Australian Trip 2008

[leeds]

Am progressing plans for the trip next year and have a few questions that you may help me with.

Do I have to ensure that my annual British MOT is valid for all the time I am in Australia?



How detailed a packing list is required?

Will 1 first aid kit suffice

OR is it 1 first aid kit containing 12 plasters, 6 bandages etc which is needed?



On the cleanliness route am I better off with new winch ropes/tents etc so that there are no arguements about cleanliness?


Food. Am I allowed to bring in food in truck?

I use British military rations for fast foods and supplement them with local produce.


Apart from the obvious normal illegal stuff, what stuff on an overland prepared 110 is likely to cause problems with Australian customs?


Regards


Brendan

[JDNSW]

Am progressing plans for the trip next year and have a few questions that you may help me with.

Do I have to ensure that my annual British MOT is valid for all the time I am in Australia?



How detailed a packing list is required?

Will 1 first aid kit suffice

OR is it 1 first aid kit containing 12 plasters, 6 bandages etc which is needed?



On the cleanliness route am I better off with new winch ropes/tents etc so that there are no arguements about cleanliness?


Food. Am I allowed to bring in food in truck?

I use British military rations for fast foods and supplement them with local produce.


Apart from the obvious normal illegal stuff, what stuff on an overland prepared 110 is likely to cause problems with Australian customs?


Regards


Brendan

Can't help with the MOT - one of those who have been through it will be better able to help, same with the paperwork.

The major concern will be quarantine, particularly with outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in the UK, and the recent quarantine failure resulting in an Equine Influenza outbreak, you can expect them to be very strict. This means that anything that even looks like soil will be suspect, and new tent, winch rope etc obviously will help sidestep any potential problems.

Food in general is OK provided it is cooked or otherwise processed (note - you will not be allowed to bring in salami type stuff or cheeses), and I think may be restrictions on any beef products from the UK (think Mad Cow).

As far as I can think, the only problems likely to arise with your equipment is anything that looks like a weapon - obviously firearms, but also bows, machetes and similar, including large knives that look as if they are designed as a weapon not a tool, plus possibly spear guns.

Some equipment such as wheel spacers and some radio equipment (including radar detectors) may be illegal to use in Australia, but should not cause any problems with importing them.


Have a look at the Customs and Quarantine websites, and I understand they will reply to emails asking specific questions.

John

[UncleHo]

G'day Leeds :)

The Vehicle will have to be VERY CLEAN high pressure washed with certification, BUT you will possibily have to have it re-washed in Australia, (a little trick by Aust Quarantine, at one of their "recommended places" at $$$$$:eek::twisted: the major concern is inbound seeds,plant matter, insects, reptiles, ANY uncooked/prepared foods, Military Ration Packs should be OK if still sealed, don't be suprised if you have to change the engine coolant (Water) and any other water carried, a lot of this depends on the indivual customs inspector :(

You will have to register your vehicle in Australia,this will be for 6 or 12 months and that registration will include 3rd Party Insurance (personal injury),this registration is valid for all Australian States,(but if you are working you should change your Rego over to the State that you are Living/Working in) Comprehensive (accident damage repair) is acquired seperately, and varies with age and accident history;) and you have to state the nominated drivers if more than yourself.

Other forum members maybe able to enlarge on this and also offer hints and help :)

cheers

[loanrangie]

Dont bring in any food even though it is canned AQIS will have a field day with it especially meat and dairy products due to foot/ mouth and mad cows, new tents will also save a lot of hassles. As with any remote touring a comprehensive first aid kit could be life saving if the worst happens. Also dont bring any water in as it can also harbour water bourne parasites. If it was my vehicle i would drive to the wharf/ loading station on a spare set of wheels with new tyres and swap just before packing or driving onto the vessel (depending how you will be arranging your freight, for safety packing in a container will avoid your gear being stolen out of your car if its RORO - a mate had a brand new stereo and speakers stolen out of a car he imported from japan.

[leeds]

Thanks for advice so far folks.

The vehicle will be steam cleaned and waxoyled just before leaving the UK.

Will trailer the 110 down to port so no issue with road grime for last 200 miles.

New tyres will also be fitted and will carry new winch ropes etc and fit them when in Aus.

Looks like will be hitting the shops in Aus for camping gear etc when arrive.



So far the only questions not answered is how detailed are the packing lists to be?


Regards


Brendan


PS A BIG thank you for all the help so far

[UncleHo]

G'day Leeds :)

When it comes to shopping for tents and stuff, look first at the AULRO site as there many bits available from members or outlets advertised on here;)

cheers

[Blknight.aus]

as an ex termite I used to have to work hand in hand with AQIS...

