We know you’re travelling a long way to reach us, and our goal is to make sure that all the little things are as smooth and stress-free as possible once you arrive in Australia. On our side, we’ll handle the logistics and details so you can focus on the adventure ahead.

The most critical preparation is making sure your travel documents and flights are in order. Double-check that your passport is valid, review your flight details, and allow enough time for connections. With those essentials covered, you’ll be set for a seamless start to your Australian fishing experience.

Before you zip up your bags, take ten minutes to sit down with your favourite hot or cold drink and make a quick list of the things you absolutely cannot afford to forget. These are the items that, if left behind, could dramatically impact your enjoyment of the trip—whether it’s prescription medication, vital travel documents, or the one piece of gear you rely on most.

Just as important is keeping the lines of communication open with us at FishingEarth. The more you share about what you’re hoping to achieve, the better we can prepare and tailor the experience to meet your needs. A client who tells us exactly what they want is our perfect client. And remember, while we Aussies down under like to think we can read minds, we much prefer an honest conversation about what you want to get out of your adventure.

Prescription medications: Bring double what you need for the whole trip. Pack two separate lots in different bags so one loss does not stop your trip. Keep at least one full set in your carry-on.

Prescription sunglasses + spare: (or spare contacts + glasses). Use a retainer strap to keep them secure.

Passport & Digital Backups: Bring your passport and a secondary ID (e.g., driver’s license). Keep digital photos of these documents in a private folder on your phone (and a backup on another device if possible) just in case.

Your airline’s standard allowance is 23 kg per checked bag and about 8 kg for carry-on.

Need more luggage? You can usually buy extra allowance online in advance for less money than paying at the airport.

Rules vary by airport, which can create surprises. To avoid hassles, we recommend all sharp items go in checked luggage: flies and lures, knives, scissors, pliers, hook files, multitools.

Reels: Put them in checked luggage too. A recent example: a New Zealand group reached their final airport and security made them strip line off 15 fly reels. Save yourself the drama.

• 3 quick-dry shirts
• 2 fishing pants
• 1 shorts
• 4–5 underwear
• 3–4 socks
• Sun hat, buff, sun gloves
• Lightweight rain shell
• Polarized sunglasses + backup
• Boat bag or small dry bag
• Personal medical items (e.g., your favorite electrolytes, first aid supplies)

• Boots and soles cleaned for biosecurity
• Liquids sealed in zip bags
• Bags weighed at home to stay under limits
• Essentials duplicated and split between bags

We’ll have separate conversations about fishing gear, as the type of gear you bring depends on the charter you’vechosen. For many of our trips, all gear is provided. For fly fishing charters, clients usually bring their own, but we always have quality backup gear on hand in case something goes wrong.

If you’re visiting during the hotter months, it’s important to pack clothing that keeps you comfortable while also protecting you from the sun—light, breathable fabrics and good sun protection make a massive difference on the water.

I’ve also included a link here with the very detailed packing notes I’ve put together over the years: Packing for Australia – the Long, Long Version. This is probably not your first rodeo, and we aim to help out where possible. For me, it’s about identifying the small things that could really disrupt a trip if forgotten, and this guide is designed to help make sure nothing important slips through the cracks.