0:00:04 > 0:00:06Welcome to Wanted Down Under,
0:00:06 > 0:00:12the show that catapults a British family right across to the other side of the world
0:00:12 > 0:00:14to help them make the biggest decision of their life -
0:00:14 > 0:00:18whether to stay in the UK or to move to Australia.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Helen and Gary Ward from Bradford are considering
0:00:23 > 0:00:27swapping the daily grind of the UK for a new life in Australia.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29I went there ten years ago.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31I went to Sydney and Brisbane
0:00:31 > 0:00:34and just enjoyed the lifestyle and obviously the weather was amazing.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39I want to give my children the opportunity of a brighter future
0:00:39 > 0:00:42in a climate where it's healthier, it's more outdoors,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44less of a rat race, perhaps.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I think it would be really good for their future.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51But will they be able to persuade their 15-year-old daughter Rebecca
0:00:51 > 0:00:52that it's the right move?
0:00:53 > 0:00:57I think if I stayed any longer, that it would get really hard.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01I've seen what Australia's done to my family in the space of a few days
0:01:01 > 0:01:03but it doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt a lot.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05'We knew it would be difficult.'
0:01:05 > 0:01:09I wouldn't want to be dragging her here kicking and screaming.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14She's clearly not sure. There may be some tough decisions to make in the future.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42Around 150 people a day migrate to Australia in search of a better life
0:01:42 > 0:01:47and anyone who's under the age of 45 and on the skills shortage list
0:01:47 > 0:01:50could be heading Down Under at the head of the queue.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53But for all these families, how hard is the decision
0:01:53 > 0:01:56and do they find what they're looking for?
0:01:56 > 0:01:58We've given another British family
0:01:58 > 0:02:01the opportunity to spend a week Down Under
0:02:01 > 0:02:04to see if it's all they dreamt it would be.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08After that, they'll have to make a decision one way or the other,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12whether to stay in the UK or to move to Australia.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Gary and Helen Ward live in Bradford with their three children,
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Becky, Dan and the youngest, Rachel.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26And not forgetting Jake, the dog, who won't be making the move.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Visa applicant Gary is a full-time youth worker.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33I work with young people, 16 to 19-year-olds,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35who've got a level of crisis in their life.
0:02:35 > 0:02:41They try and raise their skills and their ability to get education, employment or training.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43My job's amazing, actually,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47because you get a chance to help people who haven't had a good start in life.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49When we get alongside people and people respond,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53then you feel you've actually helped the big picture.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55You've done well, there.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57Helen is a self-employed dressmaker,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01who doubles up as a teacher to home school their three children.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04We wanted to give our children the chance to soar with their strengths,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06to excel in the things they're good at,
0:03:06 > 0:03:11instead of concentrating on the things they struggle with, which is what happened at school.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13That just dented their confidence.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Makes you think, this, doesn't it?
0:03:15 > 0:03:21They weren't enjoying their education or exploring what they did enjoy.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23I do prefer home school to actual proper school.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25You do most of the learning yourself.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I think it goes pretty well, for me, at least,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30and it's a lot of fun.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35For Gary, the idea of a move Down Under has been on his mind for some time.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37I went there ten years ago.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I went to Sydney and Brisbane and round there.
0:03:39 > 0:03:44And I just enjoyed the lifestyle and obviously the weather was amazing.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48I want to give my children the opportunity of a brighter future,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51in a climate where it's healthier, it's more outdoors,
0:03:51 > 0:03:53less of a rat race, perhaps,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56so I think it would be good for them, for their future.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01But eldest daughter Becky could have a lot to lose if they make the move -
0:04:01 > 0:04:04her beloved horses.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07My horse is called Shadow. She's a dark bay.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11She's standard bred and she's eleven years old.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15She's recently had a foal called Cara, who is lovely.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18She's very friendly and she loves running around and stuff.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20They're both lovely to be with.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26I'm torn, half and half, because obviously I have a good life here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29I've got my horses, I've got my friends, I've got my family,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33but moving to Australia will help my family and it'll help me, as well.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37'Leaving my horses will hurt a lot.'
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I'll miss them so much cos they're a huge part of my life.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45But underpinning the family's motives for the move
0:04:45 > 0:04:47is mum Helen's long-term well-being.
0:04:48 > 0:04:54The reason why we've decided now is because my wife's got SAD,
0:04:54 > 0:04:56which is seasonal affective disorder.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Her mood can go quite low at times
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and it would be great for her to be in a climate
0:05:02 > 0:05:06which had more of a guarantee of, you know, sunny days.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09In the UK I suffer really badly.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13I just want to hibernate, I get very low moods, I get very tired
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and very depressed.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19'If she can be in a better environment, then why not?'
0:05:19 > 0:05:23If we can do something about that, then you would, wouldn't you?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27With such strong pulls in both directions,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29there could be tough times ahead.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It's all or nothing. We all go.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35But if she said, "I'm not going, that's it,"
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I couldn't bear the thought of going and leaving one behind.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43We're sending the Wards to the northernmost city in Australia, Darwin,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45to experience life Down Under.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Its laid-back lifestyle appeals to Brits who want a better quality of life.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Its warm climate should suit Helen
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and despite being surrounded by the outback,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57it has a modern and cosmopolitan feel.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00As Australia's fastest-growing city,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03it has plenty of job and housing options for the Wards.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07We found three possible lifestyles for our family,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10each one offering a brand-new way of life
0:06:10 > 0:06:12for them to try on their budget.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But which one would be the most suitable?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20The city of Darwin is situated on a peninsula
0:06:20 > 0:06:22overlooking the harbour.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Space is at a premium, so city apartments can be expensive
0:06:26 > 0:06:29and may not offer as much space as the Wards need.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Larger houses come at a huge cost.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35This stunning house just five minutes from the city centre
0:06:35 > 0:06:37offers more space
0:06:37 > 0:06:42but costs nearly £1 million, well out of the Wards' budget.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43But what a view!
0:06:44 > 0:06:48So very different from their life in the UK.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50But what about option two?
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Durack is an outer suburb.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56It's a 35-minute drive to the centre
0:06:56 > 0:06:59but with good schools and transport links,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01it could be a viable option for the Wards.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04A four-bedroom house with a pool and lake views
0:07:04 > 0:07:10will cost around £426,000 but there's plenty of space for the family
0:07:10 > 0:07:14and Gary would be able to commute easily to the surrounding suburbs for work.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19That all looks very inviting but what about the third option?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Nightcliff is one of the oldest areas of Darwin,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27with fantastic views of the Timor Sea.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29If you fancied the beach lifestyle,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32but need to be within commuting distance of town, like Gary,
0:07:32 > 0:07:35it's only 15 minutes to Darwin city centre.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Houses can be expensive, like this four-bedroom detached home -
0:07:40 > 0:07:45at nearly £320,000, above the Wards' current budget.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Three very different options, there, all of them life-changing.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54So where did we decide to send our family?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57We've chosen the country for the Wards.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59It will suit the lifestyle they're after.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Gary can commute to the nearby suburbs for work
0:08:02 > 0:08:07and they should be able to find a four-bedroom home within their budget of £270,000.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09We've lined Gary up with a job...
