South Pacific route (Fiji - Newzealand - Australia) for an Indian traveller

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Here’s a detailed South Pacific travel route for Indian passport holders, combining Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia — designed for budget-conscious travelers, digital nomads, or long-term explorers, and built around visa feasibility, nature, and affordable flights.

🌏 South Pacific Route: Fiji + New Zealand + Australia

🗺️ Route Overview

India → Fiji → New Zealand → Australia → India

Total Duration: 3–6 months
Style: Nature + digital nomad friendly + adventure + island life
Budget Range: ₹2.5 – ₹4.5 lakh (all inclusive for 3–6 months)

🇫🇯 1. Fiji – Start Here (Island Life Detox)

  • Visa: ✅ Visa-Free (120 days) for Indians
  • Duration: 1–2 months
  • Main Cities: Nadi, Suva, Vanua Levu
  • Things to Do:
    • Snorkeling, island hopping (Yasawa/Mamanuca)
    • Beach retreats, spiritual detox
    • Coral reef diving

Budget (Monthly): ₹55,000–₹80,000
SIM: Vodafone Fiji (good 4G in urban areas)
Flight to New Zealand: ~₹20,000–₹28,000

🇳🇿 2. New Zealand – Nature & Nomad Hub

  • Visa: ✳️ eVisa / Visitor Visa (apply online)
    • Easy approval for Indians
    • Allows 3–6 month stay
  • Duration: 1–2 months
  • Main Cities: Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Rotorua
  • Things to Do:
    • Scenic drives, hot springs, glowworm caves
    • Lord of the Rings tours
    • Hikes (Milford Track, Tongariro)

Budget (Monthly): ₹70,000–₹1 lakh
SIM: Spark or Vodafone NZ
Flight to Australia: ~₹12,000–₹20,000 (Auckland → Sydney)

🛏️ Hack: Stay in backpacker hostels, or WWOOF (work-for-food) to save money!

🇦🇺 3. Australia – Beaches, Cities & Remote Work

  • Visa: ✳️ Visitor Visa Subclass 600
    • Apply online (₹8,500 approx)
    • Valid for 3–12 months (usually 3-month stay max at a time)
  • Duration: 1–2 months
  • Main Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns
  • Things to Do:
    • Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast surfing, Outback trips
    • Tech cafes, coworking hubs (Melbourne is ideal for digital nomads)

Budget (Monthly): ₹80,000–₹1.2 lakh
SIM: Telstra (best coverage), Optus (cheaper)

💡 Freelancers can find part-time online gigs & live modestly in suburbs.

✈️ Return to India

  • Flights from Sydney/Melbourne → India start from ₹28,000–₹40,000

🧾 Estimated Total Budget (3-Month Version)

Country Days Avg. Budget Total
Fiji 45 ₹60,000/mo ₹90,000
New Zealand 30 ₹90,000/mo ₹90,000
Australia 30 ₹1 lakh/mo ₹1,00,000
Flights (All) — — ₹60,000–₹75,000
Total — — ₹3.4–₹3.7 lakh

💡 Travel Hacks

  • Book flights via Skyscanner Multi-City to get Fiji–NZ–AUS combo deals.
  • Travel off-season (Fiji: May–July, NZ: Feb–April, AUS: April–June) to save big.
  • Use hostels + WWOOF + Couchsurfing to cut accommodation cost.
  • Apply for all visas 2 months in advance to get early bird flight deals.

🧭 Optional Extensions

  • ✈️ Add Bali or Thailand on your return (visa-free/VoA)
  • 🌊 Include Vanuatu or Samoa if you want deeper Pacific island experiences

complete step-by-step guide for booking flights, applying for New Zealand & Australia visas, and finding hostels or remote jobs while traveling.

✈️ 1. Booking Flights for South Pacific Route (Fiji → NZ → Australia → India)

🧭 A. Tools to Use:

🔁 B. Use Multi-City Booking:

Search Like This:

From: India (Delhi/Mumbai/Bangalore)
To: Nadi, Fiji
Then: Nadi → Auckland,New Zealand
Then: Auckland → Sydney/Melbourne, Australia
Then: Sydney → Delhi/Mumbai

💡 Flight Booking Tips:

  • Use “Flexible dates” or “Cheapest month” filters.
  • Book tickets 3 months in advance for best price.
  • Use UPI, credit card offers on portals like MakeMyTrip, Ixigo, Cleartrip.
  • If budget is tight, book leg-by-leg (India → Fiji → NZ → AUS → India) using budget carriers.

