Wanted Down Under Revisited

After leaving her native South Africa for the UK when her young daughter became critically ill, Zelease Ballentine Brain came to feel that her young children needed to live in a place where being outside in the sunshine was the norm. Husband Matt was naturally cautious and needed to see that Australia would give the family all that Zelease had talked about. Did a trial week swing him round to her way of thinking, and, three years on, where have they decided to settle?

Claire believed the New Zealand lifestyle would be perfect for her daughter, who had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. However, was she able to convince husband Russell?

Was Lee able to convince wife Amanda and son Aaron that a move to New Zealand would be all he had hoped? Three years after their trial week, we find out where they are now.

Inspired by her grandfather's tales of a beautiful country, could Rebecca convince partner Kylie and her children to move to Australia away from their father? Where are they now?

Cheryl wants to take a leap and move down under after the sad passing of her father. However, has she reconvinced husband Adam after it being his idea in the first place?

After a terrible accident turned their lives upside down, Stan and Andrea thought Australia was the answer. So six years since we last saw them, did the dream become reality?

Stef Barker was convinced that New Zealand was the best place for her family, but did she manage to persuade reluctant husband Alan round to her point of view and make the move?

Eric Graham longed for beaches and barbecues in Australia, but wife Rachel wasn't so keen. Three years later, has he persuaded his family to make the move down under?

Gareth was on a mission to convince wife Jodi that their family's future lay down under. Three years since we last saw them, have they decided to make the move?

Andrew Treagust thought a change of pace in New Zealand was just what his family needed. Six years since we last saw them, has the dream become a reality?

Nat Baker had heard only great things about life in Australia and was sure it would be a brilliant place for his family to thrive. Wife Gemma had heard great things about Narnia too, but didn’t think it made a move any more of a viable option. Could one week in Melbourne help Nat sway his sceptical spouse, or would it be a case of his bubble being burst? And three years on, where are the family living?

Thandi Hagos was sure that New Zealand would provide a better life for her family, and was prepared to take the plunge as soon as possible. Husband Theo and children Semira and Yoni weren’t convinced, and with questions over care for their youngest son Nate, who has autism, it was Mum versus everybody else. Would a trial week in Auckland help her prove her point – and two years on, where do they now call home?

Tanya Cleary wanted to give her autistic son Jordan the best possible opportunities in life, and Australia seemed like it could be a brilliant home for his wildlife-loving lifestyle. Could a week in Perth prove that their destiny lay down under, or would being away from their friends and family prove just too much of a challenge? And seven years since we last checked in, where have the Clearys decided to settle down?

Lee and Abigail Parsons were at the end of their tethers – totally exhausted by shift work in the healthcare industry, they never got to spend time together as a family with their two young daughters, and something needed to change. A week in New Zealand was a chance for Lee to show Abigail what they could have down under, but would expensive Auckland scupper his plans for good? Two years since their visit, where in the world are the Parsons living?

Persephone and Debbie Santa Clara de Magdalene wanted to explore what New Zealand could offer them and their family, and thought it might just be the inclusive, accepting country for them and their children. With concerns about jobs, and the children having to say goodbye to their dad, a trial week had a lot hanging on it. Three years since we last visited, on what path has life taken them, and where have they decided to live?

Abigail Langridge was a woman obsessed with Australia. She knew that it would be the best place for her and her family, she just had to convince sceptical husband Mark and eldest son Charlie, who couldn’t comprehend why she wanted to move somewhere she had never even visited before. Could a trial week turn them round to Abigail’s way of thinking? Three years on, where have they ended up as a family?

Steve Hargreaves had happy memories of Australia and hoped a trial week would persuade wife Dianne they should relocate there. Three years since we last saw them, did the Hargreaves make the move?

After injury cut short his career as an Olympic diver, Ben Swain wanted wife Katie to try a fresh start in Australia. Four years since we last saw them, did they make the move?

Gill Johnson hoped a trial week in Perth would win husband Mark round to the idea of relocating to Australia. Three years since we last saw them, did they decide to make the move?