The Art of Packing for a Day Trip

Day trips outside of our hometown are a way to feel that we are taking some well-deserved rest when we don’t have much time on our hands.

We normally pack everything in a carry-on for our usual 6 months of travel each year departing the Australian winter and heading for warmer climes. Our lives have changed, however, with the arrival of a new family member, which is why we have included one more checklist we hope you will find helpful.

Day Trip Packing for a Road Trip

• Bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• Snacks for the road
• Mobile phones
• Charger for your mobile phones
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Rain jacket or warmer jacket
• Scarf
• Camera
• Cash and credit cards
• First aid kit

Day Trip Packing When Travelling with Elderly Parents

• Medication
• Batteries for hearing aids
• Bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• Mobile phones
• Chargers for all mobile phones (including elderly parents)
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Rain jacket or warmer jacket
• Scarf
• Camera
• Cash and credit cards
• Pillows
• Rugs
• First aid kit
• Check their dietary requirements and what time they need to have their meals
• Spare pair of glasses
• Plan a destination that is walkable or wheelchair friendly
• Collapsible chairs
• Sun umbrella

Recommendations for Fun Day Trips with Elderly Parents

• Local parks
• Scenic drives
• Local museums
• Picnics
• Restaurant lunches in scenic spots
• Lookouts
• Morning or afternoon tea
• Gentle walking trails
• Zoos and wildlife parks
• Beach that has shelters and picnic tables

Day Trips Packing for Families

• Bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• Healthy snacks for the journey
• Mobile phones and chargers
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
• Rain jacket or warmer jacket
• Scarf
• Camera, memory cards, and batteries
• Cash and credit cards
• Games that can be played in the car for young children
• For babies – musical toys, stuffed toys, and their favourite blanket or toy
• Stroller and prams
• Nappies and baby wipes, nappy sacks, nappy rash cream
• Baby formula
• Spare clothes
• Pre-packaged baby food
• Tissues or wet wipes
• Swimwear if heading to the beach
• Picnic rug
• Umbrellas
• Fold-a-way chairs

We hope you can ‘hit the road’ soon for your next day trip.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you have any more recommendations or suggestions for packing for a day trip? What might those be and where did they come in handy? We would love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below.