Packing for an Australia road trip is exciting, but it can be surprisingly easy to either overpack or forget the things that actually matter.
Australia is a BIG country, distances can be long, and conditions can change quickly. Even if you’re doing a coastal road trip, you’ll likely deal with hot days, cool mornings, windy beaches, and the occasional rain shower.
To make it easy, I’ve put together a practical Australia road trip packing list, including the essentials, what’s worth bringing for comfort and safety, and a few things people almost always forget.
If you’re still deciding when to go, I also have a guide to the best time to visit Australia by region here.
And if you’re looking for route ideas, here are the best road trips in Australia for first time visitors.
Quick Packing Tips Before You Start
Before you start packing, here’s the easiest way to keep it simple and stress free.
The biggest mistake people make is overpacking clothes. On a road trip, you’ll rewear outfits way more than you expect, so it’s better to bring a few pieces you can mix and match, rather than packing something different for every day. A small core wardrobe that you can rotate will still keep your outfits feeling fresh, without taking up half your bag.
If you’re travelling in a campervan, this matters even more. Space is limited, and packing lighter makes the entire trip feel easier.
The Core Essentials (Don’t Leave Home Without These)
These are the must-haves for any Australia road trip.
Travel basics
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Driver’s licence and bank card
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Travel insurance details
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Phone charger and car charger
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Power bank
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Sunglasses and a hat
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Reusable water bottle
Comfort extras that are actually worth it
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Small day bag
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Travel towel
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Light jumper or jacket (even in warmer months)
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Snacks for long drives
Clothing to Pack (Keep It Simple)
You don’t need a whole new outfit for every day. Australia road trips are casual, and comfort is much more of a priority. I recommend packing:
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T-shirts or tops you can rotate with different outfits
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A few lightweight outfits for warmer days (for the ladies, a light dress is a great option, as well as a skirt you can mix and match with your tops)
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One warmer layer (jumper, fleece, or cardigan)
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A light rain jacket
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One nicer outfit if you plan on going out for dinners
If you’re travelling in winter or heading anywhere cool, add:
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Long pants
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A warmer jacket
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Warm socks
Shoes You’ll Actually Wear
Most people only need 2 to 3 pairs. A good mix is:
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Comfortable walking shoes or boots (for lookouts and national parks)
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Thongs or slides (you’ll wear these constantly)
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Sandals or a casual shoe for going out (optional)
Our Blundstone boots were easily the most worn shoe on our lap around Australia. You can wear them for exploring, hiking, and also day to day activities. Our Birkenstocks were also worn constantly on hotter days and beach days. We almost never wore our casual shoes, because you can easily dress up the Blundstones if needed.
Beach and Outdoor Essentials
You'll be sure to end up at a lot of beaches as you road trip Australia, so be sure to bring:
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Swimwear
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Beach towel
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Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
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After sun or moisturiser
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Dry bag (optional, but great if you’re doing boat trips or waterfalls)
Toiletries and Personal Items
Keep it simple and travel sized where possible. We each kept our toiletries in a small travel bag, which didn’t take up much space at all. The key ones to remember:
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Shampoo and conditioner
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Deodorant
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Toothbrush and toothpaste
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Hairbrush and hair ties
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Any prescription medication
If you get bitten easily, don’t forget insect repellent. It’s one of the most useful things you can bring.
Tech and Navigation (Road Trip Must-Haves)
These make a big difference, especially on long drives.
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Phone mount for the car
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Portable charger
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Downloaded offline maps
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A camera or drone if you shoot content
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Spare charging cables (they always go missing)
If you’re going remote, it can also help to have a rough itinerary saved offline, just in case you lose reception.
First Aid Kit (Worth Being Prepared)
Australia road trips often include hikes, beach days, and lots of time outdoors, so a basic first aid kit is always a good idea.
You can find them at 4WD stores or even Bunnings. You may also want to pack a few extra basics like antiseptic cream and pain relief.
Road Trip Safety and Car Recovery Gear (Important in Australia)
This is the part people forget, but it’s one of the most important.
Even on popular routes, you can lose phone reception, hit rough roads, or run into simple issues like a flat battery. I recommend packing:
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Jumper cables
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Portable jump starter kit
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Tyre pressure gauge
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Tyre repair kit or tyre inflator
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Torch or headlamp
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Basic tool kit (multi tool, screwdriver, adjustable spanner)
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Extra water and snacks for longer drives
- Recovery gear if you'll be doing any 4WDing (MaxTrax, snatch straps)
Campervan or Camping Extras (Optional)
If you’re travelling by campervan, a few small extras can make the trip more comfortable:
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Head torch or lantern
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Compact foldable camp chairs
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A light blanket
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Wet wipes for quick clean ups
- Hand sanitiser
There will be some days, especially in the outback, where showers are harder to come by and you’ll be covered in dust. Having wet wipes is such a quick way to freshen up just that little bit. Being on the road, you'll also be using lots of public facilities and spaces so having hand sanitiser at the ready is another great extra.
Plan Your Australia Road Trip With Confidence
Packing is just one part of planning your trip, but having the right essentials makes the whole experience easier.
If you want exact road trip routes, must see stops, and flexible itineraries you can customise, I’ve put everything together inside my Australia Travel Guide.
👉 View the Australia Travel Guide here: https://www.rexby.com/lolahubner/australia
It includes fully mapped road trips across Australia, so you can plan faster and travel with confidence.