
Road Trip & Travel Tips
The Ultimate Aussie Motel Road-Trip Packing List
19 August 2025
Planning a motorway dash up the Bruce, a long haul across the Nullarbor, or a week bouncing between coastal motels? What you pack can make or break the trip. Motels are brilliantly convenient—easy parking, comfy beds, kettle at the ready—but a few smart extras will keep you comfy, connected, and road-ready across Australia’s wild distances and changeable climates.
Before you roll
- Bookings & IDs: Motel confirmations (email/app screenshots), driver’s licence, roadside assistance membership.
- Payments: Physical card + digital wallet (some small towns may have patchy EFTPOS).
- Maps: Download offline maps for your route; coverage can drop in regional and outback areas.
- Itinerary back-ups: Save directions, check-in instructions and door codes in your phone notes/screenshots.
- Domestic travel insurance (optional): Can cover cancellations, rental car excess and belongings—handy for longer trips.
Motel room essentials (the comfort upgrade kit)
- Multi-USB charger / power board (with surge protection) + cables for all devices.
- Sleep set: Earplugs, eye mask, lightweight pyjamas—great across varying climates and for roadside stops.
- Hydration: Refillable water bottles (insulated is gold in summer).
- Snacks: Long-life milk, muesli bars, fruit, microwave rice/cups—ideal if you’re rolling in late.
- Mini laundry kit: Travel detergent sheets, a few pegs, stain stick (many motels have laundries or clotheslines).
- Bathroom bits: Your preferred toiletries, SPF 50+ sunscreen, deodorant, lip balm, moisturiser, razor.
- Entertainment: A book/tablet. Optional: short HDMI cable to plug your device into the TV for streaming (check with reception first).
- Comfort: Lightweight throw or scarf (outback AC can be enthusiastic).
- Security: Small cable lock for bags or pram if you’re on ground level.
Car & road-trip kit
- Roadside assistance: Membership current + contact number saved in your phone.
- Tyre & fluids check: Pressure gauge, spare tyre/jack, coolant, screen-wash, a pair of work gloves.
- Safety: First-aid kit, hi-vis triangle or light, torch/headlamp.
- Sun/bug defence: Wide-brim hat, sunnies, SPF 50+, insect repellent, after-sun gel.
- Cooler: Soft esky/cool bag for drinks and groceries between towns.
- Waste: Small bin bags; leave no trace at lookouts and rest stops.
- Kids & pets: Window shade, car organiser, favourite toy/blanket; pet seatbelt/hammock where allowed.
Tech & power
- Power bank (big capacity for remote days).
- 12V car charger with multiple ports.
- Spare charging leads (USB-C, Lightning, micro-USB).
- Dash cam (optional) for long-haul driving and car-park incidents.
- Headphones/tablet for wind-down time.
- Apps to preload: Offline maps, fuel prices, bushfire/alerts for your state, weather, your motel booking app, and music/podcasts.
Clothing: pack to the postcode
Australia swings from tropical to alpine, so layer smart:
- Hot/humid (Top End, FNQ, summer): Breathable shirts, quick-dry shorts, swimmers, thongs and enclosed walking shoes.
- Outback & inland: Light, long-sleeve sun shirts, wide-brim hat, neck buff, sturdy shoes.
- Coastal breezes: Light layers + a windbreaker for evenings.
- Cooler climates / High country: Base layer, fleece, packable puffer, beanie.
- Always: Socks that can handle a spontaneous bush track, and something neat for a pub bistro.
Health & first-aid (keep it simple)
- Plasters/band-aids, antiseptic wipes, blister care.
- Pain relief, antihistamines, any prescriptions (plus repeats).
- Tweezers, small scissors, hydrocortisone cream for bites, electrolyte sachets.
- Any personal medical info stored in your phone ICE contact.
Trip-type add-ons
Beach motel
- Microfibre towels, swimmers, reef-safe sunscreen, mesh beach bag, hat, zinc, fold-up chairs.
- Wet bag for salty togs; baby powder helps shake off sand.
Outback detour / long remote legs
- Extra water (at least 3–4L per person in the vehicle), physical paper map, fly nets, spare snacks.
- Tell someone your route and ETA; refuel whenever you can.
City break
- Small daypack or cross-body, compact umbrella/rain jacket, reusable coffee cup, Opal/Myki/Go Card etc.
- Parking plan—some CBD motels use off-site or limited parking.
Cooler-climate stays
- Warm PJs, slippers or cosy socks, thermals, compact hot-water bottle (luxury!).
Money-savers & space-savers
- Freeze a first-night meal (if you’ve got a kitchenette or microwave).
- Refill & reuse: Water bottles, coffee cups, cutlery set.
- Share bulky items: Travel iron/steamer, beach shade, camp chairs.
- Shop local: Grab fresh produce from regional bakeries and markets—great value, supports the town.
- Laundry on the go: Wash smalls nightly; pack fewer outfits.
Family add-ons
- Backseat organiser, colouring kit or audiobooks, spare outfits in a grab bag, baby wipes, portable night-light, child thermometer and any kids’ meds.
Accessibility & comfort tips
- Call the motel ahead for ground-floor rooms, step-free access or walk-in showers.
- Ask about microwave/fridge access if not listed.
- Sensitive sleeper? Request a quiet room away from the highway or stairs.
Quick “keys-in-the-ignition” checklist
- Bookings saved offline
- Licence/insurance/roadside assistance
- Offline maps downloaded
- Chargers + power bank
- First-aid + prescriptions
- Sunscreen/hat/repellent
- Water + snacks
- Multi-USB charger/power board
- HDMI cable (optional)
- Reusable coffee cup & bottles.
Ready to roll?
Search thousands of stays built for road-trippers and motel lovers. Plan it. Book it. Enjoy it.
👉 Book your next stay at BookAMotel.com.au.