family trip to OZ

royoftherovers

seriously considering a trip to austrailia to visit friends in April-May time but we have some reservations about travelling such along way with a two year old. Do we break the journey up or go for it and just crack on?
Best ways of entertaining the on the plane?
Are any airlines more familiy orientated than others?

If anyone is a seasoned long haul flier or you've done such a journey any advice tips would be appreciated

steveo3002

we did it with a stop for a few hrs at japan...it was sooo boring , we both hated the flights (and oz for that matter)

we flew with JAL and couldnt knock the actual service or flight, but its a killer sitting there for all that time

on the return we had about 20 hrs in japan..which was really nice and helped break up the trip, if funds and time allows id suggest a day or two break mid way

Counting_Pennies_2

I would say stop off at Hong Kong for a couple of days, I did it with a 6 month old, but don't see why a 2 year old wouldn't like it.

The railway up to the peak is a must, and great fun for a 2 year old.
A trip on the star ferry also.

Just make sure you find a family friendly hotel.

I stayed in one, can't remember the name as it was some time ago, but it had a walkway from the hotel to the star ferry, which enabled us to travel anywhere we wanted to.

You won't need more than a day or two to do it.

We stopped off a Fiji on the way home and would strongly recommend it, it was fab.

I found my whole trip to Oz wonderful. We went to Port Douglas, the rain forest, Cairns and Sydney. If you want any tips PM me and I'll try not to bore you to tears, but give you practical hints as to where we stayed and things we did. Best holiday we ever had

Sam_Bee

Gulf Air offer 'sky nannies' on most of their long haul routes to assist famiiles with small children; although I havn't tried it myself with my young'un, it sounds a great idea to be applauded and supported!

http://www.gulfairco.com/air/skynanny.asp

Plus, Gulf are a good airline, and normally cheap. They do only fly to Sydney though, so maybe a stopover in Muscat (Shangri-La family friendly) one way and Singapore (many good hotels) the other could make for a great little schedule.

Check they are on your flight before booking though, and alert Gulf once booked.

pjran

We went to Sydney April/May 2006 we didn't really have time to have a stop over as my husband could only take 2 weeks off work but if you have time I think its a good idea to have a break on both outward and return journeys.

Have a fantastic holiday.

Pj

kay74

we went round the very long way - london to Los angeles (3 days there doing disney for child), then 6 days in Fiji (as prev mentioned most excellent place which child loved), then 2 days in NZ before flying over to Cairns for fortnight. VV good to break up flight time, but flew Air New Zealand which not recommending - all entertainment was taken with us - child couldn't even see their communal TV.

robby-01

went to oz with a four yr old and stopped in hongkong for 5 hrs on way out so as not to miss new years eve.It was tiring to say the least but the bus kept us going.
The flight from hongkong to oz (we went to perth) seems to be over in no time.I went alone last year through dubai and literally bounced it just a 45 min stop.
I prefered the hong kong route as airline was ace .Cathay pacific really kid friendly ,did every thing right.
We stopped in HK for 3 days on the way back and it is worth a visit.
If time permits that you can stop off only once ,do it on the way back.You will feel better when you get home.
Flying is crap but oz is worth it

lottee

We have tried it both ways (so to speak!). The first time we went straight through - just a touchdown in KL. Absolute nightmare, wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy!!! Coming back was the worst, I think on the way was probably just as bad, but what with the excitement of seeing my family, it overtook the stress!
The 2nd time we stopped for a few nights in Langkawi on the way out, & an overnight stop in KL (airport hotel, top notch!).
I would never consider not stopping again after that.
Both times we flew with Malaysian, & found them excellent. As for entertainment, anything that doesn't make too much noise! If you get a late departure, your little one may sleep straight off.
A little secret though, (I think everyone knows about it apart from me actually!) the pharmacist at Heathrow recommended Phenergan, after I explained what a nightmare the first flight was. I bought it straight over the counter, but friends have told me Dr's sometimes prescribe it.