0:00:02 > 0:00:03Everybody has a dream,
0:00:03 > 0:00:09but if yours was to set up home in a country you'd enjoyed sporting success
0:00:09 > 0:00:11in almost two decades earlier,
0:00:11 > 0:00:13how would you go about convincing
0:00:13 > 0:00:16your whole family to take the plunge?
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Especially if it meant uprooting everything that you had at home
0:00:20 > 0:00:23and moving to the other side of the world.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Swimmer Melanie Barratt brought home gold
0:00:26 > 0:00:28from the Paralympic games in Australia.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Ever since then, I've had this idyllic image of Australia
0:00:32 > 0:00:34and it being the perfect place.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36She now wants to move her family to the country
0:00:36 > 0:00:38that made her a champion.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40We could have an amazing future and fulfil these dreams
0:00:40 > 0:00:43that I have for them of being outdoors, doing sport.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47But convincing husband Richard to leave the UK...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49This is definitely the biggest decision in my family's life
0:00:49 > 0:00:52and not one that I'm going to be taking lightly.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55..could be the hardest challenge she'll ever face.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59I'm hoping Melanie sees for herself what she's got in the UK
0:00:59 > 0:01:02and realise that it's just a dream.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26Its warm climate,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29a national passion for leisure and sport,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and one of the highest rates of pool ownership in the world
0:01:32 > 0:01:36characterise Australia's love affair with the outdoors.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43A culture that's proven irresistible to over 30,000 Brits
0:01:43 > 0:01:45who make the move there every year.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Ever since competing for Great Britain
0:01:50 > 0:01:52in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics,
0:01:52 > 0:01:58swimmer Melanie Barratt has claimed Australia as her spiritual home.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03Now, over 15 years later, she's desperate to make the move there,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05but with jobs they love,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09a dream home and the support of extended family in the UK,
0:02:09 > 0:02:14husband Richard doesn't believe things could be any better elsewhere.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17So, will a trial week down under see Melanie treading water
0:02:17 > 0:02:20as she tries to convince him and their two sons
0:02:20 > 0:02:25to start a new life on the other side of the world?
0:02:27 > 0:02:30The week begins with an epic journey from London to Melbourne
0:02:30 > 0:02:32via Dubai and Sydney.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37But when they finally arrive, everyone's feeling quite upbeat.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40It didn't go too bad.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42The boys were well-behaved.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- Very well-behaved, yeah. - And, yeah, we got through it.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Yeah, it was surprisingly good.- Yeah.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50That's it. That's one of ours, Leo.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Mum, Melanie, can't wait to show her two boys the country that captured
0:02:53 > 0:02:56her heart almost 16 years ago.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59To finally be here now in Australia,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01back here when all my dreams happened and came true
0:03:01 > 0:03:05and to finally be able to see whether we can make a life here,
0:03:05 > 0:03:07it's just so exciting.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09So, are you going to push this one, Asa?
0:03:09 > 0:03:12And the boys share her enthusiasm.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17I'm looking forward to Australia because it's sunny.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21It'll be really nice and warm all the time.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Richard, on the other hand, is already thinking about
0:03:25 > 0:03:28what he'll need to see to call Australia home.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31I'm really going to be looking for something really special
0:03:31 > 0:03:34from this week to convince me that it's going to be the right move
0:03:34 > 0:03:38for us and it's going to come down to whether I really think
0:03:38 > 0:03:41it will be a significantly better life for the boys.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43As they head out into Melbourne,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Melanie knows the next seven days will be her best shot of getting
0:03:47 > 0:03:49the life she's been dreaming of.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Meet the Barratt family from Kenilworth near Coventry.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00They're dad, Richard, mum, Melanie, nine-year-old Asa and Leo, aged six.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03I can see you over the top.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Go on, Leo, you can go higher than that.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07Can you do a seat... Whoa!
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Richard and Melanie have been together for 17 years.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13We met on a blind date, which is quite ironic.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Everybody has a good laugh about that seeing as I'm registered blind.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19I think Mummy's going the highest.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Back then, Melanie was making a splash as a competitive swimmer.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27And just a year into their relationship, she won gold,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29silver and bronze medals for Great Britain
0:04:29 > 0:04:32at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37I had such a successful time at the games
0:04:37 > 0:04:39and it was such an amazing experience.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Before returning to the UK,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Richard proposed to Melanie on the Sydney Harbour Bridge
0:04:46 > 0:04:50and, not surprisingly, the combination of success and romance
0:04:50 > 0:04:53has left a lasting impression of the land down under.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I've had this idyllic image of Australia
0:04:57 > 0:05:00and it being the perfect place.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02And I've always felt very attached to it.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07We went to the beach and did trips out,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10so I got a general idea of what Australian life was like.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Then obviously with the games, it just was so exciting.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16And it just seemed like a fantastic place to live.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Richard knows Melanie's been dreaming of making the country
0:05:20 > 0:05:21her home ever since.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Marriage preparation day, one of the questions was,
0:05:24 > 0:05:25"What is your partner's dream?"
