What to Pack Australia ~ One Two Three Week Trip

Pack and Travel Light Wardrobe Tips

Are you wondering what to pack for a trip to Australia? Then you've come to the right place! It's not much different than packing for any trip, any where :-) Here are my tips!

When choosing a travel wardrobe, first check the weather and climate at your destination. Australia is a big country, with varied climates and seasons.

If you are planning to stay in northern, tropical Queensland in any season, you will need to pack a  slightly different wardrobe than if you are traveling to south Australia places like Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra in winter (June, July, August).

In 2011 March, April, May Australia weather cooler, wetter than usual: Already parts of NSW and Queensland have been much cooler / colder than you would expect, with more rain and fog in Sydney, frost into Queensland and south west of Sydney, etc. This year, especially, choose your travel clothes with layering in mind: Wind cheaters/ rain jacket to go over warm cardigan sweater or heavy sweatshirt. Wear heavier or bulkier items on the plane. Check local papers, too, like the Sydney Morning Herald.

What you pack for a trip to Australia in Spring and Summer (mid-November to March) is similar to what to pack for tropical Queensland at any time of year. Tropical areas of Australia, or midsummer or desert travel usually mean very hot weather. Pack lightweight tops and bottoms that dry fast. Quick dry fabrics are not just convenient for laundering, they also dry fast after ocean wading and copious amounts of sweating :-)

What to Pack for Australia  ~ Short List

Most visitors travel to Australia in the Australian Summer months when it's winter in North America and Europe, so when it's winter in North America, or Europe, it's summer in Australia and New Zealand.

Here's the short list for packing for one week, two weeks, three weeks or longer. It's what I used for a 6 week trip and works well.

It's the same basic travel wardrobe, really, for most trips.

---

For more details on specific clothing items, click the link for each.

Pants, capris, Skirts -- 3 total

Shirts, Tops -- 7 (more if small, light)

Sleepwear -- 1 nightie or 1 pair jammies

Underwear -- 2 or 3 bras, 1 or 2 camis, 7 panties

Bathing Suits, sarongs: -- 1 (winter trip), 2-3 (Summer Beach, Reef trip)

Shoes, Socks-- 1 pair shoes (wear on plane), 3 pairs socks

Sandals, flip flops -- 1 pair, dressier; 1 pair flip flops (beach, showers)

Rainwear, Ponchos -- 1 rainproof coat (boat rides, storms) plus 1 lightweight fleece

---

What to Pack for a trip to Australia in the Summer (Christmas season to March, depending on weather) is very similar to what to pack for Caribbean travel. For more ideas on hot climate clothing, see Holidays to Dominican travel wardrobe.

---

 

This page is the short list for Australia packing tips! For more info on the reasoning for my tips, and for more details on fabrics, etc. see the specific what to pack pages. Have a great trip!

Got a question or a tip?

Feel free to comment. To be notified when your comment is online, please include your email.