Is the Flight to See Australia and New Zealand Worth It?
Yes. Exploring the South Pacific is worth a little jet lag.
November 13, 2026
6 minute read
If you've been dreaming of visiting the Outback, seeing the Great Barrier Reef in person, or exploring New Zealand's breath-taking landscape , but are hesitating because of the flight, this post is for you.
I've been designing tours to the South Pacific and reviewing traveler feedback for a long time. The flights there are almost never as bad as people think they will be, and the trip is better than they imagined.
"It just kept getting better and better as the days went on." — Susan C., Traveler on Australia and New Zealand Uncovered.
How Long Is the Flight to Australia and New Zealand?
If you’re flying from the U.S., you’re looking at 15 hours or more in the air, plus you’re crossing the International Date Line, so you lose a day getting there and get it back coming home. There’s no way around that math.
But that’s one day out of a tour that runs 15 to 27 days and includes some of the world’s most beautiful places.
And if you book with Collette, we make flying a little easier. You can include flights with your tour booking, which means we handle all the logistics, and our Private Chauffeur Service picks you up at your door and brings you home after your trip.
There Are More Flights Within Australia
People are sometimes so focused on flying to Australia that they overlook the fact that our tours include flights within the country. More flight time can sound frustrating until you think about the size of the country. Australia isn't a small country. It’s a continent. Just like you wouldn't drive from Boston to Miami, folks here don't drive from Sydney to Cairns.
If you want to travel from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef to Uluru to Melbourne in a short time, flying is really the only way to do it. A two-hour flight is much better than a long coach ride, and our tours feature multi-night stays, so you’re not in transit the whole time.
How much is there to see in Australia? Find out in this post about 23 Places to Visit in Australia.
Where Else to Go in the South Pacific
Once you commit to getting to Australia, you’ll want to make the most of your time in the South Pacific. And it doesn’t have to be a long time. Our South Pacific Wonders tour covers Australia and New Zealand in 15 days, making it perfect for people with limited time to travel.
"Each stop had its highlights. New Zealand was beautiful and we loved it. The tour of the Opera house in Sydney was amazing. Fiji was wonderful and the resort was very nice. Also, we loved the flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. It was magnificent and we were glad we did it." — Sharon R., Traveler on South Pacific Wonders.
New Zealand
Most people have an idea of what to expect from Australia, but New Zealand catches them by surprise. So much so that we’ve redesigned our tours to start in Australia with the sights people come to see and end with the unexpected wow of New Zealand.
You have Milford Sound , Marlborough Sounds , Mount Cook, and more otherworldly landscapes across the two islands.
Tasmania
If you’ve got more time, Tasmania is worth seeing while you're in Australia. It's off the beaten path and isn't always included on Australia tours, but it offers a lot on one island. Read more about why Tasmania is worth the trip.
Fiji
All of our South Pacific tours include an extension to Fiji. We recommend it if you have time to extend your trip, especially if you enjoy diving, snorkeling, and beach vacations.
Is a South Pacific Trip a Good Fit for You?
Nobody wants to take a long flight to a place that isn’t a good fit for them. Here are a few things to consider.
The South Pacific tends to be a great fit if you’ve already done a lot of the “obvious” trips in Europe and North America — and are looking at farther-flung destinations. It’s like no other place on earth. That said, it won’t disappoint first-time travelers.
It’s also a great fit for active travelers — people who want to be out walking, exploring. That includes active senior travelers. There’s nothing in these tours that requires an extreme level of fitness, but you should enjoy being outside, seeing nature’s beauty, and walking.
Explore all of our South Pacific tours to find the best fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct flight from the U.S. to Australia?
Some routes run close to direct depending on your home airport, but most travelers will connect at least once before reaching Sydney or Melbourne. Either way, the flight is long — plan for 15 hours or more once you’re in the air.
Do you lose a day flying to Australia?
Yes. Crossing the International Date Line means you’ll lose a day on the way there and get it back on the way home. It throws people off the first time, but it evens out.
Is the flight home easier than the flight there?
Most travelers say yes, if only because you’re not adjusting to a new time zone with a full trip ahead of you — you’re headed home, and gaining that day back instead of losing it helps too.
Can I take a shorter tour to cut down on flying?
Yes. South Pacific Wonders is built to be our most time- and budget-conscious option while still hitting the region’s biggest highlights.
📱 Still have questions? Call our Travel Experts at 877.887.0051 and get personalized help.
The Flight to Australia and New Zealand is Worth the Experiences
If you take one thing from all of this, take this: the flight is the hardest part, but it's only a small part of the trip. Travelers come back from the South Pacific talking about the Reef, or Uluru at sunrise, or Milford Sound, or a moment with Māori or Aboriginal people they didn’t expect to have. That’s what they remember. The flight is just how you get there.
" This is definitely a tour to remember and one that we will look forward to sharing with others" — James G., Traveler on South Pacific Wonders including New Zealand's North Island.
Get inspired to visit Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Browse all tours and South Pacific itineraries.
