What to Pack for Australia in the Winter

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Going to Australia in the winter is so much fun, you don’t want to be worried with what you’ve brought (or forgot to bring!). I headed down under for 5 weeks in Australia’s fall/winter so I’ve got all the details on the best and worst things to pack for your trip!

There’s a huge variation in temperatures as you move around in Australia. So unfortunately for your suitcase, you have to be prepared for it all! I was able to make it all around the country during my time there and I definitely needed something different for each spot. You can read all my Australia travel guides for the best eats, places to go and stay below:

Exactly what to do and eat in Melbourne (including the best croissant I’ve EVER had, like in my LIFE)
The all encompassing guide to Brisbane with more brunch than you’d ever be able to fit in
A couple day guide to Sydney with what to do in Bondi and the downtown area

I packed lighter than my suitcase could fit for my trip. I wanted to make sure I had enough room to bring stuff back (HELLO Australia shopping!!) and so I would consider this a good guide for if you’re heading over for anywhere between 3 and 6 weeks.

Since the temperatures change so drastically, take the snippets out of the following list for whichever spots you’re hitting. For instance, there’s no need for the cold weather pieces if you’re skipping Melbourne!

Packing for Australia in the Winter

1 everyday bag

1 small cross body bag

1 beach bag/tote bag (doubles as a carry on!)

1 beach towel (Queensland only)

1 beach coverup (Queensland only)

2 bathing suits

1 nice sweater

1 button down top

1 turtleneck shirt

2 t-shirts

1 basic tank

3 nice tops

1 athletic top

2 pairs of trousers

1 pair of wide leg jeans

1 pair of loose fitting pants

1 pair of denim shorts (Queensland only)

1 pair of athletic pants

2 casual dresses

1 sundress (Queensland only)

1 heavier jacket (Melbourne only)

1 jean jacket

2 scarves (Melbourne only)

2 neck scarves

1 wide brim hat

1 pair of pyjamas

1 pair of runners

1 pair of sneakers

1 pair of walking sandals

1 pair of nice sandals

1 pair of oxfords

2 pairs of sunglasses

This list is the all encompassing guide of my packing for Australia in the winter. I used all of these pieces and didn’t feel like I really was missing anything. Take into consideration that I had a checked bag and a carry on suitcase for my travels.

You can see how I wore all these pieces during my trip (+shop them) below:

Great Ocean Road: athletic pants | 1st bathing suit | walking sandals | 1st pair of sunglasses

Melbourne: 1st pair of trousers | button down top | turtleneck | cross body bag | sneakers

Melbourne: 2nd pair of trousers | button down top | turtleneck | heavier jacket | 1st scarf | everyday bag | sneakers | 1st pair of sunglasses

Melbourne: 3rd pair of trousers (not necessary) | nice sweater | heavier jacket | everyday bag | oxfords

Sydney: 1st pair of trousers | 1st t-shirt | everyday bag | sneakers | 2nd pair of sunglasses | wide brim hat

Sydney: 1st pair of trousers | 1st nice top | everyday bag | sneakers | 1st pair of sunglasses

Gold Coast: 1st casual dress | everyday bag | walking sandals | 2nd pair of sunglasses

Gold Coast: 2nd casual dress | turtleneck | everyday bag | walking sandals | 2nd pair of sunglasses

Brisbane: 2nd pair of trousers | 2nd nice top | cross body bag | sneakers

Brisbane: 1st bathing suit | 2nd pair of sunglasses | beach towel | beach bag

Brisbane: 2nd casual dress | 3rd nice top | everyday bag | walking sandals | 2nd pair of sunglasses

Brisbane: wide leg jeans | 2nd t-shirt | everyday bag | nice sandals | 2nd pair of sunglasses

Whitsunday Islands: 1 sundress | walking sandals

Whitsundays: 2nd bathing suit | loose fitting pants | walking sandals | beach bag

Fraser Island: 2nd bathing suit | loose fitting pants | walking sandals | wide brim hat | beach bag

Fraser Island: loose fitting pants | walking sandals | tank top | 1st pair of sunglasses

Fraser Island: 2nd bathing suit | cover up | walking sandals

Making sure you have pieces that can be layered is the most important when packing for Australia in the winter. The temperatures change so much between the cities, without layers, you’d burn up in Queensland and freeze in Victoria!

xx Victoria