The Complete Packing List for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
- Acacia Gabriel
- a few seconds ago
- 10 min read
The Australian Working Holiday Visa was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I spent nearly two months living by the ocean in Byron Bay, snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, and lived in Melbourne for almost nine months. When I look back, it’s crazy to think that I almost didn’t go at all.
I remember how scared I was to pack my bag before I left, and it is understandable This kind of traveling is terrifying and so much of it is unpredictable. Packing is one of the only things you can control before you leave for a big trip, so people tend to project a lot of their stress onto it. I hope that by sharing my packing list for the Australian Working Holiday Visa, I can make it easier for people to take the leap and make this incredible move.
However, I do encourage people to analyze the business perspective of most travel influencers, bloggers, or outlets. Scaring people about packing is a great way to push consumers to buy things they don’t actually need. Cards on the table, even I earn commission from some of the items on this list (at no extra cost to you), but I would never encourage you to buy something I don’t personally use and vouch for.
It’s important to remember that no packing list is one-size-fits-all, because it’s personal. Your backpack is essentially your house during your travels, and you’re the only person who has to live with carrying or lacking the things you do or don’t bring. Don’t be afraid to repack, throw out what no longer serves you, or buy things there.
This is my complete Australia packing list for solo female travelers:
Best Travel Gear for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
Backpack - This is always up for debate because get super competitive about which bags are best. Honestly, go in person and try a few on, because it's your bag. I just got the REI Trail 40L, because it fits me well, has a lot of different pockets, and opens suitcase-style. Some people prefer to have more bells and whistles, but you don't really need them.
I have to confess that I did bring a suitcase but I regretted it almost every day. It was so much harder to move around and the second that I switched to a backpack I felt so much lighter.
Uniqlo purse - Every girl taking the Greyhound through the East Coast has the Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder bag and for good reason. I use this bag every day and I love that I convert it into a practical crossbody or a slightly more stylish shoulder bag. It holds a ton of stuff and keeps it pretty safe. I was once destroyed by waves, but my AirPods, phone, and wallet all stayed safe in my purse. This is the best travel purse in my opinion.
Tote bag - Good for beach days and groceries. You’ll need to grocery shop quite a bit if you’re going to be able to afford a long-term trip in Australia, and you won’t want to pay for a bag at Woolie’s.
Carabiners - These come in so handy in so many random ways. If you have any extra carabiners, definitely clip them to your backpack to use later.
Packing cubes - My packing cubes kept me sane during my travels. They are the only reason I didn't lose my stuff and they kept everything so neatly organized in my bag. I recently got the Tripped Travel Gear compression cubes which help me save space in my bag, and I love the National Parks pattern. You can buy them on Amazon here.
Toiletry bag - Similarly, a good toiletry bag just helps keep you sane. It's just easier to grab one bag when you're living in hostels and sharing space.
Important Paperwork You Need for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
More than one bank card - If you are looking for an international ATM card, I recommend the Wise debit card. For Australia WHV the Wise card is especially essential. I used it to pay rent, get paid for jobs, and transfer money to other travelers. It usually costs $7, but you can get it for free using my link.
Passport - I have two passports because I'm a dual citizen, so I brought both to be safe.
Working Holiday Visa - You can apply for your visa on Australia's immigration website. It's a shockingly quick process that just requires you to have a certain amount of money in your bank account and a clean criminal record. Depending on the country you're coming from, you probably won't even have to do a background check. If you have any questions about the visa process, feel free to contact me.
Cash - USD and euros tend to be the most useful. Once again, not something I have frequently needed, but I am glad to have in my bag. I did end up using USD to pay for a visa overstay in Vietnam and would not have been able to get back to the States without it
What Clothes to Pack for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
6x Tank tops
I packed a million of these because they’re so tiny it was kind of like why not. You'll wear them most days and sweat through them, so it's nice to have a lot of options.
Activewear tank tops are the best because they’re weirdly flattering but also just very useful. I had a mix of these and regular cotton tank tops.
2x T-shirts
I don’t wear T-shirts very often yet I love buying them as souvenirs. I would pack less than you think you need because you tend to get free ones on the backpacker trail. I packed two because I like to wear them on travel days and it’s nice to have a back up.
4x Shorts
Make sure to only get shorts with pockets. Any pair that I owned that didn’t have pockets were useless for me.
1x biking shorts - I liked having these because I do a lot of yoga and they were comfy on warmer travel days.
2x running shorts - These are just comfy and easy.
1x linen shorts - They’re less utile than my running shorts, but they’re cuter.
3x Pants
1x leggings - Leggings are great for travel because they keep you pretty warm considering how little space they take up in your bag. You may want to bring two pairs just in case one gets dirty, but they're pretty easy.
1x linen pants - A basic tan pair will go a long way. You’ll want them in places like Byron Bay or Cairns where the bugs are a real problem.
1x jeans - If you are planning on staying for the year, you’ll eventually need these. Australia gets colder than most people realize, especially in Melbourne. And it’s hard to find jeans that fit you just right, so you’re better off bringing a pair that you love.
5x Dresses
4x sundresses -. A sundress is just what I want to throw on after a shower or before a beach day, so I could not bring enough of these.
You’ll want a nighttime dress for going out to the bars in Byron Bay or grabbing cocktails on a sunny day in Melbourne. Plus, sometimes you just want to dress up and feel pretty when you’re living out of a suitcase.
1x maxi dresses - Long dresses are handy because, like linen pants, you can wear them to avoid bugs or feel a bit more posh.