📄 2. Visa Application Guide

🇳🇿 A. New Zealand Visa (Visitor Visa)

Apply Online:

Documents Needed:

  • Passport (6+ months valid)
  • Flight booking (not always required upfront)
  • Travel itinerary
  • Hotel bookings or sponsor letter
  • Bank statements (₹1.5–2 lakh balance suggested)
  • Income proof (ITR, salary slips or freelance work)

Fee: Approx ₹9,000 (NZ$ 211)

Processing Time: 15–30 days

🇦🇺 B. Australia Tourist Visa (Subclass 600)

Apply Online:

Documents Needed:

  • Passport
  • Photo
  • Bank statement (₹2–3 lakh balance suggested)
  • Hotel bookings or invitation letter
  • Purpose of visit
  • Travel history (past visas help)

Fee: Approx ₹8,500 (AUD $150)

Processing Time: 20–35 days

🏡 3. Finding Hostels, Coliving, & Remote Jobs

🏨 A. Where to Book Accommodation

Use these apps/websites for cheap hostels, coliving, or Airbnb:

Budget Hostels:

  • Fiji: Bamboo Backpackers (Nadi)
  • New Zealand: YHA Hostels, Base Backpackers
  • Australia: Wake Up! Sydney, Nomads Hostels

💻 B. How to Find Remote Jobs While Traveling

You can work online in:

  • Writing / Content
  • Digital Marketing
  • Programming / AI / Web Dev
  • Virtual Assistance / Customer Support
  • Online Tutoring / Courses

Top Remote Job Sites:

Platform Type
Upwork Freelancing (all skills)
Fiverr Microgigs (design, writing)
We Work Remotely Full-time remote jobs
Remotive.io Tech + marketing remote
Toptal High-end freelance tech
Cambly Teach English online

✅ Also list your skills on LinkedIn and reach out to remote-first companies directly


Here’s your Visa Application Checklist for both New Zealand and Australia, along with budget hotel & food suggestions in each country.

📄 VISA APPLICATION CHECKLIST

✅ Common Documents (For Both NZ & Australia):

  • ✅ Valid Passport (6+ months validity)
  • ✅ Passport-size Photo (white background, recent)
  • ✅ Bank Statements (Last 3–6 months)
    • Minimum balance: ₹1.5–₹3 lakh
  • ✅ Income Proof
    • ITR / Salary slips / Business registration / Freelance invoices
  • ✅ Cover Letter (Purpose of visit + itinerary)
  • ✅ Travel Itinerary (Planned route with dates)
  • ✅ Accommodation Bookings (print from Booking.com, Airbnb, etc.)
  • ✅ Round-trip Flight Booking (book via Skyscanner or refundable sites)
  • ✅ Travel Insurance (for entire trip duration – optional but recommended)

🇳🇿 New Zealand (Visitor Visa) – Apply here

  • ✅ Create an account on NZ Immigration portal
  • ✅ Upload documents (PDF/JPG, max 5MB each)
  • ✅ Pay visa fee (~NZ$ 211 ≈ ₹9,000)
  • ✅ Submit & track online

Processing Time: 2–4 weeks

🇦🇺 Australia (Visitor Visa – Subclass 600) – Apply here

  • ✅ Create ImmiAccount
  • ✅ Select Subclass 600 – Tourist Stream
  • ✅ Upload documents
  • ✅ Pay visa fee (AUD $150 ≈ ₹8,500)
  • ✅ Biometrics appointment (usually VFS Global center)

Processing Time: 3–5 weeks

🏨 Cheap Hotels & Food Suggestions

🇫🇯 Fiji (Nadi / Suva)

🛏️ Budget Hotels/Hostels:

  • Bamboo Backpackers – ₹900–1,200/night
  • Smugglers Cove Beach Resort – ₹1,200–1,600/night
  • Colo-i-Suva Rainforest Eco Resort – ₹1,400/night

🍽️ Cheap Food:

  • Local curry houses, seafood shacks – ₹200–300/meal
  • Roti parcels, cassava dishes, Indo-Fijian thalis – ₹150–250
  • Try: Kokoda (Fijian ceviche), Lovo (earth oven feast)

🇳🇿 New Zealand (Auckland / Wellington / Queenstown)

🛏️ Budget Hotels/Hostels:

  • YHA Auckland City – ₹1,800–2,400/night
  • Base Backpackers – ₹1,600–2,200/night
  • Nomads Queenstown – ₹2,000/night

🍽️ Cheap Food:

  • Asian takeaways (Chinese, Indian, Thai): ₹400–600/meal
  • Fish & chips stalls: ₹300–400
  • Grocery store meal kits (Countdown, Pak'nSave): ₹1,000/week

🇦🇺 Australia (Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane)

🛏️ Budget Hotels/Hostels:

  • Wake Up! Sydney – ₹2,200–2,800/night
  • Space Hotel Melbourne – ₹2,000–2,600/night
  • Bunk Brisbane – ₹1,800–2,300/night

🍽️ Cheap Food:

  • Food courts (Asian/Middle Eastern): ₹400–600/meal
  • Grocery chains (Coles, Woolworths): ₹1,000–1,500/week
  • 7-Eleven $1 coffee, $2 toasties — super cheap!

✅ Extras:

  • Use Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Airbnb monthly discounts
  • Buy a local SIM card at airport or supermarket for cheaper internet
  • Use Uber Eats/Deliveroo discounts for first few orders


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