Need a little help on what to take and what we could do without.
Hello all. Me and the missus are heading over to oz on the 2nd of march. We have an idea of what to take in our packs but would like your help.
What sort of clothes. ipod etc.
Is there anything you would of wanted to take but didn't. Was there bits you wish you didn't bother taking and had to dump or send home. Was there anything you couldn't do without.
I know we're supposed to pack lightly and im trying to tell my girlfriend the same but its not working yet!!
I've got her to dump the hair dryer but shes still saying she's gotta take the straightners. I've tried my best!
Any help for both of us will be much appriciated. Both packs are around 60L.
Reply to this Hello Jordan,
Could you please provide a bit more information, such as where are you travelling to in Australia and how long will you be here.
Australia is a huge country and the climate difference between the north and south is significant - this will influence what clothes you take. Also, where do you come from? The climate you normally live in also impacts on what you consider to be hot or cold - and thus the clothes you bring.
As a first bit of advice, be aware of the voltage in Australia, it is more than most countries and can catch people out. At its worst, it can cause electrical goods on a lower voltage to cook themselves.
Reply to this She seriously needs to consider whether vanity or practicality is more important to her. No-one expects a traveler to be a barbie doll, and after lugging that straightener around for a week she's going to wish she left it at home. A lot of places you stay in have hair driers anyway so she can just blow wave her hair. And in summer she'll want to tie it up anyway. It can get really hot here! (Between 30 and 45 degrees celcius in Melbourne. More humidity in Queensland too (which ruins hair anyway).
Here's a website I'm finding very helpful to plan my backpacking trip to Europe.
One Bag I tend to pack too many clothes and he (and many other sites I've looked at) says pack few and learn to layer.
One option she has to create new looks without adding extra weight is this fabulous
Chemisette website which means when it's warm she doesn't have to layer her clothes but can still create new looks. I've ordered a few things from it.
Reply to this Hi Jordan,
It does depend where you're going in oz but take her mind back to beach holidays. did she spend most of the day in a swimsuit and some shorts or a skirt. cos that's what she'll spend her time in there. Hence not needing a different outfit for every day. Whenever i go on holiday my boyfriend takes a top for every day we're there but rarely needs even half. This is a good way to limit clothing. shoes wise you will just need a decent walking pair (ankle high is best) flip flops (these will suffice for going out as well as day wear) and maybe one other if you're desperate. Nearly all hostels have washing machines and driers so jsut take enough underwear for a week or 10 days and you can then just do a wash. I will say however that oz washing powder coupled with sweaty clothing and dirt etc won't do wonders for your clothes so for goodness sake don't take good stuff. Either buy cheap before you go and use purely for your trip then chuck away or use older stuff and just take a v small amount of a nice top etc so you have the option should you need it. One waterproof will help a great deal as well as being pretty warm even with a tshirt underneath it will cover you for a lot of weather and is v light.
One thing i found v useful (and even more so if you're in a double room with your g/f and not a dorm) is a travel washing line then no matter where you are if you are only stopping a couple of days you can do a wash when you get there and it'll be dry by the time you leave.
ipod's useful for the long journeys - get a lightweight charger and share it.
The biggest mistake i made and will rectify when i go back in december is packing your backpack to the brim. anything i then bought i had no room for and had to post home and although this is pretty inexpensive (due to many different ways to post i.e ship, plane) it's a pain. i would say leave a decent amount of room - this helps if you want to buy stuff, if you want to find stuff in your bag quickly and for it to be lighter anyway!!
Pure citronella oil (from health food shops) dabbed around the bed is excellent mosquito deterrent as in some places no matter what you do you'll be attacked!
Sleeping bag liners are an excellent addition to stop your sleeping bag getting dirty and smelly and you can just wash them.
I take my travel dryer and not straighteners. a decent brush and you can blow dry it straight anyway - a travel dryer will be lighter than straighteners (less likely to be stolen too). yes the humidity will mess it up anyway but i can bare to let my hair dry by itself for that many weeks!!
hope this helps!! xx
Reply to this Hi, It definately does matter where you go as we have snowy regions as well in Australia. However march will be a nice time, not too hot. Carry as little as possible. You are traveling to a western country so remember if need be you can purchase whatever you need here.
What to bring (For hotter areas):
Wide Brimmed Hat
Sun Screen (apply liberally and often)
Try just to bring one pair of shoes unless you are intending on going to a fancy restaurant. This will lighten your load. Casual eating and general traveling a good air of Sand shoes.
IPOD (of course)
Light cotton clothes (something that will dry fast)
For your Girlfriend - (She can easily get away with 2 skirts or pants / 3 tops / Bikins or One Piece / Jacket - Hotels will do washing. If camping washing may be more difficult as we are in a drought and water is limited (Queensland) ).
Towels- Don't bother if staying in hotels. Buy a camping towel otherwise if you camp.
Shampoo/ Soap - Don't bother if staying in hotels or city areas.
Hope this helps. No one expects a traveler to look neat.
Reply to this Note: Whilst I know UK and America call them 'flip flops', Aussie's call them
thongs. (What American's call 'thongs' we call a 'g-string'.) And when an Aussie says 'pants' they mean 'trousers' not underwear. And if we say 'stockings', more often than not we're referring to the full leg version, not the sexy lacey hold ups.
My uncle and cousin in England got very confused listening to me speak. It was hilarious. I was talking about stocking and pants and they thought I was being rude.
Reply to this Sorry didn't really explain it very well.
Travelling from england. Gonna be in oz for at least 8 months and travelling with the weather hopefully. Trying to plan it so we can be in different places with the best weather. When i say 'the best' i mean sunny and dry!!
Also want to do new zealand for some snow but have been told i can hire the gear for that. Dont expect to be carrying clothes for that all year!
Thanks to everyone for your comments and anymore will be hugely appreciated.
Reply to this Hello again Jordan, if you are from England you are likely to find the weather here quite warm, so I wouldn't carry too much in the ways of winter clothes. Having been in the UK during the winter, I do not think that the Aussie winters come close. However, it is always wise to carry a lightwight waterproof jacket.
To get the most out of the sunshine and to stay dry, the best suggestion is as follows: Southern parts of Australia (most of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and southern Western Australia) from September/October to March/April; whereas the north (Queensland, Northern Territory, northern New South Wales, northern Western Australia) is at its driest and sunniest in winter (April/May to September/October).
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