B3: How NOT to pack the kitchen sink!

​Packing List for a Month in Australia April/ May

Specific things to note when packing for a trip to tour Australia:

• Distances are huge, involving a lot of cross-country travel so travelling with minimal, portable luggage is essential, wearing comfortable travel clothes.
• The weather and climate is hugely diverse from the tropics in the north, to the desert of the outback, to the mountains….and from east to west coasts.  So dress accordingly.
• Any trip will likely include cosmopolitan city sightseeing, beach and leisure days, trekking in the country and smart/ casual dining locations.  So allow for a wide range of activities.

General Tips to Note When Packing for a Holiday:

• Start with a list BEFORE you pull out all of your wardrobe 😊.  Making a list is less strenuous than sorting through a big pile of clothes.
• The list will allow you see what matches what to make up a full outfit.  If your favourite

•  woolly sweater matches nothing else, then leave it at home.
• Ideally bring clothes that mix and match…so when you wear more than once it looks like a different outfit.
• Once your list is done, only then take out your clothes to examine the items ….do they need to be washed or repaired?  Do they still fit?  Does any item need to be replaced?  You still have time.
• Only bring footwear you’ve worn before and “broken in”.  Limping around your holiday destination is no fun!
• If you have a smartphone take photos of all your paperwork (e.g. tickets, passport, travel insurance, itineraries) so you have an e-copy handy if needed.
• It’s also a good idea to photocopy the same paperwork and pack the copy separate in your luggage from the originals.  What are the chances that your phone goes dead just when you need it?
• I like to carry the original documentation in an A4 size re-useable transparent stud-closed document folders – I call it my Travel Pouch.
• Bring something warm to slip on during the flight and keep it handy at the top of your carry-on.  Air con can make a flight chilly!  I always keep a light fleece or cardigan within reach.
• Keep hydrated – so pick up a small bottle of water at the airport once you’ve passed through security.  The empty bottle can be refilled for the duration of your holiday.
• Charge batteries for all battery operated equipment the night before your departure.
• Bring a pen and some post-it notes….even with a smartphone it’s handy to be able to leave a message for your hotel room attendant or exchange contact details with people you meet.
• When getting foreign currency try to get at least some in small denominations – useful for tipping coach drivers etc.
• If bringing your credit/ debit card you might need to let your bank know so that a hold isn’t placed on it/them for suspicious activity.
• Pack essentials in your hand luggage e.g. medication.
• Bring a few “first-aid” items with you.  Although they can usually be bought on holidays, they are often more expensive and take time to buy….do you really want to be queuing for diarrhoea tablets in a foreign pharmacy!!

So I thought long and hard about what I would need as a woman travelling for a month in Australia.  This is my actual Packing List from 2011.  In looking back at the trip I believe I was fairly well prepared for my time Down Under.

Wheeled Duffle (Shutterstock)

​LUGGAGE

The packing list is designed to fit in one carry-on and one checked-in bag and for me is relatively light!!  For our trip, although we would have assistance taking luggage on/off vehicles, we were requested to only bring 1 x soft-sided bag with/ without wheels and ideally 1 x small backpack for use on-board planes and coaches.  I chose Samsonite pieces similar to these: 1x Wheeled Duffle Trolley & 1x small Backpack
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I’ve been a Samsonite fan ever since I first invested in a weekend wheelie bag that served me for many years on my weekend trips home from Dublin.  They’re a little pricey but last long and won’t leave you with a burst bag and your belongings strewn around when you least need it! 

• Because we would be moving around Australia a lot I also brought my Packing Cubes.  I have a set of 4x Eagle Creek ones (1 for rolled T-shirts, 1 for swimwear, 1 for underwear and 1 for cables/chargers/adaptors). 
• Anything not in a Packing Cube, I rolled….putting heavy items to the bottom.
• Footwear I stuffed with socks and put into reusable plastic bags.

​And to help you even further, I’ve also included a free downloadable version of this packing list at the bottom of the page, so that you easily refer to it whenever you’re trying to decide what to take!

So below is my ultimate packing list for a trip of a lifetime for a tour of Australia in April/May!

NOTE:  Some items are listed twice under different headings so I’ve marked them with an asterisk * to identify that they have a dual purpose.

