With so much to see, do and experience along Australia’s east coast it pays to travel light. In fact just one pack is all you need! But a well planned travel checklist is essential to ensure that what you do bring is useful. That sweet spot between too little and too much, the elusive “just the right amount of just the right things” is what you’ll be aiming for.
Get to know what to expect along Australia’s east coast and your travel check list will almost write itself.
Prepare your travel checklist for a lot of beach time
Australia’s east coast has tropical beaches so beautiful you’ll be hard pressed to match them anywhere else. The Whitsundays are home to Whitehaven Beach, a place consistently voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. That’s not counting the surfing mecca of Byron Bay, the wildlife rich coast of far northern Queensland and the sandiest island of them all, Fraser Island. Chances are you’ll be spending a lot of time enjoying these gorgeous beachy places and your travel check list should reflect that. Want to feel that sand between your toes as soon as you step outside your tent? The best Fraser Island accommodation on the island is right on the beach.
Essentials for the beach which should be on every travel check list include:
Reef shoes
Two pairs of swimmers
Your own snorkel – if you plan on a lot of snorkelling adventures, which you definitely should!
A sarong – guys included, these little pieces of fabric are handy for everyone
A wide brimmed sunhat
Plenty of high factor, water resistant suncream
Comfortable hiking boots and sandals are a must!
From the Blue Mountains just outside Sydney to the beautiful hiking trails that criss cross Fraser Island, packing the right footwear is a must for your travel checklist. Even if you aren’t a big hiker, the chances are you’ll be doing a lot more walking than you’re used to through unfamiliar terrain. A sprained ankle or painful blisters can ruin an otherwise awe inspiring adventure. You won’t need anything too expensive or high tech, unless you’re planning on serious multi day hikes. An old comfortable pair of boots with good ankle support will do nicely, and hiking sandals that can handle river crossings and salty sea water are another staple. Chill out after all that physical exertion on the comfiest beds around at our Fraser Island accommodation.
Expect long road journeys
There’s no getting around the fact that travelling Australia’s east coast will mean covering huge distances. The length of the coast from Port Douglas in the north to Sydney in the south is a whopping 2,478km! That means long days on the road and you should pack for this carefully. Small items like a blow up neck pillow, an eye mask, ear plugs and plenty of downloaded movies and music on your phone can make all the difference. A lot of buses can also feel pretty baltic when the air con is blasting. A warm hoodie or small blanket can mean the difference between catching a nap or catching a cold.
Above all, make your travel check list work for you.