Skip to Main Content
Australia/New Zealand

An Odyssey Down Under: Australia and New Zealand

Program No. 16434RJ
Alongside experts, discover natural wonder, Native culture and cosmopolitan cities as you learn what makes Australia and New Zealand so connected and yet both so unique.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Geographically isolated, rich in indigenous heritage and home to diverse and fragile ecosystems, Australia and New Zealand have much in common. Yet, separated from one another by more than 1,200 miles of open sea, they each bear distinctions that run deeper than can be perceived from afar. Find out for yourself what these island nations share and what makes each unique on this in-depth odyssey of discovery.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles at a time over varied terrain. Standing at least three hours daily; climbing stairs, getting on/off buses, carrying own luggage. Elevations up to 3,100 feet. If you believe you require wheelchair assistance to get through an airport you are not fit enough to participate in this program.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Learn the story of New Zealand’s settlement by Maori and Europeans.
  • Witness the eruptions of spectacular geysers in the Rotorua geothermal region and experience the magnificent Piopiotahi/Milford Sound.
  • Examine a delicate natural wonder — the Great Barrier Reef — and learn about efforts to protect it.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
David O'Brien
Originally from the island state of Tasmania, Dave O’Brien has lived in North Queensland for more than 30 years. Working as a biologist almost his entire career, Dave has been involved in reptile research, aquaculture, government organizations, private enterprise and owning his own business. Outside of work, Dave’s interests include birding, photography and long-distance running. He has been married since 1986 and has two adult children, presently living in Melbourne, Australia and Alberta, Canada.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of David O'Brien
David O'Brien View biography
Originally from the island state of Tasmania, Dave O’Brien has lived in North Queensland for more than 30 years. Working as a biologist almost his entire career, Dave has been involved in reptile research, aquaculture, government organizations, private enterprise and owning his own business. Outside of work, Dave’s interests include birding, photography and long-distance running. He has been married since 1986 and has two adult children, presently living in Melbourne, Australia and Alberta, Canada.
Profile Image of Ruth Pullin
Ruth Pullin View biography
Dr. Ruth Pullin wrote her Ph.D. thesis on the Australian colonial artist Eugene von Guérard and was guest curator of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2011, “Eugene von Guérard: Nature Revealed.” She is the principal author and commissioning editor of the book of the same title. She derives great joy in discussing with Road Scholars the relationship of Australians to the land as a key way in which Australian artists have established a sense of our cultural identity.
Profile Image of Hamish Campbell
Hamish Campbell View biography
Hamish Campbell earned a Ph.D. in paleontology from Cambridge University, and went on to serve as a senior scientist at GNS Science — the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences — in Wellington, New Zealand, and as geologist at the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Hamish channeled his expertise to write several popular books on New Zealand geology. His passion for New Zealand, geology and learning have made him an exceptional long-time instructor for Road Scholar.
Profile Image of Sue Grebenschikoff
Sue Grebenschikoff View biography
Sue Grebenschikoff is an instructor and site coordinator in Cairns. Originally from Sydney, Sue moved to Cairns 20 years ago after she fell in love with the tropical region. Sue has a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a concentration in marketing, is a keen gardener, and loves to travel and meet people. She has worked in various capacities for many years on award-winning wilderness adventure programs around tropical North Queensland.
Profile Image of Andrew Fitzgerald
Andrew Fitzgerald View biography
Andrew Fitzgerald is a keen astronomer with considerable experience presenting information on stars, planets, our solar system, and the galaxy to large groups. He regularly presents a session on the local radio station informing locals and visitors of current astronomical features and events. Andrew’s wealth of knowledge enhances sessions exploring the features of Southern Hemisphere skies.
Profile Image of Peter Ackroyd
Peter Ackroyd View biography
Peter Ackroyd graduated from the University of Canterbury with a master’s degree in engineering geology. Over the course of his professional career, Peter has done geological assessments for land use investigations, managed a range of natural resource usage projects and helped shape policy and resource management for commercial fishing. Peter and his wife Cathrine have three adult children and, as per New Zealand tradition, one lives overseas.
Profile Image of Rayleen Brown
Rayleen Brown View biography
Rayleen Brown is an Aboriginal who worked as a project officer to help Aboriginals secure their traditional land. She now owns and operates a successful catering business that’s been specializing in traditional bush products and foods for the past 10 years. In addition, Rayleen is a member of the national Bush Foods Council, an educator for schools across Central Australia and a mentor with the local Desert Leadership Program. She continues to be a strong advocate for the Aboriginal people to this day.