0:05:25 > 0:05:28And the first thing I said was to go to Australia
0:05:28 > 0:05:31and to live in Australia. So, I always knew it was Melanie's dream.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37Now mum to Asa and Leo,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40she's more desperate than ever to make the move.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45I want to be on the beach, I want to be outside with the boys.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49I want them to learn to surf, I want them to get into kayaking.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51And just enjoy the great outdoors.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54Oh.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57The children are enthusiastic about the idea.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00My mummy has told me a lot about living in Australia.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06Such as, going to the beach and going to the Olympic pool.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Go!
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Though Richard would rather be at home.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14It's a great country, but the things that we'd have to leave behind
0:06:14 > 0:06:16make me hugely hesitant.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Hold on tight!
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I think I have got quite a challenge in convincing Richard that the move
0:06:22 > 0:06:24to Australia is in our best interests.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- Tea and cake.- Has the cake turned out all right, Mel?
0:06:27 > 0:06:28It's OK, actually.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- It's still hot, but it's nice to have some warm cake.- Oh, right.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Richard's dad recently passed away,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36making it even more difficult to contemplate saying goodbye
0:06:36 > 0:06:38to his mum in the UK.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41With my mother being 83 and suffering from dementia,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45the thought of leaving her is really tough.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48And if there was a deterioration in her health,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51it would be so difficult to get back quickly.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Melanie appreciates Richard's concerns
0:06:56 > 0:06:58and though she's desperate to move,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00admits it's not straightforward for her, either.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- Thank you.- What do you think? We'll wait for you to eat it.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Oh, it doesn't look like it's cooked!
0:07:05 > 0:07:08I'm fully blind in one eye, which is actually an artificial eye.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12And the other eye, I see shapes, but they're quite blurry.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16I rely hugely on my family and friends.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19My parents help massively with the boys.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Her parents are distraught at the thought of their daughter
0:07:23 > 0:07:25moving 10,000 miles from home.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29My mum in particular is struggling a lot with the idea of it.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31To the point that she doesn't really want to talk about it.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Unable to forget the country she fell for all those years ago,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38the week ahead will be a chance for the couple to discover
0:07:38 > 0:07:41once and for all whether Australia
0:07:41 > 0:07:44really is the utopia Melanie imagines.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Part of me is actually hoping that we go there for the trial week
0:07:48 > 0:07:52and I can think, "Actually, my life is good at home."
0:07:52 > 0:07:58The other half is hoping that it is what I imagine it to be
0:07:58 > 0:08:02and it's fantastic and it's given us enough of an idea to make the move.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06I'm hoping that Melanie sees for herself
0:08:06 > 0:08:13what she's got in the UK and will perhaps come round and realise
0:08:13 > 0:08:14that it's just a dream.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- Bye!- Bye.- Bye-bye!
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Apparently, there's the highest density of swimming pools
0:08:29 > 0:08:31in Australia than anywhere else in the world.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- Who told you that, then? - Oh, I don't know.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Something I picked up somewhere.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39The Barratts are spending their trial week in the Mount Waverley
0:08:39 > 0:08:43area of Melbourne, around 13 miles from the city centre.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Oh, I think this is it here, look. This is the two-storey one.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- Two storeys!- It looks really nice. - Oh, does it?- Yeah.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Their temporary base is this three-bedroom house.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55But will it be everything Melanie hopes for?
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Oh, wow! This looks really nice.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- Is it a nice house?- Yeah.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02If first impressions are anything to go by,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04the week's off to a great start.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Wow!- Is it good? - Oh, yeah, it looks amazing.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- This is going to be a great place to stay.- Definitely lots of space.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14But all the excitement has worn out a little someone.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- Bit too much for you today. - Goodnight. See you later.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22With Leo tucked in, the rest of the family go off exploring.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Oh, this must be Asa's room.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- What's...?- Pink!- Oh, no!
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- What were they thinking?- Oh, didn't they know there were boys coming?
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Asa's too sleepy to be concerned and soon nods off while Mum and Dad
0:09:35 > 0:09:37discuss their thoughts on what lies ahead.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Two very exhausted boys.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- What do you think they're going to make of this week?- I have no idea.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I want to move here to make their lives better.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50But despite Richard's earlier positivity,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52he's not making any promises.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Seeing whether it would be practical for us to live here.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- Mm.- Work-wise and the cost of living.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- Things like that. It's whether the reality lives up to the dream.- Yes.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13Back in the UK,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16home for the Barratts is a rather unique property.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20They live in a converted water tower in the town of Kenilworth.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24It's obviously round.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27So, that adds a lot of features to it and it's got the pool
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and it's even got a snooker room.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32The couple admit their home is pretty special
0:10:32 > 0:10:35and Richard's adamant they'll need to find something
0:10:35 > 0:10:37just as impressive down under.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40If we move to Australia and ended up in an inferior house,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43I think I would be something that would put me off the move.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46With around £1.4 million to spend,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49hopefully they won't be left disappointed.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53To find out what kind of house they could have,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56today we'll show the family three properties.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57Two based on budget
0:10:57 > 0:11:00and a third which could be a dream Australian home.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Only after they've seen each one, will they find out its value.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07So, let's go and have an investigate.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10First stop is the coastal suburb of Beaumaris.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Around 40 minutes outside of central Melbourne.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Next to a beach and within walking distance
0:11:16 > 0:11:20of cafes, shops and a school, it's exactly the kind of location
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Melanie is after.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25And here's the house just here.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Amazing view it's going to be over the sea.- Really? Wow.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33But will this modern four-bedroom house put Richard on her wavelength?
