Visiting Family in Australia and Seeing New Zealand Too

For many London families, Australia isn’t just a holiday destination. It’s where a sister moved after university, where grandparents retired, or where cousins are growing up with accents their relatives back home find adorable.

Visiting them is a big undertaking. The flights are long, the time difference is brutal, and the cost means most families only make the trip every few years.

That’s exactly why so many people ask the same question once the tickets are booked: while we’re all the way over there, can we see New Zealand too?

The answer is yes. It just takes a little planning.

Paperwork Before Plans

The first thing to sort isn’t the itinerary. It’s entry requirements for both countries.

Australia and New Zealand have separate rules, and each needs its own permission before travel. For New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand explains that visitors from visa waiver countries need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, known as an NZeTA, which is valid for two years for most travelers. Travelers on a UK passport may be granted a visitor visa of up to six months on arrival.

Importantly, the same guidance notes that people arriving in New Zealand as cruise ship passengers also need an NZeTA.

Australia has its own requirements, so check the official Australian government visa pages for your passport before booking anything.

It’s also worth reading the UK government’s foreign travel advice for both countries. It covers entry rules, safety information and local laws, and it’s updated as conditions change.

Do all of this early. Passport validity, children’s passports and electronic travel authorities are much easier to handle months ahead than the week before departure.

How an Australia and New Zealand Cruise Joins the Two

The hardest part of combining both countries is logistics. Separate flights, separate hotels and lots of packing and unpacking can eat into precious time.

One increasingly popular option is to sail between them. Silversea runs Tasman sailings on smaller ships carrying between 392 and 728 guests, and luxury cruises Australia families choose for this kind of trip can link Sydney, Hobart, Kangaroo Island and Adelaide with New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds and Hawke’s Bay in a single journey.

The appeal for visiting families is simple. You unpack once, travel between countries overnight, and arrive in new places without extra airport days.

Building the Family Visit Around the Sailing

The best trips treat the cruise as one part of a bigger plan, not the whole holiday.

Family first. Many families spend the first week or two with relatives, recovering from jet lag, catching up and settling into a routine.

Then the sailing. A voyage across the Tasman adds adventure and variety without losing days to connecting flights.

Finish slowly. A few days back with family, or in one final city, gives everyone time to rest before the long journey home.

This structure also works well for relatives in Australia. Some families invite grandparents or aunts and uncles to join the sailing, turning a visit into a shared milestone trip.

The Long-Haul Bit

There’s no getting around it. Flying from London to Australia is one of the longest journeys most families will ever take.

The cabin environment adds to the tiredness. A National Academies review of the airliner cabin environment records humidity at cruising altitude at roughly 10 to 20 percent, which is drier than most deserts.

That dryness can leave everyone feeling worse on arrival. A few simple habits help:

• Drink water regularly and keep a refillable bottle handy after security.
• Pack lip balm, moisturizer and eye drops in hand luggage.
• Move around the cabin when it’s safe, especially on long sectors.
• Consider a stopover to break up the journey, particularly with young children.
• Plan a gentle first few days on arrival rather than rushing into sightseeing.

Children often adjust faster than adults. Getting outside in daylight and keeping regular mealtimes both help everyone reset.

Seasons Turned Upside Down

One of the strangest parts of the trip for UK families is the reversed seasons. Christmas can mean beaches and barbecues, while a July visit can mean cool weather and even snow in some areas.

Wherever you go, the sun deserves respect. EPA guidance offers a simple rule that works anywhere: if your shadow is shorter than you are, UV levels are high.

In Australia and New Zealand, that covers much of the middle of the day in summer. Pack hats, long-sleeved swim tops, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen, and plan outdoor activities for mornings and late afternoons.

Who This Kind of Trip Suits

Small luxury ships are aimed mainly at adults, so this approach tends to work best for certain family setups:

Grandparents traveling with adult children, especially when visiting relatives together.

Families with older children or teenagers who enjoy museums, food, wildlife and city exploring.

Parents taking a grown-up trip, perhaps leaving younger children with relatives for part of the visit.

Milestone celebrations, from big birthdays to anniversaries, that bring the whole family together.

For families with toddlers, a land-based trip with flexible hotels or holiday rentals may be easier.

A Sample Three-Week Plan

A simple outline many families find works well:

• Week one: Arrive in Australia, stay with family, recover from jet lag and enjoy local time together.
• Week two: Join a sailing that links Australian ports with New Zealand, exploring a new place almost every day.
• Week three: Return to family for a relaxed final stretch, with a quiet day or two before the long flight home.

Adjust the balance depending on how much time you have and how much of it you want to spend with relatives.

The Bottom Line

Visiting family in Australia is already a big trip. Adding New Zealand can turn it into the journey of a lifetime, as long as the logistics are handled carefully.

Sort passports and travel authorities early. Build the trip around family time first. Consider sailing between the two countries to cut down on flights and packing. And plan for jet lag, dry cabins and strong southern sun.

Do that, and the long haul becomes worth every mile.

**Contributor post