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Must have backpack-stuff

1. Flight bag Your backpack contains everything you take with you on your trip, so it’s important that everything stays dry and that you can easily close the backpack. So take a combicover with you on a trip and take a cover that is a bit larger than your backpack so you can put extra stuff in it during your flight!

2. Number lock A padlock is always handy to take with you on a trip. In many hostels and activities, you have lockers for which you need to use your own lock. You can also close your backpack with them. Are you travelling to the USA? Then a TSA-lock is mandatory, these locks can be opened by the American customs.

3. Microfibre travel towel Of course you take one or a few towels with you on a trip. Special travel towels however are recommended. These towels can be wrung out and dried extra fast. They are also a lot more compact and lighter than normal towels.

4. First aid kit Chances are there will come a moment during your trip when you can use a first aid kit. Whether it's a blister or a wound, immediate treatment is key. Bring it with you and complete it yourself!

5. Waterproof cover Keep your important things like phone and camera in a waterproof cover. Buying a new one during your trip is pretty sour and a waste of money.

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I just love the Australian beaches. Did you check out my article?

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Most beautiful beaches of Australia

If you stay close to the coast while backpacking in Australia, a beautiful beach is never far away. Although most Australians live close to the coast, the beaches are almost never crowded. This is simply because of the huge number of beautiful beaches. But where can you find beaches you really shouldn't miss? We list the top 10 beaches in Australia.

The top 10 beaches of Australia

Australia is not the largest country in the world, but it is the largest island in the world. Australia is known for its 25,000 kilometres of coastline with beautiful beaches. Fortunately, this does not mean that you always have to travel far to see several beautiful beaches. Most of the beautiful beaches are on the east coast.

Curious what each beach has to offer? In this article we go down under and explain what makes each beach so special. We go clockwise and start at Turquoise Bay!

Turquoise Bay, Exmouth Turquoise Bay in Western Australia is considered the second most beautiful beach in the country. This is largely due to the beautiful reef and snorkeling possibilities. Let the current carry you to the beautiful Ningaloo reef, but beware of the strong current near the sandbank. In the water you can spot animals like anemone fish, colourful parrotfish, moon fish, starfish and reef sharks.

Cable Beach, Broome Another beautiful beach in Western Australian is Cable Beach. This beach consists of 22 kilometers of beautiful white sand, a background of red hills and unimaginable blue water. The beach is famous for the possibility to drive with camels along the coast and the soft waves that make it ideal for swimming. Don't miss Gantheaume Point, at the southern end of Cable Beach. There you can see 130 million year old dinosaur footprints at low tide. During the migration season you can also spot whales and dolphins.

Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas is a popular spot that was once a sleepy coastal town. The four-kilometre-long beach starts at Island Point and ends between the reefs and rocks of the Mowbray River. The beach is wide and flat with an enormous low water level. Swimming is best at high tide, because at low tide you may have to walk a few hundred meters before you reach the water.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Whitehaven Beach is the most beautiful beach in Australia. The pristine sand stretches for seven kilometres from Whitsunday Island, a piece of land in the middle of the Whitsundays, with crystal clear waters perfect for snorkelling. It is Australia's most photographed beach. The best views are from Tongue Point, where you can see a beautiful colour palette at low tide.

Noosa Main Beach, Noosa Noosa's main beach is one of the few beaches along the coastline that faces north, creating very small waves. Ideal for families and people who are a bit afraid of a bigger surf. The beach is visited by surfers every day of the year and is conveniently located next to the popular shopping street Hastings Street and a restaurant. Dolphins often come to these warm waters. Whales also come along this beach during their annual migration.

Surfers can visit the region around Noosa Park for better waves. This place also has a caravan park. The northern location makes this area less windy in colder months, making it a great place for fishing or sunbathing during the year.

Burleigh Heads Beach, Gold Coast The Gold Coast has quite a few special beaches, but Burleigh Heads is one of the most beautiful. Despite the fact that it lies along a busy highway, this paradise is clean, unpolluted and pristine, with great surfing spots and many hiking trails. Swimming pools are guarded by lifeguards, making this a fine beach for families who want to enjoy the water.

Many surfers come there for the waves, and the surrounding park is a popular option for picnickers. In the area you can also encounter many animals, such as sea eagles, turkeys and dolphins. The fragrant pine trees are characteristic of this area, and there are many nice markets to visit.

Bondi Beach, Sydney Both locals and backpackers love Bondi Beach, thanks to its thriving atmosphere and lots of nice places to watch people. The iconic beach is home to the world's first Surf Life Saving Club, founded more than 100 years ago. Today, Bondi Beach is home to sun worshippers, swimmers and walkers. Bondi's clean coastline and location close to the center of Sydney make it a popular and accessible destination. On the Sydney.com site you can read about what else there is to do on Bondi Beach.

Hyams Beach, New South Wales Jervis Bay's Hyams Beach is located between Jervis Bay Marine Park and Booderee National Park, with many native forests and cliff walkways. It is known for its incredible white sand and is often visited by people who live in Sydney. Everyone can enjoy diving and snorkeling here. The area is also often visited for sailing, windsurfing and sea kayaking, where you can watch whales and dolphins. The nearby Booderee National Park is ideal for a beautiful walk in the wilderness.