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Amazing modern architecture.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Glass balconies, three storeys.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40It's off to a positive start.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Oh, wow.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Really nice, bright hallway.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48And things get better on the first floor.
0:11:48 > 0:11:54- Oh, wow!- Amazing.- So, this is obviously the main living area
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- because it's got a lounge area on the front.- Wow.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Looking out the patio windows.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- So can you see the sea?- Yeah! - Yeah, you can see the sea.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- And there's a seating area outside.- Is there?
0:12:03 > 0:12:06So you can sit and eat on the patio. That's amazing.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Their optimism reaches new heights
0:12:08 > 0:12:11with a discovery of a quirky feature.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13It's got its own lift. Shall we give it a try, Asa?
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Where are you going to end up?
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Let's hope it doesn't go shooting through the roof.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20- ALL:- Bye!
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Thankfully, Richard and Asa arrive safely in the basement,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29where a games room goes down a treat, too.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Oh, well, this would be my den, then, wouldn't it?
0:12:32 > 0:12:34It's even got a fridge for the beer.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37I hope the car comes with it.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Not sure about that, Richard.
0:12:40 > 0:12:41Whoa!
0:12:41 > 0:12:46The house tour takes a brief pause while the boys squeeze in a game.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50But they soon move on to discover what else this place has to offer.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Oh, wow, it's the master bedroom.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54I was wondering where our bedroom would be.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- Yeah.- Oh, nice.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Over here we look like we've got a jacuzzi bath.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01- Really?- Yeah.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- That is...- That's big enough for you to swim in, Asa.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Might be going overboard there, Richard.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Perhaps there's a better solution in the outhouse.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- It's a swimming pool. - Like a jet pool.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- Yeah.- And you can swim against it.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Oh.- And then it's got a jacuzzi at the other end.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23Looks good, but why isn't it outdoors?
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It's a fair question.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27But, with everything else the house offers,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31including the beach-side location Melanie was after,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34will their budget of £1.4 million be enough to cover it?
0:13:35 > 0:13:42I would say it's probably worth about 1.4, 5.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44- Yeah, I think this one's going to be a bit over budget.- Mm.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48I think 1,495.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Time to turn the card.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57£1.32 million.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01That's £80,000 under budget.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03That is less than I thought.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05It's quite a lot less than I thought.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08I didn't actually think we'd be able to afford a sea view.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- No.- I think it is an amazing place, and that's quite exciting, isn't it?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Knowing they could afford to live by the coast down under
0:14:21 > 0:14:25has got the family's house-hunt off on a great footing.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Next, they head to the popular seaside town of Mount Eliza,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32which is around an hour's drive from Melbourne city centre.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Oh, look at some of the size of these houses, huge detached houses.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Wouldn't it be amazing if you had a house that looked over the sea like that.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Do you think it could be one of those?
0:14:41 > 0:14:45It's further out, but this busy holiday spot on the Mornington peninsula,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48with stretches of sandy beach, parks and walkways,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50is ideal for active families.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- This is it here.- Really?
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Looks an amazing house.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01So what will the Barratts make of this spacious four-bedroom house?
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- Lovely.- Yeah. - A lot more traditional.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- High roof.- Yeah, really high. - Yeah, really spacious.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12It's going well. Will the living room impress?
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- Oh, wow!- Wow!
0:15:14 > 0:15:17What a really nice big lounge.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- There is a little bar at the back. - Really? A bar?- Yeah.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23While the boys play, Mum and Dad go exploring.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27This is a really nice family area, isn't it?
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It does remind me of our house in England.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32High praise indeed.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- Nice open-plan kitchen. - Yeah, it's good, good.- It's nice.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37And, to their surprise,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41the open-plan living area has even more space.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- Another lounge!- Another lounge! - And another dining table.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48And another dining table. So that's three lounges that we've seen.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Yeah.- It beats our house.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Will the master bedroom score highly with the couple, too?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- Really nice. - It's quite a large size.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Oh, here's your dressing room, just round here.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00Wow!
0:16:01 > 0:16:04I think I would have to have this one and that one.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Yeah, I could just have this little corner.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Out on the veranda, they are blown away by the outdoors area.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- Oh, here's the swimming pool. - How big is it?- 15 metres, maybe?
