Snip: The local office refused to honor the committment made by their own embassy in NZ so I suppose the moral of the story is to get in writing or just bypass OZ which quite a few yachties are doing!! Interesting to note that for some reason that some US yachties (and Canadian) think they are coming to a 3rd world country or something when entering Oz. I have been to the US and had almost an internal body search to clear customs (just joking), but hope the point is taken, and good luck to the basic principle. Yes Immigration and others are over the top in so many ways (bloody bureaucrats), but if you want to come to Oz you must do your homework and prepare. Don't rely on someone in some foreign country to give you the supposed good oil on what is required. You need a visa to enter, whether you sail, fly, swim, float in on gossamer wings, or arrive on an inner tube. Knocking the system here is naove to say the least. Do your bloody homework and stop whinging, and selling short a country that welcomes you, albeit only simply needing to engage the disciplines required. Every time I hear about problem on this list it is usually someone who has not done their homework or adequately prepared for issues. If you by-pass Oz - Your loss. Cheers! Peter Sheppard