I'm about 5 months from departing the USA on my RTW trip. I'm starting to look more closely into airfares. My goal has been to "wing it" and buy tickets as I go.

My '03 RTW Rough Guide indicates New Zealand and Australia require proof of onward travel. Can anyone speak to whether that specifically means an air/boat ticket, or if proof of sufficient funds would work?

What would happen if I arrived in NZ/OZ w/o proof of onward travel? Do you think they would they allow me access to a computer/internet to purchase one online?

Hey Dave im in the same situation as you - going to be winging it and havent decided how long i want to spend in NZ - i have a year visa so would be curious about the answer too.

I have heard conflicting reports already so not sure what to think - it made no mention about it when i purchased my WHV though.

Mich

I wouldn't take anyones word for something as important as this.For your Australian Visa:

The Australian department of immigration and citizenship who looks after visas have a very helpful web site. http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/visa-options.htm

Having said that, if your are an American you can probably get an electronic visa before your leave home and it gets activated when you land in the sunburt country.

NZ immigration says that as long as you are from a visa free country you do not need proof of onward travel.
Although I wouldn't hesitate in emailing the NZ immigration to just confirm.
NZ Immigration Site

Just remember that nations have the right to turn you away for any reason. If you arrive without proof on onward travel, they may wish to see "proof of funds."

You should be fine as long as you're wearing clean clothes and combed hair. But it's probably also a good idea to carry a printout of a recent bank statement to prove that you can afford to fly home.

I flew from San Francisco to Auckland in Sept 06. They asked to see my return ticket. I showed it to them. Just me? I don't know.

I can understand their concern.
Hell, when I finally met you in person, *I* asked to see your return ticket.

I've flown to New Zealand twice, and both times they asked to see proof of onward travel--this was in February and March 2005. I'm currently applying for a WHV for 2008 and every site I've read said you need to have either a printout of your most recent bank statement or show them your return ticket or else there is a good chance of being turned around and sent home.

Mistigris - I think you may have read the requirements wrong. Although NZ doesn't require a visa for Americans, it does indicate:

Visa-free countries

People from some countries don't need a visa to enter New Zealand. However, they are still required to provide:

* travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements, and
* evidence of funds for maintenance (for more details go to Operations Manual E4.50)

Well, I just came across this Q&A on the New Zealand immigration site. Sounds pretty clear to me. I think I'm going to try and buy a flight from the USA to Australia, via New Zealand. It might even work out cheaper that way.

Question:
Can I enter NZ as a visitor on a one way ticket?

Answer:
Visitors entering NZ without a visa (Visa Waiver countries only), must have valid onward travel arrangements (ie. return ticket or official confirmation that a ticket is booked and paid for) when entering New Zealand. The return ticket must also be from NZ to a country they can enter. Please note that having funds to purchase a ticket is not sufficient evidence of onward travel arrangements.

If you are applying for a visa prior to your travel, you may enter New Zealand on a one way ticket, provided that the visa in your passport clearly states ‘outward passage waived’. In all other cases an outward travel arrangement must have been made prior to arriving in New Zealand (visitors must have a return ticket, while workers and students may show available funds to purchase a ticket).

dave925, what did you finally decide? I'm supposed to be heading out next month and only now started thinking about visas. My plan was to fly to New Zealand and then go to Australia by boat.

NZ to Aus by boat? Am I the only one thinking "argh! Do you realise how bloody far that actually is?!"

Unless you're going on a cruise and it's all about the drinking and debauchery then you might find that's an incredibly time-wasting and boring plan...