0:16:15 > 0:16:16No! That's amazing.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Really nice.- What's the green...?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Is that grass? - No, it's a tennis court.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Tennis court!- Yeah! - The boys would love that.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Could this home be the one to persuade Richard
0:16:27 > 0:16:29to buy into Melanie's dream?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31It is a bit like a celebrity house, isn't it?
0:16:31 > 0:16:32Got the wow factor.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38But will the price appeal, too?
0:16:38 > 0:16:42I think 1.55 million.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I might go for 1.495.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- OK.- Go on, turn it over then, Asa.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Oh, wow!
0:16:53 > 0:16:55That's right on budget.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- That's a lot of house. - That is an amazing amount of house.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Would you like it?- Yeah! - I love it, too.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05The house has proven a hit with everyone.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08But the day's not over yet.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12The final house is on the same peninsula, in Mount Martha,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16another oceanfront town and an hour's drive from central Melbourne.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20With plenty of local amenities and a beautiful sandy beach,
0:17:20 > 0:17:22it's perfect for outdoor types.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Well, we're definitely within walking distance of the sea.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Yes, definitely.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30We think this four-bedroom house set on an acre of land
0:17:30 > 0:17:34could be the family's dream home, but will they agree?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36So here we are.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38My goodness, it's a mansion!
0:17:38 > 0:17:39Wow!
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It's absolutely huge!
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Will inside measure up just as well?
0:17:46 > 0:17:47Such a big house from the outside,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I was expecting it to be bigger inside.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Melanie's staying upbeat.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- Still lots of space. - Some interesting angles as well.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59And there's competition for the bedrooms.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01So whose bedroom do you think this could be?
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- BOTH:- Mine!
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- Do you like it? - You like this one, don't you?
0:18:05 > 0:18:06Oh. Another bedroom.
0:18:08 > 0:18:09Could this one be yours, Leo?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- Yeah!- What's that in there?
0:18:12 > 0:18:15It's a big walk-in wardrobe. Or it could be a little den.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16Could be a den.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20While the boys try out their potential new rooms,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Melanie and Richard check out the first floor.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25- Oh, wow!- Cor!
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- Huge living space. - It's enormous!
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Downstairs was big, but coming up here,
0:18:32 > 0:18:34you can just see the whole scale of things a lot more, can't you?
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Yeah.- This is huge.- Really big.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37And the kitchen?
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- Beautiful, isn't it? - Yeah, beautiful kitchen.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44Yeah, definitely could see ourselves entertaining here.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45I could.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Will the master bedroom meet their idea of Aussie living?
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- That's a big room. - It is, really nice size.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Upstairs for a change.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- I think that's one of the first that we've seen upstairs.- Yeah.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00An en-suite and spacious walk-in wardrobe
0:19:00 > 0:19:02give this room the perfect finishing touches.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Oh, the dressing room, what you've always wanted.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07A walk-in dressing room.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- Yeah.- I've always wanted one of these, yeah.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Big size en suite, definitely a lot bigger than ours at home.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Can outside tick even more boxes for the couple?
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- Finally, some grass in Australia. - Yeah, really big garden.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25- How big is it?- First big garden.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26It probably goes about 60,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- 70 metres down to the bottom there.- Really?
0:19:29 > 0:19:31And you can see the sea in the distance
0:19:34 > 0:19:36But Richard spots a problem.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38No swimming pool, though.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Oh.- But we could have one built.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45There's certainly space for a 50-metre pool, even.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47There's ample room to install whatever they want,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51but this house hasn't excited them as much as the last.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Obviously this house is amazing
0:19:52 > 0:19:55and it's got a huge garden and it's close to the sea.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59- Yeah.- But I haven't got that buzz that we got from looking
0:19:59 > 0:20:02around our house at home and probably the second house here.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06I think I preferred the second house more than this one.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I'm expecting it to be more expensive, but...
0:20:08 > 0:20:10I am, too.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12I think 1.75.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16I think 1,695.
0:20:16 > 0:20:17Shall we find out?
