What to pack for a trip to Far North Queensland

Regardless of your final destination in Far North Queensland, packing the right clothes and other essential items can have a huge impact on the success of your holiday - how annoying would it be if you were travelling to Port Douglas and forgot to pack a bathing suit?

While it's not the end of the world if you forget to pack some of your trusted items (you can always run to the nearby shops to stock up on what you accidentally left at home), life is so much easier when you're at the top of your packing game. To ensure this is the case, we've put together a list of items you need to pack for your trip to Far North Queensland.

Clothing items

1. Loose t-shirts, dresses, shorts, etc

Far North Queensland is known to have a sub-tropical humid climate so packing clothes that aren't going to cling to your hot and sweaty body is a must. Things like linen pants, loose-fitting dresses, and lots of lightweight t-shirts will definitely come in handy, especially if you're travelling during the wet season and the humidity level has reached over 60%.

2. Swimwear

You simply can't go to a tropical destination like Far North Queensland and not go swimming in some body of water so packing a bathing suit and other swimwear items is essential. Pro tip: even if you think you've packed enough bathing suits, you haven't. Pack another just to be on the safe side.

3. A hat

The sun's UV rays are always extremely high in Far North Queensland, even in winter and during the wet season, so protecting your scalp should be at the top of your priority list. To ensure you're always being sun-safe, pack a tight-fitting hat or cap (one that won't blow off in the wind).

The essentials

4. Sunscreen

Carrying on from our last point, packing multiple tubes of sunscreen should be one of the first things you do once you've located your suitcase. Again, this is to make sure you're being sun-safe while you're out exploring Far North Queensland's beautiful landscapes. And before you ask, yes, you still need to pack sunscreen during winter as the sun's UV rays can still be quite high even if the weather is overcast.

5. Thongs/sandals

Nothing says you're on holiday in a tropical destination like a pair of thongs/sandals so make sure you pack them. You're going to need them when walking to and from the pool/ocean and pretty much everywhere else as it's pretty laidback in Far North Queensland.

6. Sneakers/comfortable walking shoes

While a pair of thongs or sandals are more practical for walking on the beach and for casual strolls along waterfronts and shopping strips, a pair of sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes are a must-pack if you plan on doing some serious exploring. Going to the Daintree? You need some walking shoes. Heading to a national park? You need some walking shoes. You get our point.

7. Reusable drink bottle

Being on holiday can be hard work, especially if you're exerting energy while you're out exploring some pretty extraordinary landscapes. Ensure you're staying properly hydrated at all times - the weather in Far North Queensland is no joke - by packing a reusable drink bottle with you and filling it up before you leave your accommodation each day.

8. Insect repellent

While holidaying in tropical Far North Queensland may feel like you've entered paradise, we can guarantee it also feels like paradise for insects and more specifically mosquitos because of the warm temperature and thousands of humans sporting uncovered skin. Pack an insect repellent - and use it - to avoid walking around feeling like you want to itch your entire body.

9. Backpack/day bag

There's no point in packing all of the above but not packing anything to carry the items around in when you're out and about. So, make sure you have a backpack or a practical small to medium-sized day bag nestled in your suitcase before you zip it up.

The nice-to-haves

10. Sunglasses

The only reason why this one isn't an essential item is that you can still have a really good holiday if you don't pack sunglasses but if you don't want to spend your time squinting every time it's even slightly sunny outside, we suggest you pack a pair. Maybe two because sunglasses often have a funny habit of growing legs and wandering away.

11. A camera

Your iPhone camera will more than do the trick when it comes to taking breathtaking photos your friends and family are going to be jealous of but if you want to go that extra mile, packing a camera is always a good idea. We're not saying it has to be the fanciest or newest model, just when that has a lengthy battery time and easy-to-understand settings so you can snap away to your heart's content.

12. Goggles/snorkel

Packing your own goggles or snorkel isn't a must, purely because you can usually hire or rent them out before you embark on your cruise to the Great Barrier Reef or other marine landmarks. However, if the thought of sharing equipment with hundreds of strangers before you doesn't tickle your health-conscious fancy then we recommend buying some goggles or snorkels and taking them with you.

13. Stinger suit

If you're travelling to Far North Queensland during the dry season (May-October) then you don't need to worry about wearing a stinger suit, let alone packing one, but if you're travelling outside of those months and you want to swim in the ocean, you have to wear one. This is to protect you from harmful stingers such as box jellyfish and blue bottles. If you don't want to buy one and pack it, you can always hire one from various surf stores at your chosen destination in Far North Queensland.

Read about the best time to visit Far North Queensland

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