Boris bags sporty gift from Bishop

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is famous for his love of cycling but his Australian counterpart and running enthusiast Julie Bishop is doing her best to get him to switch exercise regimes.

After hours talking about issues ranging from trade to terrorism with Ms Bishop and Defence Minister Marise Payne in Sydney, the foreign minister handed the man who introduced "Boris Bikes" to the streets of London a pair of compression tights as a gift to mark his three-day official visit Down Under.

While espousing the benefits of the importance of nurturing friendships in such a volatile and unpredictable world during a joint press conference, Johnson thanked Ms Bishop for the light-hearted gift.

"Somebody brought you news I had been out jogging over the last couple of mornings in your wonderful Botanic Gardens in Sydney and you were kind enough just now to give me a very beautiful pair of compression tights," Johnson said, prompting laughs from the assembled journalists and Ms Bishop.

"As worn by Hugh Jackman I'm given to understand so, thank you, Julie, thank you Marise and thank you, Australia."

Asked by a reporter what his 5km personal best time was, Johnson muttered about how everyone was passing him in the Botanic Gardens before giving his official answer: "I think it's classified!"