-- Darwin
The 30/09 I arrived at the airport in Darwin around 09:50am local time
(+9:30 UTC). I crossed through controls of immigration and customs
without any difficulty. In the hall of the air terminal only shops of rent car
were open. The exchange office opened only at 11:00am.
By taxi I went to the centre town where I took a room in Ashton Lodge.
My tribulations to enter my truck were a serial which is worth to be reported factually by topic and date.
-- Perkins:
The 39/09 in the early afternoon I went to Perkins to know the approval procedure
of my truck. After having paid the invoice of transport the BOL
and document was given me explaining the
various formalities to obtain the right to travel in Australia. My truck was
not available before two to three working days.
The 02/10 Perkins taught me that my truck was available for Customs and
Quarantine from the 07/10, that is to say seven days after its arrival.
-- Customs and Quarantine:
The 30/09 I went to Customs Office, I were accepted by a very helpful woman. I
filled an “unaccompanied baggage form”, then I paid the AQIS Entry Fees,
AU$105.
The 02/10 I returned again to Customs Office to organize the inspection of the
truck. The previously met woman got in touch quarantine to make joined
inspection, a date was fixed on the 07/10 at 09:30am for one hour duration.
The 07/10 the control by customs was fast and concluded by the signature
of the carnet de passage en douane. On the other hand the controller of Quarantine
found litigious points on the chassis of my truck and asked for a complement
of cleaning before finishing his inspection. Alas the business was not simple
because my truck was not allowed to move; it had to be transported covered to
not pollute the environment.
The 08/10 Ian of Travellers Auto Barn did several calls to have a truck to
transport my truck, fixed the appointment with AQIS at 08:30am at Perkins to
check the covering of my truck, then with a carrier and a cleaner. At 11:00am
all was organized for Friday.
The 09/10 I had appointment at 07:30am to go to Perkins with Ian who
transported the cover. The covering of my truck finished around 11:00am after
the controller of the AQIS requested the installation of a second cover at the
back of my truck and of a plastic film over radiators of the generator and of
the air-conditioning located on the roof of the cabin. Finally I arrived at
the cleaner around 12:00am. The complement work of cleaning under my truck
started to finish at 04:30pm, it was a washing by very high pressure
with hot water and sometimes with a product to degrease. All plastic cable ties
of wiring were removed. An appointment was taken for a second inspection
on Monday 12 at 08:30am for one hour duration at A$90 per hour.
The 12/10 around 08:30am the inspection by AQIS was roundly carried out.
An inspector plunged under my truck and still detected litigious points,
but it was a business between Australian people, the person in charge of cleaning
still cut cable ties and made dirtiness disappeared. The tools of the controller
are a mirror, a screwdriver and a torch with narrow light. Finally all was Ok.
The visit of the interior of the body was superficial. I received the AQIS approval
and I paid the bill on the spot, Final Release From Quarantine at A$405 by the
credit card. It was sent on the fax of Sitebark, the cleaner. I completed to
reassemble my truck, the radiators of the roof of the cabin, the installation
of new cable ties around 11:30am.
-- Insurance:
By the 01/10 two long days started devoted essentially in a search of
insurance company for my truck to subscribe a Third Party Property Insurance.
It was a track game from shop to shop to find Northern Tours and Travel given
by Graham Kelly. In the early afternoon this agency did not exist any more.
TIO Insurance Banking indicated me another agency Travellers Auto Barn which
contacted a company which was to give him a response in the late afternoon.
Around 04:00pm I went back there, alas no answer.
The following day Auto Barn devoted much time to telephone various companies
without successes. I was in the expectancy to find an insurance company.
Friday evening I sent emails to get information.
Klaus Därr answered me quickly that RTA
(Road and Authority Traffic) or MVR would give me necessary information during
the inspection of my vehicle.
Monday I met a campervan on truck chassis in Mitchell St, I had requested
address of insurance from the driver . Ian of Auto Barn spent the two next
days to make many telephone calls. The value of my truck has to be evaluated.
Finally I did not subscribe a Third Party Property Insurance.
-- Motor Vehicle Registry MVR:
Ian of Auto Barn recovered the covers and led me to the MVR where I presented
the carnet de passage en douane. Control related to three points, the identifiers
of my truck, chassis n° and engine n°, then various lights, and finally the brakes.
With an approval for three months only I went to the next office to buy a
Third Party Personal insurance for three months. Consequently before January 11, 2010
at midnight I was to present to me at a MVR to check my truck and to obtain a new
insurance and so on every three months. I remained on the carpark to put my truck
in running order. The day ended around 17:30.
Quarantine
by Perkins
Darwin
07/10/2009
Thanks
Without the help of Ian of Travellers Auto Barn, I could never organize myself the admission of my truck in Australia so much the administrative mysteries and the vernacular language were a fearsome obstacle.
Chronic to enter Australia
--August 27 I filled a form for a one year visa at the embassy of Australia in
Dili.
--September 01 my truck entered A1 Services in Dili to put it in conformity with
AQIS.
--September 22 I received an extension of the visa of Timor Leste.
--September 28 I received the visa to enter Australia.
--September 28 my truck was loaded on a Perkins' vessel.
--October 01 my truck landed in Darwin.
--October 07 a first inspection by AQIS refused my truck.
--October 09 my truck was charged on a big truck under the high checking by
AQIS.
--October 09 my truck was cleaned again.
--October 12 AQIS gave its agreement to the entry of my truck in Australia.
--October 12 MVR inspected my truck mechanically, I received a three months
agreement and Third Party Personal Insurance.
The truck could move in Australia for three months. The process lasted 48
calendar days and
cost around 5000 euros
Stroll in Darwin & surrounds
The town of Darwin is located on a peninsula surrounded by beach. It is organized in very broad quadrangular streets with modern buildings without character.
Mitchell St
Darwin
02/10/2009
Mitchell St
Darwin
02/10/2009
Sunday I walked on Mindil Beach renowned for its sunset and its Sunday market.
Mindil Beach
Darwin
04/10/2009
Sunset Market
Darwin
04/10/2009
Aboriginal music
Darwin
04/10/2009
Sunset
Darwin
04/10/2009
Parliament House
Darwin
11/10/2009
Darwin
11/10/2009
Japanses Attack
Darwin
11/10/2009
Darwin
11/10/2009
Cenotaph
Darwin
11/10/2009
Cullen Bay Marina
Darwin
11/10/2009
Preparation of my departure
The day of October 13 was dedicated to the preparation of my departure, of food supply and of the publication of my website.