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Hi, Gary, how are you? Nice to meet you.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14..some housing options for the family...
0:08:14 > 0:08:17It's lovely. There's room for a pool We could build a pool in there.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22..and along their journey, they'll experience a taste of Australian life.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24It's just amazing. Just so beautiful.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29The scenery's awesome. My goodness, you don't get this in the UK.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31But they'll have a tough week ahead of them,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34as they try to make the biggest decision of their lives.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Rebecca, she's clearly not sure about what she wants to do.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39I still have a lot to leave behind
0:08:39 > 0:08:41and I'm still not sure, totally sure.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44I'm still not made up at the moment.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53The Ward family are looking for a big change
0:08:53 > 0:08:56but with so many questions to answer,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59will Darwin live up to Gary and Helen's expectations?
0:08:59 > 0:09:05And will Rebecca be persuaded to join her family for a new life Down Under?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07After a 10,000-mile flight,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11the Wards arrive on the other side of the world, a little weary.
0:09:11 > 0:09:17- It's good we're here.- It was quite an adventure.- Absolutely exhausted.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20I counted the hours from our house to here. 30 hours.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24It was quite surprising, how long the journey was,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28all things considered, everything together, waiting time for planes and things.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31It's going to be an interesting and challenging week.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36We need to put some things to bed about the way we feel about Australia versus the UK.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39I'm just really excited, you know, what we're going to discover.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48This car's bigger than our house at home.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Well, a big family need a large car and a large apartment.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55The Wards will be staying in Anula,
0:09:55 > 0:09:59perfectly positioned to explore both Darwin and the surrounding country.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Well, that's pretty cool, isn't it?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04There is a drawback, however.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09Rental properties in Darwin are rare and large houses are hard to find.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13This house has only three bedrooms and two bathrooms,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15so some people will have to share.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Wow. It's amazing.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19That's a bit of all right.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It's pretty good.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22Australian homes.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- This is brilliant. It's amazing. - Yeah, it's huge.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Our kitchen would fit in the fridge.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Could you get used to this? - Yeah, definitely.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I'm already used to it.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39Well, the kitchen and living area are certainly large enough for the Wards
0:10:39 > 0:10:41but what about the lack of bedrooms?
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- Well, I baggsy this room. - Erm, I don't think so.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Please, please, please, can I have this one?- No.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52This is really cool, isn't it?
0:10:52 > 0:10:55OK, we'll fight about the bedrooms later, all right?
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- You say it's yours, I say it's mine. - You can sleep in the yard.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- No! - LAUGHTER
0:11:01 > 0:11:03The lack of space is OK short term,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05but it's a real possibility
0:11:05 > 0:11:08they could only afford a small house on Gary's salary.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10With such a large family,
0:11:10 > 0:11:14considerations like this could mean a move just isn't viable.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17We'll have you two in the end room over there,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Dan in the one next door,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23and we'll be in the downstairs suite with en suite toilet.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25I think that's fair. See you.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I don't want to sleep in the same bed as that thing!
0:11:28 > 0:11:30If we both go in the guest room,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Becky can go in the queen-size bed and I'll go on the sofa.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- Are you finished?- Yes. - Thank you. Let's go.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38LAUGHTER
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Well, the number of bedrooms might not be ideal
0:11:41 > 0:11:43but there is one more surprise
0:11:43 > 0:11:47that might help Rachel get over having to share a room with her sister.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Has it got a pool? - That's pretty good.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Can't wait to see it when the sun's on it.
0:11:54 > 0:12:00- Oh, it's warm.- Yeah, it's refreshing but not absolutely freezing.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04In just a few hours, our family really get to test the water,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08comparing their lives in the UK to how they could be Down Under.
0:12:08 > 0:12:1430 hours ago, I'm sitting there being excited, generally,
0:12:14 > 0:12:18and now I'm in Australia - it's just too much to take in.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Pinch her! Pinch her! It is real.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32Back in the UK, the Wards live in a four-bedroom house on the outskirts of Bradford.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35They bought it eight years ago for £52,000.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40They also own the house next door, which they rent out to another family.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44To finance their move to Australia, they'll have to sell both houses.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47In their home, space is a real issue,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50with Dan's room barely able to fit a bed.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54The family are hoping to find more room in Australia,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57as well as the all-important pool.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02We found three suitable homes for sale in Darwin.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05The first is in the suburb of Moulden,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08about 30 minutes' drive from Darwin city centre.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13This three-bedroom detached house is on the market for about £210,000,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17so as long as they can get the right price for their property in the UK,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Gary and Helen should be able to afford it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- Oh, this looks nice.- OK.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It's pretty different.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28It's not what you expect to find in Australia.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Cos you get the concept of big homes, big rooms and everything's bigger.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Nice, though. If you had a place like this, you could change things round.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- Change a few things, I guess. - Fixtures and fittings.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44- But you can't change the size. I'm slightly surprised. - It's bigger than ours, though.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Gotta say, though - it's a very British thing -
0:13:47 > 0:13:50they don't plaster the walls here and I would.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54We're not going to be spending every second of our life in here, so...
0:13:54 > 0:13:56We'll be outside a lot, won't we?
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- Bit in two minds, myself.- Are you?
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Shall we have a look around the rest of the house?
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Well, a mixed reaction so far
0:14:04 > 0:14:08and Gary already has his reservations about the size
0:14:08 > 0:14:11but things don't get any bigger in the bedrooms.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- Whoa!- My goodness. You say come in but can I get in?
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Wow.- How would you feel if this was your room?
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- I wouldn't feel great about this, really.- I think it's too small.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Mm. Disappointing.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Not impressive.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31It seems that size is becoming a real issue.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Dan, we did say, because you always had to put up with the smallest bedroom,
0:14:35 > 0:14:36which room would you choose?
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- I'd rather live outside.- That bad?!
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Oh, dear. Dan certainly isn't impressed with this place
0:14:43 > 0:14:46but will the master bedroom help sway it for Gary and Helen?
