Destinations Australasia

Updated 2026

Australasia is often the last major RTW leg before heading home (for Pacific routes) or an early stop (for Atlantic routes). You can loop both countries in 6-8 weeks for $50-80/day, mixing beaches, outback, mountains, and adventure activities. The region is expensive compared to Asia but cheaper than Europe or North America, and the RTW traveler infrastructure is excellent - hostels everywhere, easy transport, English-speaking.

Why Australasia on a RTW Trip

Australasia offers a total vibe shift from elsewhere on your RTW. The landscape is alien - red desert, unique wildlife, massive beaches, rainforests in unexpected places. The culture is laid-back and outdoor-focused, which tends to slow down RTW travelers who've been going fast. Visas are straightforward and tourist-friendly. The two countries work well as a pairing because Australia is your hub for onward flights (cheaper than NZ) while New Zealand is the adventure playground. Most RTW travelers spend 4-6 weeks here, often as their penultimate major stop before either heading home or to the Pacific islands.

Budget Context

Daily costs break down like this (2026):

• **Australia**: $50-70/day for backpackers. Hostel dorms $25-60 AUD/night, groceries from Coles/Woolworths cheapest, eating out $10-20/meal. Free activities include beaches, coastal walks, city parks.
• **New Zealand**: $60-90/day for backpackers. Hostel dorms $30-50 NZD/night, self-catering saves money, activities (tramping, adventure sports) add up fast. The IVL fee increased from NZ$35 to NZ$100 (2026) - budget accordingly.
• **Regional variation**: Both countries have expensive tourist hotspots (Sydney, Auckland, Queenstown) and budget zones (inland Australia, rural NZ). Remote areas are actually cheaper because of lower demand.
• **Adventure activities**: Bungee jumping, skydiving, multi-day treks ($50-300 each) - budget splurge days.

Best Routes Through Australasia

Classic route (6-8 weeks): Arrive Sydney → East coast down to Melbourne → head west across the Nullarbor to Perth → fly to Auckland (NZ) → North Island → South Island → return to Sydney (or fly home from Auckland).

Reverse route: Start Perth/Western Australia, work east, then do NZ. Saves doubling back.

Adventure loop (4-5 weeks focused): Skip some of Australia, do Sydney → Cairns for reef/rainforest → Darwin → Alice Springs (Uluru) → Adelaide → fly to NZ for the adventure triangle (Queenstown/Wanaka/Mount Cook).

Island extension: Add Tasmania (off-season cheaper) or hop to Fiji/Samoa between Australia and NZ if timing allows.

RTW integration: Most travelers hit Australasia after Southeast Asia (cheap flights from Bangkok to Sydney $100-200) or before heading home. Coming from South Africa? Direct flights to Sydney exist but are long and pricey.

Key Stops

• [Sydney](/sydney/) - Australia's iconic entry point. Beaches (Bondi, Coogee, Manly), Opera House, Harbour Bridge. You'll spend 4-7 days here. It's expensive but worth the time.
• [Brisbane](/brisbane/) - Less touristy than Sydney, warm climate, good bridge climb alternative. Gateway to the Gold Coast beaches and Fraser Island. 2-3 days.
• [Cairns](/cairns/) - Tropical north gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest. You'll either dive the reef or do a quickie snorkel tour. 3-4 days minimum.
• [Alice Springs](/alice-springs/) - Access to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the red outback heart. Magical at sunrise/sunset. 2-4 days including the Uluru side trip.
• [Melbourne](/melbourne/) - Australia's best food and arts scene. Cool neighborhoods (Fitzroy, Brunswick), street art, laneways. Spend 4-5 days. East coast travelers often base here before heading west.
• [Perth](/perth/) - Isolated western city but underrated. Beautiful beaches, laid-back vibe, good access to Rottnest Island (quokkas). 3-4 days.
• [Auckland](/auckland/) - New Zealand's biggest city. City walks, nearby beaches, good base for North Island exploration. 2-3 days.
• [Rotorua](/rotorua/) - Geothermal area with hot springs, Maori culture, adventure activities. Strange and memorable. 2-3 days.
• [Taupo](/taupo/) - Lake town in the middle of the North Island. Free geothermal walks, water activities, adventure sports base. 2 days.
• [Queenstown](/queenstown/) - New Zealand's adventure capital. Bungy jumping, skydiving, hiking, river sports. Expensive and touristy but energetic. 3-5 days (you'll splurge).
• [Wanaka](/wanaka/) - Quieter, cheaper alternative to Queenstown. Similarly stunning scenery, fewer crowds. 2-3 days.
• [Wellington](/wellington/) - New Zealand's capital. Compact, artsy, excellent cafes and neighborhoods. Underrated stop. 2-3 days.

When to Go

Best RTW timing: November-March (Australian summer, NZ spring/summer). Warm, dry, ideal weather. Expect crowds and higher prices.

Shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October): Fewer tourists, beautiful weather, shoulder pricing. This is actually the sweet spot for RTW timing.

Winter (June-August): Cold in NZ (skiing possible), mild in Australia. Fewer tourists, cheaper. Not ideal for beach-focused travelers.

School holidays (December-January, April, July): Expect Australian families everywhere, inflated prices. If possible, travel around these periods.

NZ tramping season: November-April best for multi-day hikes. Winter can close some tracks.

Visa & Logistics

Australia: Most Western nationalities qualify for the ETA (subclass 601) - $20 AUD, applied online, usually approved within minutes. EU/EEA holders can use the free eVisitor (subclass 651) for up to 3 months. Valid for 12 months from issue.

New Zealand: Visitor visa fees range NZD 211-246 (2026). NZeTA (Electronic Travel Authority) is cheaper at NZD 23-52 (cheaper on mobile app), with faster processing than standard visas. Note: The IVL (International Visitor Levy) increased from NZ$35 to NZ$100, so budget that into your overall NZ cost.

Passport validity: Must be valid for the duration of your stay plus a few months. Check before arrival.

Work & volunteer: Both countries offer working holiday visas for younger travelers (usually under 30-35). Good option if you want to extend your Australasia stay and earn money.

Health: No major vaccines required, but travel insurance is essential given how expensive medical care can be.

How Long to Spend

Fast track (3-4 weeks): Sydney → Melbourne → Cairns → Auckland → Queenstown → home. Doable but rushed.

Comfortable pace (6-8 weeks): Hit the major cities above, include some regional exploration (Tasmania, Rottnest, Coromandel). You can slow down and actually relax, not just sprint highlights.

Extended (10-12 weeks): Add secondary destinations (Byron Bay, Hobart, rural NZ), do some of the long-distance walks (Milford Track, Overland Track), or include Pacific island hops (Fiji, Tonga).

Working holiday option (6-12 months): Many RTW travelers pause here to work a few months, earn money, explore deeper, then resume traveling. Australia's backpacker scene supports this.

Most RTW travelers allocate 6-8 weeks to Australasia total. The region encourages slower pace - you'll naturally want to do more hiking and less sight-sprinting than you did in Asia.