IMHO unless you have a very very specific reason to do it in your vehicle I would suggest leaving your vehicle behind in the UK and pre arranging with an insurance agency to be the primary driver of a vehicle registered by someone in country.

then buy a semi decent second hand rover here and do your trip in that using someone elses location as a registration address.

If you happen to get the wrong bloke you can wind up with every single part of your vehicle dismembered down to any sealed point (ie you dont have to dismantle the engine but you do have to remove all the covers and the sound proofing)

Ive seen guys scrubbing the electrical connectors on the harness with tooth brushes on the docks for an AQIS inspection before today and Im talking about the ones that live behind the dash.

theres a thread on here somewhere (which I cant for the life of me find) that shows the end result of what I would call a semi serious go at strip down for AQIS clean up.

[loanrangie]

Thanks for advice so far folks.

The vehicle will be steam cleaned and waxoyled just before leaving the UK.

Will trailer the 110 down to port so no issue with road grime for last 200 miles.

New tyres will also be fitted and will carry new winch ropes etc and fit them when in Aus.

Looks like will be hitting the shops in Aus for camping gear etc when arrive.



So far the only questions not answered is how detailed are the packing lists to be?


Regards


Brendan


PS A BIG thank you for all the help so far

As detailed as possible, your packing checklist should suffice, they will only be looking for dutiable items like booze/smokes and any commercial quantities of new items ie more than you could use or consume yourselves. Camping gear is very reasonable here and you can always sell it on once your finished with it, i bought some of a guy who had been here for a year travelling in a classic rangie then headed back to the UK.

[UncleHo]

G'day Leeds :)

It might be worthwhile to PM Reeds90 as he brought his 90 over and toured Aust, he has since settled here and still drives said 90 soft top

It also depends on your Port of Entry as to how the Quarantine people treat you and your vehicle, (how clean it is and Port of Dispatch) also that would be the case in buying tents and stuff when you get here, as prices vary in different States (dearer in the West as most stuff has to be freighted from the Eastern States.

cheers

[camel_landy]

You have mail... ;)

As for the MOT - Make sure it's current. It'll help with the paperwork.

Insurance - You'll NOT be able to arrange for comprehensive cover. I tried & failed. However, when you get the car registered, you'll get the 3rd party cover included (that's why it's $200 or so for the 6mths).

Steam cleaning & BLACK waxoil is the way to go... AQIS inspected mine in Melbourne and passed it with flying colours, even with a bit of road grime from driving it to the port in the UK.

HTH

M

[harro]

While I was out at Lawn Hill a few weeks ago I met a couple from the UK, they were in a 03 td5 two door wagon.
(yes we don't, to my knowledge get them here) Nice couple only spoke to them briefly, he was a retired commercial pilot and his wife was a retired Air Hostess.
Point being, it can be done and the reason they did it was because it was cheaper than hiring a vehicle for 6 months.
Needless to say we were very impressed, but they stayed in the Lawn hill camping area, 40 degrees+ and no shade, drove right past Adels Grove, didn't even know it existed. We stayed at Adels Grove.
If you want to camp at Lawn Hill, don't do it in Sept. onwards.

Cheers,
Paul:twobeers:

[Michael2]

.... Looks like will be hitting the shops in Aus for camping gear etc when arrive..

You should be able to get camping equipment pretty cheaply here, given the strength of your currency. Army Disposal stores generally offer better prices than specialist camping stores.

Another option is to buy stuff in advance on ebay and have it sent to an Australian address.

Yet another option is to go to the local backpackers hostels in the city where you arrive. These are normally in a central location and there are many tourists selling vehicles and camping equipment very cheap, as their planes leave in 2 days. It's probably been used by several tourists in the past, but it's cheap. A good way to get tents, stoves, etc.

It's lighter & faster and a lot less riskier to carry a credit card than to import all your stuff.

[UncleHo]

G'day Leeds :)

In regards to the 1st Aid Kit, I would respectfully suggest that you do a 1 day St John's First aid course in Australia and get one of their VERY good kits (might even be able to hire a Aust Traveller Kit which includes a SNAKE Kit) also MR Autos in Redcliffe Brisbane do a Aust Touring Kit of spares to suit your vehicle which you buy and get credited on what you don't use on return;) others on the forum have better knowledge than I do.

cheers

[Michael2]

FIRST AID KIT


Normally a basic kit will suffice around towns, but in remote areas an ambulance can be several hundred kms away. So be better prepared.