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- I hate the walls. It's just painted breeze block.- Yeah.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55I don't want to be unkind but every room looks like a garage with furniture in.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01The surprising part for me is that this is within our budget
0:15:01 > 0:15:04but I'd prefer to live in Bradford in my house than this house.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Oh, no! Things are going from bad to worse.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11But if they move to Australia, this may be the sort of house they have to settle for.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- That's ridiculous! - Yes, that's the toilet room.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Or bedroom number four.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20LAUGHTER
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- I feel like I've seen enough, to be honest.- Yeah.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- We haven't seen outside. - We haven't, good point.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- Would that make a difference?- No. It wouldn't make a difference.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- But there may be the potential to extend.- A gold mine.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- Mm. Now, this is spacious. - This is cool.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43- This is more like it. - Oh, yeah.- This is lovely.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- There's room for a pool.- Yeah. - We could build a pool in there.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48At last, something positive.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51But Gary's still not satisfied.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55I'm struggling with the concepts of outdoor, indoor.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56That's my problem.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00You've got to remember how much time you're going to spend indoors,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02when it's 30 degrees year-round.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04You're going to be outdoors as much as possible.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07I'm not at all convinced.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- It would be useful to look at other properties.- Oh, yes, yes.
0:16:10 > 0:16:11See what there is.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16The size of house you can get for your money has come as a shock to the Wards
0:16:16 > 0:16:18but Helen is trying to be positive.
0:16:18 > 0:16:25It is pretty small inside. I always had the impression Australian houses were much more spacious.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29It is open-plan living but it is quite cramped.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34But then you go outside and there's this really beautiful and spacious garden,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37so the outside makes up for the inside.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39I'm an outdoor person, I always have been,
0:16:39 > 0:16:44and that's why we're considering a move to Oz, to spend more time outside.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46So they love the outside
0:16:46 > 0:16:50but they certainly didn't like the cosy interior of property one.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53But extra floor space could come at a hefty price.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58Property two is in the suburb of Durack, 35 minutes from Darwin.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02It has a lot more space, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms
0:17:02 > 0:17:05and costs around £270,000,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09so this property would be more of a financial stretch for the Wards.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Ah, a walk-in wardrobe. - There you go.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14All sorted.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- This is all right.- It's pretty fantastic, this.- Very nice.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- Yeah.- It's what you expect. - This is more like what you would want, isn't it?
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- This is about the same size as your room at home.- Yeah. - Good, good, good.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Well, first impressions seem to be good,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31but with the extra bedroom,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Dan might have trouble deciding which room to choose.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- This is a good size, too.- Yeah. - A good size.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41- Is this your room, then, Dan? - Yeah, just without the teddy bears.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46It's just a little bigger than the last place.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50I think it's the way it's done, as well. It's not as breeze-blocky.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- It's pretty good. - Yeah, good to go, this one.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57With its French doors, maybe bedroom three could be the one for Dan.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00That's a massive feature of this room. Gets you outside,
0:18:00 > 0:18:01opens the whole thing up.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I'm still going to wait, though, cos there might be a better one.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Weigh up your options at the end.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Well, we're definitely more impressed so far.- Yeah.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18Oh, this is fabulous.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- Now you're talking! Look at this. - Yeah.- Whoa!
0:18:22 > 0:18:23This is great.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26I like this very much.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29So the inside gets a big tick
0:18:29 > 0:18:32but will the outside live up to expectations?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- Mm.- Ooh!
0:18:37 > 0:18:43- Yeah, that's a spa, isn't it? - That'd be really good.
0:18:43 > 0:18:48- You're not gonna get much exercise in there.- We could cool down, still.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Cool down in the Jacuzzi.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53'It appears to come with an unexpected guest.'
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- Oh, it's still alive. - Does that come with the house?
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- I bet he can't get out, that's the reality.- Shall we rescue him?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Don't fall in!
0:19:06 > 0:19:11- Ah!- I don't think I could touch a lizard.- I could.- Could you?- Yeah.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- Cute!- Rachel's a good girl.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16What was the pool water like?
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- Cold? - Slightly but it's very refreshing.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22It's what you want, isn't it?
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- I prefer this.- Yeah, I do. - Absolutely prefer this.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32I did like the garden in the last place
0:19:32 > 0:19:36but this is much nicer, the house is much nicer,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and you've still got a nice outdoor space.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- There's only so much grass you can stare at...- Yes.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- ..before it says, "Fill me with a pool."- True.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48This house seems to have been right up the Wards' street,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50even with the local visitors.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- So have you made a decision about the room situation?- Yes, we have.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55And the decision is?
0:19:55 > 0:19:58I'm probably going to have the one with the door.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03Just open at night and you'll probably be able to listen to wildlife in an evening.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- Result.- Yeah.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07I'll just... I'll just go with anything.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- So it's down to you, then.- I guess I'll go for the bigger one, then.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14The third property we found for the family
0:20:14 > 0:20:18is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in the suburb of Woodroffe,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20half an hour from Darwin city centre.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23This property offers all the space the Wards would need
0:20:23 > 0:20:25but it's expensive.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30At around £290,000, both Helen and Gary would have to work full time
0:20:30 > 0:20:32if they were to afford it.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Cor! Whoa! That's amazing.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- Not sure about the darkness of the place. - We could make it brighter.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43This is just an entertainment area, isn't it?
0:20:43 > 0:20:46It's very homely and cosy, isn't it?
0:20:46 > 0:20:48I like it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50And the kitchen's got quite a fun layout.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Hey, look at this. It goes round.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- Oh, yeah!- Wow.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57- Flows well, doesn't it? - That's where we've been.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Yeah, it's excellent.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03They like that but the bedrooms lead straight off the living area,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05which may be an issue for some
0:21:05 > 0:21:07and Gary's still concerned about the space.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- It's not huge, is it? - No but it's not bad, really.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16This is OK, I guess, as a guest room, maybe.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- Do you like it?- The other one I liked straight away.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23This one I'm hoping it's going to have more to offer than we've seen so far.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26So far, this house has failed to wow Helen
0:21:26 > 0:21:28but there's still a lot more to see.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Well, this has got to be our room. - Goes without saying, really.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- Wow!- There's an en suite through there.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39There's a huge shower head, Gary. You won't have to dance around.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41That's big.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Oh, it's brilliant. I like that.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49Yeah, this is... This is selling it a bit more to me now.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- Yeah, I like this.- It's great, yeah.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Oh, this is cool.- Pool table!- Cool.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02- That's class. - Learn how to play pool. - I like playing pool. That's great.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06There's such potential in this area, to just stick a...
0:22:06 > 0:22:09You could have this as your dining area, right off the kitchen
0:22:09 > 0:22:12and make the lounge more sort of spread round.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- Or a ballet room. - Would a horse fit in here?