Profile Image of Peter Burns
Peter Burns View biography
Peter Burns is our Site Coordinator for Melbourne, as well as being an experienced Group Leader. Peter grew up in suburban Melbourne and graduated as a civil engineer, with further qualifications in natural resource management and education. Peter has had an eclectic career, working as a civil engineer, teacher, and in National Park management. Peter has also led groups of Australians and New Zealanders on numerous trips to Scotland, Central Asia, India, and the Caucasus.
Profile Image of Michael Kidd
Michael Kidd View biography
Michael Kidd is a retired secondary school principal and teacher. After teaching mathematics at four Sydney high schools, he was appointed the principal of Hurlstone Agricultural High School, a school on 200 acres of farmland with 300 boarders, mostly from the country in New South Wales. He and his wife Robyn (also a retired secondary school principal and Road Scholar group leader) have traveled extensively with their two daughters. As group leader, Michael loves to share his passion for his homeland with Road Scholars.
Profile Image of Richard De Gille
Richard De Gille View biography
Richard De Gille has recently retired after practising as a lawyer for the past 30 years. For the last 20 years, he was a partner of a large suburban legal practice in outer Melbourne. He holds degrees from Monash University in economics and politics, education and law. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, bushwalking, gardening and reading.
Profile Image of Margaret Copland
Margaret Copland View biography
Margaret Copland is a graduate of the University of Canterbury and the Christchurch College of Education. As a historian, she has enjoyed researching the stories of the early Canterbury immigrants, which she will share with us in her capacity as the Te Puna Ora storyteller. Margaret is an experienced history teacher and she has been a heritage storyteller and local historian for 20 years. Her original stories have been researched and developed to create 13 characters who bring New Zealand history to life.
Profile Image of Martin Ludgate
Martin Ludgate View biography
Martin Ludgate was a lecturer at Charles Darwin University in Alice Springs, where he lectured and managed the educational travel program. Now semi-retired (although still doing some lecturing and leading educational excursions), Martin has a keen interest in local history and culture as well as the landscapes, flora and fauna of the Northern Territory. “The great pleasure of enabling Road Scholar participants to bring alive their desire to experience a sense of Outback Australia, which they have heard so much about, makes my involvement so rewarding,” Martin says.
Profile Image of Allan Wills
Allan Wills View biography
Allan Wills has had a 35-year career in the New Zealand education system, specializing in primary and special needs education. He served in Samoa with Volunteer Service Abroad, and has served as a Red Cross volunteer in Christchurch following its disastrous earthquake. An avid gardener, Allan was once Head Gardener at a quarry in Auckland. Allan has led numerous Road Scholar programs in New Zealand and Australia. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Jennie.
Profile Image of Mary Gordon
Mary Gordon View biography
Mary Gordon has had a career full of variety, with university qualifications in science, wildlife and park management, and occupational health and safety. Her roles across Australia have ranged from caring for reptiles at the Museum of South Australia and looking after visitors to the Northern Territory Wildlife Park to running an ecology project at the University of Melbourne and setting up her own vineyard. Having returned to South Australia, Mary is thrilled to be able to educate visitors about her homeland.
Profile Image of Russell Boswell
Russell Boswell View biography
Russell Boswell is the manager of Savannah Guides and Savannah Way Limited. A long-term Cairns resident, Russell’s background is in education and marketing. His travel career has included group and safari operation, magazine publishing, and training local experts. Russell sits on several industry committees and has been the proud recipient of a Cassowary Award for services to Wet Tropics nature-based travel.
Profile Image of Fiona Barker
Fiona Barker View biography
Fiona Barker is a senior lecturer in comparative politics at Victoria University of Wellington. Born and raised in New Zealand, she earned her Ph.D. from Harvard University and had research stays in Italy, Canada, Belgium, and France before returning to Wellington to teach and research the politics of immigration, nationalism, representation, and electoral politics. Her recent research examines topics including immigrants’ political participation and representation in New Zealand and Europe, and the role of the ethnic media in democratic politics in New Zealand.
Profile Image of Bill Rout
Bill Rout View biography
Bill Rout moved from the South Auckland/Waikato area to live in the Catlins on the East Coast of Southland in 2012 after having spent many years tramping, hitchhiking and cycling around the South Island. Bill is a former primary school teacher, technical writer and workplace trainer. He has also worked as a disc jockey at a roller skating rink, surf-lifesaving lifeguard and a violence prevention facilitator. He currently works part-time as a therapist and volunteers as an ambulance officer.
