Part THREE: How NOT to Pack for a Road Trip Across Australia (Funny Lessons from a Military Mum)

Part Three: How NOT to Pack for a Cross-Country Road Trip (A.K.A. Lessons from a Chronic Over-Packer)

Let me paint you a picture: me, standing in front of a fully-loaded trailer bursting at the seams with everything short of a small generator. I had doomsday-prepped for every possible scenario, from alien invasions to unexpected accommodation cancellations. (Spoiler alert: none of these happened.)

Yes, I packed ALL the camping gear—because what if our bookings fell through and we were in the middle of nowhere?! We didn’t end up needing a single item. Lesson learned: unless you're intentionally camping, don’t bring the tent. And if you’re road-tripping in the December/January heat? Camping = slow roast. Just say no and book the air-conditioned cabin.

Here’s what we actually used and recommend for a big trip across the outback:

For Babies:

❤️ Extra nappies (and yes, I brought cloth nappies too...just in case. I used none.)

❤️ Wipes, packaged baby food, and formula

❤️ Singlets, day/night outfits

❤️ Sun hat and water bottle

❤️ Bottles + electric car bottle warmer or JetBoil

❤️ Comfort toy (or two... or three)

For Kids:

❤️ iPads pre-loaded with games and downloaded Netflix/Disney shows (lifesavers!)

❤️ Car basket of sensory toys, puzzles, reading books, busy books, pencils and colouring books.

❤️ Joggers + water shoes

❤️ Day clothes + PJs

❤️ Good quality water bottle (must stay icy cold!)

❤️ Throw blanket (because one kid is always freezing while another is melting)

❤️ Pull-ups (rest stops are few and...let’s say rustic)

❤️ Portable potty (trust me, you’ll thank me)

❤️ Sun hat, sunscreen, swimmers

❤️ Toiletries: body wash, shampoo

❤️ Comfort toy

❤️ Floor beds (we got ours from BCF in Canberra—amazing!)

❤️ Towel + pillow each

Tech Essentials:

❤️ Starlink on-road satellite (GAME. CHANGER.)

❤️ Phones + charging cables

❤️ iPad cords + power board

Emergency Supplies:

❤️ 2x filled fuel jerry cans (some stretches = 300km with no servo!)

❤️ Satellite phone (Not necessary, but having one wouldn't be the worse idea)

❤️ Phone charging bank

❤️ Non-perishable food tub (think noodles, soups, powdered milk, cereal, electrolytes) We got our tub from Bunnings Warehouse.

❤️ JetBoil

❤️ Water: we carried about 10L per person

❤️ First aid kit (don’t skimp—bring electrolytes, mozzie repellent, anti-itch cream!)

Unexpected MVP:

❤️ Mini manual hand-washer. Sounds extra, but when you're drenched in sweat and don’t want to unpack the whole suitcase just to change into clean clothes, this is gold. Plus, your washing dries in 12 seconds in the outback sun.

TMI Warning—But Important! Ladies, pack your sanitary products. Even if you haven’t had a period in forever, pack them. I didn’t. And of course, I got mine—in the middle of Winton, surrounded by dinosaurs and zero shops. I found one pad in the glovebox (praise God!), then awkwardly asked a petrol station lady for help. She laughed, pointed me to the one and only pack she had which was “the size of a surfboard,” and I walked out mortified but grateful. Moral of the story? Don’t prep for everyone but yourself.

I hope this post helps you prepare (and maybe chuckle a little) as you get ready to take on the Aussie outback. You don’t have to do it perfectly—just smartly, with a good dose of humour and lots of snacks.