0:22:15 > 0:22:16LAUGHTER
0:22:17 > 0:22:20If Gary's trying to persuade Rebecca to move to Australia,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23perhaps he should forget the games room -
0:22:23 > 0:22:26this feature might just help.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32- Oh, the pool's awesome! - That is one nice big pool.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- Oh, this is cool.- Cor, look at that! That's outrageous.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39- I think this has tipped the balance a little bit.- That's the business.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41It's the dream home.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- I do actually want to try it now. It's pretty cool, isn't it?- Nice.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49In terms of the house I'd like to live in, that's a dream home.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- It's the dream, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Guys, I think you'd better come here.- What is it?- A fitness room.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Really?- Yeah. - You've got to be kidding.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01'That's not exactly what some would call a fitness room!'
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Oh, yeah! Awesome.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08You could just get out of bed, go for about ten lengths or 20,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11come and lift some weights and that's it - done.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Diet finished. Diet finished.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Pile it all back on with a barbecue.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20We've show the Wards three properties in Darwin.
0:23:20 > 0:23:26The first house in Moulden cost £210,000 but was far too small
0:23:26 > 0:23:29and the Wards struggled to find anything they liked about it.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Property two, a four-bedroom house in Durack,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34was more expensive, at £270,000,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37but it was perfect for the Wards
0:23:37 > 0:23:40and Gary could obviously see himself living there.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43The third house in Woodroffe eventually won them over,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46with its impressive pool and large living area.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48This may have been their dream home
0:23:48 > 0:23:53but with a price of £290,000, it might have to remain just that.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57I think property 1, I don't think it's workable for us.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01I couldn't see myself spending money on a house like that.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03I just found it unacceptable.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06I really hope that we can afford property two.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09I'd be amazed if we can afford property three
0:24:09 > 0:24:13but if we could only afford property one, I don't know.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16I think, you know, especially based on Gary's reaction,
0:24:16 > 0:24:18I don't think that's going to work for us.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20So which way will they vote?
0:24:20 > 0:24:25Based on the properties we've seen today in Darwin, our vote goes to...
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Australia.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29England.
0:24:29 > 0:24:30Australia.
0:24:30 > 0:24:31Australia.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Australia.
0:24:33 > 0:24:34- England?- England.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39Australian properties have space and they've got swimming pools -
0:24:39 > 0:24:42that's generally it.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- I just prefer...- You like our house back home.- Yeah, very much.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47OK.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49'It's all hanging in the balance.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51'If property one is all they can afford,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55'the rest of the family may follow Rachel's example.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59'Later the Wards will discover exactly how expensive it is
0:24:59 > 0:25:01'to live the Australian dream.'
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Property in Darwin is expensive
0:25:09 > 0:25:13and if the Wards want more space than property one offered,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15then Gary's going to have to find the right job.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Gary is up early to sample work in Darwin.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26Back in the UK, he's a welfare worker helping disadvantaged children.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29It's a job that means a great deal to him
0:25:29 > 0:25:32and leaving the charity behind will be very difficult.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36So it's important he can find a similar set-up in Australia.
0:25:36 > 0:25:42In the Darwin area, the YMCA carries out the kind of work that Gary does in the UK.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I think for me, the reason why I'm into welfare work
0:25:48 > 0:25:52and working with young people is because I want to make a difference.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55I see these problems and there needs to be fixes in society,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57so my job in Australia,
0:25:57 > 0:26:02I think what I'm looking for is as close to the same as you could get.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08If they make the move to Oz, both Gary and Helen will have to find work
0:26:08 > 0:26:13if they're to have any chance of affording the property and lifestyle they want.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17That means that home schooling the children will no longer be an option,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21so the rest of the family are off to visit a local comprehensive school.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- Hello.- Welcome to Darwin. - My name's Helen.- Rachel.- Rachel.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27- Daniel.- Daniel. And Rebecca.- Yes.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- Come on in, let's have a look at the school.- Cool.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34Both Rebecca and Dan are planning to go to sixth-form college
0:26:34 > 0:26:38but for young Rachel, it would be a massive change, adapting to an Aussie school
0:26:38 > 0:26:41having been taught at home in the UK.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46I'm a little bit nervous since I've never been to school since I finished reception
0:26:46 > 0:26:53and I just find it really nerve-racking, confusing.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54I don't know what to expect
0:26:54 > 0:26:58and just generally, it's weird.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00Come on in.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Gary's come to meet Raquel and some of her staff and clients at the YMCA.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- Hi, there.- Hi, Gary, how are you? Nice to meet you.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Come and have a look through the centre.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17It's a great place to work. We have a lot of fun here
0:27:17 > 0:27:21and we do some great fun activities and it's really good, hanging out with kids.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26Hi, everyone. This is Gary. This is John, our youth services manager.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28- All right.- And Jess.- Hi, Jess.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33- Monica, Ramona and Rasupa.- Hello.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39This is part of a four-week holiday programme that the YMCA puts together over the school break.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43They're doing bead-making, making little jewellery boxes.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45That's great, isn't it? Are you gonna wear them?
0:27:45 > 0:27:50This is a safe environment. People can come here, know that they're safe.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Along with programmed activities, they can relax
0:27:53 > 0:27:57and they have access to things that they wouldn't at home.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Where I come from, a lot of people do actually bring youth
0:28:00 > 0:28:02to be the main culprits in all society.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- I don't think that's true and I'm sure you don't.- We don't.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10But it's good that you're putting things on to reverse the trend
0:28:10 > 0:28:13and get people doing diversionary activities
0:28:13 > 0:28:16and putting education programmes in place. It's great.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19I think a lot of focus on youth services in the past
0:28:19 > 0:28:21has been around just the youth.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25It's no use just working with the youth if you're not working with the families.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28So that holistic approach to working with young people
0:28:28 > 0:28:32and helping them to be good family members is just as important as working with them.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34- There you go.- That's brilliant.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- There's another one that Jess made. - Can I have a look?
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- That's very cool.- Yeah.
0:28:40 > 0:28:46- This has come from feedback from them on the things that they like to do.- Pretty creative, eh?
0:28:46 > 0:28:48What do you think?
0:28:48 > 0:28:49No, it's good, that.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52The worst part is cleaning up afterwards, isn't it?
0:28:53 > 0:28:57While Gary looks around, the rest of the family are checking out school life.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03It's the school holidays in Darwin, so the classrooms are empty.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05However, there's still a lot to see
0:29:05 > 0:29:09and Rachel's first experience of Australian school is going well.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13- This is the outdoor area.- Wow.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- The students gather here in the breaks.- Wow.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21- And have the opportunity to sit and eat their food.- It's really good.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24This is nothing like the schools I've seen.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Not at all.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Darwin Middle School encourage their pupils to be hands-on
0:29:29 > 0:29:31and that even extends to their lunch.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35So it's the children themselves that prepare the food in here?