Profile Image of Kris Lockett
Kris Lockett View biography
A fine arts graduate of the University of Canterbury, Invercargill-born Kris Lockett initially worked in graphic design before doing her OE and living overseas for three years. She returned to New Zealand and began working in the tertiary sector, becoming Head of Faculty in Arts & Design at the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill before moving to the Open Polytechnic in Wellington where she designed and produced distance learning materials. She is co-owner of DIY Publishing Ltd, helping people publish their books.
Profile Image of Kate McMillan
Kate McMillan View biography
Kate McMillan is an associate professor in comparative politics and head of the political science and international relations program at Victoria University of Wellington. Her research and teaching focuses on immigration politics, media politics and citizenship politics, with a particular focus on New Zealand and its region. Kate grew up in Christchurch but has spent much of her adult life in Wellington, with stints also living and working in Melbourne, London, San Diego and Lund.
Profile Image of Wendy Black
Wendy Black View biography
Wendy Black is a born and bred Southlander who has worked in a variety of jobs. She began her tertiary education with an office management course at Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and in her time off worked at a local florist. From there, she managed a local veterinary clinic and, once married, worked part-time at SIT helping run educational programs with New Zealand College for Seniors. As children arrived and the family grew, they have undertaken extensive overseas travel: 48 countries and counting.
Profile Image of Peter Lawson
Peter Lawson View biography
Peter Lawson has lived in Wellington for 44 years after graduating from Christchurch’s Canterbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Pure Maths and Operations Research. He started his career in the Government Railways Department in their Economic Planning and Research unit when the Railways employed approximately 20,000 people. During 22 years, Peter worked as a marketing manager, in General Management, and Project Management. He then had a career change, working as a self-employed investment adviser and sharebroker before retiring in 2021.
Profile Image of Hazel Petrie
Hazel Petrie View biography
Hazel Petrie is an Honorary Research Fellow in the University of Auckland Department of History. She has a and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Maori Studies, a Master of Arts in History, and a Ph.D. in Maori Studies, all from the University of Auckland. Her published books include “Chiefs of Industry: Maori Tribal Enterprise in Early Colonial New Zealand” that was a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards, and “Outcasts of the Gods?: The Struggle Over Slavery in Maori New Zealand.”
Profile Image of Peter Wilson
Peter Wilson View biography
Peter Wilson has qualifications in fine arts, economics, and education. He was an education officer at the National Gallery of Victoria and foundation manager of Brambuk Cultural Centre, established by Aboriginal traditional owners of Gariwerd-Grampians National Park, Victoria. He established Antipodes, a gallery for authentic Australian arts and crafts. With the University of the Third Age, he has conducted numerous courses on Australian art and culture. Peter enjoys meeting Road Scholars and discussing the revelations art can provide about the land and people of Australia.
Profile Image of Margaret Logan
Margaret Logan View biography
Margaret Logan raised a family and served 23 years as a child and family social worker in Timaru. She then joined her husband, Richard, in establishing the freshwater salmon farming industry in the hydro system waters in the Mackenzie Country on the South Island. Now “retired,” she is still involved with High Country Salmon as an owner-director. Margaret loves living in Wellington where Probus activities keep her well occupied, along with walking, reading, bridge, planning for more overseas travel, and meeting with friends and family.
Profile Image of Ian Selwyn
Ian Selwyn View biography
Ian Selwyn grew up in Wellington Ian and has lived on the North Shore of Auckland for more than 40 years. He held executive positions in the insurance industry before establishing a brokerage dealing in all aspects of Insurance. After selling the business, he was able to pursue his passion of rugby coaching and held a liaison role for visiting international teams. He has always had an interest in history and world affairs and has enjoyed his overseas travels including the United States of America.
Profile Image of Stephen Hoadley
Stephen Hoadley View biography
Stephen Hoadley is Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland. He has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a Life Member of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. Steve is a regular commentator on international affairs in the New Zealand media and enjoys giving public lectures to diverse audiences.
Profile Image of Sue Hume
Sue Hume retired from a career as a secondary school teacher and principal. She led her school through difficult periods including the Canterbury earthquakes in 2011, the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Sue was awarded a Christchurch City Council Earthquake Award in 2012 for service during the earthquakes, a Woolf Fisher Fellowship in recognition of educational excellence in 2012, and a Queen’s Service Medal in 2022 for services to education. A keen traveler, Sue has always resided in the South Island.
Profile Image of Karen Chopping
Karen Chopping View biography
Karen Chopping has been introducing international visitors to Australia for over 20 years. She holds the sought-after certified accreditation qualifications for both Kakadu National Park and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Travel is both a personal and career life passion. When she is not working, she is travelling the world with her own two children, introducing them to the worldwide classroom. When COVID-19 hit Australian shores, Karen relocated to Outback Queensland to continue working in the travel industry while homeschooling her children.
