Hi all,

Please post any helpful advice on what to pack for our 3-week trip, in terms of clothing and essentials. We will be covering Melbourne, Uluru, Sydney, NZ South Island and the Great Barrier Reef. DH and I are light packers (we usually take 2 roll-away bags that could fit into the overheard bin of the plane).

I'm a little overwhelmed on what we need to bring since we're covering both hot (outback) and cold (glaciers in NZ) places! Looks like we'll need to bring a little bit of everything, dress in layers, etc.

Anyway, any helpful tips would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!

Shorts and Tee -shirts for Australia and everything else for NZ but remember that it is going to be summer - perhaps a good weather site may be your best bet.

I would seriously consider taking a light jacket with spf 50 or higher (such as at www.precautions.com) because the sun is brutal in Australia. I have the hooded jacket and have worn it everywhere including snorkeling. We also have the pants. When snorkeling, we always wear wet suits (most boats also have lycra stinger suits) for the sun protection. And a hat. Since you are going to Uluru in the summer, I think people advise to take the bug nets since the flies are rampant in that season. They sell sunblock everywhere, but if you have some favorite kind, bring it and WEAR IT! I am fair skinned and a skin cancer survivor, so this advice is crucial for me, but in Australia, I think it is crucial for everyone. You might consider taking a water bottle to save on buying water. It is very expensive (compared to the US) there and the tap water is great and most accommodations have refrigerators (and keep the glasses and a pitcher of water in there!) Have fun and stay cool!
Sally in Seattle

P.S. the two tee shirts that I bought from Ex Officio were the greatest thing, lightweight and wicking so I stayed cooler. Also I bought moisture wicking bras and was glad I did.
S

Thank you Sally! I've listed down the items you've suggested and will look for them when I go shopping this weekend. Appreciate the heads-up on the moisture-wicking bras and the light jacket with spf!

LizzyF - thanks, I have to get in the "summer" mindset for packing for AUS (hard to do when it's freezing in Texas !)

That's a fair scope of climates, but at least for Uluru and most GBR areas, you can be pretty sure it'll be hot. Lightweight cottons are the best way to go; keep away from synthetics; although OK for reef as in lycra body or wetsuits as surrounding water will keep you cool.

Pat, interesting that you said cottons because the "wicking" tee shirts that I got (and all workout type of shirts) are made of synthetic fabric. I have had hot ones for workouts, but these Ex Officio ones are soft and cottony in feel and do a great job of keeping me cool (and I get hot very easily!) Ordinarily, cotton is the best bet, I think, but these newer wicking fabrics are worth a look. And for cold places, the hard core people say "cotton kills".
Sally

You've obviously found a superior synthetic, Sally; was just talking about the common garden variety stuff which doesn't breathe and helps you swelter. But 100% cotton does usually need ironing.

Don't know if "wicking" fabrics are available in Cairns; but I hate shopping so haven't looked, thanks for the tip.

I've been on NZ glaciers in January. On top of glacier - recommend a good wind and waterproof jacket, but elsewhere - it's summer, and even the glacier area is warm. Make sure you have good shoes - feet will get cold in sandals.

Thanks everyone!

Margo_oz - appreciate the tip on NZ. I was just thinking this morning if we should be bringing our wool jackets to the glaciers. From what you've posted, we'll just bring our fleece sweaters and wind/waterproof jackets.

Just returned from NZ and the one thing I didn't bring but wished I would've is binoculars!

For Oz.. you will only need shorts t-shirts, thongs (flip flops) and your swimming gear.. this time of year - especially in Northern Australia and Sydney.. NZ I would pack a few good thermals.. they are easy to pack and so warm and good for those chilly days on the south island!! Have an awesome time