Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac is moving his young family from Sydney to Melbourne, saying he will continue his role on the breakfast show from the new base. In a multi-image post on Instagram, the 43-year-old Seven star explained that he and fiancée Rebecca James are relocating with their two daughters, Margot (three) and Mabel (one).
A key motivation for the move, Mac said, is family proximity. He noted that Rebecca’s parents will be much closer—“the grandparents are 9 minutes away instead of 9 hours”—and he said he wanted to repay his fiancée for taking the leap to relocate their life to Sydney. He added that the family’s time in Melbourne would allow their children to grow up near Rebecca’s family, while reflecting on their shared life so far: the couple has ticked off several milestones together, including buying and renovating a house, launching a creative content agency, Pearl Studios, and getting engaged.
In the accompanying carousel, Mac chronicled the arc of their five-year relationship, beginning with the pandemic-era move that brought them together. "The love story began on a screen in COVID times. I lived in Syd & Bec in Melb," he wrote, sharing a photo from their early days. He also recalled their first date after six months of online dating and joked about the chemistry being electric. The post highlighted other milestones, including establishing Pearl Studios in April and the couple’s ongoing path toward family life. He reminded followers of the lighthearted moments they have shared along the way, including a nod to their shared appetite for Cheesymite scrolls as a lighthearted detail of their journey.
The post also provided a window into why the family intends to move. Mac described the move as a way to give their daughters a broader sense of family and country life, describing how “the lizards, the kookaburras & kangaroos lit up their faces with such joy & wonder.” He noted that the move is a strategic step to provide Margot and Mabel with a childhood experience framed by close family ties and the outdoors they associate with Melbourne, while still maintaining his professional commitments.
The Instagram update also confirmed that the move would not derail his Sunrise duties. In what appeared to be a direct reassurance to viewers, Mac wrote that they would relocate to Melbourne and that he would still be conducting weather segments on Sunrise from the new location: "We’re moving to Melbourne & YES… I will still be your weatherman on @sunriseon7."
Reaction to the announcement was broadly enthusiastic, with colleagues and fans alike welcoming the family’s new chapter. Edwina Bartholomew, a Sunrise co-star, offered supportive remarks, while Melbourne radio hosts Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola and Nick Cody also chimed in with well-wishes on social media. The post also referenced the couple’s earlier milestones: Margot’s birth in September 2022, their engagement announced in December 2023, and Mabel’s arrival in August of the following year.
The family’s public update paints a picture of a new chapter anchored in family and stability, while signaling continuity for Sam Mac’s presence on Sunrise. The move aligns with a broader trend of media personalities relocating to be closer to family networks while maintaining high-profile roles that require ongoing public visibility. As Sam Mac continues to balance domestic life with a demanding morning broadcast schedule, viewers can expect further updates as the family settles into Melbourne and proceeds with their work and personal projects.