Australia Travel With Firearms - Share Your Prior Experiences

[UpNorthMI]

I'm traveling next month with my son for a large and mixed hunting trip to Australia, we have our Australian Firearms Permits, Import Permits and have completed our online electronic travel authorizations. Our arrival point is Sydney at 6:30am on a Thursday, with a connecting flight on Jetstar Airways at 8:25pm to Darwin.

I'm looking for any comments on the arrival process, how were the Aussie customs guys with firearms, any input on flying with Jetstar with firearms / ammo?

We have a nearly 14 hour layover in Sydney, it would be great if we could "dump" our firearms and get out to see a little of the city, anyone managed to do similar?

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Hi mate,
Just a couple of notes from the Australian side....

If you're flying Jetstar, make sure you have the Qantas group dangerous goods approval letter via their Website to carry ammunition. It's quick and easy to do.

Secondly, assume that 90% of your check in staff will have never handled a firearm, so allow extra time and patience for that. Normally we have to almost assist them through the process.

Finally, to leave your firearms somewhere, they'd have to be stored at a licensed dealer, which is not really feasible in the circumstances unfortunately.

Enjoy your trip! What are you hunting and where??

 

[dailordasailor]

I did Australia last year.
-don’t wait till last minute to get your visa
-I flew Qantas and United so didn’t have any extra paper stuff until leaving Australia and lady at desk was super helpful with getting it done with no issue
-hope you already have rifle permit for your stay? Like a legit id card with start/end date. As we were leaving their customs gave me a hard time because it expired the end of that day but I was in airport going back to US. So wasn’t a real issue but if you get a delay or anything could be headache quick.

-we had layover for 12hrs or so. Picked up rifles and went to on site hotel and got some sleep. No issue rechecking and no weird looks from hotel staff

 

[UpNorthMI]

Hi mate,
Just a couple of notes from the Australian side....

If you're flying Jetstar, make sure you have the Qantas group dangerous goods approval letter via their Website to carry ammunition. It's quick and easy to do.

Secondly, assume that 90% of your check in staff will have never handled a firearm, so allow extra time and patience for that. Normally we have to almost assist them through the process.

Finally, to leave your firearms somewhere, they'd have to be stored at a licensed dealer, which is not really feasible in the circumstances unfortunately.

Enjoy your trip! What are you hunting and where??

Tim,
Thanks for your comments mate. I have just reached out to a licensed firearm dealer (gun stores) in Sydney that are located close to the airport to see if they would take our firearms for a day. I'd really like to get out and see a little of the city.

We just got our firearm and import permits and will get on the Quantas group dangerous goods approval letters.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I just want to give a shout out and thanks to Gary Georgiou from Safari Firearms who is based in Bexley, NSW Australia about 2 miles from Sydney Airport for agreeing to store our firearms and luggage while we enjoy our 14 hour layover in Sydney on our way to our upcoming hunt trip to Darwin.

I'm sure we will find a few things we need in what looks like a well stocked hunting and gun store, it's always interesting to visit stores in other countries. No matter where I've travelled to hunt in the world I've generally found hunting people to be very helpful.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

I had a few dealings with Gary in my former life as a firearms dealer. He's a champion fella, always happy to help, and actually who I would have suggested.

 

[chashardy]

Sounds like you have your paperwork done for getting your rifles into Australia. I did a buffalo hunt in the Northern Territory in 2023 and my outfitter handled all the paperwork. You will have to meet with Australian police after you go through customs to clear your rifles. And they are very thorough about checking the paperwork. (needless to say, have current US 4457 forms in your paperwork)
As another poster says above, the Qantas gate staff isn't familiar with handling firearms, so be prepared for the same questions over and over and allow extra time.
When I got to Sydney to come home, I was told at check-in that I needed export paperwork, which was a surprise. Good thing I had a lengthy layover in Sydney because I spent several hours going back and forth between the Aussie police office in the terminal and the customs house across the parking lot from the terminal to fill out another five or six pages of paperwork that asks exactly the same questions on the rifle permit and import documents. Useless paperwork and everyone had to make copies every step of the process. Seems like all they would have to do is verify that my import documents matched my passport and rifle serial number and check my bags for the outbound flight, but that would make too much sense. On top of all that, the Qantas gate agent wrapped my rifle case in more yellow caution tape than a murder crime scene. Silly.
I have to say that my experience was that Australia is not welcoming to hunters, especially hunters travelling with firearms.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Sounds like you have your paperwork done for getting your rifles into Australia. I did a buffalo hunt in the Northern Territory in 2023 and my outfitter handled all the paperwork. You will have to meet with Australian police after you go through customs to clear your rifles. And they are very thorough about checking the paperwork. (needless to say, have current US 4457 forms in your paperwork)
As another poster says above, the Qantas gate staff isn't familiar with handling firearms, so be prepared for the same questions over and over and allow extra time.
When I got to Sydney to come home, I was told at check-in that I needed export paperwork, which was a surprise. Good thing I had a lengthy layover in Sydney because I spent several hours going back and forth between the Aussie police office in the terminal and the customs house across the parking lot from the terminal to fill out another five or six pages of paperwork that asks exactly the same questions on the rifle permit and import documents. Useless paperwork and everyone had to make copies every step of the process. Seems like all they would have to do is verify that my import documents matched my passport and rifle serial number and check my bags for the outbound flight, but that would make too much sense. On top of all that, the Qantas gate agent wrapped my rifle case in more yellow caution tape than a murder crime scene. Silly.
I have to say that my experience was that Australia is not welcoming to hunters, especially hunters travelling with firearms.

