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What to pack for Australian Outback
I usually find packing lists as a waste of time ( and effort). My logic was simple that common sense can drive my packing, up until Australian Outbacks proved me wrong. The sheer distance between locations and the minimal/nonexistence of shops to buy stuffs compelled me to ensure I had packed everything in my \ subsequent outback trips. After few of them, I have put together a packing list for outback trip to ease up the preparation for any body who is planning for their much awaited Australian outback trip!
Petrol
Purchasing a Jerry Can and storing some extra petrol will be very handy due to two reasons . The distances between the petrol stations are quite large and also the fuel can be cheaper at certain places where you could pick up some extra and save some money.
Water
The outback can leave you very thirsty and dehydrated, so get enough packaged water or Jerry cans filled with water loaded in to your car.
Camping Gear
If your trip involves camping, ensure you have the right camping gear. Also if you are hiring vehicles with overhead tents, ensure you have got all the fittings for the tent( to not end up like me who had the main portion of the overhead tent missing which we realised only after reaching the campground!) . Head light lamps are very useful in the outback , so make sure to carry one!
Fly nets/bug spray
Flies & insects bug you in the outback unlike any other place in Australia . So make sure to purchase flynets & suitable bug sprays/insect repellents
Sunscreen
Sunscreen with good SPF is a must for any trip in Australia and for outback trip in particular. Keep reapplying to ensure you are well protected from the harsh Oz sun!
Food
Availability of food on the road is limited to the occasional petrol stores/IGA’s and Road houses. Stock up snacks like crackers, biscuits, mug noodles etc which are easy to consume. I loved to eat pub food from the outback destinations. However it is not guaranteed that you are in the vicinity of a good one during your lunch or dinner time.
Ice Box/Cooler Bags
Perfect idea to beat the outback sun as the days can get very hot( as well as the food & water that you are carrying!)
Stove
If you are some one like me who like to have occasional tea & coffee during your road trip, make sure you have a good Stove/Kettle as the Mc Donald’s & Hungry Jacks are almost non existent! . Be prepared to make a nice cuppa in the middle of no where!
Check out Jet Boil Stove
Wine/Beer
You may wonder why – but nothing like having some bubbles while watching the amazing Outback sunsets !
Clothes including Extra Warmers
Not sure what to wear in the outback ?
Never underestimate the nights in the Outback . It can get very cold and O strongly recommend packing up some warmers.
Swim Suits
It is not a secret that outback has got plenty of awesome rock pools. So no excuse to not pack your swim wears !
Poncho
A light poncho will also be a good idea if you are travelling in the wet season. I was there in the month of October and it rained like never before! The rain coats and ponchos proved to be very useful while we hiked the Valley of the wind
Hat/Scarf/Sarong
It goes without saying to get a good hat to protect you from the sun.
It can get quite windy and will be nice to have a sarong/scarf to hold your hair from falling on your face !
Footwear
A good closed shoes is a must in the Australian outback as you will often find yourself in the rough terrain and rocky hikes. I would not advise using thongs/flip flops much except in the camping areas.
Medicine Kit
As the medical services in the outback can take a long time reach you in case of an emergency, it is important to have a good medical kit. Also your body can react different to the weather conditions in the Outback depending upon the time you choose to travel.
Pads/Tampoons
You can find them in the convenience stores, but may not be even accessible when you are in a very long drive . So ladies, better be prepared even if you are not wanting any surprises!
Baby Wipes/Wet Tissues
Because it is windy and you could get red dust on your body, it is a good idea to clean yourself up with the baby wipes.
Photography Gear
To capture the magnificent sights, you will need your best camera gear. Having extra batteries will be a good idea if your itinerary includes camping in un-powered sites.
Any entertainment
It is hours and hours of drive. For those who enjoy it, it is fun . But it is not rare that your travel companions might think otherwise. Make sure to pack some entertainment stuffs especially if you are travelling with kids! ( Board games, cards etc)
Most importantly pack your positivity as you will be experiencing something really different and unique 🙂
Planning an Australian Outback Trip ?, read these as well,
How to Plan an Outback Trip to Northern territory ( Darwin/Kakkadu/Katherine)
Top Things to Do in Litchfield National Park
Top 9 things to do in Broken Hill
Western Australia Road Trip Itinerary
14 comments
I am not a great fan of packing lists either but I suspect that this one might come in handy. It is easy to underestimate the vast distances and lack of facilities in the Australian outback.
Uluru is at the top of my Aussie destinations wishlist… why so expensive (for a family of four it is…!) thank you for sharing… love that deep red soil!
That’s a very comprehensive packing list you got there. I’ve heard about the lack of shops and facilities in Australia outback but never experienced it personally, yet. You take great photos by the way. 🙂
Such a very awesome packing lists for enjoying an adventure ahead. I love how detailed your list is, and yes, I agree to have some cup of coffee every where because why not?! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for putting together this list! The Australian Outback is on my bucket list so if I ever go I will look for your post again!
I’m a fan of packing lists, as to me it’s all part of eagerly anticipating the experiences I’m going to have when I get there. But it’s definitely important for places like the Outback, where Plan B requires a lot of improvisation or a long wait. I haven’t been to the Big Red for a long time now, but I could have done with your recommendations then, especially for the head torch. Without it, dinner’s a bit of a juggling act, and holding a torch in your teeth does not make for easy instant noodle prep!
I usually don’t make packing lists, but also I have never been to such vast area of rare petrol stations/shops/restaurants/pharmacies. The road and the landscape looks beautiful though, and well worth the trip! Oh, and I love to prepare myself a tea in the middle of nowhere too (or if you’re in Europe, in the middle of somewhere), but there’s nothing better then a cup of warm tea, sitting on a camping chair in front of your tent. 🙂
A really thorough list. I like how you have pointed out that there are long distances between towns so to stock up on things like petrol and snacks. I’d imagine snacks would be expensive at the smaller petrol stations and towns as there is little competition.
The color of the sand is surreal! I would really love to make this trip one day. Love your suggestion to bring extra fuel and a stove.
I am Australian and I always like reading peoples post on my home country and see it through their eyes. Would you believe though that I have yet to go to the outback and see Ayers Rock. It would never occur to me to take a light poncho but that is a good tip. I suppose it does rain there 🙂
Thank you for this great list! We’ve never been to australia but have always wanted to go to the Outbacks one day! So now we’ll save this for when we go there! 🙂
Those pictures! Absolutely stunning. I’m not huge on packing list posts, but this definitely seems like the kind of journey where you NEED to have some first hand packing advice from those before you, especially tips like carrying petro along with you. And almost as importantly, some bubbles to watch the sun dip beneathe the outback 😉
Australia is in my bucket list. I’ll do it when I’m older though. Just in case I run into something lethal.
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