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What to Pack for a Trip to Australia

ByLanie van der Horst Updated on

Are you trying to figure out what to pack for your trip to Australia?

Australia is a large country with a diverse landscape and varying temperatures, but no matter where in Australia you are heading or what time of year you plan to be there, there are a few essential items you always need to pack for your trip to Australia.

Depending on where you will be visiting, many shops will be available so that you can purchase items you were unable to pack and bring with you on your vacation to Australia.

If you are traveling outside the larger cities, items may not be as available. Generally, if it is an area with a lot of tourists visiting, there will be shops selling anything you forget.

I live in Australia, but before I moved here, I visited 3 times. Since I have moved here, I have taken the long-haul flight back to the US 3 times. I have lots of experience in packing for a long-haul flight and a trip to Australia.

Keep reading to help determine exactly what you need to pack for your trip to Australia.

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plane to australia
Flying from the US to Australia in 2020.

Essential Items to Pack for a Trip to Australia

✔️ Power Adapter/Converter

If you plan to charge any electronics, you need a power adapter or a converter. I like this one as it also has USB ports.

✔️ Sunscreen

While you can purchase sunscreen in Australia, it is important to have some and easy to bring with you. We tend to travel with a bottle of sunscreen and a sunscreen stick.

If you would rather not carry a whole bottle of sunscreen, bring the travel size.

✔️ Hat

Even if you do not wear hats at home, hats are commonly worn in Australia, and they are important for helping to keep the sun off your face. Sun-safe hats are the best, though any hat is better than none.

✔️ Sunglasses

Don’t forget your sunglasses while traveling to Australia, especially in the summer months.

Items to Pack in Your Carry-on For a Trip to Australia

✔️ Passport, Visa, Plane Tickets

It is best to keep your documents in a passport holder. Families can keep their passports together in a family-size passport holder. Don’t forget to bring a pen to fill out the paperwork on the airplane.

American citizens need a visa to travel to Australia. Apply for your visa and get more information here.

✔️ Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is always a good idea, especially now. Make sure that you have travel medical insurance before flying to Australia.

I always compare travel insurance companies before deciding which one to get for that particular trip. One type of travel medical insurance worth checking out is SafetyWing.

Safety Wing has both Essential Coverage plans and Complete Coverage Plans. The Essential plan covers the basics like emergency medical, while their Complete plan offers full-scale healthcare, which is perfect for someone traveling for most of the year. Whether you are exploring short-term or setting up long-term abroad, there’s a plan for you.

Both plans cover things like delays, lost luggage, and medical care. The complete plan also includes trip cancellation, stolen belongings, and specialty medical care.

Remember that travel insurance is for unexpected issues. That is why they don’t cover pre-existing conditions.

When I was younger, I never bothered with travel insurance. Unfortunately, that means I missed out every time my luggage was lost, which was unfortunately many times. I missed out when my flights were delayed and cancelled, which meant I needed to pay for hotels, transportation, and food on my own.

Today, travel insurance is a non-negotiable. The only thing you can do is decide which company is the best fit for you.

Check out Safety Wing and see if one of their packages works for you.

✔️Technology

Besides bringing a phone, I pack a spare battery pack and cord so that my phone will always be charged. Some planes have charging stations, but they won’t all have them.

Other technology to bring may include:

I prefer to bring my own headphones, but usually you can get them on the plane.

✔️ Medication, Travel-Sized First Aid Kit

Over-the-counter medication is generally available at pharmacies in Australia, though it is a good idea to bring the basics. Of course, bring over any prescription medication.

For some medications, you may need a doctor’s note.

Depending on where you will be traveling, a travel-sized first aid kit could be needed. It is easier to carry Band-Aids with you than to rely on one being nearby when you need it.

✔️ Reusable Bottle

Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up with water at the airport. The bottle will come in handy not only on the flight but daily in Australia.

It is a long flight, and I like to be prepared. I don’t get on a plane without my own bottle of water.

✔️ Food

No matter what time of day you are flying, chances are that you will want to eat a meal on the airplane. Of course, meals are offered on the plane, but I am always hungry at a time when the meal isn’t being served. The flight is long, and it is best to make sure that you have a variety of food options.

Keep in mind that any fresh food will have to stay on the plane. Produce, meat, and honey products are not allowed to be brought into Australia.

I tend to pack my family a large zip-lock bag with a variety of snacks, including something salty, something sweet, and something more filling.

✔️ Change of Clothes

It is a long flight, and chances are, you will want to change your clothes. Whether it is into more comfortable clothes to sleep in, nicer clothes to arrive in Australia, or because something spilled on you, it is best to have spare clothes to wear.

Layers are important as well. Always bring socks and a sweater in case the plane is cold. I like to bring an infinity scarf as well. Not only can it keep me warm, but it doubles as a makeshift pillow.

✔️ Lotion, Chapstick, Hair Ties

Planes tend to dry you out, so make sure to pack lotion and Chapstick. I have long hair, so hair ties are a must.

