Wallace Family Wanted Down Under Revisited

For most families, moving to the other side of the world is

a once-in-a-lifetime decision.

But what if you've done it before, only for things to end in disaster?

In 2011, the Wallace family resurrected their dream

of moving Down Under for the second time.

Two years on, we'll find out where they are now.

The first time the Wallaces tried the move Down Under,

it ended in disaster.

I went to work while we were in New Zealand,

and Ben decided it was a surfing holiday!

We were arguing a lot and I decided to divorce Ben!

But in 2011, the couple remarried and, determined to make

a fresh start, looked at emigrating for a second time.

Everything's gone that was in the past

and just look to the future instead.

But old habits proved hard to break.

I want to go surfing when I can, basically, not when I'm allowed to.

Two years later, which side of the world are Ben and Amanda living on?

Leopard doesn't change its spots!

Australia's sunny climate and 16,000 miles of scenic coastline

have long been a draw for Brits looking for a new start abroad.

For most families, emigrating is a once-in-a-lifetime event,

but for some, even when it goes wrong, the promise of a better

life is so strong they risk everything for another go at it.

The Wallaces were hoping Australia would give them

the family life they dreamed of.

Two years ago,

they spent a week experiencing the reality of living Down Under

before deciding whether to move to the other side of the world again.

Today, we'll find out what happened next.

In 2011, the Wallaces's trial week began with

the journey across three continents.

They flew 10,000 miles before arriving in Sydney.

Despite their long trip,

the family felt positive about what was to come.

Flight was lovely. We're here now.

We're just waiting to see what's going to happen

-now for the rest of the week and be looking forward to it.

-Yeah.

Just see what Sydney has to offer, and hopefully,

the weather will stay dry!

They'd arrived in the Australian winter

but were hoping for a warm welcome Down Under.

Back in the UK, the Wallaces were living in Newport in South Wales.

Amanda and Ben had recently celebrated their marriage

for the second time.

'Today means the world to me.'

I'm married to Ben again and we're a proper family again.

Life for the Wallaces hadn't always been this rosy.

In 2005, they'd emigrated to New Zealand with their daughters,

Aimee and Libby, in search of a better future.

But when it came to expectations of life Down Under,

they didn't see eye to eye.

I went to work while we were in New Zealand,

-and Ben decided it was a surfing holiday!

-No, I didn't.

-I struggled to get work, basically.

-You did not!

-I did!

There was plenty... There was loads of work.

-You just preferred to do other things.

-I beg to differ on that.

After just a few months, the Wallaces had returned to the UK,

where matters got even worse.

We came back, tried to give it another go. We were arguing a lot.

And I decided to divorce Ben!

But the Wallaces defied the odds and got back together again,

and once the family was reunited, Ben and Amanda's thoughts

quickly returned to the dream of moving Down Under.

Come on, girls! Beach!

This time, they believed Australia could give the girls

a brighter future.

All we want to do is give the best we can for them, basically.

And if you can't do that for your children,

then there's nothing you can do, really, is there?

We'll do anything for them.

And while the Australian surf was clearly a draw for Ben,

it was also a big pull for the girls.

Because of the warmth and temperature in the water,

in Australia, then, I'll be able to go and surf a lot more.

I want to be by the beach and I want to go surfing when I can,

basically, not when I'm allowed to.

Because of their previous endeavours to emigrate,

the Wallaces had an awful lot riding on this second attempt.

Will we work out together, you know? Will we end up divorcing again?

You never know. You can't foresee what the future holds.

You've got to look, you know, at the now and at the moment in time.

That is the way forward. Um... You know.

Who knows what's round the corner?

So had the Wallaces learnt from their previous experience or

were they heading for stormy waters all over again?

Home for the week was Sydney, Australia's largest

and most famous city.

With a gorgeous setting and fast pace of life, it's a

magnet for immigrants from all around the world,

but did it deliver the new start the Wallaces were hoping for?