TRAVEL OUTFIT (either worn or in carry-on backpack)
1x Navy Hooded Light Rain Jacket – Does it rain Down Under?!  It definitely can!  And if you are flying back to Ireland almost any time of the year you should be prepared for a “soft day”.
1x Pink Hoodie (Light Fleece)* – was also essential for evenings, especially down in Melbourne and Sydney!
1x Navy Linen Trousers* - helpful colour if your neighbour on the plane spills their rum & coke into your lap ……….as happened to me once before …when wearing white trousers.  Can also be worn as holiday eveningwear.
1x Navy T-Shirt* – same reason as for navy linen trousers.  Can also double up as holiday day-wear or evening wear.
2x Pairs of Compression Flight Socks – to prevent DVTs on long-haul flights.
1x Pair Trainers – already “broken in”.

CARRY-ON BACK PACK
1x Camera & Charger, Spare Battery & Memory Cards
1x Hardcopy Book, 1x E-Reader and Charger – at that time I had a Sony E-Reader; now I prefer a smartphone with Kindle App, Audible App for audiobooks and Spotify Premium App for music.
1x Sunglasses* & Case
1x Mobile Phone & Charger - All the hotels I stayed at on this trip  - in London, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong had free Wi-Fi, so taking your smartphone to stay in touch with those at home and to upload some pics is a great idea.
1x Purse – Euro, Sterling, US & AUD Dollars & Credit/ Debit Cards
1x Travel Pouch - with travel tickets, itineraries, travel insurance & Passport
1x Post-its & Pen
1x Combination Padlock - very useful for locking up bags and valuables when staying in hotels.
1x Disprin Chewables – for any aches and pains en-route with no water available.
1x Pair Earplugs & 1x Eye mask – to sleep on the long flights.
1x Inflatable Neck Pillow – again to sleep on the long flights.
1x Water Bottle – picked up at airport after security check.
1x Packet Handwipes & 1x Pack of Tissues
1x Pack of Motion Sickness Tablets – precautionary!
Prescription Medication
1x Small Packing Cube with Adapters, Travel Alarm Clock (& all chargers) -  I recommend a worldwide adapter – better value if you’re travelling elsewhere after Australia or anytime in the future!
Ziplock & Plastic Bags – various sizes for laundry etc.
1x Change of Clothes  - in case checked bag goes missing – I packed denim shorts, flip flops, purple t-shirt, turquoise nightie and underwear/ socks – all from the list to come below.
1x Comb – so I don’t look too wild for immigration authorities 😂.

CLOTHES  
Holiday Eveningwear for a month
3x Pairs Long Trousers (White, Navy* & Cream) – one in white linen, one in navy linen* and one in cream cotton.  Great for going out in the evening or wandering around cities when shorts won’t do.  Linen can be more comfortable in humid conditions than heavy jeans.
5x Tops to wear with above Trousers.  I brought:

• 1x Navy T-Shirt* (could be layered with one of the sweaters below if chilly)
• 1x Indigo Long-Sleeved Top
• 1x Turquoise Half-Sleeved Top
• 1x Purple Sleeveless Top
• 1x Red & Cream ¾ Sleeved Top

2x Cotton Sweaters

• 1x Navy & Cream Striped Cotton Sweater
• 1x Pink Cotton Sweater

1x Red Heavy Cotton Dress – A dressy knee-length dress for fancy-schmancy restaurants.  I love bright colours.  They always give me a lift.
1x Multi-Coloured Midi Length Summer Dress – I brought my stretchy sleeveless tropical print orange, cream, black and gold dress that never creases and I can team with…
1x Black Cotton Tie-Front Cardigan and
1x Cream Cotton Wrap
1x Pair Black Wedge Mid-Height Heeled Sandals- something that wouldn’t sink in the sand or the grass when we attended outdoor BBQs.
1x Black Evening Bag- I have a small silky sequinned one I bought years ago that’s handy for carrying tissues, room key, mobile phone, lippy etc. on a night out.

Holiday Daywear for a month
Swimwear/ Poolside/ Beachwear:
1x Black & Turquoise Sarong - useful as scarf, a bathrobe, a sheet etc.
2x Bikinis (1x Black/1x Turquoise) – both strapless for a shoulder tan!
2x Swimsuits (1x White/ 1x Black)
1x Turquoise Strappy Top* & 1x Black Vest Top*- to cover up with sarong if you leave the beach or pool area for bathroom or bar.
1x Pair Turquoise Flip Flops – called thongs in Australia!  Useful also as slippers or in pool showers.
1x Sunglasses*
1x Sunhat – I ended up also buying an Aussie Leather Barmah Hat in Uluru.
1x Beach Tote Bag – cotton bag for bringing items to/from pool.
(Note: As we were staying in hotels we didn’t need to bring beach towels…but if we weren’t I’d recommend to buy one there.)