0:20:21 > 0:20:25£1.59 million.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28That's almost £200,000 over budget.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Although we didn't like this house, today has made me realise that
0:20:32 > 0:20:34actually we could probably afford something
0:20:34 > 0:20:36that we would be happy with.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Property three might not be the dream home,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41but the couple are definitely impressed
0:20:41 > 0:20:43with the kind of houses they could have down under.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Right next to the beach and under budget,
0:20:48 > 0:20:50property one had huge appeal,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54but the indoor pool didn't match Melanie's idea of Aussie living.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58The second house was a clear frontrunner.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Bang on budget, it had everything the family were after.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Property three was well over budget and lacking a pool.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11It didn't make the cut.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15So, when it comes to the vote,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18has the day tempted Richard to give up their home in the UK?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Undecided.- Australia. - Australia.- Australia.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32So you voted for Australia, Mel. I'm not too surprised.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36You boys go and play. I just want to talk to Mummy.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39So you... So you're a bit upset.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43The fact that you voted undecided just makes me feel like, you know,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45you don't feel the same way,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47and that's why I got a bit upset, I guess.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50It's just the fact that all the houses today
0:21:50 > 0:21:52seemed a little bit of a compromise one way or the other,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55and obviously the house in the UK that we love
0:21:55 > 0:21:58really made me undecided at the end.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06After Richard's undecided vote,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Melanie's coming to the heartbreaking realisation convincing
0:22:10 > 0:22:14her husband to move is going to be much tougher than she'd imagined.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16To get things back on track,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Richard will need to be assured of decent work opportunities
0:22:19 > 0:22:22before he can even contemplate walking away
0:22:22 > 0:22:23from the life they have.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26Back in the UK,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Richard's been a software development manager
0:22:29 > 0:22:31for the past 25 years.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Everything rides on him finding the right job in Australia.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36As the major breadwinner,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39my job would be key in maintaining our standard of living.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Job security, a competitive salary and decent work hours in the UK
0:22:43 > 0:22:46have set the bar high for his career expectations
0:22:46 > 0:22:49in the southern hemisphere.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52I'd like to maintain a sensible work-life balance
0:22:52 > 0:22:54and have a similar salary.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57So just relax. I'm going to lift your leg up.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58With her sports background,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Melanie loves her job as a physiotherapist
0:23:01 > 0:23:03at a private practice.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05The treatment that I give is very effective and,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07because it happens straightaway,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10it can be really rewarding for me and the patient.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12But being a mum comes first.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14I'm not looking for a full-time job.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16I'm just looking for something part-time
0:23:16 > 0:23:18so I can fit it around the children.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21To start the day,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24the family wave Melanie off at a physio practice in Mentone,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28around 13 miles from Melbourne's central business district.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33We've arranged for her to meet up with company director Bill McTeague.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35So, Melanie, this is one of the treatment rooms.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37We've got quite a number of them.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40First, she gets a brief tour of the facilities.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42So, Melanie, this is one of our Pilates studios.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Melanie's aware she would have to sit an exam before she could work
0:23:45 > 0:23:47as a physiotherapist in Australia,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49but wants to know what other roles
0:23:49 > 0:23:52might suit her skills in the interim.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55You could work as a sports trainer or a massage therapist.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58OK. So do you have those working for you at this practice?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01We do. We have massage therapists and Maya therapists.
0:24:01 > 0:24:02OK, that's great.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I love that kind of area of my job anyway so I'd be very happy
0:24:05 > 0:24:07to do that while I'm studying.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11It's encouraging, but could Melanie continue to work part-time?
0:24:11 > 0:24:13It's certainly possible to work,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- say, three days for a six-hour session.- Brilliant.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18So you might work Monday, Wednesday, Thursday.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- Excellent.- With young kids, that's really good.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Yeah, that sounds just like what I'm looking for.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27What could she expect to earn?
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Currently, I'm doing approximately ten hours over two days
0:24:30 > 0:24:35and I'm earning around about £10,000 a year.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37What would the equivalent be here?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40You'd earn around about £18,000 for the same hours.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Brilliant. That's almost double. That's excellent.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47It's fantastic news, but how easily could she find work?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50In this business, we haven't got a job currently,
0:24:50 > 0:24:52a role currently for you,
0:24:52 > 0:24:54but certainly in Melbourne you're very employable.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- Thank you. It's brilliant. - Lovely to meet you, Melanie. - Yeah, you too. Thank you.- Cheers.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03It's been a great morning for Melanie.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05After reuniting with the family,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08she takes the boys for a bite to eat while Richard heads to a
0:25:08 > 0:25:12digital advertising firm where we've arranged for him to meet up with
0:25:12 > 0:25:15chief information officer Nigel Dalton.
0:25:15 > 0:25:16- Hi.- Hi, I'm...
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Having looked at Richard's CV, Nigel has some advice.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23If I look at the people I would normally talk to here,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26they're probably going to have a profile online
0:25:26 > 0:25:28for the projects they've worked on, maybe a blog.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30And that's who you're competing with.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33So what I think you need to do is take what looks like a pretty
0:25:33 > 0:25:35traditional resume in the Australian market...
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- OK.- And just make it a little more modern, go to courses,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42go to conferences, do some online things, read.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- Yeah.- That will make a big difference with your resume.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48A few tweaks will help Richard to stand out.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50What about the work hours?
0:25:50 > 0:25:54- Working 8.30 till 5.30 is probably pretty normal.- OK.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55No surprises there.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57What sort of salary do you think I could expect?