They spent the week in the suburb of Manly,

a seven-mile drive north-east of Sydney,

and their search for a new future started with a two-bedroom cottage.

Did it give them a good taste of what Australian living could offer?

-And the sun's out.

-Oh, this is lovely.

-And it's warmed up.

I love... Just the noises out in the garden.

-It's lovely.

-Yeah. And the smells.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Nice blue sky as well.

-They'll be coming round here for a barbecue, won't they?

-Mm.

It's really nice. Really like it. Yeah.

I doubt if we'd be able to afford anything like this.

Can I go to sleep now?

Finding a warm bed might have been top of the list right then,

but huge decisions lay ahead.

The Wallaces believed the right house in the right location

was key to their plans to move Down Under.

But living in one of the most expensive cities in the world

wouldn't come cheap, so how did their wallets handle the strain?

In 2011, the Wallaces were living in Amanda's three-bedroom

house in Newport in South Wales.

Ben owned a two-bedroom house which he rented out,

and the Wallaces were very clear on what they wanted Down Under.

We don't want a big house with a swimming pool.

I'd rather a small house close to the beach.

The plan was to finance the move by selling both their properties

which would give them a total budget of £270,000.

We gave them a taste of the Sydney property market, showing them

three options based on what they wanted from their ideal home,

what they could afford and the real price of property Down Under.

After seeing what was on offer,

we revealed to the family just how much each one cost.

Finding a house close to the beach was high on the Wallaces's

wish list, but the price of coastal properties in Sydney proved

to be an eye-opener.

The first property was in Brookvale,

just a few minutes' drive north of Manly and close to surfing beaches.

A two-bedroom apartment could be cost-effective for the Wallaces,

but did it get things off to a good start?

Oh, this is nice.

-Nice-sized kitchen.

-Mm.

-It's not too bad.

Yeah, but this would be a living room and dining room.

-Whose bedroom is this?

-Yours.

-Nice walk-in wardrobe. It's all for me.

-Right, so this would be...

-Second bedroom.

-So it's two bedrooms.

This is not ideal but...

-It is nice. Might even have to share a double bed.

-At a push.

-Mm.

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

-What do you think?

-Well, I like it, but it's a bit small.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

To be sharing with your sister.

With a very quick tour over, the girls hang out on the terrace

while Amanda and Ben check the price.

Did this cheaper option fit with their £270,000 budget?

-Shall we have a look?

-Go on, then.

Here goes!

Oh! £267,000.

Judging by those gasps, it appeared Ben and Amanda had been

encouraged by the price, if not the space on offer.

If we could find a three-bedroom, we might be able to afford... Yeah.

So really, really impressed.

I'm quite shocked. Really shocked at that.

The second stop was another new apartment.

Located further inland in the Frenchs Forest area,

it could have shown the Wallaces what they stood to gain

if they were willing to live further from the beach.

Was this modern Aussie pad right for them?

-Wow!

-Wow! Big! I like the paintings.

-I like that.

That's different, isn't it?

I mean, it's more modern than we've ever had before, but it's nice.

-Yeah, it's really nice.

-It's my taste.

-It's your taste, is it?

-Is it? Bit like your dreams?

-Yes.

So Aimee approved, but would just two bedrooms

keep everyone else happy?

-Now, this is lovely.

-It is nice but it is just two bedrooms.

Once again, things looked a little cramped,

but there was plenty of room out on the terrace.

That's a nice view.

-Oh, this is big.

-This is lovely.

-Wow! That's a big balcony.

Despite the size, this apartment looked the part,

but was it going to be more or less affordable than the first property?

-Ready?

-So let's see.

-Oh!

-Dear me! 386,000!

We might have to just think about moving away further from the beach.

Even though this is further than the last one,

it might have to be that that's what we compromise on.

-So long as I'm with you and the girls...

-Ah!

..anywhere will be fine.

Ben was in a noble mood,

but was he really able to give up his dream of a surfer's lifestyle?

With the second property well over budget,

everything now rested on the Wallaces's final stop.