Profile Image of Hirani Kydd
Hirani Kydd View biography
Hirani Kydd has a background in biology and zookeeping, and began leading groups in the Wet Tropics in the mid-2010s. Hirani loves anything to do with natural history, but particularly enjoys the interconnectedness of all lifeforms within an ecosystem, and how they work together or against each other. The Wet Tropics is a fantastic place to see this. When she is not thinking about biology in a landscape, Hirani is probably thinking about geology instead.
Profile Image of Helen Bull
Helen Bull View biography
Helen Bull grew up on a sheep farm in the South Island. After graduating with an economics and finance degree, she worked in the oil industry in New Zealand and the UK. Returning to New Zealand with her engineer husband and three children, she set up an accounting business. In her 50s, she decided to follow her passion for anthropology and history and trained as a museum docent. Concurrently, she served as the treasury administrator and advisor of a charity advocating for children in poverty.
Profile Image of Jill Bunning
Jill Bunning View biography
Jill Bunning originally trained as a school teacher before moving into travel over 40 years ago. For many years she was based in the UK and Europe, organizing and personally leading groups for various companies. Now back in Australia, Jill enjoys welcoming Road Scholar visitors to Sydney. She speaks conversational German and Italian and loves spending time with her family and attending the many shows that Sydney has to offer.
Profile Image of Evan France
Evan France View biography
Evan France retired in 2023, ending a three-decade career as a secondary school teacher. Prior to embarking on a teaching career, Evan spent 15 years living on Rakiura Stewart Island - New Zealand's third-largest island - where he variously worked for the Department of Conservation on the kakapo program, as a group leader, commercial fisherman, and as a partner in a salmon farm. Evan and his wife live in Invercargill where he coaches volleyball and rowing and enjoys mountain biking, orienteering, and golf in his spare time.
Profile Image of Julian Thomson
Julian Thomson View biography
Julian Thomson has a background in geology and an interest in the outdoors. For about 15 years, he was a secondary school science teacher in Lower Hutt near Wellington, before taking up a position as the educational outreach facilitator at GNS Science in 2008. In 2020, he started his own geoscience communication and education consultancy.
Profile Image of Mark Grant
Mark Grant View biography
Mark Grant lives beside Royal Park in central Melbourne and has a deep knowledge of the city, its planning history, and its broader connection to rural Victoria. In addition to a five-week self-directed trek through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, he previously traveled widely across Europe and Southeast Asia. He enjoys creative writing, music, photography, camping, and cycling. Mark is a member of the Friends of Royal Park and the Montrose Environmental Co-operative, which maintains a reserve west of the Grampians National Park at Wartook.
Profile Image of Pat Bonisch
Pat Bonisch View biography
Pat Bonisch has lived in Christchurch for nearly three decades. He is retired after a career in the banking industry and more recently in the financial services sector. Over the last two decades, he has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Asia, and North America. His interests include running, golf, rugby, cycling, photography, hiking, and the arts. He enjoys meeting new people from all walks of life.
Profile Image of Jacqué Mandeno
Jacqué Mandeno View biography
Jacqué Mandeno lives in Auckland’s Torbay, enjoying the surrounding ocean and bush and the diversity of flora and fauna there. She has lived in many different parts of beautiful Aotearoa – from the Catlins in the deep south, to the Tutukaka Coast in the far north, where she is currently developing a small permaculture block. With degrees in history, English literature, and communication, Jacqué teaches public speaking and drama to children and adults. Her interests include the performing arts, history, conservation, and ocean swimming.
Profile Image of Elizabeth Day
Elizabeth Frances Day View biography
Liz Day, born in Sydney, had a long career in corporate learning and management development after working as a registered nurse and nurse educator. With her husband, she loves loading up the car for long road trips exploring and learning more about Australia and its people. In more extensive travel overseas, highlights have been travelling and hiking in the Himalayas, Machu Picchu, Southern Patagonia, Europe, and the Camino Portuguese. Liz enjoys keeping fit so she can keep traveling and learning about the world.
Profile Image of Meredith Peters
Meredith Peters View biography
Meredith Peters, after many years in senior management, decided to combine traveling with the pleasure of semi-retirement. She has spent time working, hiking, and traveling in many parts of Australia. During her career, she spent time working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical and health students, based across the Northern Territory. She is currently president of her local ballroom dancing association, and has four grown grandsons and a motorhome. In her spare time, she can be found walking, dancing, reading, or writing.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





Recommended For You