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Yes, they have a teacher who works with them
0:29:37 > 0:29:39who's trained in that sort of area
0:29:39 > 0:29:41but the students actually prepare all of the food,
0:29:41 > 0:29:46they learn about food handling, safety issues in the kitchen.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- That's amazing. - Can I come to school with you?
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Wow.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53They have a really big focus on healthy food,
0:29:53 > 0:29:54so the menu's very healthy
0:29:54 > 0:30:00and they have food that teenagers love to eat, so it works well.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03I really do want to come here now.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06And there's even more to tempt our budding ballerina.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10- This is the performing arts area. - Wow. That's amazing.- Look at this.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13The students, they do dance, they do drama, music.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17So do you have performing arts as part of the curriculum?
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- It's part of the curriculum.- Wow.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22A very important part of the curriculum here at this school.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26- I think you've sold it to her. - OK! That's good.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27OK, let's go.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35Back at the YMCA, Gary has some pressing questions for Raquel.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39Erm, so in terms of the reality of working, perhaps at the YMCA,
0:30:39 > 0:30:44what are the working hours? How does it work for an employee?
0:30:44 > 0:30:48In this industry, which is working with young people,
0:30:48 > 0:30:52outside school hours is the best time,
0:30:52 > 0:30:57so we would definitely be looking for people who can work evenings and afternoons
0:30:57 > 0:30:59and some weekends, obviously, that's flexible.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02And in terms of salary, what would it attract?
0:31:02 > 0:31:07A starting salary, with someone with experience,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10would be anywhere from, say, 47,000 to 57,000,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15- which is a fairly good salary in this area.- Mm-hm. That's useful to know.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18If you work in remote areas, which we also do,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21there's other benefits around those sorts of things.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23- Sounds good.- Yeah!- It really does.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Well, those are very different hours
0:31:26 > 0:31:28to the 9 to 5 that Gary works in the UK
0:31:28 > 0:31:32and it would mean missing out a lot of time with the family
0:31:32 > 0:31:35but the salary is a little higher.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Helen has some important questions for the head teacher,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41if she's to send her children back to school.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45One of the reason we've home educated our children so far
0:31:45 > 0:31:47is because of the concern with bullying.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51Obviously, I wouldn't want my children to subject to bullying,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54whatever form that might take.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56We have no tolerance for bullying.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58We educate people about what bullying is.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02We educate... We have things like natural justice,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05so if you're bullied by someone in the school,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09we would like to have you and them together and perhaps the parents,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13so that they understand the impact of their behaviour on someone else.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18'I just don't really want to be bullied.'
0:32:19 > 0:32:22I'm just scared of not fitting in, my accent.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25I've been teased quite a little bit
0:32:25 > 0:32:29but it's not that kind of bullying as in pushing and shoving and stuff.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33Erm... But I'm just...
0:32:33 > 0:32:36It's kind of fear of the unknown at the moment.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39We don't stamp out bullying completely
0:32:39 > 0:32:44- but we work really hard to minimise its impact.- Very good.- Yeah.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47This is just... The school's just perfect.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- That's great!- In every way.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52You're very welcome. I'm glad you liked it.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Good luck with that ballet. See you later.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Well, the school has proved to be a hit with Rachel.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01However, although the school has policies to minimise bullying,
0:33:01 > 0:33:05recent studies show that it's as much of a problem in Australia
0:33:05 > 0:33:07as it is in the UK.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09It's been a long day for everyone,
0:33:09 > 0:33:14but much of the decision rests on Gary finding work to suit him,
0:33:14 > 0:33:17with a salary big enough to help support the family.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22In terms of work, it's definitely a place where I'd consider working.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24It's not a million miles away from what I do now
0:33:24 > 0:33:27and they've got the same aspirations
0:33:27 > 0:33:30to see young people helped and moved on
0:33:30 > 0:33:34into something which is better and more appropriate to their future.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36One of my concerns would be the working hours.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41It would be take me away from what we've got as a pattern, really, in family life.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45We eat together an evening meal and doing some things in the evening.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Erm, if needs must, I'd do it,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51but I think I prefer the 9 to 5 job.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54So how will he vote on work Down Under?
0:33:54 > 0:33:58Based on what I've seen today at work, my vote goes to...
0:34:00 > 0:34:02UK.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09The Wards had been set on a move Down Under
0:34:09 > 0:34:11but so far, things haven't been easy.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15So what will the family make of Darwin's outback lifestyle?
0:34:21 > 0:34:25The earlier disappointment that Rachel prefers homes in the UK to Oz
0:34:25 > 0:34:28was something of a surprise for Gary and Helen.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35But they know that Rebecca also has doubts about life here,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38without her beloved horse Shadow and her new foal.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39Cheese!
0:34:39 > 0:34:43They're hoping a taste of the Australian outback can change her mind.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47It's just amazing. It's just so beautiful.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Beautiful day and the scenery's awesome
0:34:51 > 0:34:54and my goodness, you don't get this in the UK.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00Even if you get places like this, it's full of people.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05So it's just amazingly privileged to be in a place like this
0:35:05 > 0:35:06but empty.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09I could see us spending Sunday afternoons somewhere like this.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15Rachel seems to be warming up a bit but Rebecca's been very quiet so far.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Maybe a bit of outdoor life will do the trick.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- G'day. How are you going? - How are you doing?- My name's Evan.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Welcome to Mountain Trail Rides.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32All right. Have any of you guys ridden before?
0:35:33 > 0:35:37- I've ridden a couple of times. - Yeah? A couple of times. That's all right. No worries.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40So what we're going to do, we'll get you on your horses
0:35:40 > 0:35:46and run through what we're doing with the reins and stirrups and how to hold your feet.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- Help! - OK, so if everyone's ready to go?
0:35:49 > 0:35:51OK.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Almost the whole family's at home on horseback
0:35:54 > 0:35:58but there's one person who prefers to keep his feet firmly on the ground.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02- Is anyone feeling nervous at all? - A little.- A little bit.- Kind of.
0:36:02 > 0:36:03No worries. That's fine.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10HELEN LAUGHS
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Nice horse.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Where's the gear stick?
0:36:15 > 0:36:18All right. Is everyone ready to go? Right. Just follow me.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31There. To your left.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Look at them. There's three of them. A family.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45And there's loads more to see than just kangaroos.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48These massive structures are home to some pesky little critters -
0:36:48 > 0:36:50termites.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53These ones here are called cathedral termite mounds.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56This one here is actually about 100 years old.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57The most amazing thing about them
0:36:57 > 0:37:01is that everything that's above ground, they go as deep below ground.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03So they're quite an enormous thing.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06- Everyone ready to get going?- Yes.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08No, we're not going that way. This way.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12This way. Hey! Hey!
