Group Travel to Australia

Updated: February 3, 2026

G Adventures was saddened to hear of the shooting that occurred at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, resulting in the deaths of eleven people and numerous injuries. Our thoughts are with all those affected.

We can advise that all G Adventures travellers and staff are safe and accounted for.

One G Adventures group was in Sydney at the time of the shooting and some travellers had visited Bondi Beach earlier that day. Again, we can confirm that all G Adventures travellers and staff are safe and accounted for. We have advised all travellers who were in the area to contact their next of kin to let them know that they are safe.

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Packing for five weeks across two countries and multiple climates is tricky. Here's what worked and what I'd change.

Bring but you'll barely use:
Warm layers for New Zealand. It was August (winter) and yeah Queenstown was cold at night but you're mostly moving during the day. One fleece and a packable down jacket was plenty. I overpacked sweaters.

Bring more than you think:
Rash guard for water activities. Used it for surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, Whitsundays boat day. Got sun-burnt through a regular shirt at Spot X and learned that lesson.

Just buy it there:
Sunscreen and insect repellent. Australia and NZ brands work better for their conditions and it's heavy to carry. Bought a big bottle in Auckland and refilled a small one.

The game changer:
Merino wool everything. Expensive upfront but I did the whole trip with 4 merino t-shirts. They don't smell, dry overnight, work in heat and cold. Worth it.

Shoes:
I brought hiking boots, running shoes, and sandals. Honestly could have done the whole trip in trail runners and sandals. The walks in Abel Tasman and Mt Cook aren't technical. Several people just wore their sneakers.

Toiletries:
Most accommodations had shampoo/soap. I carried full-size bottles for nothing. Travel size or just use what's there.

The thing I forgot:
A small dry bag for beach days and boat trips. Borrowed one from someone else half the trip. Would have been useful for phone/wallet.

Power:
Australia and NZ use different plugs than each other. I knew about NZ (same as UK) but forgot Australia was different. Bought an adapter in Sydney.

Overall I packed for 6 weeks in a 50L backpack and had room to spare. You really don't need much.

Did the full Month Down Under trip from Auckland to Cairns in August and it lived up to the hype. 38 days is long but it doesn't drag. The itinerary moves at a good pace and you get proper time in the places that matter.

New Zealand was the standout for me. Milford Sound cruise was unreal, the Queenstown free days let you pick your own adventure level, and Abel Tasman walks were stunning without being hardcore. Franz Josef glacier area is beautiful even if you don't do the heli hike.

Australia portion starts strong in Sydney then gets very beach-focused. Three surf lessons across the trip which is either great or repetitive depending on how much you like surfing. Spot X surf camp near Coffs Harbour was a highlight for the group vibe. Fraser Island 4x4 camping experience was rough but memorable. Whitsundays boat day was gorgeous.

Group peaked at 18 people, average age probably 26-27. Mix of solo travelers and a few couples. Everyone got along which made long bus days bearable. Our CEO Josh was fantastic, very organized and knew when to give space versus when to rally everyone.

The pace is busy. You're moving accommodation every 1-2 nights for most of the trip. If you need downtime you have to claim it deliberately. Queenstown and Sydney have multiple free days which helped.

Honestly the biggest surprise was how much I loved the Kiwi portion. Came for Australia, left wanting to move to New Zealand.

Happy to answer specific questions if anyone's considering this one.

Just got back from the August departure and need to be honest about something G Adventures doesn't tell you upfront. The trip cost is only half of what you'll actually spend.

Australia is breathtakingly expensive. I budgeted $1200 for the Australian portion based on their suggested amount and blew through that in the first week. Ended up spending closer to $2400 just for Australia, not counting New Zealand.

Breakfast and dinner are included on most days but lunch is always on you. A basic cafe lunch in Sydney or Cairns? $18-25 AUD easily. Coffee is $5-6. If you want a beer after activities it's $10-12. The Spot X surf camp has a bar and everyone hangs out there at night. It adds up fast.

Optional activities are where it really hits. Great Barrier Reef snorkeling day trip? $250 AUD. Most people did it because you're already there. Skydiving in Cairns? $350+. The glacier hike in NZ? $400+. These aren't pushy upsells, they're genuinely once-in-a-lifetime things you'll regret skipping.

My advice: budget $2000 USD minimum for Australia alone, $1500 for New Zealand. That gives you breathing room to say yes to the big experiences without checking your bank account every day.