In the mood to travel to the land down under? Or, have you already booked your trip? From the vibrant cities, legendary Outback, sun-filled beaches to the world’s oldest rainforest, Australia has a diverse range to offer. Picture hopping on a plane to your dream destination. While extremely exciting, the anticipation up until departure can be quite… overwhelming. This is why we have curated the perfect Australia packing list that will keep you enjoying every second of your adventures. Happy packing!

Swimsuit

Australia offers a stunning coastline and you’ll definitely want to check it out at some point during your travels. With thousands of beaches to explore, don’t forget your swimsuit so you can enjoy all of them. Don’t be surprised if you end up with a beach all to yourself! Many beaches are tucked away at the end of long roads, providing your own taste of secluded paradise.

Flip Flops

Grab your flip flops and don’t get too alarmed if you hear an Aussie refer to them as ‘thongs’. You’ll want a pair for all of your long beach days.

Hat

Whether you are cooking up a BBQ or spending your day down by the beach, a hat is a necessity to keep your head protected from the sun. It is a great option for preventing unwanted burns and helping shade the bright rays away.

Packing Cubes

No matter what country you are going to, packing cubes will make your life SO much easier while traveling. These bag compartments will help you stay organized and will allow you to find specific items faster when traveling from place to place.

Quick-Dry Towel

Australia has a lot of water activity options, and so you'll need a towel if you want to participate. To make your travels smoother, opt-in for one that is absorbent, quick-drying, and easy to pack when you are on the go. Some hostels don’t include towels in their bookings or just aren’t always the cleanest so pack your own for a guaranteed method of drying. 

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

There’s no avoiding being exposed to the heavily intense sunshine throughout Australia. Make sure to have a large supply of sunscreen to keep your skin safe and protected. It is important that your sunscreen is labeled as reef-safe and is free of chemicals that are damaging to the surrounding sensitive coral and marine life.

Mosquito Repellent

Mosquito repellent is essential when traveling to Australia, especially during the summer as it is the time of the insect’s breeding and biting season. The more north you go, the more likely you are to find them. To most effectively avoid these annoying itchy bites, use spray that contains DEET. If looking to limit your carry-on liquids for your travels, try purchasing repellent in roll-on form.

Reusable Water Bottle

Stay sustainable and hydrated under the hot Australian sun with your reusable water bottle. This is a great way to ensure you’ll always have water at your side. Make sure to refill it to the top during your stops along your journey. An insulated stainless steel bottle is usually a great option for keeping your beverage cool and refreshing to drink.

Australian Power Adapter

The Australian Type I power outlet is one of the lesser utilized outlets in the world. Odds are you will need an adapter if you are wanting to keep your devices charged throughout your travels. It is recommended that you opt to purchase a universal adapter that will last you throughout your future travels outside of Australia as well.

Portable Charger

On your upcoming Australian adventure there will most definitely be days that you will be on the go with little time to rest and recharge (yourself and your electronic devices included). A portable charger is a perfect gadget for days you don’t have an outlet in sight or on the agenda. Whether it be a long bus ride or a busy day at the beach, the last thing a traveler wants to deal with is a dead phone when getting directions or a dead camera when trying to get the perfect shot. Just remember to charge the portable charger at your hotel at night on the days you have been using it. 

Waterproof Camera

Grab your GoPro or invest in an underwater camera for all of your undersea explorations! You’ll have an infinite amount of water activity opportunities while in Australia between surfing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and diving. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on all of the cool water shots to show your family and friends.

Waterproof Phone Case

If you aren’t ready to commit to a waterproof camera, a waterproof phone case can still help you capture a great water action shot. On the plus side, it will also help protect your phone from any dirt, dust, scratches, and drops as long as it stays in the case. Now you have absolutely zero excuses to taking your underwater selfie at the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

E-Reader

So you probably know this already but Australia is a massive country. Odds are at some point along your travels you’ll find yourself on a long bus ride or waiting at the gate of an airport. Reading is a great way to pass some spare time but books are heavy and take up a ton of unnecessary luggage space. An e-reader is a great option as it can store hundreds of books in the palm of your hand and weighs practically nothing. If looking to purchase one, look at device options that have an anti-glare screen which will keep you reading even under Australia’s bright sun.

The last item on our super list is the most important. Don’t forget to bring your flexible, fun-loving, adventurous self because you are in for the most wonderful time in Australia and you may not want to ever leave (in that case, you may need to expand on this packing list a bit)! Grab your bags today and secure your spot down under with ACanela Expeditions for your authentic Australian adventure.

Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak