MEL-LAX-NYC-LHR-FRA-LHR-CAI-LHR-SIN-MEL is 9 segments and 29558 miles flown.

You could consider a 4 continent Oneworld Exploxer RTW ticket (LONE4)at AU $2939 plus about $350-500 in taxes from Qantas. Allows 20 segments in total with up to 4 in South West Pacific (Aust - NZ etc), 6 in North America, 4 in Europe and 4 in Asia.

There is also a 29000 mile & 34000 miles tickets available
http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn...cials/rtwFares

What are your aims?
What QFF status do you have now ?
Do you want to maximise miles and status credits or have the minium flying time?
How flexible are your destinations?
Would you visit other places if you got more miles or status?
Are you restricted on the total duration?
If you are determined to maximise miles and status a bit research is needed.

For example you could go MEL-SYD-JFK-LAX-LHR-FRA-LHR-CAI-LHR-SIN-HKG-NRT-MEL for 38782 miles flown and 12 segments. Miles from http://gc.kls2.com/

However in Jan 2004 the QF frequent flyer miles earned on Oneworld Exploxer tickets (L class) reduce to zero on some airlines so these RTW tickets in economy are not as good a deal as they are now. 30,000 miles in the QF Freq Flier will get you from MEL to Perth or NZ for example

If you look at other posts on this forum you other RTW itineraries for many ideas.