Hi All - Brit Down Under
 

Hi all,

Mike here, I’ve been following this site on and off for the last 5 years dreaming of my own bike trip and now that it looks like I might (almost) actually be in a position to do it I thought I would introduce myself and put my loose plans out there and welcome any advice, comments, tips or just general banter.

So my situation is I’m a Brit living/working in Aus for the last couple of years and with my job coming to an end over here I’ve decided its the right time to just go for it…these are my very loose plans so far:

Phase 1:
Buy a suitable bike over here, start at Brisbane and basically do the big lap in around 3 months, the direction dependent on the time of year. Camping as much as possible and basically getting my eye in, in relatively comfortable surroundings.

Phase 2:
The majority of this is still to be worked out however it involves shipping the bike from Brisbane to South America (Peru maybe?) travelling right to the bottom then back up into central and North America and eventually Canada (time and funds allowing).

These are the sticking points I’ve found so far:

1) I’m struggling to find any information about travelling with an Aussie registered bike with a UK passport?

2) Whether or not I’ll need a Carnet for South/Central America (I’ve read a lot of conflicting information) and if so whether it’s a problem having an Aussie Carnet and UK passport?

Like I say very loose, but I’m sure it has all been done before so can be worked out.

All input or even just a hello would be appreciated.

Cheers
MOC83

Hi Mike, I cant really offer any practical advice myself as I am a newbie to bikes and the forum... But just want to wish you a great big welcome .. and I hope to hear more about your plans in the near future.
:welcome:

Hi Mike, :welcome:

I'm guessing you are working in Brisvagas? A bit far to pop in for a chat!

You do not need a carnet for any of the Americas. I did the trip from the south to the north in 2010 on an Aussie reg bike.

I really don't think using your British passport would make any difference. As long as the rego is in the same name that is in the passport then things would be OK. There's a residents visa in that passport too??

The one thing that you would need to do would be to return the bike to Aus, otherwise importation fees would have to be paid.

Chris.

Hi Optimisery and thanks - Its all very much in the planning stage at the minute but I'll be sure to post some updates once I hit some milestones the first being choosing and buying a bike....currently the hardest decision I have ever had to make!!

Hi Chrispy. Yeah currently based out of Brissy, its just a little bit too far at the minute but once I get on road I'll be be popping in for as many chats (and more importantly cups of tea) as possible on the way.

Good news about the Carnet, that seems to be the general consensus but I've just seen a couple of official(ish) websites that name some SA countires as requiring them. I'll take the info of those sites with a pinch of salt from now on.

Permenantly exporting the bike was another concern, at the minute I'm not sure if I'll be returnin to Aus (only a temporary Visa at the minute but this may change) or going back to the UK, hopefully I will have had the bike long enough by then to avoid any UK VAT and duty. Although if that is the case getting the bike back there will involve some more overland travel and definitely a Carnet....just to add another twist.