Getting the right location

and size was clearly going to be tough in Sydney, but what about a

property in the right location that needed a lot of work done to it?

The third property was a traditional weatherboard house,

but was it big enough for the Wallaces's needs?

Oh, it's big.

Nice fireplace.

-Quite a nice size, isn't it?

-Yeah.

It's dated and it'll need work...

But not a lot. It's only cosmetic.

It was a promising start,

and Ben had a plan to find that all-important extra bedroom.

If we made it open plan and turned that into a bedroom...

We could have three bedrooms.

Because this...you don't need it as a dining room or a study.

Outside, the walled garden provided

plenty of space for the family's surfboards.

But did the price of this house provide answers or more questions?

-Shall we have a look?

-Go on, then.

£450,000!

For a doer-upperer!

You know! Well...

I suppose on par with other things in Manly or Manly Vale

or around this area. We knew it would be that sort of price.

Disappointed, that's all.

That was way over budget.

Was the dream location simply out of reach,

or did they find a silver lining behind all those zeros?

Doesn't mean it's over.

If there's this in the centre of Manly, what is there further out?

-Right. It's not the end of it yet.

-No.

-Not the end of your dream, is it?

-No.

-To live by the beach.

-Yeah.

House-hunting had been

an eye-opening experience for the Wallaces.

The first property was too small and soon ruled out.

The second had the looks but it came with a big price tag.

And the last house was ideally placed but wildly over budget.

So, which way would they vote on houses in Australia?

-UK!

-Australia!

I'm in the middle!

-Why?

-Because the apartments and houses we've seen today

don't suit our needs.

-Agree with you...

-And they're far too expensive in this area.

I've gone half and half,

because of...obviously we won't be able to afford to live in Manly

but there is other areas on the east coast,

and going up towards Brisbane as well, that

we could look at and research and look to live there, maybe.

And it's cold in Manly!

Finding an affordable property in Sydney looked beyond reach,

but if they could agree to compromise on location,

a new start could still be on the cards.

Sydney's sky-high prices had been a real shock to the Wallaces,

and their Aussie dream was left hanging in the air.

Any life in Sydney was going to be expensive, so everything depended

on Ben and Amanda being able to find good work opportunities.

In the UK, former nurse Amanda worked in health recruitment

and was earning £27,000 a year.

But she wanted to get back into a nursing role in Australia.

I'm looking to get more clinically involved again

in the role of a nurse.

Either practice nursing, which I've done in this country,

or occupational health nursing, which I've done in this country as well.

I don't particularly want to have to work full time over in Australia,

erm, that's going to be left to Ben!

Property manager Ben was a little more open

about what he wanted to do.

I'd be looking to do anything, basically.

As long as I had an income, I'm not particularly worried.

So, anything, sort of surveying, facilities management,

asset management type job, I'll be looking in those areas.

As Amanda headed out to explore her work prospects, she was keen

for her family to avoid the mistakes of their last experience Down Under.

I'm just hoping that things are going to be different.

Ben is going to hopefully be more motivated and he hopefully has

grown up a little bit more in the last five, six years, to realise

that, to actually get this sort of lifestyle, you have got to work.

As the main visa applicant,

we arranged for her to spend the morning on a maternity ward.

Unit manager Isabel showed her the ropes.

So this is the postnatal ward.

We've got 20 beds, 12 rooms,

some rooms are single rooms.

I think there's four or five single rooms,

and the rest are two beds in each room.

Across town, Ben was exploring his work options.

It took me such a long time to find work in New Zealand.

I sort of went there with the wrong attitude, really.

That did sort of grind on Amanda because she was working from day one

from being there, so, yeah, it was a big issue.

And I wouldn't want that to happen again.

I would like to find work before I come out this time.

For Ben, the ideal job would have been running a surf shop.

To find out whether it was a practical option,

he spent the morning at Manly Beach.

Store manager Gerard McCallum gave him the lowdown on the business.

-How are you, mate?

-Ben.

-Gerard. How's things?