1x Swimsuit
This might sound like a hot take, but trust me. The swimsuits in Australia are such great quality you’ll want to buy them there. I packed too many swimsuits when I moved to Australia and ended up throwing them out to make room in my bag for the ones I bought there.
Definitely bring one so you can jump into the ocean the moment you land.
1x Linen top
I love my simple white linen top. It just makes every outfit look a little classier. You’ll also want it as a swimsuit coverup because the sun is insanely strong in Australia.
2x Pajamas
1x matching pajama set - Debatably extra, but I love a matching pajama set. They just make me feel so put together and adorable.
1x pajama dress - Super comfy, maybe not the best for hostels. Mine is really cute so I would sometimes wear it with a T-shirt out on the town and it took up no room in my bag.
1 Sweater - You do need one sweater for travel days or randomly cold nights. However, you don’t need anything crazy warm and this will probably be one of the biggest items in your bag.
1 Rain slip - If you’re taking the typical tourist track on the East Coast, it can get a bit rainy in Cairns and North Queensland.
Optional:
Rashguard: If you are planning on surfing in Byron Bay or Bondi Beach you’ll need a rashguard.
Sarong: I used my sarongs religiously and I somehow ended up with three of them because I was obsessed.
Matching set: One of my "sundresses" was a matching tube top and skirt set that I adore. It was nice to have a matching that I could split up if I just wanted to wear one or the other.
Accessories to Pack for Australian Working Holiday Visa
Sunglasses - I think it's dramatic to bring more than one pair of sunglasses on a backpacking trip. You can buy pretty cheap ones on the road if you lose a pair.
Baseball cap - I especially recommend bringing a baseball cap that clips so you can just hook it onto your bag. You'll need this for sunny beach days because the UV in Australia is no joke.
Silk scarf - I bought mine in Vietnam, and I like being able to wear it in my hair, as a shirt, or just tie it around my bag. You can typically find these in thrift stores.
Simple jewelry - I was happy just with my gold hoops, but it depends on preference. Don't be afraid to wear all of the rings and necklaces you love, but I wouldn't bring anything too expensive.
Best Shoes for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
Birkenstocks - These are the classic Australian sandals, and it’s for good reason! Birkenstocks are so versatile. They are comfy enough to wear on a long walk to the beach but they’re also stylish enough to wear on a night out. You’ll fit right in with a pair of these and they’ll last you the whole year (mine did at least and I’m pretty rowdy).
Tennis shoes - If you are British you will call these “trainers,” but I’m American (sorry). I brought my Stan Smiths around Australia and loved them for travel days, winter in Melbourne, and other times that I needed close-toed shoes. I even wore them to play tennis at the Australian Open. The material of these were perfect because I could wipe them down if they ever got a bit dirty.
Plastic flip flops - These aren’t necessary but they’re so cheap and light that they’re easy to throw in a bag. You’ll want them for hostel showers and little things.
Technology Packing List for Australian Working Holiday Visa
E-Sim - I use Airalo as my E-sim when I travel. It’s just easiest way to reliably have data, because you don’t have to go through the hassle of buying and implementing a new Sim card every time you get to a different country. Download the app here.
Converter - I would buy one specifically for Australia rather than getting a universal one. You'll only need one type of outlet for most of the year, and the universal ones can be bulky and annoying.
Laptop - I needed my laptop because I was working remotely while I traveled. If you are not working, I feel like an iPad also does the trick and it’s way lighter and less stressful.
Kindle - I’m obsessed with my Kindle. I read like 12 books in four months because it was just so much easier than scrounging around for books in hostel libraries.
Chargers
Portable charger - Essential.
Big headphones - These keep me sane when I’m living in hostels or traveling for long periods of time. They’re a universal “don’t talk to me” sign for when your social battery is running low, and they protect you from feeling too overstimulated.
Airpods
Toiletries to Pack for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Earplugs and sleeping eye mask - My earplugs and sleeping eye mask are the only reason I was able to basically live in hostels for four months. They’re also great for night buses, travel days, etc.
Hair clip and hair ties
Nail clippers - For some reason I feel like everyone forgets about nail clippers. Not a big deal, but it’s a pain in the ass to have to buy them there.
Tweezers
Sunscreen - Australia has the cheapest sunscreen in the world so I wouldn’t worry about packing too much. However–if you are particular about your face sun creams like I am–you may want to pack your favorites.
Face wash - I bring multiple little bottles of face wash because I have a tendency to lose it for some reason. I use Cerave which I can basically find anywhere in the world, but–if you have a more specific brand–I would pack extra.
Optional:
Lip oil - I use this as chapstick, blush, lip color, etc. It’s so small in my bag and just makes me feel a bit more put together
Limited makeup - I don’t wear a ton of makeup, so I usually just bring eyeliner and mascara. A lot of girls in Australia wear makeup when they’re going to the bars or other events, but it’s a much more natural style than the UK or America.
What Medication to Pack for the Australian Working Holiday Visa
Inhaler - I have asthma so I think I brought like 3-5 of these and kept one in every bag.
Antihistamine
Bandaids
Tampons - The European style without the applicator is much more space-effective. I also recommend bringing a diva cup. All you have to do is find a place to sterilize them every so often, but they’re more sustainable and easier to carry around.
Dramamine - I get motion sickness so these were great for boat rides or rocky vans. You will definitely want this for the Great Barrier Reef!
Benadryl - These make me sleepy for night buses and the long flight over.
For Fun
Watercolors and sketchbook
Portable speaker - I traveled with a JBL Clip which is little and waterproof.
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