Some trips are about ticking destinations off a list. Others quietly reshape the way you move through the world long after you return. For actor Shreya Dhanwanthary, her time in Australia belonged firmly
to the latter. What began as a holiday unfolded into a deeply sensory journey, one shaped by vast landscapes, unexpected encounters, and moments of stillness that asked her to slow down and truly be present.
“This trip made me slow down. It made me more adventurous. It made me feel present in every moment,” she says, looking back with a sense of wonder. Across red deserts, glowing night skies, close-up wildlife encounters, and unforgettable dining tables, Australia revealed itself to her not just as a destination, but as an experience that stayed with her.
A Place That Changes You
Shreya had visited Australia twice before, but the Northern Territory felt entirely different, almost surreal. Uluru wasn’t just a landmark; it became a turning point. Seeing it from the sky was overwhelming, but standing before it as the sun deepened its red hues felt powerful and humbling. She fell quiet, unable to fully articulate the emotion. “It’s almost spiritual,” she says. “You feel small in a good way, like you’re part of something much older.”
Experiences like the Field of Light installation and the Wintjiri Wiru storytelling journey deepened the desert’s magic, teaching her what it truly means to pause and allow a place to speak.
Where the Wild Comes Close
In Canberra, at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Shreya came face-to-face with a cheetah, an encounter charged with equal parts awe and nerves. Initially unsure about such close interactions, she found the experience grounding. Canberra’s wildlife sanctuaries offer a rare opportunity to step into nature’s world, where encounters feel personal and deeply humbling.
The sight of kangaroos hopping freely across the outback stayed with her long after. These moments were raw and unfiltered, reminding her that nature isn’t always neat, curated, or predictable, it is alive, powerful, and full of surprises.
The Little Things That Travel Back Home with You
Melbourne subtly changed the way she packed and travelled. A city of style, street art, and unpredictable weather, it demanded sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and layers at all times. She also left space in her suitcase for discoveries, and Melbourne delivered. Shreya returned home with local fashion finds, chic boots, cosy board games, Pawpaw ointment, and a generous stash of Tim Tams, small souvenirs of a city that lingers with you.
A Country That Encourages Possibility
Travel in Australia doesn’t follow a straight line. Plans shift, and often the best moments are the ones you never planned for. “It reminded me that every moment has potential,” she says. “You don’t always have to control the day. Sometimes, you just let it unfold.”
A quiet breakfast can turn into an unexpected wildlife sighting. A wrong turn can lead to a horizon you’ve never seen before. The light changes. The sky changes. And, slowly, you change with it.
A Culinary Awakening
One of the biggest surprises of the trip was Australia’s culinary culture. Shreya dined at chef-hatted restaurants, met teams behind globally celebrated culinary names like Clare Smyth and Mark Best, and discovered flavours that made her want to slow down and savour every bite.
So memorable was the experience that she created a dedicated reel just for the food to remember not only what she ate, but how each meal made her feel. Travel often shifts perspective in small, unexpected ways, and for Shreya, Australia sparked a new appreciation for cooking, craft, and the pleasure of unhurried dining.
What Lingers After the Journey
When asked what stayed with her the most, Shreya speaks of a feeling rather than a single moment. “It reminded me not to rush through life,” she says. “To always leave room for adventure. To allow the unexpected. To stay present when something beautiful is happening.”
That sense of wonder travelled home with her, a renewed trust in spontaneity, a deeper desire to explore the unfamiliar, and a gentler way of moving through life. Australia wasn’t just a trip. It was a shift in how she wants to live. And if someone asks her why they should visit, she smiles and says, “Go. Say yes to everything. Let the experience change you.” Or, as Australia likes to say: Come and say G’day.
