Stating the obvious, what you need is a 5 piece switch rod. Not at all common. Bob Meiser has something perfect - check out the Master series conversion rods. In the trout catigory there are several different weights to choose from. A conversion rod, if by chance this is the first time you have heard the term, is a set of rod pieces you can assemble into multiple configurations.

So 30” is about the length you need for a 9’ 4-piece. The rods you want to look at are the ones that assemble into a 9’ sh rod and a 11’3” switch rod. There are 6 pieces in all: the top three sections for both rods, an extension piece for the 5 piece switch rod, and a butt/handle section for each rod.

You might be able to save a bit of money if you don’t want the SH and get Bob to leave out the SH handle section. Or maybe you will like the idea of having the 9’ option.

I have one of these - different weight and configuration, same idea. Take a look:

https://meiserflyrods.com/spey-two-handed-switch-rods/master-series-conversion-rods/

The TM90113-5/4 and 6/5 fit your requirements.

I know these are may be more expensive than some people would go for, but you will probably never have buyer’s remorse. I have the 106130 conversion rod - converts into a switch and a 13’ Spey, a 3/4/5 wt. Bob said these are all based on the super popular Highlander classic taper. Bob also recently sold me his used 14’2” 5 piece 6wt from another of the TM series sans butt section for the switch rod. I’ve been wondering if I should order that butt section at some point.

I’d be interested in hearing from other people about 5-piece travel switch rods. I don’t think there are a ton out there, but seems like there should be some.

 

Yes, a 5piece configuration seems to be what you would be looking for.
It’s not that much out there of actual production.

Just to add what could come into consideration from an “old world view”:
-Guideline LXi T-Pac Switch rod 11’6 in #6/7, 7/8 or 8/9 (onehand rod classification). On sale now.
-Secret Taper 11’6 in #6 or #7 (DH rod classification), designed by Taki Alvanos, Germany, produced in South Korea by company JS (known for high quality production and manufacturer for Hardy Sintrix rods and many other labels claiming newest Nano technology).
I wanted a 5piece Switch for my trip to Chile last year that would fit into my main luggage.
Because of length:
If you use a Switch rod for speycasting mainly, you will not notice much difference in length from a 11’, 11’3 or 11’6. If so, only in a positive way.

After comparison I was choosing the Secret Taper #7. It’s a fast action rod as the Guideline series and most Switch rods. It got a very strong butt, firm middle. But it’s tip is very reliable. It really can take some pressure into wind and for distance without overloading the tip.
It’s casting a Rio SSVT in #6 brilliantly. Also a Rage 360 grain was very good. Distance, precision and consistency was outstanding to everything else I was comparing in this shooting head weight class for Switch rods. Full casting control and great feeling on fish. Don’t be misleaded by the recommended head weights on Taki’s Internet side. The rod could take some more weight, but the lines I ended up with are that good. Even a SSVT in #5 was doing very well, but SSVT #6 was a perfect match and offers most versatility.
This rod was saving my trip to Chile with beautiful rainbows and brown trouts because of its incredible casting performance, considering its size, especially on lakes with restricted back casting room. In a two weeks trip this rod was outfishing other rods in results (number and weight of fish) by far. It also took a lot of rough handling.
As can be seen, I use this rod for speycasting only. It’s a real MiniSpey rod. Singlehanded casting a 24 gramm head is no fun for longer time. Against other Switch rods, this rod offers a real Spey rod grip with best hand position. It’s very light in hand. A lightweight reel is important to keep it balanced.
If 22/24 gramm is too much rod for your needs, there would be the Secret Taper in #6. I was coming down to 19 to 22 gramm, Rage 330 and Rio SSVT in #5 as the best match. But it’s a different rod, a weaker, less reliable tip with nearly the same butt and middle part, compared to the #7. Not that forgiving.
For more comparison, the Guideline Switch in 7/8 was better with the SSVT in #5 and Rage 330, compared to the ST #6. But again, also in the GL range, the 6/7 was remarkably more tippy and weaker in the tip, compared to the 7/8, also more than necessary. Same for many other Switch rods.
There was no doubt for me, the Secret Taper in #7 covers them all.

It’s not a Skagit rod for me. It’s a Scandi rod, but with the right Scandi line, all casts can be done and beginning up from 24 gramm, nearly all flies can be used.
It’s not a typical TroutSpey rod.
It’s for traveling and searching for the bigger trouts in challenging conditions, wind, distance, with possibility of use for seatrouts and smaller salmons and the occasional 20 pounder, jumping in for a dance. The rod will manage this very well.
For the usual smaller home trouts I use other rods in 4piece configuration.

I don’t know your home waters in Australia and you didn’t mention what destinations and fish species you have in mind.
But if you ever go to New Zealand, South America or any other destination with challenging and varying conditions, I would recommend this rod in combination with a onehand rod and you are well equipped for many occasions.

Good luck !

 

Although expensive, the Galeforce Destination 11'3" 7/8 6pc is superb.

 

You can take a 9ft four piece rod and take its top three sections and fit two new butt sections from cheap lure rod. Then you can use it as one and two hand setup and if you do another setup then you have good bactup system for a longer fishing trip.

You can use good quality masking tape to make ferrules fit. I did use masking tape fit for testing and was thinking a better method and I have not yet and obviously there is no need when masking tape fit works.

Using cheap rod as butt section usually makes rod nicer for Spey casting because low cost rod bend more when they are build using lower modulus carbon fiber.

Esa

 

These masking tape fittings have last many sessions and they have got moist too without getting bad.

Method to fit is first mark the depth the ferrule overlaps and then do one tape fit and remove it and put aside. Then next one and so on and then they all "bite" same way.

Esa