road trip packing list australia

Road Trip Essentials for Travelling around Australia

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Taking a long drive around Australia is the dream of many. Whether you are travelling solo or as a couple, an Australia road trip is the adventure of a lifetime. Having done many drives myself, both as a couple and on my own, I have put together a comprehensive list of road trip essentials for travelling around Australia. 

Table of Contents

This road trip checklist is designed for people driving in Australia or New Zealand and staying in accommodation. Packing camping gear is a lot more involved than this list and there are many road trips you can take without having a tent or a trailer.

If you are based in Australia, you can click on the highlighted links to see my recommendations.

Having road trip essentials and other travel items will enable you to have an organised and safe trip. Australia is incredibly big and diverse, and whilst I consider it an easy country to drive in, the sheer size and climate conditions require some important considerations.

If you are wondering what to pack for a road trip, there are 5 areas to consider: driving items, personal items, how to manage your food and drinks on the road, what you need for packing and which travel apps will make your trip a breeze…

This ultimate travel packing list may seem like a lot of stuff but it also depends on how far you go and what your individual needs are…

My Tasmania road trip was a good experience in learning what I needed for an enjoyable journey.

Driving Essentials

Emergency roadside toolkit.

Whilst self-drive in Australia is generally good, a breakdown can always happen and you need to consider an emergency preparedness checklist. If you find yourself in an isolated area, you will need to be self-reliant and you need a fairly comprehensive road trip kit to solve any minor roadside issues.

A complete emergency roadside toolkit is a good idea for your Australia packing list. They’re not that expensive and could be a lifesaver in case of emergency. Typically, a car emergency kit contains a basic toolbox, jumper cables, a shovel, a tire repair kit, a flashlight, a reflective safety vest, a tow rope and gloves.

Jumper cables

You can also buy a few essentials separately. Booster cables are road trip car essentials in case of battery failure. On the road in Australia, it’s not too hard to flag another car down for help. You’ll need a functioning engine to recharge your battery with the jumper cables.

My Southwest road trip to Albany went without a hitch but due to the age of the car we had, booster cables would have been a good idea.

Foldable Reflective Sun Shade & Car Window Sun Shades

For long drives in the sun on your Australia itinerary, and especially if you have a passenger in your back seat, windscreen covers are a simple way to avoid the bite of the sun.

Sunlight is harsh in Australia. If you leave your car in the sun for a while, trying to hold on to the steering wheel will hurt!

A foldable reflective sunshade to leave in your windscreen will mean you don’t burn your hands when you’re ready to hit the road again. I remember it being very useful on my Perth itinerary !

First aid kit

For any driving holidays, you should have a first aid kit tucked away in the car. Without going overboard with a survival kit bag, it’s good for your peace of mind. Vehicle first aid kits are comprehensive and usually contain scissors, tweezers, adhesive tapes, a tourniquet, bandages, wound dressings, gloves and a first aid guide.

Australia is full of small dangers and it’s a good idea to be prepared.

Even if you don’t have an emergency roadside toolkit, it’s a good idea to have a flashlight.

From finding something you’ve dropped in a dark carpark to making your way back from the beach after watching the sunset, a flashlight is one of the things to take on a road trip.

Printed Road Maps

After all this technology talk, it’s time to take a step back in time! On a long road trip, an old-fashioned printed road map is not out of place. I like the spread of a road map, I find it easier to get a broad view of my journey. Some maps have useful indications on the terrain or a scenic route. 

I dropped my phone on a Melbourne road trip once, in the Grampians National Park , and it went totally dead… Getting to the airport without a map turned out to be quite stressful… I got there in the end but it’s now part of my road trip must-haves.

Melbourne , by the way, is one of the best cities to visit in Australia. Other road trips from Melbourne include the Great Ocean Road and Sovereign Hill .

Mobile Phone Holder

Unless you have a GPS in your car, it’s a good idea to use Google maps on your phone. In order to avoid blowing out your data usage, I recommend downloading them to your phone. They are pretty reliable in Australia but you don’t want to only rely on mobile coverage. 

Driving rules in Australia are very clear: using (or even holding) a mobile while driving is illegal, and it’s a focus area for the local police. Installing a mobile phone holder on your dashboard is a safe way to get access to your maps while driving.

