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General

Whether you intend to be on the road for a week or a month, packing for a road trip requires meticulous planning. Unless you have some sort of a checklist, you’re bound to leave something important behind. Just imagine getting 50 kilometres down the road and realising you’ve forgotten your favourite pillow! To help you avoid such disasters, we’ve divided a range of travel essentials into separate categories. Before you set out, make sure you’ve packed the following items:

  • Tickets
  • Passes and permits
  • Passport
  • Money, travellers cheques, credit cards
  • Money belt – for keeping your money safe and sound
  • Travel insurance details – leave one copy of your policy at home
  • Driver’s license and/or international driver’s permit
  • Address book and phone numbers – for contacting relatives back home
  • Electrical adapter
  • CDs to play while driving or a fun road trip playlist
  • Playing cards and travel board games
  • A good book or two (or more!)
  • Phone and camera chargers
  • Torch
  • Maps/GPS – modern day GPS systems make navigating easy, but if you plan to travel through remote areas, phone reception may not always be reliable. To avoid getting lost, figure out your route well in advance and invest in some good old-fashioned paper maps. For more advice on driving in rural Australia, see our Outback Travel Tips.

Day Pack

Whether you’re exploring a city, a desert or a tropical rainforest, be ready for sightseeing excursions by preparing a day pack consisting of:

  • Water bottle – staying hydrated is extremely important, especially when it’s hot
  • Snacks
  • Warm sweatshirt – even in summer, always pack a warm item of clothing just in case the weather changes abruptly
  • Camera, film, extra batteries, spare memory stick
  • Mobile phone and charger
  • Torch
  • Money – for purchasing food, paying for public transport and buying souvenirs.

Medical

Don’t let a minor illness or injury ruin your road trip! By packing a first-aid kit and stocking up on some basic medication, you can enjoy your holiday without having to make any unplanned detours to a chemist or doctor’s office.

  • Contact lens/eyeglasses – for road safety purposes, but also so you can actually see the beautiful Australian scenery as you drive by
  • Prescriptions for any medications you may need
  • Epipen – this medical device is absolutely essential for travellers with severe allergies
  • Doctor’s certificates/vaccination certificates
  • First-aid kit.

Toiletries

Who says you can’t enjoy a little pampering while travelling? Toiletries are essential for keeping comfortable on the road, and if you’re trying to make the most of your campervan’s storage space, they can be purchased in compact travel bottles.

  • Toothpaste
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip Balm
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Comb/hairbrush
  • Razor/shaving cream
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Moisturiser
  • Cosmetics
  • Mini-sewing kit.

Clothing

Regardless of the season, you should always pack a variety of different clothing options for your campervan holiday. From chilly Tasmania to tropical Queensland, temperatures may vary in different parts of Australia, calling for a versatile wardrobe. For more information on Australia’s seasons and the kind of weather, you may encounter during your trip, see our Weather and Climate page.

  • Water/wind-proof raincoat
  • Warm jacket
  • Light jersey
  • Thermals – for winter road trips
  • T-shirts
  • Shorts
  • Smart casual items
  • Casual evening wear
  • Nightwear
  • Swimming gear
  • Light durable footwear
  • Shoes/hiking boots
  • Sandals
  • Socks
  • Beanie
  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses
  • Watch with alarm.