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Australia/New Zealand

An Odyssey Down Under: Australia and New Zealand

Program No. 16434RJ
Alongside experts, discover natural wonders, Native cultures and cosmopolitan cities as you learn what makes Australia and New Zealand so connected and yet both so unique.
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Start
Small Group
Length
31 days
Rating (4.9)
Activity Level
Starts at
16,499
Flights start at
1,100
Program
At a Glance
Duration
31 days
Program Begins
Auckland
Program Concludes
Sydney
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
73 ( 28B, 22L, 23D )
Activity Level
Geographically isolated, rich in Indigenous heritage and home to diverse and fragile ecosystems, Australia and New Zealand have much in common. Yet, separated by more than 1,200 miles of open sea, their distinctions run deeper than can be perceived from afar. Join us on this in-depth educational odyssey to truly understand what these remarkable island nations share and what makes each uniquely captivating.
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.
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Featured Expert
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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 the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alison Broad lives in Southland and has a Master’s degree from the University of Otago, where she studied Rural Community Learning. She has since been involved in community projects and capacity building and is currently a member of the Southland Conservation Board, trustee of a community-led development organization and an executive member of a community education group. Alison has also served as New Zealand’s National Commissioner for Education for UNESCO and was responsible for many wilderness-based domestic programs offered by the Southland Institute of Technology.
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.
Dr Rodney Grapes has wide research interests in the fields of mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry and also in tectonic geomorphology, historical earthquakes in New Zealand, and the history of New Zealand geology. He has published (scientific papers and books), and taught in all these areas. His leisure time, when he has it, is occupied by writing on aspects of the geology of New Zealand.
Ron Turner had a long career in the New Zealand Army, including serving in Vietnam and as a military attaché in Canberra. Since retiring from the army, Ron has been chief executive of a child health care provider and undertaken security and transport contracts. Ron has been a Judicial Justice of the Peace, and has been heavily involved in community activities including New Zealand and Australian Lions Clubs. A long-term Wellington resident, Ron has since moved to Auckland. Ron's interests include people, travel, and reading.
Ian Smith is a full-time livestock farmer with his wife Heather. They own and farm 1000 acres running 1,000 sheep, 480 dairy cows and 200 supporting dairy stock. Ian bought his first land in 1971 and farmed in a three-generation partnership before going on to farm with Heather. Parallel to running a successful farming business, Ian has always had interests beyond the farm gate whether it is advocacy for fellow farmers through to the national level or taking an active interest in research and training.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jane Gardiner was born and educated in the United Kingdom and emigrated to Aotearoa, New Zealand in 1973. Jane's career in packaging and sustainability was navigated around a busy family life with two children who have now settled on the North Shore of Auckland. Jane has always been very active in her community, serving as president of Takapuna Tennis Club (where she still plays twice a week), secretary for Kennedy Park Petanque Club, advisor/secretary to the Albany Choir, and volunteer English language tutor (TESOL).
Ken Rimmer is a site coordinator for Melbourne and a group leader. Ken graduated from Victoria University in Wellington and worked for many years in administration and sales for companies such as IBM, Polaroid, and Xerox. He has lived in Melbourne since 1982, as does his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. Ken is an enthusiastic cook and follower of sports, especially rugby and cricket.
Sue Chamberlain grew up on a farm in Canterbury, but has been a proud Wellingtonian since 1987. Sue has a B.A. in history and an M.B.A. She has worked as a teacher/trainer, an international development delegate for the Red Cross, and in communications and fundraising. Sue also set up Walk Wellington, which provides expert-led walking expeditions. Sue loves the arts and is a member of three choirs and a singing duo.
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.
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 (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.