Whether you need maps locally or for longer drives, a mobile phone holder is one of those must-have travel items…

Multiport USB Car Charger

With the technology used in the car while driving, you may as well recharge your device while driving. A USB car charger is a cheap yet very useful device to have around for a long drive.

Whether you take short road trips from Sydney such as Orange or Mudgee , or a longer West Coast trip with a partner, it is likely you will need to charge several devices at the same time. And those long driving stretches are ideal for refuelling whatever technology you are carrying… Make sure your chargers can accommodate have at least two ports.

Battery pack

As you may use your mobile maps on a walk or generally outdoor, I recommend keeping a small battery pack. It’s also part of your survival equipment “when all else fails” in order to never run out of juice when going on a road trip!

Spare car key

I once lost my car key in a shopping centre and it was a mess… I learned my lesson there and would add it to my list of things to bring on a road trip. A car key is never that big and could easily fall out of a pocket or a bag. Make sure you have one locked away in a safe pocket…

Car laptop charger

There are many things to pack for a road trip and a car laptop charger might be a bit of a stretch but if access to power is limited, this could be very useful. If you need to recharge a laptop during your travels, you will need more than a USB car charger.

These devices are designed to provide enough power to charge your laptop off the car battery and some of them can even jump-start an engine.

Personal hotspot

I try not to use it too often in order to manage my data but a personal hotspot can be very handy when you need to use another device and wifi is scarce. Be careful that it can put a strain on your battery. If you are going to use the hotspot function on a regular basis, make sure you have sufficient data available.

I didn’t have the need for a hotspot on my West Coast road trip itinerary but it got me thinking for longer trips…

Spare Change and Toll Tag

Most toll roads are now automated in Australia and it’s best to have a toll tag. If you have a rental vehicle, the vehicle will most likely have one and the funds will be charged to your account. In case you go through a toll without a tag, you have three days to call a number and arrange payment.

On a long road trip around Australia, you are unlikely to go through too many toll roads but a Sydney road trip will certainly take you through many toll roads.

Playlists, Podcasts, Audiobooks

Driving around Australia will present you with some very long stretches of road… And even on a couples road trip, the conversation may dry up after a while. Quality playlists, podcasts are long road trip essentials to entertain you on the road…

Personal Travel Items

There are few essential travel items you will need more than sunglasses… The sun in Australia is incredibly bright, especially in Western Australia.

Make sure you pack at least one pair of dark, polarised sunglasses that you keep with you at all times.

Prescription glasses

If you need prescription glasses, make sure you have them nearby at all times. I would also recommend having a pair prescription sunglasses in order to drive comfortably.

Blanket and Pillow

Long drives can be tiring and as soon as you feel tired or sleepy, you must stop and get some rest. Having a light blanket and pillow in the car means you can stop by the roadside and get some meaningful rest.

One of my Australia travel tips is to choose a lightweight but quality blanket to add to your road trip items. Don’t skip basic comfort!

Comfortable Shoes

What to take on a road trip in terms of shoes? I always travel with sturdy but light hiking shoes but on my West Coast Australia road trip, I discovered they weren’t the best for driving.

For long drives, sneakers or slip-on shoes with good gripping soles are a much better idea.

Hat or baseball cap

When packing for a road trip, a head covering is just like sunscreen. A hat or a baseball cap is a very important item when travelling around Australia and you should always keep one in your car.

Hand sanitiser

Australia has many areas where access to water might be difficult. Aside from drinking water, keeping some hand sanitiser in your road trip necessities means you can keep your hands clean.

Even if you are sitting in a car for long periods of time, the sun will get you, as I found on my Western Australia road trip. The sun is fierce in Australia and a high spectrum sunscreen is essential to any summer packing list.

Driving in air conditioning means your eyes might get dry. I always keep some eye drops in my toiletries packing list.

Toilet Paper

Australian roads are well maintained and I’m always surprised at how common it is to find functioning toilets in remote areas. And a lot of these places will have toilet paper ! But not always… so come prepared…

Tissues & Cleaning Wipes

I always add tissues and cleaning wipes on my travel toiletries list. I’m not too much of a germaphobe but I like to be prepared for any spills.

