Australia must overcome a "ridiculous" schedule if they're to trump New Zealand and claim the No.1 Test ranking.
The tourists crashed to a 55-run defeat in Monday's ODI series decider but had little time to sulk about Mitch Marsh's controversial dismissal in Hamilton.
They quickly boarded a bus back to Auckland, with the Test squad members flying out to Wellington on Tuesday.
It means Steve Smith, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Josh Hazlewood and Marsh have just two days of red-ball training before the two-Test series starts in Wellington on Friday.
"I just reiterate how sorry I feel for the players. I mean it's been a ridiculous program for them to try and combat," chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said.
"Playing three different formats in the space of a week and a half or whatever it is.
"The whole season has been difficult to navigate. It's been extremely difficult.
"I don't know how they do it. I take my hat off to them."
Smith was more happy to toe the line.
The skipper refused to criticise a schedule that has resulted in Australia playing six games during the past fortnight - none of them with a red ball.
"We jump from different formats day in, day out," Smith said.
"It's just about making sure the guys adapt accordingly ... reining it in and making sure we have our defence in order."
The other members of the Test squad trained on Monday, having assembled in Wellington following the recent Sheffield Shield round.
Smith finds himself in a rare position: short of runs on tour.
Opener Joe Burns and Smith are the only members of the top seven yet to have a decent hit in local conditions.
Warner, Khawaja and Marsh scored freely for much of the ODI series, while Adam Voges and Peter Nevill were amongst the runs in a Shield game in New Zealand.
Smith was out for 18, 2 and 21 in the ODI clashes with the Kiwis.
"I don't feel too bad," the classy right-hander said.
"I was a bit disappointed with my performances but that's the game of cricket, it doesn't always work out.
"We're all a little bit flat after the result last night ... it's about making sure we turn that around quickly."
Australia will almost certainly confront a green pitch at the Basin Reserve, with the hosts keen to exploit their weakness against swing and seam movement.
"There should be plenty of sideways movement. I expect probably a bit more pace and bounce than what we've seen in the one-day wickets," New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum said.
Australia were skittled for just 60 at Trent Bridge during the 2015 Ashes, one of many collapses they suffered in bowling-friendly conditions during that trip.
"The wicket could have quite a bit of grass on it. We haven't done so well against the moving ball in the last year," Smith said.
"We've got a bit of work to do there.
"Shot selection is probably a big one. Patience, playing the ball under your eyes."
Australia will reclaim the No.1 Test ranking if they're able to defeat NZ 1-0 or 2-0 in the Test series.
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