first time traveler, need packing tips - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

katdawg · 10-20-2003, 02:05 PM

Hey all,
I'm a Cali girl headed to Australia for a two week solo jaunt in November. (My first time out of the friggin USA, yaaay!) I was shooting for Sydney, Melbourne and maybe Brisbane. I plan to hop from hostel to hostel, should I bring a suitcase or a pack?

Hear the weather can be unpredictable but should be generally 80s in November so I was planning on packing:
*Bikinis
*Flip-flops
*Sneakers
*A jillion tanks
*Skirts
*Cargoes
*Jeans
*one pair of heels
*Lightweight jacket

Thanks for any tips!
Kat

**Canadian Dude** · 10-20-2003, 04:02 PM

To the Boards Katdawg!!!!

I was looking at what you'll be bringing, and your gear looks to be in order...Can't think o anything else you would need, maybe a rain coat, just in case....

Now as for pack or suit case?? Good question....

You said you will be hopping from hostel to hostel? have you pre-booked your bed? or are you just going to wing it?

If you have pre-booked then you can get away with a suit case, as you know where you will be at every stop,

But...

If you have not already booked your hostel, and you could end uptreking about for long periods of time looking for lodging, then I would say a pack would be the way to go, there is nothing worse than wondering around a city dragging a suitcase behind you.

this question was asked some time ago by
TravelGirl 81...here is the link and it might help you make up your mind Pack Or Suitcase?

That is so swet that this is your first trip over seas, and you have picked a great location! Sydney and Melborne are wicked cities with tons to see...I recommend the Sydney Fish Market for lunch if you like sea food, if you get there early in the morning you can watch the auction!
and in Melborne copping a squat on the lawn of the Library and watching the buskers ( if they are still there)

Pub life in AUstralia is pretty livley, so trying to find something to do at night is no problem, you will meet peps at the hostel to hang with I am sure.

katdawg · 10-20-2003, 07:27 PM

CD, Thanks for the tips babe! I will definitely book a hostel for the first night but I'll wing the rest of it, so perhaps a pack will be best.

Really hope I won't have to use a raincoat, though! A little water never hurt anyway.

And... I promise I shall do my best to refrain from being the "retarded American tourist."

**Canadian Dude** · 10-21-2003, 05:38 AM

KAtdawg,

Glad to help out, thats what da boards here are all about...

And I love my American Brotha's and Sista's, you are welcome to cross the 49th anytime ya want!!!

Australia will be soooo SWEET!!!!!

**travelpunk** · 10-22-2003, 03:12 AM

WELCOME TO THE BOARDS, KATDAWG!

Glad to see that you're off on your first trip out of the USA! It's definitely an uphill battle to get to that point(believe you me

!), but after your first trip outside the homeland, it's all downhill from there :eat: Any fear and or anxiety one has on their first trip just seems to dissipate, and all you need is time and money after that :greenguy: .

In your situation, jumping from hostel to hostel, definitely a backpack!

Here's a list of hostels in Australia-Hostels in Australia

There's one called Surfsidebackpackers in Coogee bay that just had a good review- check this plug by a team member - endless_sunner

Your list looks good and simple, but a pair of shorts might be good to throw into the mix, and just load up on unwear and socks to minimize doing laundry. But, then again, you're only going for a couple of weeks so just pack at your discretion.

Also, maybe a pair of boots or cross trainers, might be good for the Australian terrain. Something like CD's Root's boots as seen in this photo.
Ankle support is good to have in rougher terrain and even cobble stone streets like in many cities of Europe. Just a thought

.

I won't wish you a good trip....yet! You'll have to stick around the boards and make yourself comfortable first, then when the time comes...We will ALL wish you a great trip

(Forgive my feeble attempt to keep you on these boards

It's just that, we need more women members

!)

Cheers!

katdawg · 10-23-2003, 07:40 PM

Wow, thanks for the warm reception guys! I'll definitely stay on the boards! This first trip is going to be like that gateway drug, I already know it. Already thinking of where to go for the summer!

In the meantime, I'll add boots/crosstrainers and shorts to my list. The goal is to pack right, and that's a quality I lack as a somewhat girly kind of girl. Am having a hard time picturing cold weather in Australia because it's like 90 degrees in Cali right now and I can only think of packing skirts and flip flops.