When you go on a road trip, your car is like your home, you spend a lot of time in it and it’s important to keep it clean. 

Microfiber towel

Whether it’s for personal use or to keep the car clean, a quick-dry microfibre towel is lightweight and versatile.

Food & Drink

On long road trips around Australia, you will need more than a travel water bottle to put in your backpack…

Finding drinkable water can be quite difficult in some places and in remote areas, it is essential to have some autonomy. I recommend carrying a large water container and a portable water filter.

Driving across Australia doesn’t mean you have to forgo your beloved cup of coffee or tea, you only need to make it sustainable…

This travel mug will keep your drink hot while you ride in the sunset…

Refillable Water Bottle

The best travel water bottle should be insulated, otherwise the water won’t stay cool very long!

Sitting in a car for long periods of time, you are bound to feel a little hungry at times. Or you may need something to nibble on while waiting to get to the next town. Resorting to fatty snacks and sugary drinks is an easy option but it’s worth getting some healthy road trip food.

I find that eating healthy on the road is not always easy. Fresh fruit is a good idea. The only thing to remember is that you can’t cross state borders with fresh fruit, there are bins at the border for you to toss whatever you have left.

Car Bin with Biodegradable Bin Bags

When you are used to driving in a casual fashion, rubbish is not too much of an issue but when you are driving long distance, it can become a nightmare if not managed properly.

A simple solution is to have a small car bin. I’ll make sure I have one on my next couple road trip! Add some biodegradable bin bags to your road trip essentials list and you’ll keep a clean car all the way around Australia!

Swiss Army Knife

A classic on every backpacking list, a Swiss army knife is a very handy tool to have. Depending on how many tools you choose, this could be part of your survival kit essentials.

Cool Bag or Car Cooler

Embarking on an Australia road trip itinerary, especially in summer, means that your road trip supplies may not stay cool for very long. Having a car cooler or even a cool bag will make the journey more enjoyable. 

Australia is full of places where you can take a break from your long drive and enjoy a picnic. Sheltered tables and even functioning barbecues are remarkably commonplace along the roads of Australia.

A small and portable picnic set means you won’t have to always eat sandwiches and you can diversify your travel meal ideas.

Utensil Set

The best way to travel Australia is to keep sustainability in mind. Single-use plastic is banned or at least frowned upon now.

If you don’t have the need for a picnic set on your road trip, having a basic utensil set is a good idea and should be on every backpacking travel list.

Packing Items

Travel daypack.

Thankfully, driving around Australia means a lot of excursions and day trips, you are not always in the car! Select a lightweight daypack for your daily adventures.

Small Overnight Bag

Depending on what type of luggage you choose for your road trip, keeping a small overnight bag is a great idea, as you won’t need to unpack and repack every time. 

Reusable Shopping Bag

I always carry a reusable calico bag, even when I’m not travelling. Single-use plastic is now banned by the major supermarket chains in Australia so you need a solid bag to carry your groceries.

There are some very lightweight grocery bag options to add to your road trip packing list.

Car Organiser

It’s funny how quickly you run out of pockets when you need to organise so many little bits and pieces.

The best road trips in Australia shouldn’t be spent looking for things or dealing with a messy car: a car organiser is a brilliant solution to keep everything you need in one place.

Packing Cubes

In my opinion, packing cubes are one of the best travel essentials for women and I can’t travel without them! They’re a great way to organise everything in your luggage. They can also be used as an alternative for an overnight bag.

The best packing cubes for travel should be lightweight with a quality zipper.

Camping Chairs

This may be for a road trip in a bigger car but having some camping chairs to relax in when taking a break in driving might feel like a small luxury.

Small Fold-out Table

If you are embarking on a longer trip and intend to camp or at least to have meals outdoors, consider a small fold-out table.

Travel Document Holder

Just like you organise your travel essentials, don’t forget to keep your travel documents safe: passport, copies of your bookings, car rental agreement, drivers’ licence will fit nicely in a travel wallet. 

Essential Travel Apps

Some online applications will make your life on the road a lot easier:

Use Wikicamps to find campgrounds, free camps, hostels and caravan parks. Even if you’re not camping on your road trip, you can use this to find walking tracks, swimming holes, power points, playgrounds, fishing spots and showers.

