A volcanic ash plume from Chile making its way across the Pacific is wreaking havoc on Australian airways. The ash forced a number of carriers to cancel all services. Thousands of travellers have been left stranded in Australia and New Zealand, with hundreds of domestic and international flights in and out of Australia cancelled. Tiger Airways and Virgin Australia are the latest airlines to suspend all services until further notice. Qantas and Jetstar cancelled all flights in and out of Melbourne and Tasmania and flights between Sydney and the Gold Coast and Australia and New Zealand. Qantas spokeswoman Olivia Wirth said it is unclear when flights will resume. Air New Zealand has not cancelled any flights at this stage, but will fly at lower altitudes to avoid the ash. Strong winds have carried the ash some 9,400 kilometres since Chile's Puyehue volcano erupted more than a week ago. The plume is now moving towards New Zealand's North Island and experts say it could even reach the south coast of Victoria. Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre spokesman Andrew Tupper said it is an exceptional event.