✔️ Portable charger

It is listed with technology, but worth saying again. Bring a portable charger to keep your phone and other electronics charged.

Items to Pack for a Trip to Australia in the Summer

Check the weather where you will be going, and plan for rain during Australia’s summer months (December, January, and February).

✔️ Umbrella

You can probably purchase an umbrella in Australia (again, depending on where you are visiting), but if you can fit a travel umbrella in your suitcase, it is less likely to rain. That is our theory.

✔️ Raincoat

The same rules that apply to umbrellas apply to raincoats. If you pack them, it is less likely to rain.

✔️ After Sun Lotion

The sun in Australia is strong, and while you hopefully remember to reapply sunscreen, sometimes the sun burns before that happens. In that case, it is best to have an after-sun lotion.

Yes, you can buy this in beach towns in Australia, but you won’t want the large bottle. If possible, pack a small bottle of after-sun lotion.

✔️ Bug Spray

Don’t forget the bug spray, especially if you plan on hiking, camping, or spending a lot of time outside in the summer.

Items to Pack for a Trip to Australia in the Winter

This is one section that will vary a lot depending on where you are headed. Make sure to look up the average weather in the area you are visiting at the time that you will be visiting. Australia is a large country, and while some areas get snow and freezing temperatures, other areas are warm year-round.

✔️ Jacket

You won’t need a heavy jacket everywhere (like in North Queensland), but if your plans include Tasmania or skiing in Victoria, bring a warm jacket.

✔️ Scarf

Whether or not you bring a scarf on the plane (I use mine for a pillow), it can help keep you warm during the winter months in Australia (June, July, and August).

✔️ Hat

Hats are small and easy to pack, plus they keep you warm.

✔️ Gloves

Just like hats, gloves are small and easy to pack, plus they keep your hands warm. I prefer the kind that looks like mittens, and you can use your fingers by taking just the top of the mittens off, without taking them all the way off

✔️ Boots

I don’t usually travel with boots unless it is to see snow. Sneakers should be enough for most winter trips in Australia, but if your feet get cold and you have some space (or wear them on the flight), bring boots.

Boots are completely dependent on the state that you are visiting. We never need boots in Queensland.

What to Pack for Babies and Toddlers for a Trip to Australia

In addition to weather-appropriate clothing, here are some things you will want to bring for your babies and toddlers on your trip to Australia

✔️ Sunscreen for Kids

Sunscreen is important in Australia, so make sure that you have kid-appropriate sunscreen. Of course, layers are good too. We wear long-sleeved bathing suits to the pool and beach and sun hats daily.

✔️ Wetbag

Whether it is for wet bathing suits, wet clothes, or yucky clothes, we always seem to find a use for the wet bag. They’re small and easy to throw into your day bag just in case.

✔️ Sun Hat

Sun hats can be worn daily in Australia for all ages.

✔️ Headphones

For the flight, if your child is old enough to watch the screen, bring headphones.

✔️ Disposible Placemats

One of my favorite products for kids is disposable placemats. I use them on the tray tables on flights and in restaurants.

✔️ Formula/Familiar Snacks

If there is one kind of formula that your baby is used to, bring it. Of course, you can check and see if it is available where you are going, but bring enough for the beginning of the trip.

We bring enough snacks for the flight and for a few days after, but if there is one thing that your child eats that you don’t think will be available, bring it.

What Not to Pack for Your Trip to Australia

While you, of course, need enough supplies to get to Australia, there are plenty of shops selling the same or comparable brand diapers and wipes.

Except for a few snacks, don’t pack food for Australia. Not only will most food be confiscated at the airport, but it is also easy to find your favorite food in the grocery stores in Australia. Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat products, and honey are not allowed to be brought into Australia.

What to Maybe Pack for Your Trip

Not all accommodations have toiletries. Keep that in mind while packing. If you are staying at nicer hotels and hotel chains, they generally have toiletries. Smaller hotels, hostels, and motels may not.

Still, it may be worth waiting until you arrive to determine if you need to purchase toiletries.

I do know, from experience, to always pack toothpaste and a toothbrush, as you will want to use them immediately. Of course, I always pack mine, but as I said before, my luggage has been lost quite a few times.

Wrap Up: Packing for Australia

Clearly, you need to pack clothes. How many depends on the length of your trip, whether you’ll have access to laundry, and what season you are traveling in.

Be sure to check out what type of visa you need, pack your passport, and make sure your phone is charged and has a way to stay charged.

Generally, depending on where you go, of course, your wallet, along with your phone and passport, are all you technically need; the rest just helps ensure you don’t have to go to the store every time you need something.

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Lanie is the owner and author of Make More Adventures, a family travel blog that helps families make the most of their holidays. Lanie is an American living in Australia with her husband and 2 kids who love to travel almost as much as she does. When she is not traveling, working on her blog, or planning her next vacation, Lanie is watching Bravo, reading, or working with kids.

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