AirCamp is an alternative to WikiCamps and you can upload your photos to share with the community.

Fuel Map gives you the location and best prices for petrol and keeps a log of your petrol usage and costs.

This app is useful if you are travelling with a gas bottle, this app will help you find places where to refill or swap your gas bottle.

This great app lets you borrow audiobooks and e-books from libraries around Australia for free.

Polar Steps

Polar Steps helps you track your travels, share your adventure with friends and you can even create a photo book at the end!

This is the Amazon audiobook app. It’s free for 30 days and you have access to Amazon’s library.

Listen to the radio and podcasts with ABC Listen.

OurGroceries

OurGroceries is a shareable shopping list. 

Evernote is the best app for any notes, lists, ideas you need to jot down on the road.

With free offline maps, MAPS.ME is very useful when you are in remote areas.

Pocketbook helps you manage your travel budget and track expenses.

Google Maps

Google Maps offers comprehensive and functional maps all over Australia

You can add all your loyalty cards to Stocard and travel with a lighter wallet!

What to Pack for a Road Trip Checklist

Now that you know what to bring on a road trip around Australia, is such an adventure on your travel bucket list?

Related Posts

Australia road trip, best gifts for hikers, sydney getaway weekends.

Please tell me if I’ve missed anything in the comments below!

LesterLost is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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23 thoughts on “Road Trip Essentials for Travelling around Australia”

This is a very comprehensive Road Trip essentials list for travelling around Australia. We’ve got most things listed here and I definitely attest to WikiCamps being our bible. We use it not only for finding camps, but drinking water and points of interest in each town that we travel through.

It’s so great being able to rely on quality information when you travel, those apps are incredible in their detail!

Wow! If I ever head on an Australia road trip (which I hope to someday) I will definitely use this road trip essentials kit when planning. This is so concise and has everything I would ever need.

Hi Samantha, the list is pretty big but a lot of things you probably use in your car anyway, it’s just a matter of being organised. I hate a messy car!

This is one of the most comprehensive packing lists I’ve ever seen for a road trip. Good tip about bringing a spare car key, losing your keys in the Australian outdoors could be a huge bummer!

Hi Neha, losing car keys would completely ruin a holiday. I know my husband has a spare key hidden somewhere and I’m very careful with the one I use everyday!

Borrow Box sounds like a great app to have. Australia is so much bigger than you would think. Having a good supply of audio books make just make the difference between a dream road trip and a grump fest.

Yes, I think Borrow Box is a great idea! I wonder what type of books both my husband and I would want to listen to though…

There seems to be a lot more items required for road trips around Australia and can understand this. And I would defo have that Borrow Box app! That looks so useful. Have bookmarked this page for future reference, as I plan to do a massive road trip around the island one day.

If you do a round trip of Australia, you do need some preparation as it’s a lot of hours on the road… At least the apps don’t take any space! Don’t forget that these are options and you can choose what you take with you!

What a great and comprehensive list. Love Wikicamps tip. You can use this essentially for America, too!

I dream of a road trip across the US, I would definitely refer to this list in order to be prepared and properly packed!

Such a great post, I did drive from Melbourne to Sydney it was such an adventure. I wish I could read your post before that travel. Though i will use the tips for my next road trip

This is a great compilation for the perfect and hassle free road trip. A set of duplicate keys is an amazing addition, had never thought about it. You have some gorgeous photos of the trip!

Hi Ketki, I think the spare key could make or break the trip. Imagine losing your car keys in the middle of nowhere!

This is such a thorough and well thought-out list, Delphine! Many of these items would be useful for road trips across the world, but I totally see what you mean when you say the heat, sun, and sheer size of Australia need to be considered. I am not much of a driver when I travel, but seeing Australia beyond the cities is definitely something I aim to do eventually. I´ll be sure to come back to this list when the time comes! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Kevin, if you visit Australia, I think the best things to see are well beyond the cities. You do need to drive a lot though as the distances are so massive… Hopefully you’ll take a road trip in this beautiful country someday!

I’ve been meaning to do a road trip around Australia so this is great information to familiarize myself with. Preparing a booster cable is definitely a good tip as that’s not something I ever thought about bringing on a road trip. Blankets and pillows are also must haves for long trips. Awesome list!

