Due to limited vehicle space and strictly enforced road laws regarding weight limits, your main piece of luggage must be soft-sided and weigh no more than 15kg/33lb. You can also bring a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, sunscreen, etc when you're exploring during the day. Please note that the Operator is unable to carry large suitcases, particularly hard/externally framed suitcases, as they are difficult to store and can damage equipment and other travellers' belongings.

ESSENTIALS

• Lightweight clothing. You will need to bring a mixture of light clothing and layers. Long shirts and pants are useful to protect against the harsh Australian sun. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry. Maybe bring a change of smart clothes for dinner in larger cities. Australia is pretty casual; shorts or a skirt and a top, with sandals, is our usual warm-weather wardrobe.
• Comfortable, closed-in shoes. These will help protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grasslands and act as a protective barrier in the rare case of a bite or sting. A pair of sandals or thongs/flip-flops are great for the beach.
• Sun protection – a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

RECOMMENDED

• A spare pair of shoes that can get wet, along with two lightweight towels.
• A pair of slip-on shoes/sandals that you can carry in your day pack for riding the bus and casual wear.
• A headlamp or torch is recommended for around your accommodation at night.
• Sleep sheet. If you are travelling during the hotter months, you may wish to pack a sleep sheet so you can be comfortable no matter what the weather.
• Seasonal sleepwear. It may get very chilly overnight in colder months, so ensure you have something appropriate to sleep in to keep you warm.
• Earplugs.
• Binoculars for spotting wildlife.

Most trips have access to power to recharge batteries for phones and cameras every couple of days. However, there are some days when there is no power at the campsites at all. It's recommended that you carry an extra battery or power bank for your phone/camera, just in case. Your vehicle will be equipped with a 12-volt "cigarette lighter" socket, which may be used at the crew's discretion; however, do bear in mind that only one piece of equipment can be charged at a time, and it will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle's batteries low. Batteries may also be recharged from hotel room wall sockets. Hotels and campsites may have sockets for guests to recharge personal items.

Try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables and use your hotel safe. It's also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden. It's strongly recommended that you photocopy all important documents, e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

While travelling, you'll experience the vast array of excellent food available in the world. Your group leader can suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally, not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, the groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

Australia eats multi-culturally. Everything from meat pies to ramen, tacos, curries, rice and pasta are part of the national diet. Vegetarians and vegans are well-catered for in Australia, and most restaurants and cafes will have a good selection of vegetarian meals. Gluten and lactose-free diets are also well-catered for.

This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable fitness level. Some trips may have individual inclusions that may be of a higher physical rating compared to the overall rating of the trip. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day's activities and whether they suit you. Activities can be opted out of if you don't want to participate.

This trip includes walks and hikes around the major landmarks of this area. Please read the daily itinerary carefully for details. Walking is the best way to explore these stunning geological features in this otherwise flat landscape, so make sure you bring along comfortable walking shoes.