0:37:12 > 0:37:13- She's off home.- She wants to go home.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16'Gary never did find that gear stick!
0:37:18 > 0:37:22'But have they found a way of taking Rebecca's mind off her horses back home?'
0:37:23 > 0:37:26- Can you see yourself working in a place like this?- Definitely.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31- It would suit you.- Makes me miss Shadow, though.- Does it? Ah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34It's nice to be around horses. I've missed it cos I've not been riding Shadow,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37so it's been a nice change, even for me.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40There's horses everywhere, so I'm happy.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45I'm still quite undecided cos we haven't seen a lot of Australia.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48We've only been here a couple of days.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50But I don't think I'd give it 100% just yet
0:37:50 > 0:37:55but I enjoyed today, so it's a bit over 50 now!
0:37:56 > 0:37:59That were good. Different.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01I've never rode a horse before.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04So erm...
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Bit of pain. Bit of saddle soreness.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09- No pain, no gain. - No pain, no gain.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13The family seem to have had a fantastic day.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17However, these sort of experiences don't come cheap
0:38:17 > 0:38:22and at some point the reality of the cost of living will have to be reckoned with.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27For now, it's time to vote on the Antipodean lifestyle.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31Based on what we've seen, the lifestyle in Australia,
0:38:31 > 0:38:32our vote goes to...
0:38:34 > 0:38:35Australia.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Australia.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Australia.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42Australia.
0:38:44 > 0:38:45- Australia.- Yay!
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- Hooray. That's great. Fantastic. - Brilliant.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57The Wards may have enjoyed the outback lifestyle
0:38:57 > 0:39:00but if they're going to afford to make the move Down Under,
0:39:00 > 0:39:04it's important they get a good price for their property back in Bradford.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09The Wards think that their houses in Bradford -
0:39:09 > 0:39:13both their home and the house next door that they own and rent out -
0:39:13 > 0:39:17are jointly worth a total of £270,000.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19We sent round an estate agent
0:39:19 > 0:39:22to get an up-to-date valuation on their property.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- This is weird, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31- Looks really small, doesn't it? - It looks narrow.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Oh, he doesn't look happy, does he?
0:39:35 > 0:39:38It's really weird seeing our home, isn't it?
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Just bizarre.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- Rachel's!- Rachel's idea of tidying her room.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53- Oh, Dan did a good job.- Mm.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Looks like there's about a hundred rooms, doesn't it?
0:40:04 > 0:40:08Certainly it's a good-sized four-bedroom semi-detached property
0:40:08 > 0:40:12that has been extended, adding the fourth bedroom to the ground floor.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16There's a good-sized conservatory, overlooking the private rear garden.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Maybe a determining factor is that the fourth bedroom is downstairs
0:40:19 > 0:40:21but a good-sized family home.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25I would consider this property to be worth around £130,000
0:40:25 > 0:40:29and the property next door to be in the region of £110,000,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32giving a grand total of £240,000.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39- We've been credit-crunched. - Very much more than I thought.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42I thought we'd probably be about 150 for ours.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46I would've thought 150 would've been the smallest amount for ours.
0:40:46 > 0:40:47Yeah.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- Cos it was valued at 170 at one point, wasn't it?- It was.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51Shows how much they've dropped.
0:40:51 > 0:40:58The properties we've seen so far in Australia have been valued at much higher than those houses are.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01That makes quite a difference to us, really.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05- So... back to the drawing board. - It looks like it, doesn't it?
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Oh, no! That's not good news.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13It seems their property is worth a lot less than they'd hoped for.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Can they still afford to make the move Down Under?
0:41:18 > 0:41:20We've provided the Wards with some details
0:41:20 > 0:41:22of the everyday costs of living in Australia.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25But will the numbers add up?
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Costs. Wow, OK.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32Large house, air conditioning running 24/7, £186.
0:41:32 > 0:41:33We won't do that.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38- So we've got that - 186 plus these costs...- Of course.
0:41:38 > 0:41:39- We don't have that now, do we?- No.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Good grief.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45There are quite a few hidden extras. How will the expenses compare?
0:41:47 > 0:41:51What's that? We would only be looking at that, stabling and feed.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- So that's 225.- No, no, no. It can't be that much.
0:41:56 > 0:42:01- What are our current running costs for the car?- £120 a month for fuel.
0:42:01 > 0:42:02I'm getting stressed, now.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07They've got some buying a home information.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10- That's the mortgage. - So that's on the first house we saw.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- Really?- So £1,000... Oh, goodness.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18So it's well over double what we pay now on the mortgage.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- OK, well, we're still earning more, so...- Yeah.- It's not too bad.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Things are a bit more expensive than they thought.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29Gary's determined to make it add up.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31It's time to do the sums.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34That cost £1,060 more a month to live...
0:42:35 > 0:42:36So it's that plus...
0:42:38 > 0:42:44- 195. So in actual fact, budget wise...- We'd be worse off.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Yeah, only £200.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49You can cut back. You can cut back on shopping.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52You can watch your fuel bills, you can...
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Well, the biggest thing is the horse.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58We've said to Rebecca she needs to start paying towards it.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- Absolutely.- That's one of the ways we can cut back on our expenses.
0:43:01 > 0:43:06After crunching the numbers, how have things worked out?
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Erm, I thought it was a challenging process.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12I thought looking at all the outgoings and incomings, you know,
0:43:12 > 0:43:14it was quite challenging.
0:43:14 > 0:43:19It destroys the myth that somehow Australia's some cheap paradise.
0:43:19 > 0:43:20It isn't.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22It certainly was a reality check,
0:43:22 > 0:43:25looking at the figures, the facts and figures on paper
0:43:25 > 0:43:27and finding that overall,
0:43:27 > 0:43:30the cost of living in Australia is a bit higher than in the UK.
0:43:30 > 0:43:35But then to balance that out, the wages are slightly more than ours.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Gary and Helen are putting on a brave face
0:43:41 > 0:43:45but how will they vote, in the knowledge that the life they dream of
0:43:45 > 0:43:47might be just too expensive?
0:43:48 > 0:43:51Based on the living costs we've just been working out,
0:43:51 > 0:43:54our vote goes to...
0:43:57 > 0:43:59- UK.- UK.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02- UK?- Yeah, UK.
0:44:02 > 0:44:06It's obviously mathematically cheaper to live in the UK.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19If the Wards are going to afford to make the move to Australia,
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Helen's going to have to go back to work.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25This will mean an end to home teaching for the kids.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27They've been out of the school system for five years
0:44:27 > 0:44:31and making new friends could be daunting for them.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33Welcome to Darwin surf club.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38If you guys want to get in your bathers, we'll get down to the beach and meet the other guys.
