Thinking of Australia trip

tightandproud

Safiya wrote: »

... would hope that people's ideas are not formed solely on reality TV shows!

Saff

I think the show Saff is referring to is "Border Security", which is the Aust version of "Airport". Watch it on youtube if you want to get a taste of the Australian Customs!

While other countries are worried about guns and bombs, the Aust customs are more concerned about fruit and veg. I saw a passenger get fined £60 for trying to sneak an apple (given to her on the plane as part of her meal) through customs .... (or was that the New Zealand tv show? sorry I can't remember, but I'm sure the penalties are similar)

So leave your organic snacks behind!

alison99_2

My son has just arrived home from Perth, Australia. He said that customs were very strict and it took him a while to get through, but he said it was reassuring to know he was in a country that looks after it's borders, unlike Heathrow or Hong Kong Airports which just waived him through without a second glance.

lfc321

ultrak3wl wrote: »

To be honest I've stopped going to some countries because of the hostile way they treat you in the passport queue it just sets you off on the wrong foot for your entire trip after they've bossed you about for an hour.

Have you ever tried entering the UK on a non-EU passport? It's not just other countries that are like this.

tiamaria

When we landed at Sydney my cousins were picking us up, within 10 mins of landing I was chatting to them, had no problems anywhere else in Aus either.

Buddug_2

I've not been to Australia for a while, but on my first trip had the best experience of immigration I've ever had. Arrived in Darwin at 4am, tired and just ready to crawl in to bed. The immigration officer was really cheerful and friendly, and when I told her I didn't know the address of the hostel I was staying in, she just said ' oh, no problem' and 'welcome to Australia'. Then I went through customs, where they just smiled and waved me through. The second time I went to Sydney, and don't remember any hold ups or difficulties at all. The only place I've been where the immigration staff are completely humourless and it takes ages to get through is the USA.

bathgatebuyer

Just booked to go there for 3 weeks later in the year. Got an overnight in Singapore plus hotel, transfers, flying with Singapore Airlines for just over £500 return. Thankfully I've got relatives over there so the accommodation is taken care of.

They could grease up their rubber gloves for all I care at customs - it's worth it. It's a great country, and for 500 quid, I'm going to have the time of my life!

(P.S. I was joking about the rubber gloves! Anytime I've been there before, they have been absolutely fine - no better or worse than any other country I have been to. Don't let it put you off, as it's a price to pay to be safe)

tightandproud

At the end of the day, the customs officers (in any country, except for the US maybe) are just customer service staff just like any other service industry. Some days you get good service, other days you get grief, just depends on the individual officer's mood, maybe they're hungover from the night before and don't really care or maybe they're on a diet, low on sugar and hate the world, it's pot luck really. So just look for the really skinny guy who looks half asleep and you should be fine. :T

jackieblack

ultrak3wl wrote: »

I don't mind obeying their immigration rules and so on but I just refuse to spend the money if they want to be deliberately nasty as well (like the US.)

Never had a problem with US homeland security - we've always found them perfectly polite.

ultrak3wl

Do they do fingerprinting in Australia like when you enter the USA?

Incapuppy

ultrak3wl wrote: »

Do they do fingerprinting in Australia like when you enter the USA?

Have you got something to hide?

Seriously, if you have just taken up to 24 hours to fly somewhere, I really can't see what difference spending an hour or so in immigration makes?