Packing list for Australia, travel insurance for Australia, and taking your belongings

What to bring to Australia: highlighted

Highlighted items:

• Documents: passport valid for at least 6 months upon arrival, a visa confirmation and a copy of both.
• Money: your debit card! Cash (Australian dollars) can be useful just in case.
• Mosquito repellent and anti-itching agent (see also DEET mosquito repellent) if you are going to areas with dangerous mosquitoes (the north)
• Outdoor: a good hat with a wide brim comes in handy if you want to go hiking a lot, or if you really want to become part of the Australian outback!
• Clothing: for both the warmer and cooler areas, and somewhat neat clothing, if you are also looking for work.
• UV-resistant travel clothing: especially if you have very sensitive skin.
• Technology and equipment: see also world plug or travel plug.
• Sunscreen: with a high protection factor. Although you can buy the best in Australia, so only take something with you for the first few days.
• Sunglasses: with guaranteed UV protection due to the enormous UV radiation.
• Reusable water bottle - there are fountains with drinking water everywhere, especially in the city!
• Medicines and travel kit: a first aid kit for when you go into the outback.

What else can you take with you:

• Water shoes given the coral and rocks in the water at the various locations.
• Access to photos of snakes and/or means to suck out poison from spider and snake bites, among other things.
• A dose of patience to decipher the Australian accent.

What knowledge is useful when you go to Australia?

• Knowledge of the area you are going to. Australia is gigantic so each area has different seasons, health hazards and weather conditions.
• Knowledge of the most dangerous animals and what you should or should not do if you encounter one.
• Knowledge of the indigenous lands and culture - and how it relates to society nowadays. 

Are there mosquitoes in Australia?

• Australia has more than a hundred species of mosquitoes, several of which also transmit dengue, not malaria.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Do sand flies occur in Australia?

• Unfortunately, yes. Both coastal and inland. The sandfly feast places are tropical and subtropical areas, near sandy estuarine and riparian areas, and in mangrove swamps.
• Your set of mosquito repellents with DEET can help!
• More about sand flies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Australia?

• Yes, and the Australians are not shy about the DEET percentage in their mosquito repellents.

Where can you get your food and drinks in Australia?

• You can cook on one of the public barbecues in the parks, or simply join a group and ask if you can eat something from their barbecue!
• Supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths (Woolies) and Aldi are plentiful.
• There are often nice food courts or beach markets with all kinds of delicious food around and in the cities.
• Restaurants also come in all shapes and sizes.
• Vegan food is difficult to find in the countryside, but in the city you will find places!

Can you buy a joint or weed in Australia, or take it with you to Australia?

• It is illegal to possess, use, grow or sell cannabis. It MAY be possible, but it MUST NOT be.
• The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) does allow the growth and use of small amounts of cannabis.
• Medicinal cannabis is available with a doctor's prescription.
• Do not bring it with you, even between states, unless you want a new, maybe not so fun, experience.
• You can request an exemption for medicinal cannabis.