It's a scene most of us have only ever dreamed of.

The sun was setting over an exquisite beach on a remote Fijian island.

And as Sue and Rod Campbell-Ross lay on the sand watching their children frolicking in the waves they knew their decision to give up everything and sail to the other side of the world was absolutely the right one.

The couple began an epic 18-month voyage to Australia with their three young children Emily, then two, Harry, six, and Pippa, nine, after Rod was made redundant.

And they say they have never regretted leaving their comfortable life in Ilkley to take to the high seas.

With the 44ft aluminium yacht Tintin as their new home the family have sailed across two oceans and 16,000 nautical miles -taking in almost 30 countries and islands along the way.

They have visited the Spanish colonial settlement of Cartagena in Columbia, and have taken part in a 17-day boat race in the Caribbean.

They have sailed with dolphins dancing on their bow wave, and have been rescued from a sinking tourist boat in the Galapagos.

But now they have reached their journey's end, and after celebrating New Year in the shadow of Sydney's harbour bridge they are beginning to settle into their new life in Australia.

But they have experienced more in their 18 months at sea than many families do in a lifetime.

And looking back on their adventure Sue says there were so many highlights that she hardly knows where to begin.

But the family also faced dangers on the way.

Sue said: "On our journey from the island of Aruba to Cartagena we had about six hours of very high winds and big waves breaking on the back of the boat. It was quite scary but we felt safe and confident in Tintin.

"In the Galapagos we went out in a small tourist sight seeing boat to swim with some sea lions and the boat hit the rocks.

"It was an extremely dangerous situation and once off the rocks the boat began to sink. It had a sizeable hole in the side. We were just very fortunate that a speed boat came blasting past us and saw our situation and came to our aid."

But she says she never felt they had made a mistake in setting sail for a new life.

"We felt privileged to have the opportunity to do what we did, see what we did and meet the people we did," she said.

"It was very, very special to be together as a family, doing this adventure together.

"The children sometimes only had each other to play with and they just had to make it work - and they did. On long crossings they would create amazing games and ideas and have so much fun."

She added: "They just coped so well. They didn't really ever rebel against it - they just seemed to accept their circumstances and did not question it. The boat was home and we were sailing to Australia - end of story!

"They loved the different places we visited, they loved the people we sailed with and the different crew members we had on board. No day was ever the same and so they got very used to change and coping with new situations.

"I feel they have benefited enormously from the trip - they have a general knowledge second to none, they read everything they could get their hands on, they have a respect, knowledge and affection for the sea and sealife, they have socialised with and met people from so many different nationalities and walks of life, they have learnt to be self-sufficient in themselves and entertain themselves, and also to think about their safety or where they are in their surroundings."

"They had a lot of time just to think - no activities or school or holiday clubs to rush off to, just time to sit down and think about stuff - life, love and the universe. They benefited from the freedom to be who they are with no society or peer

group to live up to, no need to conform, just to grow and grow confident in

themselves."

The freedom they enjoyed took them to countries and islands many other

children have never even heard of.

Places the family visited range from France and Spain to Tuamotos, Tahiti.

And after all their adventures Sue describes finally reaching Australia as a

"bitter sweet" experience. "Sailing into Coffs Harbour and seeing some of our sailing friends waving and waiting for us on the Customs Dock was very exciting, very thrilling and emotional - but I also felt incredibly sad because now our experience was over. The journey's end.

"I was so proud of my family for doing this and achieving what we set out to do, but at the same time I just did not want this experience to end."

After so long at sea she is relishing the simple home comforts like a washing machine, a bath, a garden.

And the family are throwing themselves into building a new life in Australia.

Sue said: "Our plans are simply to settle down in Oz - to find a good job for Rod, to settle the children into schools, to enjoy the Aussie lifestyle and to be happy.

"I don't believe in looking back - just moving forward and setting up a new life here. It is great here. Sydney is brilliant - it has such a vibe, a buzz. This is a whole new adventure. I remember the life on the boat, the adventure, and I am proud of it - now it is time to get going here"