Last minute Australia trip with 3 kids are we crazy?

[EmsAlIsMa]

So DH and I are not normally the impulsive type. However - my closest friend lives in Sydney, we went to uni together. She has two lovely children and very sadly her husband recently passed away. I desperately want to see her but most of our holidays are booked well in advance.
We have 3 daughters, 2, 4 and 6, they go to a private school where DH also teaches so they have a 3 week break over Easter and we are thinking maybe we go to Australia then??

I've been to Australia before a few times but I was younger, no kids in tow and it was always planned months in advance.

They go on holiday on the 22nd of march and go back on April 15th. Am I crazy thinking we could make this work??

What we aren't sure of is airline and flight times to ease the jet lag. I notice emirates have flights that arrive both in the morning Australia time and the evening - which is better? We can stay with friend so no Accomodation needed.

Are we crazy? Can we do it? Anyone have any advice??

I’d say do it if you’re sure your recently bereaved friend is really up to a family of 5 coming to stay with her for 3 weeks. That’s a lot, for anyone, but please understand she might just not be able to manage with that many people in her space right now.

Even the nicest of friends can be a double edged sword when they head off to bed each night with their husband, or you hear their kids shouting “daddy daddy” joyfully or you watch as their husband takes on one kid or chore allowing the friend to do another …

Would you be able to go in your own for 10 days instead?

She has specifically asked we all come, our kids are similar ages and haven't met so we'd love that!
We were also thinking it would mean we could leave DH with all the kids for a few hours and have some grown up time. Or send him out with the kids and stay in and just have a cry.
Of course we wouldn't consider it if she didn't want it!

Why would it be crazy?

Well it's a lot to plan in a little over 2 weeks, long flight with 3 small children might be the worst thing we ever do and we aren't impulsive generally so totally out of our depth.
Our kids have been the Caribbean and Florida which were long-ish flights but Australia is a whole different ball game!

Then I’d say do it!! It sounds like it would mean a lot to your friend. And sorry if you think I’m accusing you of not being thoughtful, you sound like a very supportive person - but it’s hard hard work being widowed and watching everyone else’s life carry on in the direction you thought you were going in. I’m sure you get it but not everyone does.

But if you don’t do it with 3 small kids then you’d be waiting years to see your friend, I think the flight is worth it!

I also think 3 weeks is a long time to stay with someone recently bereaved and if the kids don't get on, it'll be awkward. I'd stay for a few days then head out to a nearby hotel/air b n b so everyone can relax. It's also be a shame to fly all that way )and it'll be expensive for last minute flights) and not go sight seeing as a family.

Ah this might be a good idea, we weren't sure exactly how we'd split our time while there, so maybe an airbnb to give everyone space might work better.
Like I said - we really haven't thought this through yet so if everyone wants to keep telling what we could do better I'd be so appreciative!!

Yeah do it. I’ve done a 24 hour non stop flight there. But arrived in the morning and o kept falling asleep.

So I’d say arrive evening if you can.

Sounds amazing. Load up their iPads!

I've done the flight twice and arrived in Sydney late afternoon / evening both times. I felt that worked well as I was shattered and able to just go to sleep.
So that might work best.

Nytol every night helped me get over jetlag in about a week.

Go for it, don't overthink the flight times but do look at layovers, I avoid middle of the night ones if I can

Do it. Accommodation won't be two expensive as it's still school term. The weather should.be great. Sydney has plenty of stuff to do. You could also do things like spend a couple of nights further up or down the coast.
If you can do a night at your midway point coming home that might help with the jetlag. That or make sure you have two days at home before work.

What about Airlines - is Emirates our best bet?
We live nearest to Manchester but would happily go to London and fly from Heathrow for a more comfortable flight.

We would probably do premium economy or similar as I think business would be a stretch having not really planned for this!

Get an Airbnb near to her don’t impose yourself on her. They will be all grieving so will need space even if they want to see you.

