After more than 10 years in the travel industry, Shannon still genuinely loves and enjoys her job. When she’s not at Chirn Park HQ helping to make our clients dreams to come alongside the best team in the business, she gets to be out exploring the world making her own travel dreams come true!

Her career began as a Group Travel Specialist, coordinating everything from regional sporting teams celebrating a successful season with a weekend away, to large-scale interstate travel for hundreds of athletes competing at national tournaments. It was fast-paced, detail-oriented, and an incredibly rewarding challenge to bring all the moving pieces of their trips together.

After becoming a mum, Shannon returned to a more support-focused version of this role, working behind the scenes to help the travel advisors deliver seamless travel experiences. She especially loves the planning, organisation and logistics management that allows clients to simply relax and enjoy their trip without any stress. She describes it as an incredibly rewarding experience knowing that you’ve had a hand in a trip of a lifetime.

While Shannon had previously travelled to international destinations including Hawaii, New Zealand and Thailand, it was a trip to Japan in 2015 that truly ignited her passion for exploring the world. The country’s unique culture, incredible food and warm hospitality left a lasting impression, and to this day Japan remains her favourite destination.

After welcoming her second daughter during the COVID-19 lockdowns, travel naturally took a back seat for a few years. As life returned to normal and their girls grew older, Shannon and her husband knew they wanted to share their love of travel with their children. There was no better place to start than Japan, returning for a memorable multi-generational family holiday that allowed three generations to experience its magic together.

That trip reinforced Shannon’s belief that travel creates some of life’s most meaningful memories. It also sparked a love of adventure in her daughters, who are now always excitedly suggesting where the family should travel next. Experiencing the world through their eyes has given Shannon an even greater appreciation for family travel and the lasting connections it creates.

While Shannon loves exploring the world, she firmly believes some of the most unforgettable travel experiences can be found right here in Australia. From iconic landmarks to hidden local gems, she’s passionate about encouraging others to discover the incredible destinations we have on our own doorstep.

One experience that will always hold a special place in her heart is watching the sunrise over Uluru while exploring the Red Centre – an unforgettable reminder of Australia’s natural beauty and rich cultural significance. Closer to home, some of Shannon’s favourite moments have been watching the sun set over the hinterland from Mt Tamborine, seeing dramatic rainstorms roll across the Whitsundays from Hamilton Island’s One Tree Hill, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, and spending an evening stargazing from a tent in Warwick. For Shannon, these experiences are proof that you don’t always need to travel far to create extraordinary memories – sometimes the most remarkable adventures are waiting just around the corner.