Make sure you carry prescriptions for any medication you carry / bring in.

I don't normally advise people to put ointments and the like in First Aid Kits as they get out of date, or leak. But in remote areas you should look at getting stuff that can stop minor cuts becoming ulcers. This is a risk in tropical areas, especially when your body is not used to the local bacterial population.

Betadine is good, and you can get it as an ointment instead of a liquid. Also Medipulv, is an antiseptic powder in a small squeeze bottle that is clean & effective on small wounds.

Also consider non-adherent dressings (Melolin or Melolite) which are good for putting against the skin under heavier bandages. These will prevent the bandage sticking to the wound - good for burns too. Plastic cling wrap (from the kitchen) is also good as a "2nd skin" in the event of burns or gravel rash.


Throw in some Mine Dressings, and go for the h/duty crepe bandages that can be used both as a compression bandage (for snake bite) as well as an elastic support (for sprains).

For analgesia, carry two types - ie paracetemol (which works on the nervous system) and aspirin (anti-inflammatory).

[Redback]

You mentioned food in the vehicle, don't bring any, instead buy it all here, it will be alot cheaper and you won't have the hassles of declaring it to customs.

Also avoid travelling in the months between October to the end of Febuary, it gets bloody hot and humid, especially in the north.

Baz.

[JDNSW]

.......

Also avoid travelling in the months between October to the end of Febuary, it gets bloody hot and humid, especially in the north.

Baz.

That is a bit of a blanket figure - I would stay in southern parts in that period - probably a good part of the year to spend in Tasmania, but also quite OK anywhere from coast to and including the ranges (but preferably not inland from the ranges) from Brisbane to Adelaide, and south of Perth on the west coast.

But definitely do not go into the tropics in that period.

John

[leeds]

Thanks for all the information. Please keep it coming.

The 110 that I will be importing I have owned for 10 years and I KNOW that it is extremely well maintained and equipped. In the last 18 months it has been on 3 long trips to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. OK conditions are different there to Australia.

My local LR independent garage lends me a reasonably comprehensive spare kits.

Thanks for tip on attending local first aid course. Will do it to refresh my knowledge and hopefully gain 'local' first aid
knowledge.

The trip will start in May 08 as a spectator of Outback Chalenge before meandering towards the north. Will ensure am in the southern part of Australia for the back end of the year.


Regards

Brendan

[LRHybrid100]

keep us updated on your travel plans, we are doing 4-5 months travel from June - heading North / North West and coming back home to Sydney.

LRH

[100I]

That is a bit of a blanket figure - I would stay in southern parts in that period - probably a good part of the year to spend in Tasmania, but also quite OK anywhere from coast to and including the ranges (but preferably not inland from the ranges) from Brisbane to Adelaide, and south of Perth on the west coast.

But definitely do not go into the tropics in that period.

John

I travelled Tassy a few years ago during February and discovered how ccccoooooolld it still can be in the SW! It was mostly very pleasant though and it wouldn't bother someone who's toured Scandinavia etc.:)

[loanrangie]

I travelled Tassy a few years ago during February and discovered how ccccoooooolld it still can be in the SW! It was mostly very pleasant though and it wouldn't bother someone who's toured Scandinavia etc.:)

And on the flip side we were in Hobart in march 2005 and it was a heatwave, it actually got to 30-31 !

[UncleHo]

G'day Leeds :)

Just got a nice Birthday message from Johannes and he mentioned that you were coming over in 2008.

Don't store the spares in the vehicle as they "Grow Legs" I would try to bring them in as excess bagage.

cheers

[leeds]

Basic travel plan is to ship 110 out in time to watch the Outback Challange then travel around for 6 months. Will head north for July/August where I will be joined by barbara on her summer holdays My plans will be rather 'fluid' as is my style whilst driving! :D

Uncle Ho we had some wonderful bilberry cake at Johannes this summer. I recieved an email from him tonight saying that he had foewarned his Aussie friends that I am coming over. :p

Look forward to meeting some of you and possibly joining up with some Aussie meets.

Have been busy marking some tracks on an Ausie map. I knew Aus was big but it is ruddy BIG!


Regards

Brendan

[CraigE]

As said a good first aid kit, the most extensive you can afford or make.
As for rego I am certain you can keep your GB rego and plate and just purchase a temporary rego for Australia.
The best people to ask would be Robert & Martine who are currently doing the trip. Kookynet do a google and you should find their site. Sometimes they drop a line here.
Make sure your car is very clean before shipping, but as said it may have to be done again before getting released here.