Thanks for the heads up on your Australia police and customs experience. I have to change at Sydney from a Jetstar flight from Darwin and check in for my Delta flight to Los Angeles, I have about 2 hours 30 minutes between flights. At least it won't be a surprise if I have to get involved in "export" paperwork. The more countries I visit with firearms the more I add to my list that most airport staff know very little about their rules and regulations. I always try to be positive and polite in an effort to show that travelling hunters are good people too!

A quick Google search revealed the following:

It looks like you do need export paperwork to return home with your firearms.

Applying for a Restricted Goods Permit​

To obtain a Restricted Goods Permit, passengers will need to complete and provide the following forms and documents:

• Registering as a client on the Integrated Cargo System (Form B319)
• Export Declaration (Form B957)

 

[deewayne2003]

@UpNorthMI

The best boat tour you can take in Sydney is the Manly ferry, you board at the Opera house terminal and you'll see the bridge and opera house from the boat; likewise you can take a ferry to the Taronga zoo.

I would also highly recommend stopping at the Mall downtown for the best Laksa(Asian dish) you can find in an english speaking country.

The NT is a big place and I have no idea where you will be hunting, but if you get the chance to stop at the Adelaide River Inn pub, I highly suggest you pop in and have a pint and lunch/dinner and pay your respects to Charlie... The water buffalo that stared in Crocodile Dundee.

Food for thought - If you get a buff, consider doing a skull mount and having it painted by an aboriginal artist for a truly unique trophy rarely seen in the USA.

(this pic is from here on AH, posted by another member and is not my skull - but I'd love to have it)

Speaking of which, aboriginal canvas paintings are beautiful and easily brought back rolled up in a cardboard tube - Just don't buy from a dealer or art gallery, they will skin you alive, ask your guide about it and he will most likely know people you can buy from direct for 1/3rd of what you would pay at a shop.

I also highly recommend packing light and doing any outdoor gear shopping you may need(for your hunt and at home) in either Sydney or Darwin - The quality of items you can buy in Australia makes Cabela's and Basspro products look like hammered dog shit!

The USD vs AUD is trading at 1:1.66 currently so take advantage of that.

If you like Rum - bring back Bundaberg Rum, I think it's the best rum on earth and not available in the USA, you can pick it up at duty free upon departure.

If you want to bring back a gift for the Mrs. Australia has the most beautiful Opal and gold work I've ever seen and just like the art - ask your guide for a local connection.

 

[UpNorthMI]

@UpNorthMI

The best boat tour you can take in Sydney is the Manly ferry, you board at the Opera house terminal and you'll see the bridge and opera house from the boat; likewise you can take a ferry to the Taronga zoo.

I would also highly recommend stopping at the Mall downtown for the best Laksa(Asian dish) you can find in an english speaking country.

The NT is a big place and I have no idea where you will be hunting, but if you get the chance to stop at the Adelaide River Inn pub, I highly suggest you pop in and have a pint and lunch/dinner and pay your respects to Charlie... The water buffalo that stared in Crocodile Dundee.

Food for thought - If you get a buff, consider doing a skull mount and having it painted by an aboriginal artist for a truly unique trophy rarely seen in the USA.
View attachment 677397
(this pic is from here on AH, posted by another member and is not my skull - but I'd love to have it)

Speaking of which, aboriginal canvas paintings are beautiful and easily brought back rolled up in a cardboard tube - Just don't buy from a dealer or art gallery, they will skin you alive, ask your guide about it and he will most likely know people you can buy from direct for 1/3rd of what you would pay at a shop.

I also highly recommend packing light and doing any outdoor gear shopping you may need(for your hunt and at home) in either Sydney or Darwin - The quality of items you can buy in Australia makes Cabela's and Basspro products look like hammered dog shit!

The USD vs AUD is trading at 1:1.66 currently so take advantage of that.

If you like Rum - bring back Bundaberg Rum, I think it's the best rum on earth and not available in the USA, you can pick it up at duty free upon departure.
View attachment 677399

If you want to bring back a gift for the Mrs. Australia has the most beautiful Opal and gold work I've ever seen and just like the art - ask your guide for a local connection.

Many thanks for those great recommendations, my son and I are about 5 weeks away from departure for what we think will be one of the most memorable trips ever, we are mainly culling but have over 20 buffalo, 10 camel, 10 donkey and other species on our list along with some barramundi and coastal fishing.