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I think you're going to be looking at £70,000 a year.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04- OK.- Now, with the way people develop their careers in Australia and in
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Melbourne, I think you could probably over a couple of years
0:26:06 > 0:26:09get back to your £80-90,000.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11It's not good.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16He'd be earning £20,000 less a year, at least to begin with.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I would have liked to have got a very similar salary to the UK,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23but need to kind of weigh it up with all the other elements
0:26:23 > 0:26:24to living in Melbourne.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27But could he land a role down under?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I think working at REA's not possible.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33You've been a packaged software guy and it's all about mobile,
0:26:33 > 0:26:34but don't be too discouraged.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35There are, you know,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- there's 5,000-6,000 vacancies here in Melbourne today.- Yeah.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40There will be one for you.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42And then maybe we'll see you in a couple of years,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46as you've invested in digital skills and experience.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48It's a disappointing end to Richard's meeting.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52And, when he meets up with the family in the park,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55it's clear he and Melanie have a lot to discuss.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00The practice was absolutely amazing.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I've never seen anything like it in any of the jobs that I've had.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Oh, wow. - Everybody was so enthusiastic.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08And the equivalent of what I'm doing now would be £18,000.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- OK.- Which is a huge difference, isn't it?
0:27:10 > 0:27:11- Excellent.- How about you?
0:27:11 > 0:27:16Yeah, I mean, I had a really good chat with the CIO of the company.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19The key issue was salary.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Probably start on around £70,000,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26which is obviously less than what I get in the UK.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30With his wife's better news, when it comes to work opportunities,
0:27:30 > 0:27:34can Richard find the confidence to lodge his first vote for Australia?
0:27:34 > 0:27:38After a very interesting day of looking around the workplaces,
0:27:38 > 0:27:39it's time to vote.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45- UK.- Australia.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47Kind of expected that.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Yeah. I can understand where you're coming from, obviously. Your job you've got is great.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54And it's going to be difficult to find something similar over here.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Yeah. It wasn't all negative, but definitely kind of, yeah,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00in the favour of the UK.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12With Richard uncertain about work prospects in Australia,
0:28:12 > 0:28:18it looks like Melanie's plans for their future could be in deep water.
0:28:18 > 0:28:19Desperate to dive in,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23she's now hoping a day exploring the Australian outdoors lifestyle
0:28:23 > 0:28:26she believes the whole family would benefit from
0:28:26 > 0:28:30will be enough to keep her dream afloat.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33There couldn't be a better way for the Barratts to start their day
0:28:33 > 0:28:35than at the Brighton Sea Baths,
0:28:35 > 0:28:39where Melbournians have been coming to swim for over 100 years.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46The large enclosed area of sea water is the same size as an Olympic pool.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48While Richard takes the boys kayaking,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51Melanie gets stuck into a few laps.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Looking magnificent.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58That's why we move to Australia.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03When everyone's had enough fun in the water,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05the family catch up with some local swimmers
0:29:05 > 0:29:10who explain why the city's so great for water sports.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12We've got the most beautiful beaches.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15All along the coast here is family friendly and you will see people on
0:29:15 > 0:29:18their sup boards, their kayaks all the way down the coast.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22Melanie's quick to try and garner support for her Aussie campaign.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25If you were asked, would you make the move to Australia, to Melbourne?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- No question.- Get a flat.- 100%.
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Today.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35With lots of energy still to burn off,
0:29:35 > 0:29:37the family head to Karkarook Park,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41around 12 miles outside the city centre, for a run.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Well done, boys, that's really good.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Go on, Asa, big finish.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Oh, yes, well done.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55After an action-packed morning,
0:29:55 > 0:29:58everyone's worked up an appetite and in this environment
0:29:58 > 0:30:00there's only one thing for it.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- Ready for some food? Australian style.- I am hungry.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09It's been a great day out down under,
0:30:09 > 0:30:13which has only heightened Melanie's desire to call the country her home.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16I've always had this image of the Australian lifestyle and I feel like
0:30:16 > 0:30:20today has fulfilled that, and more, really.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22While he's enjoyed time with the family,
0:30:22 > 0:30:26after his disappointing workday, Richard's questioning if they can
0:30:26 > 0:30:29afford the lifestyle Melanie has fallen for.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33The economics of it have got to work out,
0:30:33 > 0:30:39so that we can have the life that we want to enjoy in Australia
0:30:39 > 0:30:43and doing it on any other basis
0:30:43 > 0:30:46I feel would just be a recipe for disaster.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50The afternoon also reminds him of the dilemma
0:30:50 > 0:30:52about leaving his mother.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58On one hand, if I opt for Australia, I'm going to be letting my mum down.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01If I opt for the UK, I'm going to be letting Melanie down,
0:31:01 > 0:31:03by not following and going with her dream.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07And Melanie understands it's a tough call.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11When it comes to the vote tomorrow,
0:31:11 > 0:31:15I'm struggling whether to base my vote on what impact it would have
0:31:15 > 0:31:20on Richard's mum, with me taking him away from her.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21Richard could be torn
0:31:21 > 0:31:24between his wife's hopes for a new life down under,
0:31:24 > 0:31:27and the bonds he has at home, come the end of the week.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30For now, it's time to find out if the lifestyle
0:31:30 > 0:31:35has done enough to secure his first vote for Australia.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39After the whole day of Australian lifestyle it's time to vote.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Australia!
0:31:46 > 0:31:48Leo, you voted for UK, did you?
