Hi. As a UK sitter thinking about sits in NZ and Australia, has anyone experienced problems with immigration staff? Any thoughts would be very welcome. Thank you.
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As we start and finish our Australia trips with family or friends the sits are pretty much hidden in the middle…
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Hi Bonny, thanks for the reply. That’s what I thought, just in case they had a problem. Why would they?!
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No. My only problem was taking in too many prescribed pills to New Zealand. I wasn’t asked in either country what the purpose of my visit was. If I had been, it was tourism
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An Aussie here. Travelling on a UK passport you will probably use an eGate at the airport to cross the border and won’t talk to a Border Force officer. But don’t bring fresh food with you, that will ensure you and your luggage are scrutinised! We have strict biosecurity laws in Australia. Your arrival card is checked by a human who questions you when you are exiting the baggage hall to assess if you and your luggage should be searched and you may be asked about your reasons for travel, but unlikely, unless of course you look dodgy…
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Where are you coming from?
Aussie here. You will probably find Australia to be one of the easiest countries to enter as long as you do everything correctly. As long as you have zero food or any items in your luggage as stated on your arrival card, the process is usually very quick and easy. Never experienced long lines and never been questioned by immigration. If you do carry anything you feel warrants declaring, it’s usually a quick check and you are through. Use e-gates in your case so very quick and stress free. As everyone says, always travelling as a tourist and always have a hotel booked for first night and have your travel plans at the ready on the off chance you are randomly stopped. It can happen but rarely does, unless you look dodgy 
Woops! Looks like I have pretty much echoed @Crookie post.
Yes and any dirt on trekking boots and you’re sent to the bathrooms to scrub it off! I thought my boots were pretty clean- but not good enough to enter Australia! Also once there you can’t take for example jars of Honey from Adelaide into Perth Western Australia … Biosecurity is taken very seriously. We saw Indian families having their suitcases taken apart forensically at the airport due to attempting to bring spices into the country.
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I leave my walking shoes at a friend’s place in England @BonnyinBrighton for that very reason when I am returning home. Also saves having to pack them each year I head over.
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Thanks Shirley. Good advice.
Many thanks Crookie! I don’t think we look dodgy!
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Thanks Smiley 
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I don’t look dodgy either @Huw1 but it’s amazing the times I’ve been checked for explosives (I think) when leaving Australia, my home country!
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Not sure about that @temba 
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Me too @temba so often I now expect it
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Thanks Temba. Easily overlooked!
Thanks for that advice too!
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Many thanks Ziggy. That’s really helpful. 
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From the uk.
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Cos of course, Australia and New Zealand are really the same country… 
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