Delorean World Tour - Travel Blog

Day 90

Details: Created on Friday, 04 December 2015 13:40

12/03/2015 Darwin (Australia)

The last examination for the final Australia-decontrol was pending. At the MVR (Motor Vehicle Registration) our DeLoreans got a kind of general inspection, but it was not as extensive as a German TÜV, a sort of “HU light”.

All three cars passed straightaway. With the report we were able to complete the Australian insurance and to make the vehicle registration. Both, the inspector and the employees of the registration office were extremely helpful and friendly even though we showed up there without an appointment, so thank you very much again at this point!

Now finally all the hurdles were mastered and we were officially allowed to take Australian roads under the wheels.

After another interview and photo shooting with the NT News at the hotel

we went to Rod's 'Howard Springs Bakery' as promised to put the DeLoreans also in scene there.

Strengthened with his tasty pies and donuts (the best in town!), Rod showed us also the 'Boxing Crocodile', a nice photo location too.

The last date for today led us to 'Crocosaurus Cove' where already a little crocodile and a black-head-python were waiting for us. During our visit last week we had promised to the staff a photo session with our DeLoreans.

Day 89

Details: Created on Thursday, 03 December 2015 13:12

12/02/2015 Darwin (Australia)

Our first way this morning led us to the MVR (Motor Vehicle Registration) in Darwin. There we asked for some details on the insurance and the MOT approval as well as arranging an appointment there. After the release by the quarantine administration we will have pass the MOT as well. If we pass that we will get an insurance and a registration one-stop. We brought the forms and filled them in already.

By 1 p.m. we had our second appointment for the quarantine inspections. Every screw hole on the floor and every hidden corner was checked intensively. Thereby the one or other sand grain or some grease were discovered. Failed again…

We were “not amused” and on the brink leaving Australia angrily. We thought about shipping the Deloreans instantly from Darwin again because time is running out. Somehow we could point that out to our inspector. So she proposed to clean up the cars once again to get the quarantine release even today.
Being foreigners we weren’t officially allowed to help cleaning the cars. So Sui Ying (Biosecurity) and Stephen (dock worker) started a joint action with high-pressure washer, water hose and cold cleanser. There was hardly any dirt to be cleaned off, but after 90 minutes all three cars were quarantine-investigation-clean and the cleaning crew soaking wet.

After an additional hour of online data capturing and waiting for the final releases we were officially allowed to move the Deloreans in Australia and drive back to our hotel.

Today’s target “Three Deloreans in the hotel garage” achieved!

Day 88

Details: Created on Wednesday, 02 December 2015 13:36

12/01/2015 Darwin (Australia)

At 8 am today was our appointment at PJ´s Customs for transport the cars and the second cleaning.

It took three hours until the paperwork was done, all permissions and certificates were submitted and the car transporter was standing in front of the door. Because we are not allowed to drive our cars , even not half the mile to the quarantine washing station…..

The second cleaning took about four hours, now ours cars are almost clinical clean. The follow up inspection take place tomorrow at 1pm, the Delos must stay on the fenced quarantine area up to this time.

Day 87

Details: Created on Tuesday, 01 December 2015 12:05

11/30/2015 Darwin (Australia)

The Delorean World Tour has made it onto the front page of the local NT News!
Our Interwiew yesterday was the cover story of the day:

And finally, it continues with the authorities (Whether that has to do something with the newspaper report?)

After breakfast we extended the period of the rental car and the hotel room, both were booked only until today. Around noon we eventually received the information we were waiting for, the quarantine inspection will take place at 2 pm. Shortly before 2 pm we were at PJ's Customs and we were allowed to drive our DeLoreans out of the containers into the inspection hall. Finally we drove the DeLoreans again, even though only 30 meters...

The examiners were friendly but they were very thorough to the point. Air filter, battery compartment under the battery, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, first aid kit, warning triangles, medical kit, etc. - all this had to be dismounted or unpacked for examination. Some cavities in the frame, the radiator and a few corners at the engine got no mercy, they have to be re-cleaned. We have an appointment tomorrow morning, because the cleaning is not allowed to take place in the Shipping Agency, it have to be done in the port area. Only the objected parts will be checked then.

Day 86

Details: Created on Tuesday, 01 December 2015 11:56

11/29/2015 Darwin (Australia)

The days here in Darwin aren’t boring at all. Every day we got meetings and invitations. We are staggered about the Australians being that friendly and communicative. For example today we had an invitation to the meeting of the Ford-Car-Club. Since our Deloreans are still at the harbour waiting for their quarantine check, Rod simply gave us a car out of his collection. So Wolfgang was allowed to drive a V8 Interceptor to the meeting. (Which seemed to be much fun for him)

After having lunch together with lots of nice dialogues and new contacts we drove back to the hotel. There had already been a reporter of the local NT News waiting for us. The newspaper wants to report about our tour, the waiting time for the quarantine and our stay here in Darwin. After the interview and a photo shooting there was already the next topic on our schedule.
Michelle and Neil, daughter and son-in-law of the owner of our hotel invited us to see their new-bought property in the South of Darwin, about 100 km away. There they want to build a hotel resort with the newest ecological standards. Momentarily though there is nothing but jungle. It was an interesting tour through the Australian outback.