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Twelve of the most unusual requests Australians make for help abroad

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it wants to make travellers and expats more self reliant – and less prone to asking silly questions

Backpackers and other travellers are being urged to be self reliant and not ask for unnecessary consular assistance
Backpackers and other travellers are being urged to be self reliant and not ask for unnecessary consular assistance. Photograph: Alamy

Guardian staff

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it wants to put an end to unnecessary requests for help from travellers and expats.

And it wants those who do go abroad to become more self reliant.

Here are 12 of the more unusual queries that have been directed at embassies and consulates around the world.

1. Travel planner

A mother wanted the embassy in Bangkok to book accommodation and a return ticket to Australia for her son, then provide an embassy driver to take him to the airport.

2. Pet minder

A request from an Australian traveller for Dfat to feed her dogs while she was away.

State of Origin
State of Origin. Unmissable, no matter where you are. Photograph: Robb Cox/AAP

3. Where’s the footy?

Multiple enquiries to embassies overseas as to the closest pub televising the State of Origin game.

4. Doctor

A traveller who asked whether the sand in Egypt would affect her asthma.

5. Don’t panic

Panicked callers regularly reporting Australian travellers missing overseas, after not hearing from them within the first few hours of arriving in country. Consular officers usually explain that getting through customs and immigration can take time.

Man packing suitcase for vacation
Won’t fit? Call the embassy. Photograph: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

6. Bag packer

Why won’t the Australian Embassy come and pack my bags for me? I’m an 80 year old travelling by myself and I’m too old to pack my own bags.

7. Pole cats?

What is the best way to get a pole cat out of your roof?

cruise ship
I wonder what the food is like? Talk to the ambassador Photograph: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images

8. Menu planner

I’m going on a cruise. What will the food be like? Can you drink the water on the ship?

9. Evacuated in style

Some travellers evacuated from civil unrest in Egypt on government funded flights questioned why they were not entitled to frequent flyer points. Similarly, some travellers evacuated from the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami made seat requests (including for first class).

10. A fine mess

Can the embassy tell the local police that I have an excellent driving record in Australia and should not have to pay those outstanding speeding fines?

11. Travel agent

What is the best hotel in Phuket?

12. Planning ahead

On my last trip to the Philippines I had some trouble with the law. What is the number of the embassy in Manila so I can call them to get me out of jail when I go back?

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