Hi Jas, I think a serious road trip requires things you don’t actually want to use. Also, there has to be a degree of solidarity on the road. If you come across a fellow motorist with a broken down car, it’s good to be able to help!

This road trip essentials guide is not only useful for Australia but for any road-trip around the world. I will be using it as my packing list. Thanks.

Thank you, I find that taking a road trip is a great way to visit a country, wherever you are in the world.

Great post-Delphine. Everyone loves road trips but always trouble while packing for it. Whenever I have to go on a road trip, I always end up forgetting some of the important things. Your post is helpful to me. Thanks for sharing.

Packing light is always a challenge for me but I’m improving on every trip. Packing for a road trip requires some forward-thinking, you don’t want to get caught out in the middle of nowhere!

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Home » Oceania » Australia » Packing List

Australia Packing List • 23 Items you NEED (2024)

As the world’s sixth largest country Australia is every adventure traveler’s wonderland with its endless offerings of things to see and do. Whether you’re up for some serious water activities – like surfing, scuba diving, whitewater rafting – or camping the Outback, hiking through the rainforest, or enjoying an evening of culture at the opera – Australia won’t disappoint!

But before heading out to the Land Down Under, you’ll have to prepare a game plan for what to pack for Australia. With eight states and territories with varying climates knowing what your Australia packing essentials are isn’t so obvious.

Thankfully you’ve come to our Australia survival guide – where we’ll walk you through your what to get pack for Australia undertaking step by step!.

So, sit back, have a read and start getting excited about all the fun you’ll be getting yourself into. One thing is for sure, those Aussies know how to show their visitors a good time!

Ready? Let’s get to it.

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The Ultimate Australia Packing List

What to pack for australia checklist: personal gear, final thoughts on what to pack for australia.

Nomatic Travel Bag

• Capacity > 30L
• Price > $299

Nomatic Navigator Carry On

• Capacity > 37L
• Price > $400

GoPro Hero 11

• Resolution > 5k

Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket

• Price > $600

Insurance From World Nomads

• Price > Click For a Quote

Failure to back adequately for Australia could really boomerang. To avoid any “packing malfunctions” check out our advice on what to bring to Australia.

Best Backpack For Australia:  Nomatic Travel Bag

Before you even take on the task of figuring out what to pack for Australia, you’ll need an amazing backpack to pack it all into. For all types of travelers and destinations, our number one recommendation is the  Nomatic Travel Bag .

The Nomatic travel bag covers every detail to make backpacking travel the best experience. Because of its smart design, it manages to provide loads of packing space in a convenient, carry-on size package! Its handy built-in pockets make plenty of room for all the necessities on your what to pack for Australia checklist – you’ll find separate compartments for important items like shoes, water bottle, electronics, underwear and socks. As an added bonus, there’s also an RFID-safe and cord management pocket.

You have a choice between backpack or duffel bag carry, and extra carrying comfort for your back thanks to its innovative strap system and detachable sternum strap. And its black, waterproof material is every bit sleek and modern as it is durable and tough. There is a reason why most Broke Backpacker staff swear by this backpack. 

Best Suitcase For Australia:  Nomatic Carry-On Pro

Backpacks not your thing? That’s ok. Our friends at Nomatic are back again with a great alternative to their badass Travel Bag; the Nomatic Carry-On Pro. 

This suitcase is ultra-durable, sleek, and comes with a handy tech compartment for transporting your laptop and other electronic bits. Nomatic has been an industry leader when it comes to travel gear and that reputation is reflected in the quality build design and functionality of the Carry-On Pro suitcase. The beauty of taking a carry on case is that you will be able to take full advantage of the cheap domestfic flights you can bag in Australia.

Check out our  Nomatic Carry-On Pro review  to learn more about this epic suitcase. 

Best Camera For Australia:  GoPro Hero9 Black

For most of us, our smartphones now feature cameras with stunning photo capabilities.

But… if you are an aspiring photographer who wants to take next-level photos and video beyond iPhone selfies, I recommend going with an action camera like the  GoPro Hero9 Black .

It does deliver pro-quality video and gives you a bunch of a different angle options and shooting speeds to work with for photos (including a selfie-mode). It also has a level of water-proofing that it good the Great Barrier Reef.