OMG this is the thread for me! I'm Aussie, live in London, two DC now older than yours but we go back once a year (except in covid), and this year we are going pretty much exactly your dates. Here are my thoughts / tips:

• remember Brits need a visa to go to Australia, so sort that out pronto
• not all airlines will automatically sit families together even for long haul and as you are booking so late you may not have a choice on seat selection. Given this and how close you are to when you want to fly, I'd go to Flight Centre rather than trying to price and sort all the options yourself, and they'll be able to get you seat together if possible
• we prefer leaving during the U.K. morning and landing in Sydney at night as then no matter how exhausted everyone is you just go straight to bed and get over the jet lag more quickly. But I have friends who swear by leaving at night and trying to get the kids to go to sleep on the flight straight away so they at least get some sleep at the start of the trip
• we usually fly Emirates via Dubai and Dubai airport is really good for families with kids and helping you rush through security
• other option is to fly via Singapore/Bangkok/KL/HK or similar. Also fine, means you do the long leg first
• Or Qantas now has a 17 hour flight direct to Perth and then you change and do a five hour flight to Sydney. We are trying that for the first time but I wouldn't be inclined to do it with a 2 year old I don't think - you'd rather have the two flights slightly more evenly distanced for some running around time in the airport
• take plenty of food for the kids for the plane, eg snack bars, crackers, etc, and buy sandwiches at Pret at the airport because they may hate the plane food, even the kids meals, or be so deeply asleep when the meals come that they miss them
• also empty water bottles that you can get the flight crew to fill up for you so everyone gets plenty to drink even if the kids are asleep when the drinks service comes through
• take a set of spare clothes for everyone in your hand luggage and at least double for the two year old - crucial if one of the kids throws up on you mid flight, or tips the meal all over their lap, or of something happens and you get stuck in Dubai or wherever overnight without your bags.
• whatever rules you have as a family about screens, forget about them for the flight. If your DC want to watch Frozen 11 times in a row, let them.
• buy magazines with cheap plastic tatty toys that you won't care if they get lost down the back of the seat at the airport so the kids have something new and novel to play with, and the older ones can do the activities
• wear really comfy but warm clothes - planes get really cold at night. Tracksuits and super warm socks
• loose comfy shoes (ideally trainers) and take your shoes off at the start of the flight for comfort but your feet will swell in the flight and you don't want to be putting tight shoes on.
• you can buy anything you forget to pack in Sydney, but keep in mind it's not a cheap destination.

Have a wonderful time!

Sure why not? I went fur a month with a 20 month old and three year old.
But I agree with others - book an Airbnb.

I would check sky scanner for flight options.

Emirates are great though as are Singapore airlines.

Didn’t like Doha as a transit. Singapore was ok. Much preferred non stop. Sleep , eat, sleep, eat! What are your dc like with boredom or travel?

You're amazing!!
Thank you so much this is all really useful, so appreciative!!

Do you think we are best to get them iPads then as they don't have any right now, and one each at that?

We took DS when he was about 4/5 for a wedding. Went non-stop via Singapore (well, clearly changed planes but didn't leave the airport) on a night-time flight from Heathrow.

I don't think the flight-time makes any difference for kids - it's effectively 24 hours so they'll sleep at some point and be awake for the rest. We arrived early morning, found we were knackered but DS was fine. He then conked out in the afternoon, had a few hours sleep and dinner, and was over it by the next day and fully on Aussie time.

I'd say do it, but I'd echo the Air B&B suggestions. You (and your friend) will both want your own space at various points, and this makes it easier to manage.

And lots to do in Sydney for kids so make sure you fit in some sightseeing!

Don't worry too much about the visa - it's an "eVisitor (subclass 651)" visa and you can get it online in a few minutes. Best of all is it's free, unlike most e-visas (New Zealand charges about £30). Go to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651 and click on "Apply".

Regarding jet lag, I don't know if the arrival time makes all that much difference because the difference is so huge. Currently Sydney is 11 hours ahead of London. During the week from 31 March to 7 April it will be 10 hours ahead, and from 7 April onwards it will be 9 hours ahead. Get as much sleep as you can on the plane (easier said than done for and with the kids, of course) and try to start running on local time as soon as you arrive.

I wouldn't get the kids iPads specifically for the flight. They are another thing to lose and/or need to charge up, and the plane will have a decent selection of entertainment. Just using that will be a fun experience for them. Plus a 2yo will probably drop theirs a lot, and you're meant to call the cabin crew when that happens in case the battery has got bent and catches fire.

Another tip for the plane is that even when the lights are down and meal service is over, the crew often have a few treats available (mini Kit-Kats, juice etc).

Oh, and find out about drop bears before an Aussie tells your kids about them. 😉

My niece is currently here from the UK and flew Manchester - Doha - Brisbane, she prefers that to going all the way to Heathrow.

Then down to Melbourne with me.

Drop bears?? Enlighten me!!

You'll have to ask an Aussie, I'm afraid. Only they can tell it right. Don't trust Google. 😉

@EmsAlIsMa I would get your kids a kindle fire (whatever the top spec one is!) each, reasonably priced and really kid friendly.