Regular Holiday Daywear:
7x T-Shirts - Choose a range of colours that match the trousers / shorts you’ve selected.   I brought bottle green, purple*, navy*, coral, cream, white and brown.  Things get hot in Australia and tops get sweaty (lovely!) which is why I recommend so many!  T-shirts also protect your shoulders from burning in the hot Aussie sun.
2x Strappies (White & Turquoise*) & 3x Vest Tops (Black*,White & Orange) & 1x Blue Halter
1x Pair Denim Shorts – hardwearing and won’t show the dust!
1x Pair Beige Cotton Shorts (Casual)
1x Pair Coffee Linen Shorts (Smart)
2x Pairs of Cut-offs (knee length) White & Khaki.
14x Pairs Underwear (incl 1x Spanx under dresses) - Small and compact, a few extra pairs will save you a lot of washing!  We travelled every 3 days but we still did washing in Uluru and Cairns.
3x Bras (1x Black, 1x White, 1x Beige Strapless) – you might get away with just one if you make extra use of your bikini!
4x Pairs Trainer Liners & 4x Pairs ankle socks
4x Pairs Knee Highs

Nightwear for a Month
1x Blue PJs (shorts & vest combo)
1x Turquoise Nightie
1x Lilac Slip Nightie
1x Pair Slipper Socks
 
SHOES
1x Pair Turquoise Flip-Flops*
1x Pair Gold Flat Sandals
1x Pair Trainers*
1x Pair mid-heeled Black Wedge Sandals

TOILETRIES
1x Toiletries Bag – I have one I bought in Debenhams many moons ago with 3 zipped pockets that can be hung in a bathroom keeping everything at hand.   
1x Suncream & Lipblock – I brought Ambre Solaire Factor 50 & 15
1x After Sun Lotion – to double-up as body lotion
1x Shampoo/ Conditioner/ Bodywash (combined)
1x Shower Buff/ Sponge
1x Hairbrush & Comb
1x Cleanser, 1x Toner, 1x Moisturiser – I use 75ml (travel size) Decleor samples that I refill (and I know the bottles won’t leak!)
1x Deodorant Stick
1x Toothbrush, 1x Toothpaste, 1x Floss, 1x Pack Interdental Brushes
1x Mouthwash – travel size
1x Soap, 1x Travel Nail Brush - Keep your soap in a ziplock bag or soap travel dish to prevent it sticking to everything you own!
1x Pack of Panty Liners/ Sanitary Protection – if relevant to you girls.
1x Razor & Spare Blades
1x Nail Scissors & 1x Emery Board
1x Tweezers, 1x Pocket Mirror
Cotton make-up removal pads
Cotton Buds & hair bands, scrunchies, clips
 
MAKE-UP
1x Foundation/ Tinted Moisturiser
2x Lipsticks & Lip Pencil
1x Eye-shadow powder quartet, 1x Eye Pencil & 1x Waterproof Mascara
1x Bronzer/ Blusher & Brush
1x Pressed Powder Compact
 
MEDICAL
1x Insect Repellent
1x Imodium – or similar for diarrhea & upset stomachs.
1x Gaviscon – or similar for indigestion.
1x Lemsip – or similar for colds/ flu.
1x Strepsils – or similar for coughs/ sore throats.
1x Box Paracetamol, 1x Antiseptic Cream & 1x Box Band Aids
1x Bite Spray
1x Pack Blister Plasters (& 1x Pack Cold Sore Patches – if you’re susceptible to cold sores after sun exposure as I am)
1x 30 Pack Multibionta – or your supplements of choice.
1x Small Tin of Vaseline – useful as lip balm etc.
Safety Pins - always handy.
 
OTHER
1x Travel Laundry Wash Kit – I keep a small tube of travel detergent in a zip lock bag.   Great for doing emergency washing, such as underwear in a sink!
1x Set of Travel Wash Pegs – I have a set that clip over a rail (an indoor towel rail/ outdoor balcony rail); handy especially in Australia, where things dry quickly!
1x Travel Sewing Kit
1x Bum Bag
 
So that’s it, my complete backpacking Australia packing list.
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Download your free version by simply entering your email address below. That way you won’t turn up Down Under overpacked and underprepared!

So have I left anything out?? Let me know!
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