Think of a camera purchase like this as a long term investment that will have you capturing epic shots well beyond your time exploring here.If you are looking for something cheaper for video specifically, check out these epic  GoPro Alternatives .

Packing Cubes For Australia – Wandrd Packing Cubes

In case you have never used them, packing cubes are little compression cubes that allow you to neatly pack clothes in in order to help facilitate better packing. They allow you to pack more stuff, and to keep it all better organised.

For the longest time, I thought that packing cubes were a superfluous indulgence, but boy was I wrong. Now I never travel without a few. These ones from WANDRD are great quality and excellent value for money. Get them on your Australia packing list now!

Best Sim For Australia – HolaFly eSim

The good news about Australia is that there is extensive 4g and 5g Internet coverage offering ready access to taxi apps and food delivery apps. The bad news is that your native SIM card will most probably not work and so you will not be able to access any of this online goodness until you rectify that particular situation.

You can waste time hanging around phone shops queuing to get a plastic sim or you can simply install a eSim onto your phone before you leave home. You just access the HolaFly site, choose the relevant package, download it and off you go – you are online the moment you land at the airport. eSims are easier to set up and better than the environment than plastic sims. The downside is that not all phones are eSim ready.

Best Travel Towel For Australia – Matador Packable Towel

Towels are essential backpacking gear as a lot of hostels don’t provide them or if they do, they may not really be all that clean. However don’t bring a ‘normal’ towel on your backpacking journeys, they are big and take up loads of room in your pack and they take ages to dry.

Travel pros like use micro-fibre dry towels that roll up into tiny, space saving proportions AND they dry unbelievably quick. Granted, they are not quite as comforting as a cotton towel but its a trade of that travellers need to make. A good micro-fibre travel towers is essential travel gear on any ultimate backpacking gear list.

Whilst the climate does vary across Australia and with the seasons, it is generally a warm country. Summer’s are VERY hot and even the Melbourne winters can be survived comfortably with nothing more than a jacket.

That said, there are some mountainous regions and these can get chilly and icy in winter – do you research before you head out. Oh and remember that if you are visiting Australia in December, that is summer in Oz and June is winter!

We are going to tell you how to dress in Australia (but a hat with corks dangling from it would be fetching), instead our list will suggest some useful travel goodies.

Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero

Most Auzzies I met in Europe and South America seemed to live in flip-flops (or thongs). However, that does not mean that this is suitable footwear for wearing down under. Your trip to Oz will probably involve a lot of walking and general adventure-stuff. Good shoes are a must.

I admit that most shoes that are also good for hiking are not the most attractive pieces of footwear. But they are some of the most comfortable and deliver good ankle support for a long day of going walkabout on your Australia adventure .

Check out the  women’s Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero . 

Osprey Daylite Plus

If you intend on doing any hiking or camping, then you shall need a daypack. They are great for carrying water, and clothes and for packing sandwiches for lunch. We love Osprey products and this daypack is our personal pick.

The Osprey Daylite Plus has a mesh-covered panel to keep your back cool and fresh by minimizing contact with the back of the pack itself and allowing air to get between you and the pack.

Check out our   full review of the Osprey Daylite plus  for more details.

Additionally, you can attach it to other Osprey packs in case you want to add more capacity and carry just one piece of luggage… but the reviews on this feature are mixed.

Travel First Aid Kit

You don’t need to tote around half a pharmacy, but a well-stocked first aid kit should be in all our backpacks. Stuff happens on the road and it’s inconvenient and embarrassing when you can’t manage small situations like a cut finger or hangover migraine.

You can tuck this lifesaver away in a forgotten pocket – and it’ll be there when you need it.

Tip: Add a few bits and pieces to the first aid kit after you purchase it, like extra headache medicine, any personal meds you need (like allergy pills), whatever you take to calm your stomach and a few more plasters.

Travel Insurance From World Nomads

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

OluKai ‘Ohana Flip-Flops

Circling back to the footwear question, now we are going to talk about sandals. Whilst you do need good shoes for all that adventure stuff, a good pair of Jandals is perfect for the beach, for hanging out in the hostel and even for some city slicking.

