Packing for Australia

The key thing to understand about packing for Australia is that the country has every climate zone from true tropics to alpine snow. What you pack depends almost entirely on where you are going, not when. Below are the four most common trip profiles.

Coastal summer trip (Sydney, the Great Ocean Road, Gold Coast, Perth, November to March): Pack as you would for a Mediterranean summer, plus a better hat than you think you need. Light cotton or linen clothing, swim gear, a light rain shell, comfortable walking shoes or sandals, plus a warm layer for evenings when southerly changes can drop the temperature by 15 degrees in an hour. Sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat are non-negotiable.

Tropical dry season trip (Cairns, Darwin, Kakadu, Broome, the Kimberley, May to October): Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and long trousers for sun and insect protection, closed-toe walking shoes, sun hat, polarised sunglasses, insect repellent (DEET or picaridin), and a fleece for the cold desert nights. Avoid cotton for active wear; the humidity in the early dry season (May and June) is still significant and synthetic fabrics dry much faster. Bring a head net if you are going inland in October or November when the flies peak.

Outback trip (Uluru, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, the Flinders Ranges): Layers are the most important thing. Desert temperatures can swing 25 degrees between day and night. Long-sleeve sun shirts, long hiking trousers, broad-brimmed hat, sturdy closed-toe walking shoes, at least one warm fleece or puffy jacket for cold mornings, insect repellent, lip balm with SPF, and a reusable water bottle with at least one litre capacity. Many walks in the Red Centre are closed when temperatures exceed 36 degrees, so plan to walk early or in the cooler months.

Tasmania or southern winter trip (Tasmania year-round, Melbourne or Hobart in June to August, the alps for skiing): Pack like you would for a British winter. Warm layers, proper waterproof rain shell, hat, gloves, warm socks, hiking boots, and a backup warm layer that stays dry in a daypack. Tasmanian weather is famously changeable and a sunny morning can turn to sleet within an hour. For alpine snow trips, proper ski gear can be rented on site.

Items every visitor should bring regardless of trip type:

• Universal power adapter. Australia uses 230V and the Type I plug, which has three flat pins in a triangle shape.
• A proper SPF 50+ sunscreen. The Australian sun is measurably harsher than in Europe or most of North America, and a bad burn can ruin a trip.
• Insect repellent, especially in the tropics and for evening outdoors in the south.
• A reusable water bottle. Tap water across Australia is safe and high quality.
• Your prescription medications, since Australian pharmacies will not fill a foreign prescription without a local doctor's approval.
• Any over-the-counter medication you prefer, since brand names and formulations differ from overseas.

Declaration note: Australian biosecurity is strict. You must declare all food, plant material, animal products, soil on shoes, used camping gear, and anything wooden. When in doubt, declare it. Penalties for non-declaration are severe and you may be charged a fine of several hundred dollars on the spot.