What to pack for an Australian beach holiday

Planning a beach holiday in Australia this summer and don’t know what to pack?

Beach holidays are a casual, relaxed affair. Plenty of sun, sand and relaxation by the water. There are however a few things you need to think of when packing for your summer beach holiday.

Average summer temperatures

In summer, on the East Coast you can expect days well over 30 degrees (86F), probably closer to 25 degrees (77F) on the South Coast.  However even in Queensland, the nights can occasionally become cooler as the sea breeze moves in. It is not unusual to have a scorching hot mid 30 degree  day one day and a colder 18 degree (64F) day the next. So you will need one outfit for cooler days.

Whenever we are getting ready for a trip, we always add our destinations to the weather app on our phone a few weeks before we leave. This means we can have a good idea of what weather we are packing for.

Multi functional wardrobe

We always pack a multi-functional, interchangeable wardrobe – items that can take you from a day’s sightseeing or the beach, to dinner at a pub or club. Ideally a few items you can “mix and match” to create a number of different outfits.

You’ll want lighter, casual clothing, with a cardigan jacket for the cooler evenings, and a light jumper if you have a cooler day.

Do be aware that while the dress is very casual, most pubs and clubs do have a dress code. While you certainly won’t need formal attire, you won’t be allowed into many places wearing swimwear and thongs. Even many beachside restaurants and cafes will frown on you coming in wearing sandy swimwear. At a minimum, you will need shorts, a collared shirt and sandals for men and similar or a light dress for ladies.

You’ll also want clothes that can be washed and dried quickly and easily and require little or no ironing.  In summer’s hot, humid conditions clothes quickly become hot, sweaty and sandy so will need washing after each wear. However on a hot January day, they will dry in the sun in around an hour.

So here’s what’s in our suitcases before we leave for a week at the beach. It may seem a lot to the minimalists out there, but I only wash once each holiday.

Ladies’ beach packing list

• five sets of underwear
• one set summer pyjamas
• two swimsuits – your swimmers will get salty and sandy, so it is always great to have a spare dry set.
• Rash shirt” to cover you in the water and help prevent sunburn
• A sarong” can multipurpose as a beach cover, a towel and a handy picnic rug on the sand.
• three sets of shorts
• three t-shirts
• Two tops that can be worn over shorts or trousers for sightseeing or going to dinner.
• One pair of lightweight trousers. After a few days in the sun, you are likely to need to cover up to keep the sun off you.
• long sleeve beach cover up Even on the hottest days, you will welcome a long sleeved shirt to use as a cover up to protect you from the sun.
• Two lightweight dresses that can be worn to dinner or sightseeing.
• one pair thongs (flip flops to the rest of the world), one pair of sandals and a pair of closed joggers that can be used for hiking or exploring rock pools.
• One lightweight cardigan.
• One long sleeved T shirt in case of a cooler day
• One pair of jeans or trousers in case of a cooler day.
• Broad brimmed hat. A sun visor or cap will not keep the sun off the top of your head and back of your neck, where you will get sunburned very quickly
• sunglasses. The sun is strong and the UV glare can be blinding
• Accessories to dress up T shirts and dresses.

Men’s Beach Packing List

• five sets of underwear
• one set summer pyjamas
• two sets of swimmers -note “speedos” without board shorts will make you a laughing stock on the beach
• rash shirt to prevent sunburn when swimming
• two pair of  board shorts – can also double as shorts
• two pair of shorts that could be worn to a pub or club
• three T shirts
• two collared shirts – polo shirts are fine to wear to most dining places
• one long sleeved shirt that can be used as a cover up on beach
• one lighter pair of long pants.
• one long sleeved shirt in case of a cooler day
• one light pullover or jacket in case of a colder night
• one pair thongs (flip flops to the rest of the world), one pair of sandals and a pair of closed joggers that can be used for hiking or exploring rock pools.
• Broad brimmed hat. A sun visor or cap will not keep the sun off the top of your head and back of your neck, where you will get sunburned very quickly
• sunglasses to ward off the UV glare

Other useful items

• A beach tote to carry your gear to and from the beach.
• quick dry travel towel.  Accommodation providers don’t like you taking the bath towels to the beach and getting them covered in sand. These towels are lightweight, take up little room and dry very quickly.
• Sunscreen – even on a cloudy day you will need to apply regularly
• Insect repellant

So there you have everything you will need for a relaxed holiday on the beach.

Read Also : How to stay safe on the Australian Beach
East Coast Australia travel budget

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