So I'm sat there watching this documentary about Spike Milligan and there's all this footage of him sailing into Sydney (his parents emigrated to Woy Woy in 1951) and I mention this to the missus and she goes "Well why don't we sail then?" So I go "a) It'll cost a ****ing fortune and b) It'll take months", and she goes "Who cares how long it takes - we're emigrating - it just means we start our lives out there a month later than we would have", so I go "Yea, but what about the money? I'd quite like to have somewhere to live when I get there", so she goes "Well look it up then and see what it costs". So... I fire up Firefox and after about an hour manage to turn up one cruise (Auckland to Southampton $10k AUD) which takes 40 nights and not a lot else. So.... has anyone else looked into this and can point me in the right direction - prices, time frame that sort of thing.

I suppose when you add up the cost of flights and possible holiday stopover in Singapore or even America if you go the other way it could be worth looking into and at least you wouldn`t have jetlag.

Have you considered sailing on a freighter ship. Could be cheaper than a passenger/cuise ship.

Here is a link to a NZ company, but some google searches will come up with specailist freighter cruise agencies.

http://www.tourism.net.nz/new-zealan...ighter-travel/

Great way of getting there, not sure about bringing kids though, well probably fly!

In fact here you go

http://www.geocities.com/freighterman.geo/

All you need to know about freighter travel.

lol -nah, the whole point is to do some screw-the-cost, once-in-a-lifetime trip - somehow a Michael Palin style freighter trip doesn't do it.

Answering my own question here. I have deduced that your only option is to do part of a round-the-world cruise. Couple of P&O's boats do this, including the Oriana. Takes 41 nights, starts at about £4100 and takes you through the following locations: SOUTHAMPTON, Madeira, Barbados, Margarita Island, Curacao, Panama Canal, Acapulco, San Francisco, Honolulu, Apia, Pago Pago, Suva, Auckland, Bay of Islands, SYDNEY. Hmmm....

I would consider a freighter trip a once in a lifetime trip - certainly couldnt imagine doing it after a 12K mile trip across the seas. You can go on a poncy cruise ship anytime. Probably when your a pensioner and then you can blend in better!

doesnt the QE2 go to aus?

Apparently not - it seems to mainly chug between New York and Southampton.

Yes - http://www.globenettravel.com.au/cru...lizabeth_2.asp - annually

there ya go!!
cheapest £10k each...leaves 3rd january.

ps your cabin is next to the boiler

Next to the boiler you say? Now that is a once in a lifetime trip!!!

When I first read this I thought you meant actually *sailing* to Australia - I was damn impressed I can tell you .

We have a motor boat & not a yacht, but I've now got this burning desire to take it up to the Whitsundays, someone once said that they take their boat up there (albeit, a bigger one than ours!) & it only took a couple of days max. Getting it out into Moreton Bay would be a start I guess ...... :scared:

Sounds great, are you in any sailing/cruising club? I suspect Brissie and surrounding areas has plenty to offer.

I too hope to have a boat in Oz one day, only I want a nice big yacht to go out sailing.

lol - if the wife's serious then the Oriana it is. Five grand's a hell of a lot more reasonable. **** sight better than some shitty freighter, that's for sure.