What can you tell me about your business, then?

What we do here, there's a few different sides to the shop.

You've got new boards, second-hand boards, we do rentals,

repairs, wet suits.

Ben was keen to get down to figures.

So, the big crunch question is,

what sort of salary would you be looking at?

You'd be looking around 40 grand a year,

-so it's about 800 a week before tax.

-Right, OK.

You do have to put in quite a lot of hours, being retail,

but definitely, you're going to have to put in some weekend hours,

because that's when everyone else isn't working.

Yeah, that would be your busiest day, wouldn't it?

-Right, that's great, Gerard, thanks.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-See you again.

-See you, mate.

-Bye.

What a place to work.

Across a road and on a beach, into the water.

That would be a dream for any surfer, I suppose.

Back on the ward, Amanda was also getting down to financial matters.

What's the salary like over here?

-Roughly 90,000...

-Gosh!

-..a year.

-That's a lot.

That's double what I'm on now.

Oh, wow, that's good, good for you.

It looks like Amanda could earn around £60,000,

which was welcome news, but were there any vacancies?

There seems to be a shortage of midwives,

so I'm sure you would be right!

-Lovely.

-Yeah.

Had Ben and Amanda been won over by working in Australia,

or would they rather stick with the UK?

We've had an interesting day today, finding out all sorts of different

things about jobs we could do over in Australia, and now it's time to vote.

BOTH: Australia!

Why?

-The money.

-Yeah.

And I could probably work part time, what I want to do.

Yeah, definitely.

Why did you choose?

I just want to live in Australia, so I'll do anything, basically, I think.

And find something that's relevant to what I do at the moment.

A proper job.

Not so much working in a surf shop,

but doing something I know what I'm doing, basically.

-Before you come out?

-Before we come out.

So we're sorted when we get here.

Ben's willingness to hang up his wet suit

and find a better-paying job was welcome news to Amanda.

But with finances looking tight,

was the dream of living in Sydney blinding them to the real cost?

Amanda believed her three-bedroomed house in Newport was worth £150,000.

And Ben believed his two-bedroomed house would be valued at 120,000.

They needed the money from both properties in order to afford

a house in Australia.

So we asked two local estate agents for their opinion.

-Ready?

-Yeah.

My lovely little house.

Ah, look at my wallpaper!

Lovely open-plan kitchen. Looks as if it's been newly refitted as well.

Really nice.

Living room's rather nice. Nice and bright.

Reproduction fireplace, polished floors.

Lovely.

Libby!

This is a very pink room.

It's a little girl's dream

and is, at the same time, a really nice-sized double.

Looks tidy, there, for once.

Third bedroom.

And somebody's obviously getting ready to go to Australia already!

BEN LAUGHS

Oh, no, that's not a good look.

It's a lovely family property.

Three-bedroomed semi-detached, in a popular residential area.

I would expect this property to achieve in the region

of £150,000, but if they are looking at a quicker sale,

they should expect to achieve approximately 140,000.

And having valued the other property,

I would expect that to achieve in the region of 115,000,

but for a quick sale, again, they should be looking at 105 to 110,000.

-Oh, 105! I made more money on mine than you!

-Ssh!

I would recommend, for putting this on the market, 155,000.

For a quick sale, 145,000.

And the other property that we saw, I would suggest an asking price

of £115,000, and for a quick sale, at £105,000.

I'm really pleased with my valuation.

It's at least what I was expecting.

I wouldn't expect to make any money on my property.

Despite Ben's estimate being lower than expected,

the couple remained positive.

Next, they had to take a look at the real cost of living to see

-how it compared to the UK and how it would affect their budget.

-Right.

So this is the shopping list. This is what we would buy on a regular basis.

-It's on par.

-Yeah.

So that's the shopping list.

That's the bit that's going to be really bad, I reckon.

For the properties. OK. Right, so property three, it's £700,000.

So, the repayment's £2,734, but, yeah,

-you would have to do it up as well.

-You'd need money to do it up.

-Yeah.

