Q&A for How to Pack for a Seven Day Vacation

Ask a local if you can. Don't know a local? Call or email the hotel or Airbnb you're staying in for weather (and local hotspot) advice!

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Do your research and understand what the experience is going to entail. Choose a tour operator and guide who can add value to your trip.

Carry versatile clothing. You can take plenty of white and black items and a few colored ones. Mix and match them.

Pack a swimsuit or two if you're going swimming more than once. Bring goggles or swim floaties if you want, and bring a towel if you're not sure any will be available where you're going. I recommend water shoes if you're going swimming in a lake, stream, river, or ocean so your feet don't get cut on rocks.

Bring layers. In June it is likely to be hot, but in the evenings it gets cooler, so bring a wrap, fleece or jacket. If you hike or will be traveling up the mountains, those layers will help you to regulate your body temperate. I always pack a long-sleeved shirt or two that I can roll up the sleeves, that can shield me from the sun and can be washed in a sink. The same with pants, if possible. Be sure that your under garments can be washed in the sink and will dry quickly, unless you will be staying in the same place the entire time.

In some parts of Australia you'll need shorts, t-shirts, sunhats, and togs, and in other parts you'll need long-sleeved but thin tops to protect yourself from the heat. If you're going to a touristy place like the Gold Coast or Melbourne, or other popular places, bring shorts, t-shirts, sunglasses, sunhat, LOTS of sunscreen, and more than one swimsuit!

Pack short-sleeved shirts, shorts, a pair of jeans, a jacket, 2 swimsuits, toiletries, underwear, shoes and a raincoat.

Start with their favorite toys, whether it's action figures, dolls, or stuffed animals, to bring along a piece of home. Compact games like cards or travel-sized board games can provide hours of fun, while books and activity sets like coloring books with crayons keep their minds engaged. Don't forget snacks to keep their energy up, and consider comfort items like a beloved blanket or pillow for cozy moments.