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Why did you vote for the UK?
0:31:50 > 0:31:53- Because the sea was scary. - The sea was scary.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57So, Asa, you voted for Australia. Why was that?
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Because in the UK you can't do kayaking on the sea.
0:32:01 > 0:32:02Not where we live, anyway.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05You voted for Australia, Mel. What was your reason?
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Well, it's what we're looking for really, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09The whole outdoors lifestyle.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11Yeah, no, it's been a really good day
0:32:11 > 0:32:13and it's definitely why we're here.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26After a winning day soaking up the local lifestyle,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Richard could be turning a corner.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32But to keep him onside, the finances will need to stack up.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36If they do move, the couple are considering selling their UK home,
0:32:36 > 0:32:40which they believe is worth around £1.3 million.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43To see if they're right we sent two estate agents round
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and the whole family sit down to watch their valuations.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Wow, what a great hallway. Great start to the house.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- Wow, looks good, doesn't it? - It does look nice.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58This is a really unusual kitchen.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Definitely an unusual kitchen.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04The lack of a dining area within it might put some buyers off.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Yeah, that's what we've said, isn't it?
0:33:07 > 0:33:09- Ah.- Here we go.- On the roof.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Wow, it's a fabulous roof terrace.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- There's your solar panels.- Yeah.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18In today's market I'd value this house at £1.3 million.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19For a quick sale,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22I'd put the property on the market for 1.2 million.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24If the owners wanted to rent the property,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28I'd suggest a monthly rental figure of between £2,500 and £2,800.
0:33:29 > 0:33:34Yeah, I think that valuation fits in with what we were expecting and how
0:33:34 > 0:33:38we were kind of planning our budget for the potential move,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40so, yeah, I think it's good news generally.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44I do, too. I think it kind of confirms what we were expecting.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48While the boys play,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Melanie and Richard sit down to examine the rest of the figures.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55- The bit you've been looking forward to.- Yeah. I guess so.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58We've provided a comparison of cost of living
0:33:58 > 0:34:00between Australia and the UK.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03First, they chew over the weekly food bill.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05Your steak pies, it's more than double.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07I'll have to just make my own in future.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09I think you will, yeah.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Even though they'd have to pay out
0:34:11 > 0:34:14£33 more each week for food down under,
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Melanie's remaining optimistic.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19You know, it's obviously a significant difference,
0:34:19 > 0:34:22but I think, you know, it's not insurmountable.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27It's harder to be positive when they consider mortgage costs.
0:34:27 > 0:34:33Our mortgage at the moment in the UK is £1,806 per month.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Right, yeah.
0:34:35 > 0:34:41The mortgage for house two in Australia would be £3,290, so, yeah.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45But it's not all bad news.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Council tax in the UK, paying 215.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53In Australia, it's £97. So that's at least...
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- So that's at least something clawed back.- That's something, yes.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Overall monthly bills down under would come in
0:34:59 > 0:35:02around £1,400 more.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- It is the mortgage.- It is the mortgage.- Solely the mortgage.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08But, you know, you can shop around for mortgages, can't you?
0:35:08 > 0:35:09Next, they look at income,
0:35:09 > 0:35:13basing the figures on Richard's lower earnings.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18My salary, we'd be worse off by £1,223.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22That combined with the mortgage is not good news.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26And the final sums show they'd be worse off
0:35:26 > 0:35:28by around £1,500 in Australia.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33That is really not good news.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Sensing his wife's disappointment, Richard looks for a solution.
0:35:37 > 0:35:43Maybe a better route forward would be to rent property in Australia,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- keep our house in the UK. - Yes.- Which we love.- Yeah.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Richard's been doing his homework
0:35:49 > 0:35:53and thinks they could rent a house in Australia for around £3,000.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57On that basis, the figures look a lot more favourable.
0:35:57 > 0:36:03We would be £58 per month better off
0:36:03 > 0:36:08- renting in Australia.- Right, OK.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Will the final calculations save the day,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14as the couple face a choice between finances?
0:36:14 > 0:36:19After a very thought-provoking reality check, it's time to vote.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- Australia.- Australia.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29- Oh, well, there you go. - That's a surprise.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33Emigrating by renting has got to be the way to go.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35We'd actually be slightly better off,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38so on the basis of being slightly better off it was Australia.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47Richard's second vote for Australia is great news for Melanie's dream,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50but she knows he still needs to be convinced
0:36:50 > 0:36:52about the emotional cost of moving.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56To help, the family decide to watch messages from home together.
0:36:56 > 0:37:02- There we go.- All settled now. - Yeah, all sitting comfortable.
