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Someone sent me an email recently asking if I could write up some more content on Australian-based travel gear since shipping from overseas costs so much money.
You asked, so we listened.
Being based in Australia, I agree that buying travel gear from overseas can be expensive due to shipping costs. Plus, you have to wait longer for your travel gear to arrive AND returns can be complicated.
By buying locally, not only are you supporting local businesses, but you can expect your orders much sooner while saving money on shipping. It’s also much easier to make a return in case something is wrong with your order.
The Best Australian Travel Gear to Help You Pack Light
From luggage to clothing to some other helpful items, here’s our list of some of the best Australian travel gear. And of course, these items are all packing light approved!
This list is a work in progress. Leave us a comment if we’ve missed your favorite Australian brand!
Luggage and Bags
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Daypack
There is probably no stuffable daypack lighter than the Ultra-Sil Nano Daypack from Sea to Summit. The super-thin design makes the daypack impressively small and very lightweight. At the same time, it can carry 18 liters of belongings!
When folded up, the Ultra-Sil Nano Daypack easily fits into your pocket or on your keyring.
As I’ve mentioned before, a durable, stuffable daypack is a must-have for me for any trip, especially when I’m packing super tiny and light. They’re something of a staple when you happen to buy extra snacks and need an extra bag in a pinch.
Just be careful not to over pack this daypack. The recommended weight for comfort is a maximum of 4kg, which is equivalent to 10 lbs.
Sea to Summit Lightweight Compression Sack
We have another great packing tool from Sea to Summit. Sea to Summit is one of our go-to brands for durable compression sacks that will last for years. Compression sacks are a staple if you want to take advantage of every corner of your small bag or when you have to pack bulky items like sleeping bags and puffy jackets.
Sea to Summit’s compression sacks are durable despite being super lightweight.
With a compression sack, you get more room in your luggage so you’re able to pack more minus the bulk.
However, in terms of packing smarter at HPL, we prefer to use them to pack belongings into a smaller, more manageable space, rather than to fit more clothes in our suitcase. Packing more because you can leads to overpacking and heavy bags!
July Carry-On Light Suitcase
If you’re traveling for a few days or more, July’s Carry-On Light Suitcase would be a great buy. At just 1.8kg (or less than 4 lbs) you get a suitcase that is lightweight but able to carry 32L of belongings.
The July Carry-On Light Suitcase has a hardshell body with mesh zippers and four smooth wheels. In short, it’s a durable suitcase despite being the “world’s lightest” carry-on luggage.
Crumpler Bags
Crumpler is an Australian brand that sells all kinds of bags from backpacks and tote bags to crossbody bags and carry-on luggage. That said, they are probably best known for their high quality, indestructible messenger bags.
When HPL founder, Brooke, went away as a worldly backpacker many years ago with a DSLR camera, she chose a Crumpler bag as her camera bag since it didn’t look like the typical camera bag.
Nowadays, there are so many bag options to choose from, you will definitely find the perfect travel bag from Crumpler.
Clothing
Good travel clothing is an investment. When picking clothes, you should stick to options that can keep you cool when it’s warm but that you can also layer to keep you warm when it’s cold.
And with that, I recommend bamboo clothing, merino wool, and alpaca wool.
So why these three materials?
- Merino wool is made from Merino sheep bred in the highlands of Australia. Compared to regular wool, it’s softer, thinner, and easier to wear on the skin. Plus merino wool clothing items will keep their shape which makes them an ideal clothing choice for travel.
- In comparison to merino wool, bamboo clothing is even lighter and has better breathability. This makes bamboo clothing feel like silk – without the expensive price tag. Since bamboo is known for controlling odor-producing bacteria, it doesn’t smell even after several wears. It also effectively regulates body temperature which makes it travel-friendly.
- Alpaca wool is another great option for travel clothing. Alpaca wool is soft yet stronger than merino wool. It’s also retains less moisture, which is why alpaca wool socks are warmer and provide better insulation than merino wool socks.
Here are some awesome places in Australia to get your travel clothing:
Bamboo Body
From shirts and cardigan wraps to leggings and everything else, Bamboo Body has so many options to choose from that are soft and smooth, breathable, and certified UPF 50+ by ARPANSA. Which is especially necessary in the Australian sun.
Brooke has been incorporating bamboo clothing staples into her travel and everyday wardrobe from Bamboo Body for the past 8+ years! I even used them as part of my ultralight packing list.
Check out Bamboo Body and stock up on some travel clothing essentials!
Smitten Merino
Smitten Merino is a great go-to shop for all things made of merino wool. I have their Boyfriend Cardigan and I ABSOLUTELY love it. Although it is the only item I own from Smitten Merino at this time, I have others on my future shopping list.
Check out how I used the Boyfriend Cardigan in my 8L handbag packing list.
Merino Country
Similar to Smitten Merino, Merino Country is a great Australian brand that makes merino clothing and underwear not only for women but also for men and kids.
They’ve been in the market for 30 years and have an assortment of clothing accessories for travel like beanies, neck warmers, scarves, socks, mittens, and more.
