I am visiting New Zealand from India via Melbourne in January. My flight lands on Saturday morning around 5:30 am at Melbourne airport. I am planning to get a transit visa using which I will exit the airport, and plan to watch the Australian open for 2 days.
The tricky part comes when I take the flight from Melbourne to Auckland which is at 6:15 am on Tuesday Morning. So technically from when I land and take off the difference is 72 hours and 45 minutes. Will I be issued a Transit visa in this case and will I be allowed to exit and later board the flight?
Is the length of layover is determined by flight take off and landing or immigration clearance at exit and entrance? Can I clear the immigration early to be within the 72 hours limit?