Need Help Getting to New Zealand from Melbourne

crocogoat on 13/07/2020 - 14:18
Last edited 13/07/2020 - 14:34 by 1 other user

Hi all,

I need to travel to New Zealand for a family emergency.

We are stuck in Melbourne and trans tasman flights are scarce.

Does anyone have any ideas for how to get across?

The city doesn't matter too much yet, just need to get there.

I tried looking for empty legs for charter flights (none available) and booking a private jet (too costly).

The only flights going out are 1-2 weeks away but they seem to be long (20+ hours) and with multiple transfers.

Has anyone been able to find other options?

Also, I know it's a long shot, but if anyone else needs to get to NZ urgently, maybe we can discuss splitting a charter?

Thank you very much for your help in advance :)

Travel New Zealand Oceania

Comments

saintpotter on 13/07/2020 - 14:25

+3

Speak to government agencies if it's an emergency - they should be able to assist.
- Chandler on 13/07/2020 - 16:06
  
  +1
  
  Yeah was thinking this. Also as family in NZ, try the NZ Consulate?
PissLUR on 13/07/2020 - 14:27

+8

We are stuck in Melbourne

thats the end of this. cant help.. not possible to travel anywhere..
- jimbobaus on 13/07/2020 - 14:33
  
  +4
  
  yeah you cant even transit via other states that have their border closed to Victorians.
  OP is SOL sadly
TheBilly on 13/07/2020 - 14:30

+1

By yacht? It would be difficult but I remember many years ago reading up on a forum where people would go continent to continent and others would "hitch hike" if that makes sense and the cost would be covered by way of helping out with the sails and upkeep etc.
- Chandler on 13/07/2020 - 16:06
  
  Yacht
  
  Tall ship!
kahn on 13/07/2020 - 14:36

-2

www.peoplesmugglers.com.au
Drakesy on 13/07/2020 - 14:56

If you don't mind me asking, whats the emergency?
- crocogoat on 13/07/2020 - 14:57
  
  An immediate family member is in the ER - likely to have surgery soon
  - Drakesy on 13/07/2020 - 15:05
    
    +6
    
    I'd start at requesting a travel exemption before looking at flight options.
    
    Also as bad as it sounds, there are many people who's loved ones have passed away in the hospital without them being there due to quarantine restrictions. If it doesn't work out just accept it as unfortunate timing, nothing worse than bringing covid to a hospital and infecting at risk patients, especially being from Melbourne.
    - dizzle on 13/07/2020 - 16:20
      
      +1
      
      This. Do you even know if NZ will let you in yet? You need to get the exemption first before you can do much else.
      - IVI on 13/07/2020 - 16:49
        
        -3
        
        @dizzle: Lots of parallel conversations needed, to save time.
        
        BTW, some [smaller] commercial vessels have beds
        & modest accommodations for 1 or 2 passengers.
        
        If they need to lodge "travel plans" before setting off,
        try to find out which agency they have to lodge with,
        to help your search, if you can't get a flight.
        
        Of course, it'd be good to get COVID' tested, by a
        clinic, that can provide a certificate showing you
        were COVID'-free at time of test…
        
        Then, stay the hell at home 'til you're en route to NZ.
        (Quarrabine)
        
        Take N95 masks along…It's a good look
        that may convince agents, et al. that you're
        a responsible traveller.
        
        dizzle on 14/07/2020 - 11:10
        
        @IVI: I understand that, however look at the circumstances that make it very unlikely that it will work.
        
        Non-NZ citizen asking for entry - Even if accepted would have to go into 14 days hotel isolation.
        
        Even if exception on compassionate grounds - to go from a known hotspot (Melbourne) skipping quarantine to visit a hospital (where there are many high risk people) could be too high a risk.
        
        I really can't see an exception being made - Maybe for a citizen coming home for a family emergency, but not for a non-citizen.
inherentchoice on 13/07/2020 - 15:01

You are allowed to transit in BNE or SYD airports I believe?

So domestic flight to SYD/BNE, then flight to AKL or CHC.

Here are the official directions for QLD:

A person who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland must not enter Queensland unless:…
…
f. the person arrives by air to an airport in Queensland and:
- transfers directly to another flight to leave Queensland without leaving the confines of the airport; or
- quarantines until the time of their flight to leave Queensland; or

I would just go ahead and book with an airline. The airline should also be able to confirm transit arrangements in BNE/SYD.

