Recently updated on October 4th, 2022 at 10:54 am
There is plenty to think about when packing for a trip to Victoria, Australia. First of all, it is summer or winter and what does that mean for your suitcase? If your tour to Victoria, Australia takes place in winter then packing is fairly straightforward, but if your trip is in summer, the south can experience huge swings in weather and you need to arrive prepared.
In this guide we’ve covered how to pack for a trip to Victoria, Australia no matter the season.
How to pack for a trip to Victoria, Australia in summer
There’s a common saying that Melbourne receives four seasons in one day, and if you spend a week there you’ll surely experience some of its weather mood swings. As the capital of the small state of Victoria, there’s no doubt you’ll spend some time in super hip Melbourne while exploring the best of this special part of the world.
Pack clothes to layer
The key to packing and dressing in Victoria, Australia, during summer is layers. On those 40-degree days you will still need a light jacket to throw over your cute dress or top-shorts combo should the weather turn once the sun goes down.
Dress up for the city
If you are planning to visit Melbourne, which you no doubt are, take note as this city is arguably Australia’s most creative city and the fashion capital. Here you’ll see every trend, style and even avant garde fashion on the streets. It means you can wear and get away with almost anything, but it also means if you dress like a tourist you’ll stand out in the metropolis.
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Relax in the countryside
Outside of Melbourne, people are quite casual and wearing shorts and a t-shirt with sneakers or sandals is perfectly acceptable. In summer pack light, natural fibres like linen dresses or shirts and cotton shorts or trousers that will work with shoes or a jacket in the evening. If you are visiting one of Victoria’s many cellar doors, it’s a chance to dress up though.
Summer accessories
In summer it can be tempting to carry as little as possible on you, but don’t make that error. In Victoria be sure to have a light jacket at all times along with sunglasses, an umbrella and sunscreen. You truly just never know what weather the afternoon will bring!
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How to pack for a trip to Victoria, Australia in winter
While you imagine the land down under to be blissfully warm year-round, down the south-east corner it can get bitterly cold in the winter months so arrive prepared. Winter in Victoria can mean cold weather and rain.
Whether you’re in the city or the countryside, touring the streets of Melbourne or the Great Ocean Road, here’s some ideas for what to pack in winter.
Warm clothes to layer
Layers make you warmer and are a traveller’s best friend. A suitcase only has so much space, so when you layer winter outfits, you only need to refresh or change the underlayer and can wear much the same outerwear each and every day.
Jeans are a must and you might like thermal tights to wear underneath, especially if you are heading out of Melbourne and to a high country area with snow. On the top think layers like long-sleeve t-shirts and fine woollen knits. Unlike Europe, Australian shops and houses are not overheated in winter so wearing layers isn’t a problem as you pop in and out of buildings.
Overcoat
It gets cold in Victoria in winter. Really cold. So make sure you pack a big warm overcoat than can make any outfit toasty. You will only need one coat for your tour to Victoria, Australia, but it needs to be versatile for the city and the countryside so keep that in mind.
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Waterproof boots
Since it rains a fair bit in winter, pack waterproof boots or shoes that can handle big puddles or mud. Again, think of a shoe than could take you from downtown Melbourne to a vineyard to a farm – a comfortable black boot should do this, and wearing black you’ll blend right in in Victoria.
Winter accessories
Don’t underestimate the power of a scarf. If you don’t have the space to pack a warm hat or beanie and gloves, do at least pack a warm and wooly scarf to wrap around wherever you feel cold. Even better, an oversized scarf or poncho could double as a picnic rug.
Are you gearing up for a trip to Victoria, Australia? Let us know in the comments if you found this article useful…