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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we have to be let in??

244 replies

yummyubereats · 30/12/2023 07:36

I am currently in Australia visiting a friend. We have travelled from Brisbane towards Sydney for the last few days. We are spending New Year’s Eve in a theme park next to the harbour bridge to watch the fireworks. We bought the tickets ages ago.

My friend and I, who have travelled together, didn’t bring our passports with us to sydney, just our drivers licenses.

We have just received an email from said theme park, saying that they ID on entry and do not accept foreign driving licenses as a valid form of ID. Only passports and Australian licenses. This was not made clear when we bought.

So now, we are panicking. We spent £120 on these event tickets and now we probably won’t even be let in.
NSW government guidance says any country license can be accepted as ID, so they’re not following this.

What can we do?? It’s tomorrow and we don’t have time to get our passports.

OP posts:
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6
Original poster
yummyubereats · 30/12/2023 07:42

Also just checked the liquor NSW government rules and it says it’s allowed! But they’re saying it’s not?

OP posts:
EdinGirl · 30/12/2023 07:43

Do you have a photo of your passport on your phone (you should always have this) or is there someone back at the house who can take photos for you?

Go to a print shop or library and print it out. Show this to event staff alongside your drivers license and it will look like you are making an effort to comply.

Original poster
yummyubereats · 30/12/2023 07:45

They also strictly said no pictures or screenshots or copies :(

OP posts:
unkownone · 30/12/2023 07:45

I’d give them a call before hand and explain see what they say.

wombat1a · 30/12/2023 08:08

My experience is that when a Govn rule says something can be used/accepted then it means just that. The agency can accept it but its up to them if they are willing to.

Nevertouchakoala · 30/12/2023 08:11

Luna park? Nah they won’t let you in. Australia is strangely strict.

Marblessolveeverything · 30/12/2023 08:11

I would imagine the passport requirement is because there is aset template and easier to recognise, licences would differ widely.

I imagine every private organisation can set their t&c's. I would try ring and research a plan b.

MadameCamembert · 30/12/2023 08:12

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:10

If you had checked the Luna Park website before you left Brisbane you would have seen that they don't accept foreign drivers licences and only passports are acceptable for international visitors.

https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/harbour-party-nye-2023-18/155180?skin=hpnye23

Well, yeah. Hence the point of the thread?

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:15

MadameCamembert · 30/12/2023 08:12

Well, yeah. Hence the point of the thread?

Show quote history

My point is that she should have double checked the website.

Poufpastry · 30/12/2023 08:17

Contact the place you are staying at and get your passports couriered to you.

MadameCamembert · 30/12/2023 08:17

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:15

My point is that she should have double checked the website.

Show quote history

And my point is yes but that is absolutely no help whatsoever… I think OP probably realises this.

Aubriella · 30/12/2023 08:18

I think you’ll be probably be fine but it was very silly not bringing your passports to a different city as foreign nationals. Why did you leave them?!

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:27

MadameCamembert · 30/12/2023 08:17

And my point is yes but that is absolutely no help whatsoever… I think OP probably realises this.

Show quote history

Of course and she's probably feeling very silly right now. We've all done it (not double checked something) Hopefully a solution can be found for her so that she's able to enjoy new years eve.

Original poster
yummyubereats · 30/12/2023 08:35

I just didn’t think to bring my passport as we were only driving :( and I have been to Australia before - every hostel and hotel has accepted it as form of ID

OP posts:
Aubriella · 30/12/2023 08:42

yummyubereats · 30/12/2023 08:35

I just didn’t think to bring my passport as we were only driving :( and I have been to Australia before - every hostel and hotel has accepted it as form of ID

I think if you tell them that they will let you in.

Don’t forget your driving licenses! Showing that with your passport copy will probably get you in.

Whatever you do, don’t concede defeat and not show up!

Get there a bit early before they’re all busy and stressed and explain.

theduchessofspork · 30/12/2023 08:45

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:15

My point is that she should have double checked the website.

Show quote history

Helpful.

Take your driving license, a photocopy of your passport and a winning smile and be prepared to weep attractively - they don’t have to let you in but they just might take pity on you.

starfishmummy · 30/12/2023 08:51

Ask someone at the passport end to drive then half way while you go back to meet them?

turkeyquestion · 30/12/2023 08:55

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:10

If you had checked the Luna Park website before you left Brisbane you would have seen that they don't accept foreign drivers licences and only passports are acceptable for international visitors.

https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/harbour-party-nye-2023-18/155180?skin=hpnye23

Yeah, it is pretty clear on their website 😬

To think we have to be let in??
Aubriella · 30/12/2023 08:56

starfishmummy · 30/12/2023 08:51

Ask someone at the passport end to drive then half way while you go back to meet them?

Google says there are 565 miles between Brisbane and Sydney, and a 10 hour drive! I’d not want to drive half that distance. Not sure how Australians feel about it, they may be inured to the long distances.

CleverLilViper · 30/12/2023 09:02

MadameCamembert · 30/12/2023 08:17

And my point is yes but that is absolutely no help whatsoever… I think OP probably realises this.

Show quote history

But then what is the point of this thread at all-none of us know if they'll be willing to overlook their rules this one time or not.

We can hardly assist here. They may or may not. OP just needs to call them up and ask. Then accept her mistake in not checking if it's a no and learn for next time.

NewYearNewNothingImGreat · 30/12/2023 09:03

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:10

If you had checked the Luna Park website before you left Brisbane you would have seen that they don't accept foreign drivers licences and only passports are acceptable for international visitors.

https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/harbour-party-nye-2023-18/155180?skin=hpnye23

Wish you’d been around 10 minutes before the OP and her friend left Brisbane.

GreatBigYou · 30/12/2023 09:05

Sagealicious · 30/12/2023 08:10

If you had checked the Luna Park website before you left Brisbane you would have seen that they don't accept foreign drivers licences and only passports are acceptable for international visitors.

https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/harbour-party-nye-2023-18/155180?skin=hpnye23

Never give advice that requires time travel.

Tattletwat · 30/12/2023 09:06

yummyubereats · 30/12/2023 07:42

Also just checked the liquor NSW government rules and it says it’s allowed! But they’re saying it’s not?

That's what, the local government will accept as ID, organisations are free to set their own rules with what they will accept as entry requirements.

I will be honest I'd make other plans.

44PumpLane · 30/12/2023 09:06

I second getting someone at the passport end to courier you the passports.....it might be a bit expensive but surely better than missing out.