Edit: Looking at Auckland airport arrival schedules, Air New Zealand is still operating NZ104 from SYD and NZ146 from BNE, but I can't seem to book on their website. You may need to phone Air NZ directly.
- singlemalt72 on 13/07/2020 - 15:15
  
  +3
  
  Even if he was allowed to travel, there is a 14 day compulsory isolation upon arrival in NZ
  - inherentchoice on 13/07/2020 - 15:19
    
    Did OP say that was a deal breaker? NZ was letting people out of isolation early on compassionate grounds.
    
    I did find this however at https://www.airnewzealand.com.au/covid19…
    
    Three-week hold for new international bookings to New Zealand
    Air New Zealand has put a hold on new bookings on international services into New Zealand following a request from the New Zealand Government.
    
    This three-week hold is to help ensure the country is able to provide quarantine accommodation for inbound passengers for the required 14-day period.
    
    As well as the temporary hold on new bookings for the next three weeks, Air New Zealand is also looking at aligning daily arrivals with the capacity available at managed isolation facilities. This may mean some customers will need to be moved to another flight. Learn more.
    
    But interestingly I also notice this on the same page:
    
    Auckland-Melbourne flights are currently suspended between 1 July - 14 July 2020 due to Australian Government restrictions. Melbourne to Auckland services will continue to operate during this period.
    - IVI on 13/07/2020 - 16:53
      
      +1
      
      Tomorrow is 14th Jul
o53djz7qTPY4der on 13/07/2020 - 15:03

How much is the private plane?
Islund on 13/07/2020 - 15:16

-1

cargo planes have some seats available - such as Toll, DHL, Fedex.
- Flying Ace on 13/07/2020 - 15:18
  
  No they don't
  - inherentchoice on 13/07/2020 - 15:23
    
    Not available to the public, but when a charter flight is in the realm of possibility, surely so is a seat on a cargo plane? Plenty of YouTubers have filmed videos when they flew on cargo planes. Including during the current pandemic.
inherentchoice on 13/07/2020 - 15:31

Last week the New Zealand Government ordered airlines to stop taking inbound international bookings for the next three weeks to avoid quarantine facilities here being overwhelmed by a surge of Kiwis returning home to seek refuge from the worsening coronavirus pandemic.

Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/122111400/air-ne…

But note this is for "Kiwis returning", so presumably foreigners returning on compassionate grounds are exempted?

Also, maybe if anyone out there has an existing booking you could do a name-change on it? Have a read here for more info:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-clo…
Austaurean on 13/07/2020 - 15:47

Also… Get Tested and allow 3 to 4 days for the result and quarantine while you wait…
[Deactivated] on 13/07/2020 - 15:47

+2
Get a chilly bin

????

In NZ
xuqi on 13/07/2020 - 16:16

Given the current Melbourne Covid outbreak/lock down, I doubt NZ authorities would allow any direct travel between Melbourne & NZ.
CyberMurning on 13/07/2020 - 16:24

what if i am in sydney and a NZ citizen and Australia PR, do i have to apply for travel exemption? also family health reason
- Meho2026 on 14/07/2020 - 09:17
  
  You need to apply for an exemption from the travel ban on leaving the country if you are a PR. If you are a New Zealander with a Special Category Visa you dont.
holdenmg on 13/07/2020 - 16:36

Hi,

You can ask Flightfox
(I used to provide them and their clients with flight solutions).

https://flightfox.com/trips
2jzzzz on 13/07/2020 - 16:42

International charter businesses operate out of Essendon Airport too.
WreckTangle on 13/07/2020 - 17:59

People entering New Zealand must stay in managed isolation or quarantine for at least 14 days and test negative for COVID-19 before they can go into the community…

Exemptions are rarely granted, and you should not expect that your application will be approved.

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/…
- SydneySwan on 14/07/2020 - 07:59
  
  NZ has had its own issues allowing visitors early release from quarantine on compassionate grounds and they have had undetected COVID and caused outbreaks. Even if you are a Kiwi I think it is unlikely that NZ would waive the 14 days quarantine especially as you are coming from a know virus hotspot.
Pip Y on 14/07/2020 - 09:11

+3

Good Luck - I hope that you are able to get home
Keep us posted
Sensiekatie on 14/07/2020 - 13:50

Air NZ and Emirates are not taking new bookings for at least 14 days. NZ quarantine is full and they have reduced incoming numbers just as we have - except in their case it is the airlines who have stopped taking bookings.

Only NZ citizens and spouses are allowed in.

As others have said, it won't be easy. You will need the appropriate exemptions as well plus permission to leave Australia plus the test results before leaving.

Sea is certainly an option. However you will find yourself quarantined whichever way you go.

There are a lot of people who have missed family emergencies, funerals etc. Sadly, you may be added to the growing number.

Need Help Getting to New Zealand from Melbourne

Comments

New Forum Topics