-So, we'd actually be...

-£1,506 worse off. Per month.

-If we lived in Manly.

-If we lived in Manly. But we could...

This is worst-case scenario in the most expensive place we could possibly think of.

-And we could do it.

-Yeah. So, it's not going to put me off.

No. Good news, really.

Even though their living costs looked much higher in Australia,

Ben and Amanda thought their incomes would cover the difference.

But did they vote with their heads or with their hearts?

-BOTH:

-Australia!

So why?

Because I can earn a relatively good wage, so I could go part time.

Yeah.

You will hopefully be earning more money than you would in a shop.

And so it is doable.

And we both want to do it, as well, so...

It's about time we did it, really!

The Wallaces were persevering,

even if that meant a rethink on where they would live.

They were prepared to take the risk in order to grab

the opportunity of the better family lifestyle they'd all dreamt of.

Back in the UK, youngest daughter Libby was a budding gymnast,

and being able to continue her sport in Australia was a must.

So, the Wallaces headed down to Manly's gymnastics club

to find out what the facilities could offer her.

-Hello!

-Hello!

Hello! So, you must be Libby?

Hi, Libby, I'm Natalie, I'm the head women's coach here.

After brief introductions,

Libby was put through her paces

by former Chinese national gymnastics team coach

Xiaoqing Li, who is keen to see if Libby was good enough

to be accepted on the Australian national gymnastics programme.

Faster! Sprint!

This is fantastic. It's just so much better.

You can do so much more things.

And teach so many more children, can't you,

with this sort of facility?

I think, obviously,

finding the girls activities over here is paramount, really,

because they want to continue what they're doing in the UK.

If she comes to Australia, I think she will have good future.

Ah, that's better! Good girl!

That was great news for Libby.

And despite the weather, it was time for some post-gym fun on the beach.

Conditions here are very much like it is back home -

windy, rainy, cold.

So, we're used to it, anyway.

Instructor James got the girls straight into the water.

Hoo-hoo!

It was great watching the girls have a go.

Both of them stood up, so really proud of them, yeah, really good.

After a busy day in and out of the water,

it was time to vote on lifestyle.

ALL: Australia!

So, why?

I just love being on the beach anyway, so it's a bonus for me, isn't it?

-What about you, Libs?

-Cos it's nice gyms!

-Aimee?

-Both the activities were good.

I just like this sort of lifestyle.

It's quite laid back, and I need to be more laid back,

so it's a vote from me.

Sampling the Aussie lifestyle had been a big success.

But the Wallaces were only too aware of how far Australia

was from everything they had at home.

Would saying goodbye to friends and family be easier, or harder,

the second time round?

We prepared a DVD of messages from loved ones in the UK

and the family decided to watch it together.

Hi, Ben, Amanda and Libby and Aimee.

-Hi, Aimee!

-Hello, Libby!

Ben and Amanda, I really hope you're making the right decision this time.

-For yourselves and for the girls.

-I shall miss Aimee and Libby a lot.

Because I meet them twice a week from school and we make cakes

and we do cooking and they tell me all their problems.

So I will miss them.

We're all really missing you here at Newport Harriers.

We've been training really hard.

-We miss you sprinting down that track, beating everybody!

-Hi, Libby.

Hope you're having a fantastic time in Australia. Everybody misses you.

We send our love.

Aimee, you know how much Grandma loves you and how much I'll miss you.

And you, Libby, I hope that you will continue with the gymnastics

and really do well. Eat your food.

I don't want anything to go wrong this time, if at all possible.

And that you are all one big, happy family.

I hope things will go well for all of you. Always.

Come on.

MUFFLED SOBBING

-I'm OK.

-Is it because of Grandma crying?

Yeah, you've probably never seen Grandma upset, have you?

We're going to see them soon, anyway.

It was quite hard, really, watching that. Especially my mother.

I knew she would be, you know, upset.

Everything's happened so quickly, really. Where we are now...

To get back together and get married.

..and get married and then come to Australia.

