To not want to fly to Australia?

[Reluctantflyer]

Our DC is working in Australia for a couple of years, and DH is understandably very keen to visit.
I'd absolutely love to spend time with our wonderful DC and miss them like crazy, but am feeling quite stressed by the prospect of:

A long long flight when I really don't like flying (had bad experience with plane being struck by lightning a few years ago). I've never flown for longer than 5 hours.

Being cramped on an airplane - I can't sleep at the best of times and can get quite anxious in crowded places. A bed would be amazing but business class is £5000+ per seat!

Snakes, jellyfish, crocodiles and dengue fever etc.
Heat and sun- I can't go out in the sun due to previous skin cancer.

The cost- DH thinks there is no point going for less than 3 weeks. We usually go on holiday for a week in Europe so this would be eye-watering by comparison.

Can anyone talk me down from not really wanting to go?
I'm assuming that flying is the only way to go - we can both take 3 weeks off work if needed.

I know I sound like a right curmudgeon, but it was never on my list of places I would otherwise go or spend our limited savings on. I like Scandinavia....

Any tips for making the journey and the trip less awful?

The sunlight really is different! No one understands me when I say this.

For all those dismissing Australia, you do realise that Australia is bigger than the whole of Europe?

Just think how diverse Europe is - perhaps that will give some kind of perspective on what a daft thing it is to dismiss the whole continent!

I daren't tell DH how much it cost to get DS home for Christmas. He's back in Aus now after a fabulous three weeks reminding him of how great 'home' is, so a worthwhile investment!

I wanted to respond to this as the child in this circumstance. I currently live an 11 hour flight from the UK (where my family is) due to work and I have been for a few years and will be for at least a few more years. I miss my family a lot and it would mean the absolute world to me if my mum came to visit me - she can't due to money really. I'd personally feel a bit upset if she decided to go on vacation in Europe (like you're suggesting) instead of putting money to come visit.

To address some of your concerns.
The Flight
I regularly fly 11 hours on planes and I can tell you it's not the nicest but it's not the worst thing in the world + it really is over before you know it. Unless you absolutely have a phobia of flying, I would just suck it up. You don't need to sleep on the flight, just sleep when you get there A few things can make it more comfortable for long haul flights

• Break the journey up. Stay overnight in Dubai/Bangkok/Singapore to break the journey up if you want to. I never like doing this as I'd rather just get the bad bit (the flight) over and done with and be at my destination to spend more time there, but I'm currently considering it for my elderly grandparents as a way for them to come visit me.
• Pay more for extra legroom/Premium Economy/Business class (as your budget allows) - My partner and I pay for extra legroom on each 11h flight we take and it makes the journey way more bearable. You can also try and buy an extra seat so you have room next to you.
• Pyjamas/Comfy clothes. - For night flights I always change into some version of sweatpants etc., that make me feel more relaxed whilst seated.
• Melatonin/Sleeping tablets - Depending on your health/doctor's advice, these can really help.

Dangerous animals.
Incredibly unlikely you'll see any, and you can go out of your way not to see many of them (especially if staying in the city). Additionally, very few people die/seriously injured by animals in Australia and every health facility has anti-venom if the worst does happen.

Sun
Plan to visit in Australian Winter when the sun will not be as strong. Additionally, make sure to always wear a hat and sunscreen (as I'm sure you're aware). I live in a hot climate and the standard really is to just not go otuside when the sun is at its strongest. Additionally, as your visit is about visiting your child, can you not concentrate on spending time with him inside/doing inside activities instead of being outside in the sun?

Good luck, I hope you do end up going to visit your child and you have a lovely time!

If they wear this hat everywhere, it will protect them from all the baddies.
Available at the airport to be prepared.