Australia Packing List: What You Really Need
Australia is a vast country and full of adventures. It boasts a huge range of different terrain, temperatures, and cities. You’ll never run out of destinations to explore, so comprehensive packing list is a must for everyone wanting to make the most of their travel on this beautiful continent.
We created the perfect Australia packing list for a complete guide to ensure you have everything you need for an amazing trip down under.
Australia Packing List Essentials
Before rummaging through our packing list, there are a few essential items you’ll want to prioritise:
- Passport, make sure it’s still valid up until the end of your travel and for at least six months past your arrival date
- Credit and debit cards
- Travel insurance
- Emergency contact information.
Luggage and Backpack
Let’s start with your luggage! The right luggage is crucial for a stress-free travel experience and the right luggage should align with the way you plan to travel, to ensure a pleasant journey. Some factors to consider when choosing your luggage are the length of your trip, size and capacity, material, weight, style and design, and budget.
Carry-on luggage
If you’re more of a light traveller and love to lose yourself in nature for long periods of time, a carry-on backpack will be your best companion. It's hassle-free and portable, so you can easily explore Australia's huge and breathtaking natural surroundings. Carry-on suitcases are also a great option for keeping mobile… just don’t take them into the bush!
Checked bag
You can fit many more possessions in a checked suitcase than in your typical carry-on luggage. What’s more, a checked suitcase doesn’t put a strain on your back or the rest of your body, as you can easily wheel it through the airport or check it in early to take a load off.
Daypack
A daypack is a smaller backpack designed for day-to-day use during your travel. It’s a convenient and versatile companion, suitable for many activities like strolling around the city, exploring local markets, or taking a hike in nature reserves. Best paired with a checked bag for the most convenient travel experience.
Travel/packing cubes and compression sacks
Packing cubes are a great addition to your Australia packing checklist. These nifty items can help you better organise your suitcase and improve your overall travel experience by maximising space, enhancing organisation, and simplifying unpacking. You can also use compression sacks if you’re more of a fit-everything type of traveller. They work best with a larger checked suitcase.
Clothing
Depending on the time of year and where you’re heading, your clothing travel essentials for Australia can differ significantly. Australia experiences diverse climates and seasons due to its geographical size. Therefore, tailoring your clothing essentials based on the time of year and the different regions is important for a comfortable and enjoyable trip.
Accessories
Australia is known for its scorching sun, making it imperative to prioritise staying cool and protected during your adventures, especially when you’re on the beach or up north. Bringing a hat and sunglasses is a non-negotiable for these environments and the intense sun exposure.
Upper body
T-shirts, linen shirts, and tank tops are your go-to summer outfits as they offer great breathability for warmer months. If you’re visiting during cooler seasons, opt for more layers and something thicker such as singlets with long-sleeved shirts and sweaters. If you’re heading to Melbourne or Tasmania, a thick jacket is a must.
Lower body
Lightweight shorts and skirts always come in handy in warmer weather, but packing one or two pairs of trousers won’t hurt either. These are a good addition, especially if you plan to spend time out in nature and want a little more protection from insects or the cold weather.
Swimwear
Thousands of phenomenal beaches await in Australia. Pack quality swimwear (shorts, bikinis) that fit you well, and don’t shy away from bringing a few options. There’s more than 50,000km of coastline in Australia, so we’re sure you’ll be able to find at least one beach you like!
Shoes
If you intend to spend most of your time walking in the city, pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes. While flip-flops or thongs (not that ‘thong’, but the Australian thongs, AKA Japanese sandals) are perfect for laid-back get-togethers and beach days. Hiking shoes are ideal for outdoor excursions in challenging terrain, and there’s plenty of that!
Outerwear
If you’re planning on some rugged travel through the Australian alpine regions, you must pack a warm and weather-resistant jacket to protect you from the rain, wind, or colder temperatures. But if you need some layers for a walk in the city, opt for a lighter jacket… again, this depends on the time of year and which city you’re visiting.
Nightwear
In most big cities in Australia, there’s a vibrant nightlife with plenty of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. If you plan on hitting the town, you might want to pack some dressier clothes to look the part.
Other Travel Essentials
There are plenty of other travel essentials that you should pack for your trip to Australia.
Sunscreen
Australia is home to some of the world's highest UV radiation levels. On a pleasant summer's day, the sun can easily burn your skin in about 11 minutes. Make sure you bring enough SPF50 sunscreen. If you spend a lot of time in the water, opt for water-resistant sunscreen.
Bugs repellent
Don’t forget to take bug repellent for those outdoor adventures. It can save you from itching, swelling, discomfort, or even diseases brought by a variety of insects such as mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and other insects.
Travel towel
Australia’s summer temperatures paired with active outdoor activities will get you sweating in no time, particularly in the tropical north. A travel towel will come in handy to wipe away sweat and keep yourself comfortable during and after outdoor activities.
Reusable water bottle
It’s very easy to keep refilling a reusable water bottle throughout almost all of Australia, thanks to the quality of water and accessibility to taps. This is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice, and you can do your part to preserve Australia's natural environment by avoiding single-use plastics.
Electronics
Don’t forget your electronics!
Camera and accessories
Whether it’s a professional camera or your smartphone, you need to have some way to capture quality images on your journey through Australia. Always bring spar memory cards or purchase extra cloud storage to fit all the images you plan on capturing.
Universal adaptor, power bank and powerstrip
Australia uses a type I power socket. If your country uses a different socket (it probably does!), pack a universal adaptor to keep your gadgets charged. A powerstrip is also a good addition to your Australia packing list, especially if you bring a few devices. Last but not least is a power bank which is a must-have in Uluru, or other remote locations in Australia.
Toiletries
Apart from sunscreen, pack other toiletries to ensure personal hygiene and comfort during your trip to Australia. All of your essential toiletries are easy to find in Australia, but you will save a lot of time (and some money) if you have your preferred products on hand — be it face wash, moisturiser, dental floss, or even perfume or cologne.
Medications
Australia is absolutely huge. It’s not your usual country, where you can go from one place to another in no time. Motion sickness pills and remedies will save you on those long drives or flights. And don’t forget to pack any personal medications, along with the prescription where necessary.
Extras
Here are a few handy extras that we’d recommend packing.
Dry bag
If you plan on enjoying a few water-based activities, you’ll definitely benefit from bringing a dry bag. It’s a great extra layer of protection for your gadget (or documents), ensuring that your valuables stay dry when you’re around water.
Luggage lock
A locked suitcase or luggage is much less likely to be targeted by thieves, especially in crowded places like airports, train stations, or hotels. It also ensures better privacy by preventing others from accessing your belongings — a worthwhile investment for any traveller.
Enjoy a bonza trip!
If you follow this checklist closely, we’ve got no doubt you’re as prepared as can be for your journey to Australia. But if you’re still looking for the right piece of luggage for your trip, we’re here to help. Take a look at the Eminent range of luggage today.
