G’day! Are you planning your next adventure in the land down under and not sure what to bring with you? I made this Australia packing list just for you.
I’ve been there too..! Packing for a long trip can be stressful and a bit annoying. I used to pack my whole room, sure I had to bring any useless items (what if I need them?!) and then repack it all over again last minute.
True story: I packed my beloved Brazilian hammock because I was sure I would have used it. I had this idea in my mind that living in a van necessarily meant sleeping in a hammock. This might be true, but not when you’re sleeping in big cities or traveling in the desert.
It’s still packed in my backpack.
Packing for Australia was a bit complicated because I was going to explore South-East Asia first and, generally speaking, packing for a two years long trip without a strategy, wasn’t easy!
I hope this Australia packing list will help you pack easily so that you can have more time to focus on your adventure! I included a printable checklist free to you to download, so you can make sure you got everything with you!
Before we begin
Try to plan out your trip, at least mentally. What are some activities you don’t want to miss? Will you hike a lot, spend your days at the beach, or maybe a mix of both? Take a moment to think about that, and pack accordingly!
Backpacking taught me that having a dress for every possible occasion was impossible. Instead, I tried to pack multi-functional clothes and I’ve never looked back. Allow your shirts/tops to be used on different occasions and save time+space!
I found that sushi-roll all my clothes was more convenient than perfectly fold them and easier to organize my space. You could also try some packing cubes!
Clothes
- 3-5 tops/shirts – Have a mix of colors so you can fully reuse them. Include any sport shirt if you think you’ll need it.
- 1-2 pants – I usually go with 1 pair of jeans and 2 pairs of leggings, as they are more comfy and perfect for road trips!
- 1-2- leggins
- 2-3 shorts
- 1-2 dresses/skirts
- 1 sweater
- 1 jacket – You want to make sure it is lightweight, waterproof and windbreaker
- 1 pair of good walking shoes – Invest in a good one! I have the LOWA and I’m honestly not looking back. Plus, I use them as everyday shoes.
- Sandals – I personally have rope sandals and I like them so much! They are 100% vegan and my feet are free to breathe.
- 1 pair of flip flops – Also called thongs in Australia
- 5 sets of underwear and socks
- 2 swimsuits – As you know, you’ll come across some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! I would suggest to include a one-piece as well if you want to try surfing!
- 1 PJ (or use one of those shirts!)
Toiletries
Lush is heaven on Earth for all your toiletries items. They are handmade, natural ingredients, vegans, and affordable.
For this Australia packing list, I would suggest getting shampoos and body wash bars so that you can avoid leaking in your backpack/suitcase! They contain fewer chemicals and nasties, making them the perfect companion for every trip, especially if you are dreaming about van life!
- Bamboo toothbrush
- Toothpaste tablets (or natural toothpaste)
- Shampoo bar
- Body wash bar
- 1-2 microfibre towels
- Hand and body creams
- Organic deodorant
- Citronella oil
- Suncream
- Nail scissors, bandages, sanitizer
- Ibuprofen (or any other medicine you need)
- Menstrual cup
- Period panties – They are a total lifesaver, try it yourself! I have a mix of THINX and Modibodi.
Electronics
- Phone – You want your phone to be unblocked so that you can buy a new sim card once you arrive. Make sure you have enough memory on it as well, or that the battery is still functional. I got my Oppo in Thailand and I love it!
- Good camera – I personally own a Canon EosM100 and I love it!
- Tripod – I have a budget one
- Action Camera – If you don’t want to invest in a GoPro, this one is an affordable version
- Backup batteries
- Memory cards
- USB chargers
- Power bank
- Laptop + protective case – I have a Lenovo Ideapad, bought in Malaysia, and so far one of the best laptops I’ve ever had.
- Kindle – If you like reading, this is going to be your best friend. Saves tonnes of paper and space. You can travel with over 1000 books in one device!
- Universal adaptor
Travel Items
- 10L or 20L backpack for the day
- Reusable water bottle
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Torch
- Beach towel
- Notepad and pen – I might be old school, but writing important things down it’s faster and you’ll need some paper and pen more often than you think!
- Padlock
- Cards – we play Uno quite a lot!
- Pocket knife
- Travel belt
- Metal lunch box – For your picknicks on the beach 🙂
- Journal
Documents
No packing list would be complete without those super important items. I might sound like your granma but I’m sure you don’t wanna forget any of those listed below 🙂
- Passport + protective case
- ID
- Medical card
- YOUR VISA!
- Flight details and check-in
- Driving license (+ international driving license)
- Hostel/hotel/Airbnb booking
- Credit card/travel card
- A copy of everything above
If you are anything like me and you think you’ll likely forget something, download this packing checklist here!
I hope you found this Australia packing list valuable! When are you starting your adventure? Where are going to explore first? Let me know by commenting below!
If you need more specific tips or suggestions, shoot me an email (sayhello@silentravel.com) or slide into my DMs on Instagram!
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