0:37:02 > 0:37:03- BOTH:- Hello.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05- ALL:- G'day.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Hope you've managed not to affect a dodgy Aussie accent out there.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14When Melanie swam in the Olympics in Atlanta and Sydney
0:37:14 > 0:37:17it was quite the most emotional time for us both.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21We've been amazed and delighted about how well she's done
0:37:21 > 0:37:25and what she's made of her life, despite that difficult start.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Richard is very competitive as well.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30They're very well matched.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33He's very caring towards Melanie and the boys.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36I'd describe Asa as being very sensible and caring.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Extremely competitive, takes after his mother in that sense.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Leo is full of energy,
0:37:41 > 0:37:44too much energy, if I can say that, but, yeah.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47I don't want them to go because...
0:37:47 > 0:37:50And that's probably being rather selfish on my part,
0:37:50 > 0:37:52because I'll miss seeing them all.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55I'll miss seeing our grandchildren grow up.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58It would leave a big gap in our life.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02If Melanie and the family moved to Australia...
0:38:05 > 0:38:07..it would just be awful.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12We have been fortunate enough
0:38:12 > 0:38:17to be a part of the boys' life, which we have really enjoyed.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23And we would just miss them all so much.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Wow, OK, decision time.
0:38:27 > 0:38:28How exciting.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33I think Mel, Rich, Leo, Asa, you go with what you want.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37We will miss you, but you have to do what you want to do, so go for it.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Above all, just listen to your hearts.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Do what you think is right.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44We'll support you, whatever decision you make.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49But please just make sure there's a spare room for us there to stay in.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Whatever you do decide to do, obviously we'll support you.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56We would miss you terribly
0:38:56 > 0:39:00and I don't know quite how we'd overcome that.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14- Pretty much worse than I was expecting.- I know. Yeah.
0:39:18 > 0:39:24I knew everybody was going to miss us and say that.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- I was about to cry. - Were you?- I was crying.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28You did start to cry, did you?
0:39:28 > 0:39:32- What made you sad? - Nanny and Grandad.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Yeah. They are really going to miss us, aren't they,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37if we come to Australia? Yeah.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42I think after seeing that,
0:39:42 > 0:39:46it does make you kind of evaluate things a lot more and it makes you
0:39:46 > 0:39:48realise what you'll be leaving behind
0:39:48 > 0:39:50and the people you'll be leaving behind.
0:39:54 > 0:40:00The reality of leaving loved ones in the UK has hit home with Melanie.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04Torn between love for her family and her passion for Australia,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07will she be the one with more questions than answers
0:40:07 > 0:40:09as their trial week draws to a close?
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Oh, you're very good now. Careful at the top.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16After a lifetime dream of emigrating,
0:40:16 > 0:40:21the last few days have left Melanie conflicted about what happens next.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24I kind of feel like I've sort of been pulled between
0:40:24 > 0:40:29trying to make a future and my past,
0:40:29 > 0:40:33and trying to find out what's best for me and the family.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34Oh, yeah. That's good.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37She's very close to her family
0:40:37 > 0:40:41and it would be a huge thing to leave them behind in the UK.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Providing a better future for the boys
0:40:44 > 0:40:47has become Melanie's driving force,
0:40:47 > 0:40:52but she now realises achieving it means great sacrifices.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54If we were to vote to be in Australia,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57potentially they could have an amazing future
0:40:57 > 0:41:01and fulfil these dreams that I have for them of being outdoors,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03doing sport, but then, it takes them away from their family
0:41:03 > 0:41:05and family does mean a lot.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09With so much to consider,
0:41:09 > 0:41:14choosing between life in Australia and the UK is not going to be easy.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Obviously, it's a life-changing decision potentially,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19and we've got to think about
0:41:19 > 0:41:22everything that we've seen and done over the past week.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30This is definitely the biggest decision in my life
0:41:30 > 0:41:34and in my family's life, and not one that I'm going to be taking lightly.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Time to turn the cards for the final time.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Will they decide to pursue Melanie's dream,
0:41:40 > 0:41:42or stick with their life in the UK?
0:41:42 > 0:41:47After a roller-coaster of a week it's now time for the final vote.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- Undecided.- Undecided.- Australia.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06So, undecided.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09I thought you... Maybe you'd go for Australia but...
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Yeah, well, my heart still says Australia,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15but after hearing everything from my parents
0:42:15 > 0:42:17- and the issues with your mum.- Yeah.
0:42:17 > 0:42:22It's just, there's too much to try and sort out to say Australia now.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26There's just been too many kind of ups and downs and it's a lot more
0:42:26 > 0:42:31complicated decision than I thought it was going to be when we set off.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33But it's better than saying UK.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36So that's a plus.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Oh, Asa, come here. The dream's still alive, you know.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Come here, Leo, let's have a cuddle.
0:42:43 > 0:42:44A CHILD CRIES
0:42:55 > 0:42:58A week of genuine highs and lows
0:42:58 > 0:43:02hasn't been enough to completely sink Melanie's dream,
0:43:02 > 0:43:04but it seems that for now her
0:43:04 > 0:43:07and Richard agree their ties to the UK
0:43:07 > 0:43:10are just too strong to walk away from.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Wherever they ultimately decide to call home, we wish Melanie, Richard,
0:43:14 > 0:43:16Asa and Leo a very happy future.