By Lauren Juliff
Student Travel Expert, about.com
If you're planning on heading to Australia for the first time it can be hard to know what to pack. Unfortunately, the thousands of packing lists available online don't make it any easier and often offer conflicting advice -- should you pack jeans or not? Do you need to travel with a phone? What should you put in your first aid kit? Should you carry a backpack or a suitcase? Can you live in flip-flops?
Choosing Your Luggage
It
doesn't really matter whether you decide to take a backpack or suitcase
with you to Australia. Roads are well-paved, public transport has room
for luggage, and you'll be able to carry either around with you with
ease.
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I recommend taking a backpack over a suitcase but that
comes down to personal preference. You're a lot more mobile if you have a
backpack -- they're easier to throw in the back of a bus or car, and
you can weave between pedestrians on a busy street with ease. A backpack
typically forces you to pack lighter, an invaluable skill to pick up
when you're traveling.
Aim for a backpack that's between 40 and 60
liters, and no larger. Remember you'll need to carry it on your back,
sometimes in a very hot climate.
If you do decide on a backpack, a front-loading backpack will
save on packing time and is easier to keep organized, a lockable
backpack will help deter thieves, and look for one that's waterproof --
especially if you're going to be travelling in winter.
Clothing
What
you decide to take with you depends on where you're going and at what
time of year. Although Australia has a reputation for being incredibly
hot, try spending time in Tasmania over winter and see how many times
you wear shorts. You'll likely come up against a whole range of
temperatures during your trip, so pack accordingly.
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going to be in the north, or road tripping through the center, you'll
want the majority of your backpack to contain light cotton clothing. Try
to avoid jeans, as they're heavy, bulky, and take a long time to dry,
but pack some lightweight pants for chilly evenings. For footwear, you
can get by with flip-flops or sandals most of the time but pack some
light hiking shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking.
If
you're going to be up against cold conditions, pack neutral colors so
you can mix and match and maximize the number of outfits in your
backpack. Thin layers are better than bulky, thick sweatshirts.
Remember, if you do forget anything you'll be able to replace it in
clothing stores in any Australian city.
To save space, pack a microfiber towel, which are huge space savers and very quick to dry.
Medication
Most
medicines you can buy over the counter in the US can also be bought in
Australia. Pack some Tylenol, Imodium and Dramamine (and a general
purpose antibiotic if your doctor will give you one) to start with and
replace them as they run out. Also pack some insect repellent and
sunscreen for your first few days.
Technology
Laptop: Internet
cafes aren't really much of a thing in Australia these days, so if you
plan on keeping in touch with friends and family, you'll need to bring a
laptop. Look for one that's as small and light as you can get away
with, especially if you'll only be using it for email, Facebook and to
watch movies. Try to get a laptop that has good battery life as well as
an SD card slot for uploading photos. I recommend choosing either the MacBook Air or the Acer Aspire One.
Internet in Australia is expensive and slow, so expect to pay $10 a day
for it in hostels, and it's rare to find free Wi-Fi in cafes. Your best
option is to pick up a SIM card and tether your laptop to your phone to
check emails.
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E-reader: If you're planning on doing a lot of reading on the road, a Kindle Paperwhite is
a worthwhile investment. The e-ink screen eliminates glare, so you'll
easily be able to read a book while sunbathing on Bondi Beach.
Phone: I suggest getting an unlocked phone and picking up local prepaid SIM cards
as you travel. These SIM cards are the cheapest option for calls, texts
and cellular data and are available in most shopping malls. If you
don't have an unlocked phone, opt for making phone calls using Skype
over Wi-Fi.