When you visit Australia, your feet will end up tired and sweaty from those long days wearing shoes so do yourself a favor: pack sandals and give your feet some well-deserved cushion and fresh air. These Olukai flip flops are ultra-comfortable, well-made, and come in a variety of colors. 

Check out the  women’s OluKai ‘Ohana Flip-Flops .

Patagonia Fitz Roy Trucker

As you should know by now, the sun in Australia is intense and you will undoubtedly be spending a lot of time outside. Having a hat on your Australia packing list is a good way to ensure your face is protected from the sun throughout the day. 

Patagonia makes great hats. I have probably bought three or four of these over the last five years. Simple. Practical. Comfortable. That is what you are after especially if you are headed into Australia’s national parks .

Money Belt By Pacsafe

Whilst Australia is not particularly dangerous (except for spiders crocodiles, snakes and boozed up bogans), crime can still happen and tourists are sometimes targeted.

Therefore it is always a good idea to use a money belt to hide your cash just in case something does go wrong.

If you get mugged by a Kangaroo, then at least it won’t get your cash!

Hydroflask Vacuum Bottle 32 oz. 

Packing a reusable water bottle is probably the best thing you can personally do to combat single-use plastic bottle use whilst traveling. There is simply zero need to buy plastic water bottles.

We love the Hydroflask Vacum Bottle for its quality and because it keeps cold water  cold  for many hours and vice versa for hot beverages. This bottle is the ideal water bottle to get not just for Australia trip but for daily use. Please don’t be that person buying plastic water bottles. We are all judging you…especially mother earth. 

If you go with the Hydroflask, you’ll probably never need to buy another waterbottle again.

MSR Hubba Hubba 2p

There are loads of hostels in Australia but to be honest, they ain’t cheap. Furthermore, the country offers some amazing camping opportunities. Therefore, to save money and get the most from the Oz experience, pack a good tent.

This is one is a great all rounder. It’s not “ultralight” but is still pretty comfortable when packed into your backpack. As far as budget backpacking tents go, this is one of the best. It’s a happy medium between the ‘prepared for anything’ mode and the ‘I wanted to go for a trek so I bought this for 2000 rupees’ afterthought.

Nemo Disco 15

At some point in your trip to Australia, you will probably go camping or at the very least will spend a night at a hostel with insufficient bedding, or with dirty bedding that you would rather not lay in. Therefore bringing a sleeping bag is often a great investment.

There are a LOT of sleeping bags on the market today and we have tried a lot of them. The quality and standards varies and not always in correlation with the price – pricey does not always mean better. The Nemo Disco 15 is a great all rounder sleeping bag packing in warmth, durability and a reasonable price tag.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

Another backpacker/traveler favorite for staying organized is a  hanging toiletry bag . It’s extremely helpful to have all of your accessories neatly gathered in one bag that you can hang for easy accessibility, especially when counter space isn’t plentiful or even available. A well-organized bag is worth having whether you’re tree whilst camping or a hook in the wall – it helps to have quick access to all your stuff.

Historically, I have been the guy who has my stuff all over the bathroom, so getting one of these things really changed the toiletry game for me. Plus they are not too expensive either. A no-brainer essential when packing for Australia.

Suncream:  Thinksport Safe SPF 50+

By now, all of us are as pasty as the driven snow from sheltering in place for the last six months. Am I right? This means we are even more vulnerable than usual to the sun’s fierce rays. Packing sunscreen for Australia may seem like a no brainer, but you would be amazed how many sun-burned cocktail-toting people you see wandering around. 

Thinksport Safe SPF 50+ sunscreen gives folks strong sun protection in a non-oily formula that’s free of gluten, paraben, phthalates and biologically harmful chemicals.

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That’s it, mates! You now have all you need to know on what to pack for Australia with our handy-dandy Australia survival guide. You have a complete top-23 needs packing list, tips on what to wear in Australia in all its diversity, a breakdown of Aussie seasons and how to pack for the weather. Don’t forget our tips for women and men for their own packing lists – plus, what NOT to pack for Australia.

If you’re super excited to see just how much adventure you can pack into your experience in the Land Down Under, we don’t blame you! Be ready to wear your biggest smile, embrace life, and be open to making new memories and new friends. In other words – just do as the Aussies do!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alexandria Zboyovski

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