Gap Year in Australia, what do I need to take?

Question

I leaving for a year traveling around Australia soon, and I would prefer answers from travelers who have traveled Australia or who are in the middle of planning. What size of rucksack would you recommend to take with me? And also what should I take with me, as in amount of clothes, what type of clothes etc! Any help or info would be so helpful!

Answer 1

Take about 1-2 suitcases, and try to make as many outfits as possible with the clothes because you will want to save room. Bring an empty zippered bag with you to bring home any souvenirs.  To make clothes-packing easier remember that Australia is pretty much the same weather as America (I'm guessing that is where you are from? sorry if i am wrong). Except that when it is winter here it is summer there. Spring here, fall there...and so on. Bring your swimmers because Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world (i would say THE most beautiful, but i don't want to cause conflict :\ )  lol so have fun, and bring lots of sunscreen or buy some when you are there! Most importantly, (after sunscreen) HAVE FUN!  :D

Answer 2

For a start;

Op shops (second hand clothing stores) are excellent - a brilliant way for you to increase your wardrobe and de-crease it again as you go along. So as for clothes, probably pack very little as you can always pick up cheap things from the op shops on your travels. Shoes are probably the main thing you need to have... good comfy worn in ones that you are used to wearing... this will make your trip more comfortable... the other clothes you can buy along the way.

Depends what area of Australia you will begin with; If up north, you will probably be wanting shorts and singlet tops (cool weather clothes), comfortable shoes will be your biggest asset. If your headed south, prepare for the cold, especially if going to Tasmania... but as your from Scotland, perhaps the cold won't bother you at all.

http://www.hotels2go.com.au/usersignup.p... is a great site for finding exceptional hotel deals and does have a few hostels on board who give free meals and cheap tour offers with accommodation, so I'd sign up with them too if I was you.

Dont forget any medicienes you may need and remember to declare them when filling in your customs stuff. Many people forget to bring things they need or forget to declare them.

There is always bar work everywhere... so consider getting your lisence to allow you to work in a bar before you leave home... or you can call a TAFE when you arrive and book into a bar course there... a bar and gaming course is generally around $100-140 AUD.

There is always fruit picking positions going as well. This is something else you can look into.

As for what size rucksack?  Well, typically I would suggest bringing the biggest one you can handle when its full. Maybe borrow one from a mate, fill it up with lots of stuff, and try wearing it around your own house for a while... make sure you can do things like stand up for an hour with it on your back comfortably... because there may be the odd occasion when you'll have to do just that on a train.

I'm not a traveller myself, am local, but if you have any more questions, you can e-mail me, I'd be happy to try and answer them as best I can for you.

I hope this helps.