- Dates: August 14 - 30, 2027
- Australia: Mount Beauty, Victoria
- New-Zealand: Wanaka, Otago region
- Kangaroo Hoppet: 21 km / 42 km freestyle
- Merino Muster: 21 km / 42 km freestayle
- Organized in cooperation with: our Australian partner Aero Travel
- REGISTER >>>
If you’re traveling to the other side of the world, it’s worth combining multiple ski marathons into one trip! This Australia & New Zealand ski tour brings together two Worldloppet races from the Southern Hemisphere into a single travel program.
For many ski enthusiasts, this can also be a special milestone—becoming a Worldloppet Master! To earn this title, one of the ten marathons must be completed on another continent. Kangaroo Hoppet and Merino Muster are two of only three ski marathons held in the Southern Hemisphere.
Travel Program
On August 14, we depart from Tallinn to Australia. Traveling westward, we arrive in Sydney on the morning of August 16. This day is reserved for rest and adjusting to the time difference. We spend the first four days of the trip in this historic and vibrant city.
Our hotel in Sydney is located in the city center, next to the main shopping street. Many attractions and restaurants are within walking distance.
What comes to mind when you think of Sydney? Of course—the Sydney Opera House! Our guided city tour begins with a visit to this iconic landmark. We’ll also explore the city’s most interesting districts and visit famous spots like Bondi Beach.
The following day is dedicated to exploring Australia’s nature. We visit Featherdale Wildlife Park to see native animals, take photos with koalas, and feed kangaroos. Then we continue to the UNESCO-listed Blue Mountains National Park, known for eucalyptus forests, deep valleys, waterfalls, and the famous Three Sisters rock formation. We ride a cable car, descend via the world’s steepest railway, and enjoy lunch at Mountain Heritage restaurant.
August 19 is our last day in Sydney, with free time in the morning. In the afternoon, we fly to Melbourne and stay overnight.
On August 20, we continue by bus to Falls Creek in the Australian Alps, where the Kangaroo Hoppet takes place. Falls Creek is a leading ski resort offering excellent alpine and cross-country skiing opportunities, along with restaurants, cafés, and shops.
On August 21, we participate in the Kangaroo Hoppet ski marathon. Our hotel is less than 2 km from the start, and right next to an alpine ski resort—perfect for those who still have energy after the race.
The next day, we return to Melbourne, known as Australia’s capital of sports, coffee, and cuisine. In the evening, we travel to Phillip Island to see the famous little penguins.
The following morning, we take a 4-hour guided walking tour of Melbourne’s city center before flying to New Zealand.
On August 23 in the evening, we arrive in Queenstown, a resort town on Lake Wakatipu in the South Island. It’s a major tourism hub and a great base for exploring New Zealand’s natural wonders. We stay here for three nights.
Queenstown & Surroundings
August 24 is a free day. In the evening, we board the historic steamship Earnslaw for a cruise on Lake Wakatipu. This is the only coal-fired passenger steamship still in operation. The cruise takes us to Walter Peak Farm, where we enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner, explore the farm, and watch sheepdog demonstrations.
On August 25, we take an early morning journey through scenic mountain roads to Milford Sound for a fjord cruise. We’ll see waterfalls, the Pembroke Glacier, and possibly dolphins, whales, and seals. This is New Zealand’s most famous natural attraction, often called the “eighth wonder of the world.”
On August 26, we visit the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown, then continue to Wanaka for the Merino Muster opening ceremony, including a performance by the indigenous Māori people. We stay three nights in Wanaka.
Wanaka is a winter paradise for skiers, located near famous ski resorts like Treble Cone and Cardrona. It’s also known for the iconic “Wanaka Tree,” a lone tree standing in the lake.
On August 28, we participate in the Merino Muster. The following day, we transfer to Queenstown Airport and begin the journey home via Sydney, arriving in Tallinn on August 30 or 31.
Kangaroo Hoppet - Australia
The marathon takes place at Falls Creek (1800 m altitude), about 350 km from Melbourne. The course runs through beautiful alpine terrain with forest trails, open slopes, and valleys.
First held in 1979, it joined the Worldloppet series in 1991. Distances include:
42 km main race
21 km half marathon (Silver Pass)
All races are freestyle. Please read more about the marathon HERE.
Merino Muster - New-Zealand
Held at Snow Farm, New Zealand’s only cross-country ski resort, located at 1500 m in the Cardrona Valley, about 35 km from Wanaka.
First held in 1995, it joined Worldloppet in 2014. Distances include:
42 km main race
21 km half marathon (Silver Pass)
All races are freestyle.
Note: Participants completing both races in the same year receive a special Antipodes Medal. Please read more about the marathon in HERE.
Accommodation
All accommodations are in 4-star hotels with breakfast included (double rooms):
Sydney – The Grace Sydney
Melbourne – Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff
Falls Creek – Lakeside Falls Creek Alpine Resort
Queenstowni – Crowne Plaza
Wanaka – Wanaka Hotel
One trip, many experiences
Visit two major countries in the Southern Hemisphere.
Skiing in August
Start your ski season this year really early.
Easy and comfortable
A well-planned two-week ski and holiday trip—just enjoy the experience!
Flight tickets
Please arrange your own flights to and from Sydney airport, Australia, as this will be our meeting point. Specific meeting times will be shared with registered participants.
Package without flights
The start and the end of the trip in Sydney airport, Australia.
- Domestic flights: Melbourne - Queenstown - Sydney
- Ski gear transport - (1 pair per person)
- Accomodation in twin room in 4-star hotel for 12 nights
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Dinner at Walter Peak Farm
- Dinner at Merino Musteri opening event
- Guided excursions
- Local transportation
- Marathon entry fees and registration
- Travel organization service and a supportive group leader
- Pre-trip consultation
The package price is 4650 EUR.
If you register after March 1, 2027 (incl.), the price of the package is 4750 EUR.
Additional costs: New Zealand travel authorization (€63), lunch and dinner, and personal purchases.
Flexible payment options: after registration, we will send you the booking invoice (€1500 per person). Payment of this invoice confirms your spot in the group. You can choose how to pay the remaining balance of the package on the registration form: you can pay the full amount of the remaining cost 75 days before the trip or in two installments. In the two-installment option, 50% of the cost is due 75 days before the trip, and the remaining amount is due 40 days before the trip.
Group leader Jüri Marcinkevicz
Jüri is an active recreational athlete whose experience includes over 150 international marathons in various sports (skiing, running, mountain biking, road cycling, and more). He is not driven by achievements, but by the experience of pushing his limits and the opportunity to discover different countries through active movement. You can be sure that after every Worldloppet marathon, he has his own tips and useful recommendations to share.
