If you’re travelling Australia by caravan, you’ll get used to seeing border signs, quarantine bins and the occasional checkpoint.

NOTE: Picture above is from Interstate Quarantine website , you can click on the icons to get more info on the checkpoints.

If you haven’t dealt with it before, Australia’s domestic biosecurity rules can feel confusing. They’re not just for overseas travellers. They also apply when you cross from one state or territory into another. Here’s a simple guide to what those rules mean and how to handle them on the road.

The Basics: What Usually Can’t Cross Borders

You don’t need to memorise a huge list. The same patterns show up almost everywhere, also in our experience so far, the 2 states to watch out for is WA and SA and (Tasmania, we haven’t been there yet).

• Fresh fruit and vegetables are the most restricted. This includes apples, stone fruit, tomatoes, cucumbers and leafy greens — basically anything from the fresh produce section of a supermarket.
• Plants, soil, seedlings and firewood are nearly always a problem.
• Honey and bee products are restricted in some states.
• Meat, eggs and dairy can have conditions depending on the state and the type of product. Not too much to worry about here, if it came from a super market, should be ok.

Most processed foods are usually fine. Think canned foods, dried/frozen goods, packaged snacks, long-life milk and anything commercially sealed.

If it has been bought at a super market, and it has been processed in some way, then it will probably be ok, except honey.

Honey is one to keep an eye on. Even if it was purchased in WA and hasn’t been opened, you may not be allowed to bring it back into WA once you’ve crossed the border.

A simple rule that works well: if it looks like it came out of a garden, check the rules first.

When biosecurity rules aren’t followed, it’s farmers’ livelihoods, local jobs, and entire regions that can pay the price if pests or diseases spread.

What You Can Expect at Checkpoints

Not every border has a manned checkpoint, but some do, especially where fruit fly zones or strict bio security controls are in place. South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania are known for this.

If it is a manned checkpoint you will be asked to stop and let an officer look in your fridge or pantry. It’s usually quick and friendly. If you have something that isn’t allowed, you’ll be asked to bin it.

The safe way to handle borders: use up your fresh food before you cross and plan to buy more on the other side.

A Quick Look at State-by-State Patterns

Here’s a simple overview of what caravan travellers tend to run into most often.

South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania

These states have the strictest fruit and vegetable rules in the country because they work hard to stay pest free. Expect quarantine bins and check points.

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and honey are usually the sticking points here.

Warning ⚠️ : Don’t forget the firewood, if you have any, unless treated then it is NOT allowed to cross many borders.

Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Northern Territory & Victoria

These states have fewer statewide bans, but they do run fruit fly control areas. If your route takes you through a zone, the rules apply even if the states themselves have lighter restrictions.

We have never travelled through a controlled zone so can’t comment about what may happen. As for going over the borders, well nothing there other than a sign saying Welcome.

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Australian Interstate Quarantine Booklet

This should be your bible, check it out, do the right thing.

The advice here is in general only, everybody likes different foods stuffs so please consult the pdf below.

Our Experience

We have been on the road for over a year now, the only 2 states that we have personally encountered that deals with border quarantines with manned check points is SA and WA. The other state’s and territory’s sometimes have signs, mostly nothing.

If we are going into SA, or WA, we make sure we have no fresh fruit or vegetables on board before we reach the border, we don’t normally have Honey, so that is a non issue for us.

The check point guys are usually friendly, so long as you are co-operative and honest, there will be no issues. You may have to throw some food out, but it won’t be much if you have prepared before hand.

Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide for caravan travellers. Biosecurity rules vary by location and can change at short notice, so it’s always best to confirm current requirements with official authorities before crossing any border.

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Thanks for reading State Border Food Rules. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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