I do remember it being a mini-series now. I rented it from the library at my college years ago! I just recently re-read the book. So good. And that's awesome about your family connections!
Neville Schute also wrote On the Beach, which became a movie, but I'm not sure if it was actually filmed in Australia. Also, it's horrifyingly chilling (but excellent).
Edit: I just checked and it WAS filmed in Australia. Also packed with stars: Gregory Peck, Fred Astaire, Ava Gardner, Anthony Perkins.