So it's probably been quite a lot for her to take in, as well.

I think they just hope, you know,

we're doing the right thing for the girls. My mum did look a bit upset.

You know, all her grandchildren will live halfway round the world.

Seeing messages from home had reminded the Wallaces of just

how painful another move could be.

After everything the family had been through,

was the appeal of Australia really worth it?

As their trial week drew to a close, it was time for them

to make their final choice.

It's a big risk, coming out to Australia, I suppose,

-having done it before.

-You have to think about everything, really.

How it's going to affect all the family,

obviously our parents, friends,

but ultimately it is about us starting a new life.

And obviously we got divorced for several different reasons.

And I think we're more grown up now. We know what we want.

Ben knows he has got responsibilities.

We went through the ups and the downs.

You know, I believe our relationship is stronger now.

Ben and Amanda had learned lessons from their first

attempt at emigrating years earlier.

But their week in Australia had also shown them

a second move wouldn't be free of headaches or heartaches.

So, when it came to the final turn of the cards, how did they vote?

ALL: Australia!

You know I've always wanted to come to Australia for the lifestyle

and the weather and the surfing. So that's why I voted Australia.

-And for the family.

-And for the family.

To give them opportunities they won't get back in the UK.

-So, when are we booking our tickets to come back?

-Next year.

In 2011, I managed to catch up with Amanda and Ben

when they'd been back in the UK for just over a month.

Taking that step to go back out and try it all over again,

knowing that it went so badly wrong the first time,

were you very nervous about that?

I was. I was nervous about where we were going.

Just because I didn't particularly want to go back to Sydney.

But, no, you know, I thought it was an opportunity for us

to have a look round and Aimee's desperate to go.

And she was the one that was worst affected through the divorce

and everything, and she was so positive about going.

So I think her determination really inspired us all, didn't it?

It inspired us all, I suppose, yeah.

What lessons do you think you learned from going to

New Zealand that sort of changed your mind

and you were prepared to try again this time in Australia?

Ben's going to put an effort in this time!

Yeah, I sort of went with the wrong attitude, I suppose, last time.

And this time I know what to expect.

-Let's be honest now. He's going to find full-time work...

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Definitely!

-And he's allowed to surf occasionally at the weekends

-or in the evenings?

-And in the mornings, if he gets up earlier.

-Yeah.

-That sounds like the perfect compromise!

-Yeah!

So my last question is, how quickly are you going to be returning?

Hopefully in the next 12 months to 18 months.

-Yes, we'll be living in the...

-The sunshine!

-Yeah. On the beach.

-In the warm!

-It sounds amazing...

sitting here today, and it's pretty cold in Wales today!

It's been two years since we last caught up with the Wallaces.

Back then, the plan was very much to get out

to Australia in search of a better life for the whole family.

So, has their dream finally become a reality?

It's spring 2013 and the Wallaces are in...

Australia!

After the family's unanimous vote for Oz,

plans for the second move Down Under were put in motion without delay.

We already had the visas. You know, we were sitting on them anyway.

So the only thing we needed to do then was

get our houses on the market and sold.

Although they spent their trial week in Sydney,

the Wallaces had chosen to set up home on Australia's Gold Coast.

This had so much more to offer us. We could afford to buy here.

There was beautiful beaches and when we passed through here,

we fell in love with it.

The family are currently renting

and have based themselves in Mermaid Waters, an hour's drive

south of Brisbane and just five minutes from the beach.

We decided to rent to begin with, just so that we get to know the area.

So we wanted to make sure the schools were OK for the girls.

This area we're living at the moment, you know, is perfect.

You couldn't have picked a better area.

Having left the UK for Down Under once before,

they're old hands at moving halfway around the world.

Packing up our stuff, you know, the removal men came and did that.

Our container went off, we waved it goodbye.

And then we moved in with my mum for a couple of weeks.

And then we just got on the plane.

You know, that bit wasn't stressful at all.

It was once we were here, the stress started again!