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania Wineglass Bay is part of Freycinet National Park, and is just a few hours from Hobart and Launceston. The beach looks picturesque, with contrasting white sand against the pink and white granite peaks of the area behind the beach. The deep blue sea completes the rainbow of colours. Tourists and vacationers often come here to fish, sail, kayak, rock climb or just relax in the sun.

The sheltered location of Wineglass Bay makes it a beautiful beach for swimming or just splashing in the water, and the round beach guarantees a beautiful aerial photo. There is a special lookout point for the best views of Wineglass Bay, which can be reached in about an hour's walk along a path.

Bells Beach, Victoria Bells Beach is loved by surfers all over the world. It has even been declared one of Australia's surfing beaches by Lonely Planet.  The beach is known for its huge and powerful surf, making it not the safest beach for swimming. Every year at Easter the Rip Curl Pro Surf Competiton takes place, which attracts surfers and spectators from all over the world.

The high cliffs give Bells Beach and some dangerous appearance, and the exposed reef can actually be dangerous for less good swimmers. During the stingray season a net is placed in the bay, so you can generally swim safely here.

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I just love taking pictures of buildings!

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Once a year, go someplace you've never been before

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Checklist: The most important backpack stuff

You want to go backpacking, but what do you take with you? During your backpack trip you need other things than when you go on a sun holiday or city trip. How about a sleeping bag or a tent? Regardless of whether you travel for a few weeks or longer, with our tips and this backpack checklist you will have everything you need during your trip.

For the first time backpacking you need to do quite a lot of shopping. The advantage is that you can use these backpacks with every new trip. This way you don't have to worry about walking in your shoes the second time you bring them with you. Which gear you need is partly determined by your destination, but there are a number of things you need all over the world.

The most important backpack items

1. Identification and travel documents We don't have to tell you to bring your passport. A bank card is also essential, and a credit card can also be very useful. Don't forget to bring your driving licence and possibly an international driving licence. Other important travel documents are vaccination certificates, travel insurance documents, visas and your medical passport - you can request these from the GGD or your doctor. The most important documents can be conveniently stored in a travel wallet.

2. Luggage organizers and labels for your luggage With luggage organizers you can divide everything you take with you into handy bags or cases. Not only can you organize clothing, but also accessories such as toiletries and possibly the accessories of your camera. Luggage tags are not only useful during a flight or train ride, but also to recognize your backpack when it lies between several backpacks in a hostel.

3. Tent A tent is not only your bedroom during nights in the wilderness, it is also a piece of protection against the elements. Many backpackers set out with a two-person tent for that extra bit of space. These tents usually weigh between 1 and 2.5 kilos, but there are models that are even lighter. If you decide to travel from hostel to hostel, you could also backpack without a tent.

4. Backpack and daypack Backpacking is not called backpacking for nothing - you go out with a backpack. Just like tents, backpacks vary from very light to heavier sturdy models that allow you to comfortably carry more kilos. Don't forget to bring a 'daypack': a smaller backpack with the most important stuff for that day. So you don't have to carry your entire backpack with every activity.

5. Sleeping bag Your sleep is extremely important if you want to resume your journey fresh and fruity the next day. A good sleeping bag is probably the most expensive thing you buy for your trip, but if used properly it can last for years. Sleeping bags come in many shapes and sizes. From soft plush for cold regions like Scandinavia to a lightweight summer duvet for warm climates like South America. You can also buy a slim sleeping bag or a spacious sleeping bag. Our tip: don't save on your sleeping bag!

6. Sleeping mat After choosing your sleeping bag, it is to choose a sleeping mat. A sleeping mat is mainly meant to prevent your body from coming into contact with the cold ground. How well insulated a sleeping mat is is expressed in R, which stands for thermal resistance. The higher the R value, the more insulation the sleeping mat offers.

7. Jacket and possibly raincoat A good coat is indispensable during your trip. In warm climates, a light jacket can be enough to protect you from the weather and dirt. In colder climates, a good jacket is even more important. Unless you go backpacking through the desert, a raincoat is also an important piece of clothing to take along. Even if no rain is predicted, there is no harm in bringing at least a waterproof poncho. If you're going to spend a long time in heavy weather, a hard shell jacket can be a smart choice. These are made to protect you from severe weather like storms for a longer period of time. For most backpackers, however, a softshell jacket offers enough protection.

8. Walking shoes Bring good walking shoes and don't forget to walk in a few weeks before departure. Are you planning on walking a lot in a warm climate? Then you can also consider a pair of sturdy slippers such as Birkenstocks. They won't replace your walking shoes, but it can be very nice to let your feet air without bothering your feet or back.

9. Pocket knife A good pocket knife is indispensable during backpacking. So you always have a serrated knife, nail scissors, bottle opener and much more within reach!

10. Garbage bag One of the best tips we've ever had: take a garbage bag with you. A garbage bag takes up almost no space, and always comes in handy. You can use it to sit on when the ground is wet or to store wet clothes.

