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There has generally been tougher restrictions on taking bottles onto Auss bound flights for some time. HKG, where I travel via several times a year always has screening just before boarding the plane to Auss, but not going the other way ie to London. But the nature of security checks is to be random, levels of paranoia change each day !!, however this doesn't excuse shops etc in transit areas from selling you something they know has a good chance of being confiscated. Best advice I can give is what I do. Take a couple of small empty plastic bottles with me, and get the cabin crew to fill them for me. Fairly often the crew have actually given me a new sealed bottle on the plane to keep, when I say I drink a lot..(water)..it saves them from serving you numerous times in the flight.!!

As others have said, pack them in the suitcases, to save the hassle of carrying them and an potential issues at security check points with liquids etc. On arrival at Auss declare everything, (and would help if they are all together in a suitcase so you know where they are.). From my own experiences of taking food in, as long as its still packed and sealed,(original commercial packaging) there wont be any issues as long as you declare it. A lot of the time they just ask what you have and without even looking at it, an d then let you through. (often quicker than the 'nothing to declare lane!!)

Cant say Ive had the pleasure of Manila, but Auckland Ive always found OK, nothing special but OK. Now HKG is always good as is SIN and KUL. Heathrow is better than it was but still has its moments

Have a look at Premium Economy seats (Virgin Atlantic) or World traveler Plus (BA). Bigger wider seats with the all important extra legroom. Other carriers do something similar as well.. Or maybe business class on certain legs of the journey and economy (and/or extra legroom economy seats) on another leg?

Different airlines call their business class different things..as others said,BA is Club World, Virgin Atlantic is Upper Class. These are fully flat beds. If you are mostly interested in the extra legroom, then some airlines have extra leg room seats in economy that you can pay a bit extra for. Still is economy but may be what you need. Obviously they charge extra but the fare will still be a lot cheaper than a business class fare.

Have used amaysim several times on trips down under. Was easy to set up and have kept it valid between trips by occasionally topping up another $10 (have set up credit card linked to it so can be done from anywhere via internet.) Then next time we go to Auss I use the credit on the account to by the $40 package or whatever the price is at the time. the package is unlimited calls etc and loads of data. Can tether laptop to it for internet access if needed. I still have the original SIM I got about 3 years ago..

I had to do the exact same booking. MEL to LHR one way. I did have specific flights and dates so had no choice in the respect of airlines etc. However, I tried booking this via the airline, and got a stupid price, then tried through aus based travel agents, but the price was cheaper by booking it in the UK with an agent. I used trailfinders, very helpful and the best price (and no CC charges). This was about 18 months ago though. Worth ringing around. Did look at a return ticket but was a lot more (especially as starting in AUss !)

What airline you choose will depend exactly what you want...ie shortest flight times, good food and service etc. Another factor that few people seem to look at is the reliability and safety of each airline.....yes allegedly every one should operate to a set of standards, but don't forget these are the minimum standards required. Many operate much higher !. Experience levels of flight crew etc all are a factor....Now I know for most it is hard to know who to choose as they don't have the knowledge. I work for a major airline, (I won't say who) and have flown with many different airlines,how ever there are some I definitely wouldn't fly with. For obvious reasons I cant name them in a public forum, but if you stick with the main airlines, SIA, MAS, EK,QF VS etc you should be fine

I have flown this route many times with a variety of airlines, including MAS several times. As you say it is an A380 from LHR to KUL, then I believe an Airbus A330 to Aussie. The service level on MAS is good, all with individual TV screens (which even now some of the lessor known airlines don't have !!). KL airport is easy to transfer between long-haul flights. 99% in the same terminal section, so just a short walk, with no need to take shuttle train to other section of terminal. Security wise, when you arrive and get off the plane you are straight in the departure area, with the shops, toilets, food etc. At the most, depending on which gate the next flight goes from, you will have a 7-10 minute walk, lots of travelators as well. The security checks for departure are done at each departure gate (due to arriving and departing passengers mixing in the airport). Be aware if you have any liquid over the standard 100ml, such as a bottle of water) you will not be allowed to take it through the security as you go into the departure gate. If you want a bottle of water with you on the flight, take an empty one and get the crew to fill it up for you once on board. this is what I have done and the crew are very used to this request!! In the main terminal area there are plenty of water fountains, but as I said you cant take full bottles onto the plane !! This procedure is different to a lot of airports so beware... other than that the airport is a nice modern easy to get around one...easy for a transit as no changing terminals!! Enjoy the trip

I regularly travel to KUL and would say that the best option for you, having 2 kids in tow etc (also bearing in mind the heat and humidity!!) and as you want just the one night near the airport, then the Sama Sama is definitely the best option. Of the hotels nearest the airport it is probably the best. It may not be the cheapest but the fact you can walk to it via a walkway from the terminal, is a big bonus. I have a vague recollection they may even provide a buggy transfer if you ask?? As others have said the city is a fair way away. At least an hour in a cab. Obviously a better selection o hotels but a long way. Any other help please ask

If you are interested in some headphones it is worth checking the price s at dixons in heathrow duty free. I found them cheaper there. They also have several brands and models you can try out. If you buy the rechargable ones, I found that there was a good charge in the batteries already...so hopefully enough for the flight. With the bose ones you also get a good carry case and an adaptor plug for use on different aircraft types.

I have been using the Bose QC15. (On ear as opposed to over ear) they run on a rechargeable battery. You get two with the headphones. I haveimade several trips to Sydney and have never run out of power. Have found them very comfy. Being nose canceling they do stop a lot of the background noise. Certainly much more comfy than the cheap headsets in economy class. Downside it's the price. £250.... Worth tying some of the in ear type if you can as they are obviously smaller to carry around. I'm happy with mine but I do fly longhaul several times a year. For one trip I would save the money though!

Alcohol in Malaysia is expensive due to taxes, hoever the airport duty free (which can be used on arrival) is a good price for spirits. Some toiletries are better value than the Uk, and better than the airport. Maybe make a note of the airport prices on arrival, see what you get them for in the city, and if no better, get them on way out ! Another shopping area that is good is Mid Valley, and also OneUtama and the Curve, both of those a bit out of the city center though. Bukit Bintang good as well.

Just my views...Not sure the age of your kids, however, having been a regular traveler through HKG and KUL airports, and having lived in KL for some time, My own view would be HKG. (out of the two, as others have said SIN airport would be better for kids, swimming pool etc). KL city is at least 1 hour drive from airport, and taxi would be the easiest way, the fast train is good, but ends at KL central, which is not quite the city bit you would want to be for a quick visit, however the monorail goes from there so can easily get around. taxi would be best though. HKG city center can be easily reach via the fast train. Again like KL to drive is a fair way. If you wish to just do a little shopping and maybe a quick meal, you could go to Tung Chung, (large newly developed area with housing and massive shopping center, food outlets etc) which is a few minutes down from the airport by bus (or get on the free Novotel hotel bus! - hotel is part of shopping center)) And if time get the cable car up to the large Budda on the mountains (Cable car goes from Tung Chung. ) Any questions on KL please ask...Other thing to bear in mind is the weather, KL is always about 33 degrees and very humid, so you will be sweating !! ....hope that helps a bit !

With regards to DAB radio's, if it is not already capable of DAB 2, it maybe upgradable via a pc and lead. The one we have came with a usb lead so the internal software can be updated, in our case it allowed the radio to work on dab 2. Check with the manufacturer.