Ben and Amanda were so keen to start their new life in Australia,

they took the risk of making the move before they had jobs set up.

Once you're out here, obviously seeing the money going out

but not seeing any coming in, and wondering, you know, if it took

X amount of months to get jobs,

how long would you be able to survive out here?

So that was the big stress of it all.

Fortunately, Amanda didn't have to wait long before she secured

work in a specialist eye clinic.

My job over here is as an ophthalmic nurse. It's really patient-centred.

The clinic's lovely, the patients are lovely,

-the staff are lovely.

-It's her dream job.

It's two days a week and it's double my pay that

I would have been on in the UK, working four days a week.

So it's pretty good!

Progress on the work front was a bit slower for Ben,

and old tensions threatened to resurface.

When we went to New Zealand,

obviously Ben didn't get a job straightaway.

Treated it as a surfing jolly.

And this time I hoped that he would be different.

Finding work this time, it was quite a long process for me.

It obviously took, you know, more or less

four months before I even got an interview. You know...

But there are jobs out there that Ben didn't want to do.

So, yeah, we had a few stressed moments!

It was quite difficult, obviously, because we needed income.

And there was only Amanda's wage coming in.

The fact that he just would sit on the laptop and go on, you know,

search engines for jobs rather than do the more pro-active

side of things, really stressed me out!

She did push me quite a lot to find work and send out CVs and things.

Because, you know, being the laid-back person I am,

I'd never done that before. It was all new to me.

But Amanda's drive paid off and Ben's now finally in full-time employment.

I work for the leading national company in retirement homes in Australia.

Although it's not quite his dream job,

Ben's happy in his role as a refurbishment co-ordinator.

It seems to be the right job and it suits me.

It's enjoyable, it's a challenge. Perhaps I needed that, as well.

Because you get set in your ways doing other things

for such a long time.

And it's good to take it out of your comfort zone sometimes.

As for Aimee and Libby,

the second move Down Under seems to have been an instant hit.

Living here's really good. It's nice because it's sunny.

Have a good day.

School here is weird because it's different. It's bigger.

I feel like I've settled in really well.

When I got into high school I found, like, really nice people

and they were all in my class.

And they all liked what I liked and now we're really good friends.

My friends here are awesome!

Both girls have been able to continue

with their hobbies in Australia, and with some success.

Libby's really enjoying gymnastics.

She's already qualified for the state championships.

Doing gymnastics here is fun because the coaches are really nice

and I've done some competitions already this year.

And I did well.

Aimee is athletic and she's loving netball.

And she's following in her father's footsteps.

She loves going to the beach and going surfing.

It's nice to come out surfing with my dad when I can.

He teaches me and we usually come out here a lot after school.

It's a dream come true for Ben.

What more could a dad want than doing stuff with his children?

Leaving family and friends can be the most painful aspect of emigrating.

But having done it once before, the Wallaces knew what to expect.

I miss my friends and family.

Obviously, I'd seen my mum and dad every day.

But, you know, once we're settled,

hopefully we will start having visitors.

My mum and dad are definitely coming out at the end of the year.

So, yeah, you look forward to those events, really.

Aimee, who was the one who wanted to come out here the most,

has her wobbles.

I missed them when we were on the plane,

my grandparents and my nan and grandad.

And then a few weeks in, when we were settled down,

I sort of like didn't really want to be here.

But now I do.

Libby, who had really, really close friends in the UK,

-has just taken it in her stride.

-Yeah.

I think what you miss is made up for by, you know,

sitting outside in this weather.

Going to the beach.

So, has there been any downside to the move?

-Probably the hardest thing is making friends.

-Yeah.

You know, we haven't really got a group of friends yet, have we?

-Not yet.

-So, hopefully that will come.

But despite this, the Wallaces seem to be living the dream.

Having failed so miserably at it eight years ago in New Zealand,

they appear to have found the secret to success second time round.

I think the thing we were trying to do differently to make this work

was just be open and honest about things.