11. Sunglasses Sunglasses come in handy in every climate. Make sure you bring good sunglasses with UV protection, so that the eyes and skin around your eyes do not get irritated if you spend a longer period of time in the bright sun. Also bring a sturdy storage bag, so your sunglasses won't be damaged if they're wandering around somewhere in your backpack.

12. Sunscreen and aftersun In warmer climates, sunburn and aftersun are essential. If too much skin is burnt, it can make you sick, and if it burns heavily, even blisters can appear on the skin. Instead of aftersun, you can also use a wet cloth to cool the skin when burned.

13. Neck cushion Especially if you get on the plane several times a month during your trip, a nap can be a good way to shorten the journey. Domestic flights in countries like Australia can just take a few hours. There is also a chance that you will have to bridge a night during your outward or return journey. A neck cushion is not a luxury if you want to sleep in a hare while flying!

14. Health kit Think of a first aid kit, which you can supplement with a strip of paracetamol and diarrhoea inhibitors. Don't forget to bring anti-mosquito spray or pest repellent. To prevent dehydration in case of diarrhoea or nausea, you may want to take ORS with you. With this you can quickly fill a lack of water, sugars and salt.

15. Toiletries Besides a well-equipped first aid kit, the standard toiletries are also a must during your backpack trip. Think of a (new) toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower gel, body wipes and hand-disinfectant. Tweezers can also be very useful if they are not on your Swiss pocket knife. Don't forget to bring a sturdy toiletry bag to store everything. Do you wear lenses or glasses? To be on the safe side, bring along reserves

16. Cap In many places in the world it can cool down considerably at night. A hat can be very comfortable while sitting under a clear starry sky around a campfire. If you quickly get cold hands or travel to a colder climate, gloves are also indispensable.

17. World plug, socket and power bank By bringing a world plug and socket, you can charge all your devices with one world plug. You simply plug your devices into the Dutch socket, which you can power anywhere in the world thanks to a world plug. Are you away from a power outlet for a longer period of time? Then take a power bank with you on a trip!

18. Camera During your trip you want to capture the most beautiful beaches and places of course. Nowadays we all have a camera with us on our smartphone. Whether you need a camera depends mainly on the quality of your smartphone camera and how important it is to you. Even the most expensive smartphones can't compete with the sharpness and clarity of even a simple compact camera, but it's an extra accessory to take with you.

A single camera is usually better at taking pictures in dark environments. Are you going to a region with clear skies and lots of sunlight? Then a smartphone camera is a great way to take photos for a photo book. Do you also want to take photos in the evening or capture the northern lights on the sensitive image? Then a separate camera may be worth considering.

19. Cooker Whether you need cooking utensils depends very much on your way of travelling. For example, if you travel from hostel to hostel in Southeast Asia, you can go to cheap local eateries where you can eat well. If you go backpacking in Scandinavia, a camping stove can be indispensable. These vary from small compact for a quick snack (some weigh less than 2 grams) to robust and powerful for a whole meal. Important considerations are the type of edge fabric and the design of the cooker.

Think carefully about what you are going to prepare on the way. Will you only use it for quick meals and alternate with local eateries? Do you want to be able to make coffee on the go? You can eat warm meals directly from the packaging, but for ingredients you need a pan again. Make sure you buy it separately or it's an all-in-one system. Don't forget to bring a lighter and cutlery!

20. Snacks Meals are important, but snacks are just as important! During a trip in the jungle a biscuit or cracker can give you just that little bit of energy to get through the afternoon in a good mood. Because it is dried, it can also be kept for a very long time. Make sure you don't take too salty cookies, because that only makes you thirsty. Fortunately, healthy snacks have become more and more popular in recent years, so there is plenty of choice for a delicious snack during your trip.

21. Water bottle and water filter Water is essential during your trip or activity. You can bring a traditional drinking bottle, but there are also special bottles with hoses with which you can drink while walking. Make sure that your plastic water bottle is BPA-free and that thermos are made of stainless steel. By taking a water filter with you, you will always have clean drinking water nearby. Especially in areas where animal or human waste is dumped in nature, a water filter is not an unnecessary luxury. There are water filters that work with gravity, but there are also handy press filters with which you can quickly fill a bottle.

22. Headlight The latest and our favorite accessory is a headlamp. If you ever forget it, it won't happen to you a second time. When exploring caves or going on nightly trips, a strong headlamp is no luxury. Most backpackers, however, only need a simple headlamp of a few tens. Before buying, look at the number of lumens, (the amount of light the lamp can generate) and the battery life. Don't forget to bring extra batteries!

Other stuff

These are the most important things to take along, but of course there are plenty of other things you can take along. Think of a good book or headphones for music, but also lip balm if you quickly suffer from dry lips. Depending on how active you are during your adventure, you can also bring a hiking shirt, hiking pants and light jacket on long treks. In areas with little or no range, it can be useful to bring a compass or GPS for easy navigation. If you like to walk, a mini folding seat can also be a great accessory to take with you. It weighs almost nothing and is often so compact that it won't bother you if it hangs on your backpack or daypack. After a long walk to the top of that beautiful hill, the whole group will be jealous of your seat, while they have to sit with their backs in the wet grass.