Australia is one of the world’s most varied destinations. Traveling through Australia is like traveling to completely different worlds. From sun-kissed beaches to the world’s oldest rainforest and vibrant cities to the legendary Outback, Australia’s got it all.
This can make packing for your trip a challenge.
We’ve created a list to help you figure out what essentials to pack and what to wear in Australia.
With this Australia packing list, you’ll be ready to take on the land Down Under in no time.
Download and print our Australia Packing Checklist.
What to Pack for Australia
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- Travel Documents – Always know where your travel documents are and keep photocopies of them should anything happen. One of our favorite tips is to keep online digital copies of travel documents. Emailing yourself copies of your passport, trip vouchers, flight confirmations, etc. ensures you can access these documents online anywhere, even if you lose your phone.
Download and print this Australia packing checklist.
What to Wear in Australia
Figuring out what to wear in Australia can be a bit tough. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always scorching hot every day of the year.
Almost the same size as the US, the weather in Australia varies throughout each region.
Here’s what to pack for Australia based on each season.
Summer (December – February): Summer is peak season for Australia. The sun is shining bright, the kids are out of school, and everyone is out enjoying the holidays with balmy temperatures averaging between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is Australia’s warmest period, so light, summery clothes, comfortable walking shoes, swimwear and thongs (the Australian word for flip flops!) are a must. Australia is pretty casual, but you may want to pack dressier clothes for an evening out in the city or for special events.
If you’re heading to destinations in Northern Territory such as Alice Springs or Uluru, bring breathable clothes, a sunhat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the scorching sun.
Tropical destinations in the north such as Cairns and Darwin see frequent showers, so a raincoat and umbrella are recommended.
Bring a light jacket for southern destinations such as Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania for the cooler evenings.

Photo: Anson Smart
Fall (March – May): Australia enjoys a mild fall season, with temperatures averaging between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, you’ll want to pack cozy layers and summer clothes for the daytime with a jacket for any drops in temperature.
Beach destinations along the east coast, such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane are still quite warm. You might like to pack your swimsuit and light clothes that can be layered up or down according to the weather.
Bring warmer clothes and a light coat for the larger cities such as Sydney and Adelaide, as the morning and evenings can get quite chilly.
Melbourne is known to have “four seasons in a day.” It’s best to be prepared for all kinds of weather, especially rain and cooler temperatures. A raincoat and warm jacket are ideal.
Even in the Outback you’ll want a jacket as the evenings can get surprisingly chilly.
Winter (June – August): Winter in Australia is known to be a bit unpredictable, with temperatures averaging between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some people may find the weather pleasant enough for the beach in northern destinations such as Port Douglas. Coming from the U.S., you most likely won’t find the weather favorable for a swim, so pack versatile layers for warm days and cold evenings.
Cities along the coast can get rainy and windy, so bring a warm coat if you’re heading to Sydney or Adelaide. Melbourne and Tasmania are colder destinations, so warm layers and a coat are essential.
Northern destinations in the tropics like Cairns and the Whitsundays have very mild, dry winters. Warm days with cooler nights coupled with low humidity make winter a wonderful time to visit these destinations. A sweater or light cardigan will be enough if you’re prone to get cold.
If the Outback is in your itinerary for winter, be sure to pack warm layers or a coat for the evenings. Winter nights in the Outback reach crisp temperatures of around 42 degrees Fahrenheit, with frosts commonly appearing in the mornings!

Photo: Tourism NT
Spring (September – November): Spring is rather mild throughout most of Australia, but chilly mornings and evenings are still common. Temperatures average between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The days are warm enough to wear summer clothes, but you’ll want to bring a light jacket or sweater for the evenings. If you can brave cooler temperatures at the beach, go ahead and pack your swimsuit if you’re heading to Sydney.
Pack a raincoat for Melbourne, as spring is the city’s wettest season. Bring a warm jacket and layers, as the temperatures average on the cooler side (49 – 67 degrees Fahrenheit).
Beach destinations like Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane see warm days reaching temperatures in the high 70’s. Summer clothes with a light jacket for the cooler, windy evenings are perfect.
Cairns and other tropical destinations near the Great Barrier Reef see balmy days reaching the mid-80’s. Pack summer clothes along with a light cardigan for the very mild evenings.
Destinations in the Outback see the most varied temperatures, averaging between 56 – 87 degrees Fahrenheit. A light jacket is recommended for the evenings, with summer clothes during the day.

Photo: Andrew Watson / Tourism & Events Queensland
No matter what time of the year you’re visiting Australia, it’s always important to use sunscreen.
Now that you know what to pack for Australia, you’re ready to enjoy the trip of a lifetime!
Safe travels from your mates at About Australia!