0:44:39 > 0:44:44They're going to have to adapt quickly and make friends.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47But how will they fare when thrown in at the deep end?
0:44:47 > 0:44:49OK, guys, we're going to do some board training.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53You guys, head down and grab your boards. Rach, if you follow them.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Daniel, we're going to use one of the rescue boards.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58We'll go over there, grab that one.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02In Darwin at this time of year,
0:45:02 > 0:45:05there's a heightened risk of poisonous box jellyfish
0:45:05 > 0:45:09but this beach is regularly checked by the surf rescue team,
0:45:09 > 0:45:11so it's safe to go in the water.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13I'm not taking part cos I've got lenses.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16I've just been helping out on the land.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20But even as a spectator, it looks really fun.
0:45:22 > 0:45:24Experiencing new sights and sounds
0:45:24 > 0:45:27may have taken Rebecca's mind off the UK for a while
0:45:27 > 0:45:30but Mum and Dad are all too aware
0:45:30 > 0:45:33that her heart still yearns for life back home.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38Yeah, I think it's going to be difficult for Becky to leave Shadow
0:45:38 > 0:45:40and Cara.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43We've always known it was going to be difficult
0:45:43 > 0:45:46and we've always talked to her about the situation
0:45:46 > 0:45:49and if she says, "No, there's nothing for me in Australia,"
0:45:49 > 0:45:52then that would be quite a difficult situation for us.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59I got a text from my friend last time and that brought it all back
0:45:59 > 0:46:04but I think I've had too much to think about
0:46:04 > 0:46:06but I do miss them quite a lot.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09Erm, I think if I stayed any longer than three weeks,
0:46:09 > 0:46:11that would get really hard.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14I've seen what Australia's done to my family in the space of a few days
0:46:14 > 0:46:16and I'm quite happy about it,
0:46:16 > 0:46:20that everyone's so happy and chilled and they've enjoyed every day.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24They've come home and collapsed because they've done so much.
0:46:25 > 0:46:27But it doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt a lot,
0:46:27 > 0:46:30so I guess... I don't know.
0:46:30 > 0:46:32'It's a tough one, isn't it?'
0:46:32 > 0:46:35I wouldn't want to be dragging her here kicking and screaming
0:46:35 > 0:46:38because it would be just heartbreaking to see her so upset
0:46:38 > 0:46:40and really unhappy.
0:46:40 > 0:46:41I wouldn't do that.
0:46:41 > 0:46:45'I think it's a tough call, the Rebecca issue.'
0:46:45 > 0:46:49But I think, we're trying to persuade her that there are more important things
0:46:49 > 0:46:52than horses and pets.
0:46:52 > 0:46:54I know it's hard to say that
0:46:54 > 0:46:57and it's difficult to enforce that onto a child
0:46:57 > 0:47:00but it is a reality for me.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04Erm... There may be some tough decisions to make in the future.
0:47:07 > 0:47:12If Rebecca, Rachel or Dan can't come to terms with life on the other side of the world,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15the possibility of a move could be dashed.
0:47:15 > 0:47:20But will the local surf club make them feel part of their gang?
0:47:20 > 0:47:22- What do you really do after school? - Shopping!
0:47:22 > 0:47:25Sport training and stuff, usually.
0:47:25 > 0:47:29We don't go on the water much in the wet season cos of the stingers.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33Yeah. You can go in - pretty good waves then.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36- How hot does it get? - About 33 degrees.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40- This is kind of our cold. This is our winter.- This is winter for us.
0:47:40 > 0:47:46- It gets like 40 degrees.- No, it doesn't, it gets...- It gets like 33.
0:47:46 > 0:47:50There's nothing like the weather to warm up a conversation.
0:47:50 > 0:47:54- What's the weather like in the UK? - Really, really cold all the time.
0:47:54 > 0:48:00- Even in summer.- Compared to here, it's always cold, really.
0:48:00 > 0:48:03We sit outside when it's 20 degrees cos we get nothing better.
0:48:03 > 0:48:08If you ever go to the UK, go in summer and hope for the best.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11In the winter, it can get to minus five in the day and colder at night.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14- I'd die.- We freeze!
0:48:14 > 0:48:17So, enough talk about the weather.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- Bye!- See you.- Bye. - Nice meeting you.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23How did Rachel, Dan and Rebecca enjoy their day
0:48:23 > 0:48:26with their new Aussie pals?
0:48:26 > 0:48:29- I had a lot of fun.- Yeah, loved it. - I enjoyed it, too.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32'They're really friendly. They helped a lot.'
0:48:32 > 0:48:37They was all... When you wanted to know how to do it, you know...
0:48:37 > 0:48:39yeah, they were really helpful.
0:48:39 > 0:48:40It was really nice.
0:48:40 > 0:48:42How will they vote?
0:48:43 > 0:48:46Based on the friends we've met today, our vote goes to...
0:48:48 > 0:48:50Australia!
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Leaving loved ones behind is always difficult
0:48:55 > 0:48:58but have the Wards really given this enough thought?
0:48:58 > 0:49:02We've prepared some messages from friends and family back home.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09Hello, Gary, Helen and the children.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11Hello. Nice to be able to speak to you.
0:49:11 > 0:49:16They always seem to be enthusiastic about what the next challenge is,
0:49:16 > 0:49:17what's the next thing.
0:49:17 > 0:49:21- Caring and supportive. - Without a doubt.- And good friends.
0:49:21 > 0:49:26Gary's one of those unique people who challenge how you think
0:49:26 > 0:49:30and he doesn't go along with the run of the mill way of thinking.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32He's a bit of an anarchist at heart.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35You never quite know what he's going to do next
0:49:35 > 0:49:39and it's a total surprise and I love that about Gary.
0:49:39 > 0:49:43Helen has become a really good friend. She's a good mate to have a coffee with.
0:49:43 > 0:49:47She is not only my daughter, she's a very good friend.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51'She's somebody I can contact and talk about all sorts of things.'
0:49:51 > 0:49:55She's such a thoughtful, generous girl and I love her to bits.
0:49:55 > 0:50:00'I shall miss the fun, I think, of them being here.'
0:50:00 > 0:50:02We'll miss them. We'll miss them terribly.
0:50:02 > 0:50:05I mean, I know I can still phone when she's over there
0:50:05 > 0:50:09but it's not in the same time zone,
0:50:09 > 0:50:13so it's a case of, you've got to think about it - "Can I phone?
0:50:13 > 0:50:15"Is it three o'clock in the morning over there?"
0:50:15 > 0:50:21So I'll miss that. I'll miss not just being to phone and find out what they're up to.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24It's not often you meet good friends that you can really rely on.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27'I'll miss having somebody to talk to.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29'Gary works with vulnerable people, as I do.'
