When you are putting things in your backpack before you travel to Australia, ask yourself these three questions:
- Can I live without it?
- Do I really care if it gets stolen or damaged?
- Is it something I can buy when I get there?
Your backpack will be home to all of your belongings for the next couple of weeks or months, so choose carefully, 10-12kg is ideal. The bigger the backpack, the more tempting it is to keep adding things.
Seasoned travellers work on the "wear one, wash one" theory. While this might seem a little extreme for your first backpacking trip, try to think about whether you really need to bring 10 pairs of shorts and 15 t-shirts.
Remember that whatever you bring with you could be stolen or damaged, so avoid packing your favourite t-shirt you've had for years or that dress you saved up for weeks to buy.
Here's the checklist for what you'll need:
Essentials
- Passport
- Debit/credit card (have you notified your bank you are going abroad?)
- Travel insurance documents
- Photocopies of your passport (helpful if you lose the original)
- Driving licence (if you're planning on hiring a campervan or car)
- Mobile phone, preferably unlocked so you can use it with an Aussie SIM card
- Student card, for discounts on tourist attractions
Clothing
Pro travellers work on the "wear one, wash one" theory. Laundry is regularly lost, damaged or taken at hostels and launderettes, so don't pack your favourite items of clothing.
- Short sleeve t-shirts / long sleeve t-shirt (cover up from the sun)
- Swimwear, a couple of bikinis or swimming trunks
- Socks and underwear
- Shorts / a pair of trousers / leggings
- Hoodie
- Flip flops (thongs)
- A thin water/wind resistant jacket, for cooler nights or air-con during bus or plane journeys
Personal items
- 2 x microfibre travel towels (one for showering, one for the beach)
- Prescription medicine you need from home
- Small travel mirror
- Earplugs and eye mask
- Sunglasses
- Spare glasses or contacts if you wear them
- Brush or comb
Don't bother bringing heavy bottles of shampoo or shower gel, you can easily and cheaply pick these up from any Chemist Warehouse in Australia.
Things you can pick up when you arrive
- Insect repellent
- Antihistamine cream or tablets
- Sun cream (very affordable in Australia)
- Baby wipes and hand sanitiser
With all that being said, you should be all ready for your Aussie adventure to begin! Thanks for reading, and remember: "there's the whole world at your feet."
