What We Do.
Who We Are
Hands-on History Experiences
Ever since she found a suitcase full of letters in her Gran’s garage, founder Kate Shilling has been hooked on heritage. Her investigations have taken her on trips from Beechworth to Brighton, Hartley to Heathcote, and beyond to Belfast, France and the beautiful Scottish Borders. Says founder Kate Shilling; “In lots of families, the link to a local community is already there. You know a bit about where you’re from, and you’ve probably heard some stories. I started Family History Holidays to so people could delve into the details. Meeting local historians and discovering old documents, newspaper articles and other archives, means you can make direct connections between the present and the past. Your history becomes a hands-on experience”.
Time to Reconnect
Create new memories
Family life and family time is fragmented. The time we spend together is special. And we’re losing information - stories told by older family members about previous generations are disappearing. Reconnect on a Family History Holiday and create new memories on a curated trip made especially for you.
Inspirational Itineraries
Travel Expertise
​With over 25 years’ experience in the travel industry, founder Kate Shilling is passionate about connecting heritage with the visitor economy and using her wide network supporting wine, food, culture and agritourism experience development to create long-term value and resilience in regional communities.
Follow in their Footsteps
Give back...
I started Family History Holidays to so people could delve into the details. Meeting local historians and discovering old documents, newspaper articles and other archives, means you can make direct connections between the present and the past".
Founder, Kate Shilling
How it Works
Three steps.
Pick a Person
​Was your ancestor an aristocrat or an artisan? Maybe you have interesting indigenous heritage? Or perhaps you’re descended from a panhandler, a policeman or a publican? We get you connected to the right family history research tools and resources before you go.
Pick a Place
Discovering more about your family can take you to many surprising places. From a Sydney day trip exploring your convict past, to a weekend getaway in the old goldfields in Victoria or a week with the winemakers in the Barossa Valley, there are great discoveries to be made
Pack your Bags
​Make a date with history! We’re always celebrating significant moments in time, and your ancestors may have been the life and soul of the party! Before you set off on your travels, we'll tick the boxes to make sure you can make the most of your Family History Holiday.
Types of Trip
Family History Holidays offers different trip types, depending on your expertise in genealogy, and the time and knowledge you have when it comes to making travel arrangements. There’s an option to suit every traveller and every type of family.
Family History Holidays will help you fine tune your plans. We can help you dig deeper. We’ll make introductions to our genealogical network, and connect you to local experts in advance so you make the most of your time whilst you’re away.
Give back to local heritage groups.
We’ve seen a lot of digging done by locals who are passionate about bringing the past to life, knowing that heritage makes their town tick. A portion of the booking value will be passed on to XXXXXXXX to support their regional outreach programs across Australia.