I think I wear my heart on my sleeve, so I'm quite honest,

whereas Ben doesn't really show his feelings much.

I'm not the best at communicating with anyone, really, I suppose.

I can be quite quiet and moody sometimes.

I try not to be any more, because obviously I'm doing stuff that

I really want to do and I'm really enjoying myself.

Compared to the New Zealand days, I think we're both older.

Maybe we tolerate each other more!

We've grown a lot together, I suppose, yeah. And things...

Amanda seems a lot more relaxed here

because obviously you've got the weather and the heat.

It's just...on the whole, be happy and enjoy this beautiful scenery.

So does this mean Ben's finally got the family/surfing balance right?

Oh, Ben is having a great time with his lifestyle!

Surfs most days, twice a day if he can get it in.

Obviously I get to go surfing a lot on the weekends

and the evenings, when you get a chance to get down to the beach.

Sometimes he still goes surfing without

even considering what the house might look like.

He doesn't care if it's a mess.

So, yeah, I wouldn't say the balance is struck quite right!

I suppose the most negative thing is having to go to work every day!

A leopard doesn't change its spots!

SHE LAUGHS

Ah!

They may still be having their ups and downs,

but Ben and Amanda are committed to making a success of their new life

Down Under, so much so,

they've just bought a house.

So this is our new house.

So this is the living room. One of the settees there.

We have rented for six months now.

So we've just extended our rent for an extra month and we are,

you know, in the process of moving in the next...

well, just under two weeks.

This is the main bedroom.

It's a walk-in wardrobe, so that will be good for me!

-Ben can put his stuff next door!

-Yeah, all right.

En-suite shower and bath. Toilet.

We never had one of them before,

so that will be something a bit different.

So this is the dining room.

-So it's plenty big enough for our dining-room table.

-And chairs, yeah.

And big enough kitchen for us to do our cooking, Libs.

-And then, is this your room, Libs?

-That one, yeah.

I get a good view of the pool,

because it's my favourite part of the house.

And the garden has everything for perfect Aussie outdoor living.

It's where we spend most of the time.

I'm sure the children are going to be in the pool more than

anywhere else. If we had gone to Sydney, there's no way

-we'd be able to live in...

-No.

We wouldn't be able to buy a house with four bedrooms and a pool.

It's the dream home,

and the Wallaces have to pinch themselves to believe it's theirs.

It's probably surpassed our wishes and wants for a house.

And we've got a swimming pool, a nice little bit of garden

to entertain and for the kids to play in.

And one road, straight there, on the beach. We're in the dream location.

So, you know, very happy.

Bitter experience had taught Amanda things could have worked out

very differently. But this time, she's convinced the move's paid off.

It's not without its hiccups.

And, you know, you've really got to think about what you're doing.

And I still believe we've made the right decision for us

and for the children.

And, you know, you have to take the good with the bad.

Just a more stress-free lifestyle.

Which it will be, once we've got everything sorted, I think.

-The Australians don't seem to be in a rush to do anything!

-No!

-Which suits me down to the ground!

-But frustrates me a lot!

The Wallaces have been through some tough times

to get here, but life on the other side of the world is now good.

It's great watching the kids develop into the lovely little

children that they are now. It makes everything worthwhile.

You know, we're much happier as a couple,

and the girls are much, much happier.

I just can't see it getting any better than this, really.

Unless we win the lottery!

I think I'll stay here and enjoy it over here,

because it's always sunny and it's really nice.

The only regret I have got is we didn't do it in 2005, really.

Yeah, we probably should have done it in 2005.

When we were coming this way, anyway,

-instead of going to New Zealand.

-But it's been worth it in the end.

Yeah, we're here now, and we're not going anywhere.

Life is completely different here than the UK.

I mean, quite often I'll be running along the beach and just,

like, stop and look at the scenery and just think,

"My gosh, I can't believe I live here."

It's as perfect as we can have it and it's our dreams

and we're living them at the moment.

Despite the move initially going well,

since this programme was made, Ben and Amanda have separated.