0:50:29 > 0:50:33The job is very, very stressful, so we can talk to each other.
0:50:33 > 0:50:35We obviously keep things confidential
0:50:35 > 0:50:38but we can bounce things off each other after a stressful day
0:50:38 > 0:50:41and we understand where we're coming from.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44So it's good to have a friend you can discuss things with.
0:50:44 > 0:50:48'He won't be there any more, so I'll have to email him.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50'I won't have the face-to-face contact.'
0:50:50 > 0:50:53I won't have the personal contact with Gary.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57I don't want to put them off because that's selfish
0:50:57 > 0:50:59and I feel that I don't want them to go
0:50:59 > 0:51:01but in another way, I do
0:51:01 > 0:51:03because I know it will be a better life.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07- Aye. We'll miss them. - We'll miss them, you know.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11We love you... I can't.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14'We love you and we miss you very, very much.'
0:51:14 > 0:51:16- God bless you.- Yeah.
0:51:16 > 0:51:20I shall miss you dreadfully if you decide to settle.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23I shall miss your company, I shall miss your fun.
0:51:23 > 0:51:27I still keep thinking of all the good times that we've had,
0:51:27 > 0:51:31thinking of the times that we've taken Jake out to the woods,
0:51:31 > 0:51:33which we won't be able to go and see any more.
0:51:33 > 0:51:37I shall just miss all your company. I shall miss everything about you
0:51:37 > 0:51:40but you've got my love with you there.
0:51:40 > 0:51:43I shall support you whatever you decide.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46But I've lost a good friend if you settle
0:51:46 > 0:51:47and I love you dearly.
0:51:47 > 0:51:52We're really glad that you're getting the chance to live your dream
0:51:52 > 0:51:55and we'll always be here if you need us.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58Obviously, we know that it's best for you guys
0:51:58 > 0:52:00but we will really miss you.
0:52:02 > 0:52:03But...
0:52:06 > 0:52:08I hope you have... I hope you decide to do it...
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Trying not to well up. Oh, goodness me.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15If you do decide to go, I wish you all the best, I really do.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24Well.
0:52:25 > 0:52:29- Cor.- It's nice to hear what people think about you.- Yeah.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32- Yeah.- There's some great comments, there.- Yeah, they're good.
0:52:34 > 0:52:35Yeah.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39Erm, I'm just touched by the nice things that they've said about us.
0:52:39 > 0:52:40Erm...
0:52:42 > 0:52:46But I think they all see that, you know, this is a good move for us as a family.
0:52:48 > 0:52:52I don't fear they won't get on a plane and visit us.
0:52:52 > 0:52:55It's good that we've got each other, though, isn't it?
0:52:58 > 0:53:02Ah! It's never easy.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06Although the Wards might have a lot to gain from a move to Australia,
0:53:06 > 0:53:08it would come with a huge loss.
0:53:15 > 0:53:17So that's it.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20The Wards are almost at the end of their roller-coaster week Down Under
0:53:20 > 0:53:23and it's been something of a wake-up call.
0:53:23 > 0:53:28Their hopes of affording their dream home were quickly dashed.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31Living here in Darwin, it's quite expensive.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35It seems that my life in the UK
0:53:35 > 0:53:39is directly opposed to the life here in the Northern Territory.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42House prices are going up here, the economy's booming,
0:53:42 > 0:53:45where in the UK, we're just bottoming out in a big recession.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49So that's a big... You've got to think that stuff through
0:53:49 > 0:53:52and whether you could actually, realistically, manage.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56But the kids love the outdoor lifestyle
0:53:56 > 0:53:59and found it easy to make friends here.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02- They're really friendly. I had a lot of fun.- Yeah. Loved it.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04I enjoyed it, too.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06And Rachel fell head over heels
0:54:06 > 0:54:09with the possibility of going back to school.
0:54:09 > 0:54:13- This is just... The school's just perfect.- Oh, that's great!
0:54:13 > 0:54:14In every way.
0:54:14 > 0:54:19There was work for Gary but could he leave the job he loves in the UK?
0:54:19 > 0:54:21When I went to the Lighthouse Group,
0:54:21 > 0:54:24I found it was an environment and a job which kind of suits me.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26There was a Gary-shaped hole there
0:54:26 > 0:54:29and I haven't found that, really, here.
0:54:30 > 0:54:34Messages from friends and family were tough to hear.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39'If you do decide to go, I wish you all the best, I really do.'
0:54:41 > 0:54:44It is. It's gonna be really difficult.
0:54:44 > 0:54:45I'd really miss Sarah.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48I'd miss the laughs that we've had.
0:54:48 > 0:54:49Erm...
0:54:49 > 0:54:52And also, I'd really miss my mum.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57And all the time, Rebecca was heartbroken
0:54:57 > 0:55:00at the thought of never seeing her beloved horses again.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02I'm not really sure at the moment
0:55:02 > 0:55:06because although riding here's good and there is horses and stuff,
0:55:06 > 0:55:08I still have a lot to leave behind
0:55:08 > 0:55:10and I'm still not sure, totally sure.
0:55:10 > 0:55:14I think it's still a very hard decision
0:55:14 > 0:55:17and I really... I'm still not made up at the moment.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21Rebecca, she's clearly not sure about what she wants to do.
0:55:21 > 0:55:25Erm... I've said before that if one wants to stay, we all stay,
0:55:25 > 0:55:27so that's a big deal.
0:55:27 > 0:55:29'I think she needs to make her own choice.'
0:55:29 > 0:55:34With the all or nothing approach, things really could go either way.
0:55:34 > 0:55:36So after sampling their dream for one week,
0:55:36 > 0:55:38how will they vote?
0:55:39 > 0:55:41Based on our week here in Darwin,
0:55:41 > 0:55:44our final vote goes to...
0:55:48 > 0:55:49Australia!
0:55:53 > 0:55:55- Was that unanimous?- Yeah, it was.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57- Yay, we're going! - CHEERING
0:55:57 > 0:56:01- Good stuff. Australia.- Cool. I'm glad you're all up for it.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04- All united.- We are one!
0:56:05 > 0:56:09- Well, Becs, it's been a good week for you, then, horse wise.- Nice one.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18It seems Becky has finally been won over
0:56:18 > 0:56:21to the benefits a new life Down Under would bring
0:56:21 > 0:56:25and the Wards will be moving as a family to Australia.
0:56:25 > 0:56:27Join us again next time
0:56:27 > 0:56:30to find out what happens when another British family
0:56:30 > 0:56:33has to decide whether they're Wanted Down Under.
0:56:52 > 0:56:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:53 > 0:56:55Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk