Silly backpack question

Hi (first post here so be kind)

Im off to australia and was wondering (silly question actually) do people take their backpacks with them everywhere? im thinking of taking m backpack then when i can taking a smaller bag with my laptop etc out with me and leaving my main pack wherever im staying, is this a good idea or should i just keep it all with me?

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Also I didn't even take my laptop out with me unless I was intending to use it while I was out - it was always quite safe in lockers and there were even times I wasn't even in a hostel room with a locker and just left it hidden in the room (maybe inside my back pack or something) - I did that on occasions where I felt I could trust people in the room, who were staying there at the time - obviously that's a judgement call which could've been wrong but sometimes just for the sake of your own convenience etc, you just have to let go and not get too worried about your things (yes I know it's expensive and will have all your photos on it! - but you'll find you can't keep up the level of anxiety long term - or else ruin your trip a bit...)

It's not a silly question - I think there should be a rule in these forums that there's no question too silly to ask. You can't know certain things before you travel - I had all kinds of ideas about the logistics of what I thought my travelling would entail and I was wrong about so much of it. But no - your back will be saved from the burden of carrying your stuff around with you, don't worry 😊
I was away for 15 months, and if I added together all the minutes I physically had my backpack on my back, it would probably come to less than 5 hours all in all- mostly you're just carrying it to and from a bus (sometimes straight into a minibus) and only occasionally wandering to look for places to stay - even then, you'll probably hook up with other travellers and one or two will stay with the backpacks while the rest find somewhere to stay.

You can also store your backpack in most hostels if you're planning to take a smaller trip from there for a few days and then come back, (eg to go camping, or on a boat, or trek or something) - it's just a couple of dollars a day normally. Reply to this

Hi, ive stayed in many hostels and hotels accross the world. Most hostels are very safe to leave your belongings locked up in your room. But there are still some that dont have lockers. Try to avoid these, but if you do stay in one that doesnt have somewhere to lock your things, yous should ask at reception for them to look after your laptop etc.
try to bring a couple of padlocks with you before you travel. Buying them at the hostels are usually more expensive. Good luck and happy trekking!

James

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Thank you to everyone who posted on here. There is some great and useful information. I'm gearing up to backpack, beginning in Ireland. I really appreciate the tid-bit about bringing a padlock or two. I would have never thought about that! Reply to this