Alleged 'tinnie terrorists' in Vic custody

Five Melbourne men are behind bars after allegedly trying to join Islamic State by boating away from Australia.

The group, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested near Cairns last week, allegedly towing a seven-metre vessel to Cape York.

They were extradited to Victoria via a chartered flight on Thursday, and remanded in custody after briefly fronting the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Police say Islamic preacher Robert "Musa" Cerantonio, Shayden Jamil Thorne, Kadir Kaya, Antonio Alfio Granata, and Paul James Dacre bought a car, trailer and boat and were planning to travel to Indonesia, before heading to Syria or northern Iraq.

Each is charged with making preparations for incursions into foreign countries to engage in hostile activities.

They're are due to face court again in September.

Some of their family and friends drew attention on Thursday, refusing to stand when Magistrate Luisa Bazzani entered the room, a customary practice.

The court was told the refusal was based on "religious reasons".