I’d have laughed.
But there we were, holding hands and whispering, ‘Look at that one!’”
A Bag Full of Memories, and Maybe Some Sand
As their trip came to a close, Shashank couldn’t help but reflect on how the journey had changed them. "We came here with no plans other than to have fun, but Australia, with all its unexpected beauty, gave us so much more,” he says thoughtfully. “There’s something about being out of your comfort zone that brings you closer together.”
With their bags packed and hearts full, the couple boarded their flight back home, but not without a few souvenirs—both tangible and intangible.
“We may have come back with some fridge magnets and a lot of sand in our shoes,” Shashank jokes, “but we left with memories that we’ll laugh about for years.”
Australia, with its blend of adventure, wildlife, and soul-soothing nature, had given them more than they’d bargained for. And as they touched down in Sydney, they realised they were taking something even more valuable home—a renewed sense of adventure and a deeper bond with each other.
“The real thrill,” Shashank says, grinning at his partner, “was sharing it all with her.”
A perfect journey, booked by Thrillophilia, had turned into the trip of a lifetime. "Next time," Shashank adds, "we’re going even more adventurous. Maybe New Zealand? Who knows?"
Read more: Thrillophilia Australia Reviews