I currently own and love the Cap Sleeve Top in teal. See how I used it in my 8L handbag packing list.
Ever by X Dress
Ever by X only makes one dress which can be worn in eight unique ways all year round. Ever by X calls it a “multi-wear essential taking you from chic day to elegant event.” This dress was recommended to us by an HPL reader who raved about their dress and had amazing customer service from the brand.
The dresses are made in Sydney ethically and sustainably and come in a wide range of colors.
Humphrey Law’s Merino/Alpaca Wool Socks
If you’re looking for a store that specializes in socks, head over to Humphrey Law. They’ve been making socks in Australia for 75 years, so they know what they’re doing!
They make all kinds of merino and alpaca wool socks and they are all great choices for travel.
Blundstone Boots
These Blundstone boots are so versatile and comfortable that you may not need to pack any other shoes! Blundstone Boots are locally made in Tasmania, Australia and they’ve mastered the art of creating boots that look classy and premium but are very comfortable at the same time – even for long travels.
>> See Brooke in these boots in this travel shoes article.
Toiletries
No woman should be without her toiletries when traveling. Here are some must-have Australian toiletry items for when you want to travel light.
Cooleeme Travel Toiletries
It’s no secret that we love solid toiletries here at HPL. With Cooleeme’s Shower Ball Travel Pack, you get 5 days worth of shower tablets all individually wrapped for your convenience. This includes 5 body washes, 5 shampoos, and 5 conditioners. (The mini pack gives you 3 of each).
The whole pack only weighs 23 grams or 0.8 ounces – which makes it so convenient when traveling because you don’t have to worry about extra weight. If you’re traveling on shorter trips, or you don’t have to wash your hair frequently, these convenient single-use solid toiletries make a great addition to your toiletry kit.
Keep in mind: There is a bit of a learning curve to using the Cooleeme Shower Balls. After trying them myself, I was surprised at how clean and light my hair felt. The purple shampoo and conditioner offer great de-brassing effects as well.
Ethique Solid Toiletries
While Ethique is a New Zealand company, they have a Sydney-based warehouse and orders over $60 AUD ship free. For orders less than this, it’s only $7. Ethique has a huge range of solid toiletries including shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, moisturisers, scrubs. . .the list goes on!
You can buy a discovery or travel pack for smaller sized bars that are ideal for taking with you on your travels. (Our tip: Stock up on these!)
The total weight for a three bar discovery shampoo pack is only 45g (1.59oz). Each mini lasts 10 uses so depending on the length of trip, you’ll probably only need to pack one or two of the bars.
MacPac Washbag
Of course, you need somewhere to put your toiletries!
The MacPac Washbag has multiple internal storage pockets for separating and organising your toiletries. A zipped top pocket is perfect for smaller items that you don’t want getting lost and the mesh pockets make it easy to find your essentials.
Hang the MacPac Washbag up in the bathroom with the convenient hanging hook to easily see and access all your toiletries. It comes in three different colors – golden spice, black, and balsam green (pictured above).
Other Australian Travel Gear
Knotty Turkish Towels
When traveling light, the last thing you want is a thick and heavy towel weighing you down. The 100% Turkish cotton towels from Knotty are the perfect alternative to this and ideal for the beach, pool, or shower. They are lightweight at just 300 grams each and are available in so many fun colors.
These are larger than travel towels, but thin, absorbent, and quick-drying when compared to normal towels. The best part? The towels get softer every time you use them.
Scrubba Wash Bag
At HPL, we are huge advocates for washing your clothes while traveling! Not only will you be able to pack less, but you’ll get to wear your favorite travel pieces more.
The Scrubba Wash Bag can help you do this. While not essential for hand-washing clothes on the road, it certainly makes things easier.
The Scrubba Wash Bag is like a portable washing machine with an internal washboard that only takes 3 minutes of scrubbing to get your clothes clean. Plus, it only weights 150g (5.3oz).
Where to Buy Your Australian Travel Gear Online
Buying locally doesn’t always mean going to the stores yourself. Order online for convenience.
Here are some go-to places to help you get set up and ready for your next travel adventure.
- MacPac – luggage, sleeping bags, hiking gear, and winter clothing
- July – totes, backpacks, carry-on trunks, and weekenders
- Wildfire – shoes, apparel, bags, gear, and electronics
- Travelgear – bags and luggage, travel accessories, and outdoor gear
- Sydney Luggage – luggage and travel accessories
- The Iconic – clothing, shoes, sportswear, and accessories
- Paddy Pallin – clothing, footwear, and outdoor equipment
- Kathmandu – camping gear, sleeping bags, tents, and accessories
- Anaconda – fishing and water sports, camping and hiking, clothing, and footwear
- Aussie Disposals – camping equipment, outdoor gear, and travel accessories
- Cooleeme – convenient toiletries in tablet form (bath soap, shampoo, and conditioner)
- Sea to Summit – camping gear, outdoor cookware, and compression sacks
- Amazon AU – find travel essentials on Amazon AU
Which of these brands are your favorite? Do you have any more to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.
