New South Wales, Australia
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for summer (Dec-Feb), favoring natural fabrics like cotton and linen. Shorts, t-shirts, light dresses, and skirts are ideal. Swimwear is necessary. A Light rain jacket or compact umbrella is useful for sudden tropical downpours. Shoulder seasons (Mar-May, Sep-Nov) allow for similar items but add long-sleeved shirts, a light cardigan, or a thin jacket for evenings.
Winter (Jun-Aug) requires long pants or jeans, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a light-to-medium weight jacket. Layering is key. For hiking, comfortable Walking shoes or light hiking boots are ideal with moisture-wicking clothing. For swimming/surfing, a Rash guard is highly recommended for UV protection and warmth. Smart casual attire suffices for most restaurants.
Sandals, flip-flops (thongs), or comfortable slides. Ideal for beach and town.
Comfortable Sneakers or walking shoes for town, beaches, and short tracks.
Sturdy closed-toe shoes or Hiking boots for longer bushwalks. Consider Water shoes for rocky shorelines.
Keep both physical and digital copies of your essential documents.
Australia uses Type I power outlets (three flat pins, one angled), 230V at 50Hz. A Universal travel adapter with Australian compatibility is needed. Australian mobile networks use GSM. Your mobile phone must be unlocked for a local SIM card. Pre-paid SIM cards are available at airports, supermarkets, and telco stores (Airalo for eSIMs).
A modern Smartphone often handles photos. For higher quality, consider a digital camera or a Waterproof action camera for water activities. Recommended apps include Google Maps for navigation, Uber for ride-sharing, Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for weather, your banking app for finances, and Google Translate. Regularly back up photos and documents to cloud storage or an External hard drive.
Download offline maps for Byron Bay before arrival. This helps navigation if mobile signal is lost in remote areas.
For secure browsing on public Wi-Fi, consider a VPN service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Regularly back up photos and important documents using cloud services or an external hard drive.
Assemble a small kit with assorted Band-aids and antiseptic wipes, pain relievers (Ibuprofen or paracetamol), antihistamine medication, and Hydrocortisone cream. Include blister treatment, small scissors, fine-tipped tweezers, and Hand sanitizer. Motion sickness tablets are useful for boat tours. A compact option is the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7.
Bring enough supply of prescription medications for your entire trip in original, labeled containers. Carry a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter for customs. Include over-the-counter medications for common issues like Anti-diarrhea medication. Australia's sun is very strong. Pack high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+ recommended), After-sun lotion, and Lip balm with SPF. Consider Reef-safe sunscreen.
Beyond general swimwear, a rash guard offers sun protection. Surf booties protect from reef or rocks. Surfboards and stand-up paddleboards are readily available for rent.
Comfortable, worn-in Hiking shoes are important. A Small daypack to carry water, snacks, and a Light jacket. Ensure good grip on trails.
While tours often provide gear, bringing your own Snorkel, mask, and fins ensures a comfortable fit and hygiene. For yoga, your own Travel mat if preferred, or comfortable yoga attire.
For long flights or bus journeys, a Travel pillow, Eye mask, and Earplugs greatly aid comfort. A small Padlock for hostel lockers. A Money belt or an RFID-blocking wallet for passport and credit card protection.
Australia has excellent tap water; bring a Reusable water bottle to refill and reduce plastic waste. New South Wales bans lightweight plastic Shopping bags; carry a Reusable shopping bag for groceries. If you enjoy takeaway coffee, a Reusable coffee cup is an environmentally friendly choice. A Reusable travel utensil set is useful for picnics or street food.
Supermarkets and pharmacies stock common items.
Bring preferred brands of toiletries, medications, supplements.
Specialty items might be more expensive in Australia.
Strong sun protection and insect repellent are region-specific essentials.
A small, lightweight Backpack or daypack is useful for daily excursions, carrying water, sunscreen, and beach towels.
For any prescription medications, keep them in your carry-on luggage. This prevents issues if your checked baggage gets delayed or lost.
