I am packing up my kids and headed to tropical Cairns — reef, rainforest, and hopefully a few cocktails by the pool in between nap times.

Travelling with a baby and a toddler can feel like you’re moving house, but after a few years of family trips, I’ve learned what’s worth bringing, what’s not, and what’s easier to hire.

Here’s exactly what went into our bags for this trip.

👕 Clothes – Light & Breathable

Cairns is hot and humid, so I packed mostly light cotton pieces.

For both kids:

• 6–8 short-sleeve onesies/t-shirts
• 3–4 rompers/dresses
• A couple of long-sleeve tops for cooler evenings
• Light jumpers for air-con
• Comfy shorts/leggings
• Lightweight pyjamas
• Socks

I love packing quick-dry fabrics so if something gets wet, it’s ready to wear again by the next day.

🧢 Sun & Swim Gear – Absolute Must-Haves

We were outside a lot — from the Esplanade Lagoon to the Great Barrier Reef day trip — so sun protection was non-negotiable.

• Wide-brim hats for both
• Sunglasses for my toddler
• SPF 50+ sunscreen (baby-safe for bub)
• Rashie sets (2 each)
• Swim nappies for the baby
• Quick-dry beach towels
• Beach shoes for my 3-year-old (helpful on rocky shallows)

🛏 Sleep & Comfort – The Game Changers

Sleep on holiday can be hit or miss, so I did everything I could to make it feel like home.

Instead of dragging our own bulky gear through the airport, I hired from Holiday Travel Hire:

• A travel pram (so I didn’t have to check ours in)
• A portacot (with sheets included)
• Portable blackout blinds (Cairns gets light early!)
• A white noise machine (lifesaver for drowning out hotel noise)

Having these delivered to our accommodation meant we could travel much lighter and still stick to our sleep routine.

🍼 Feeding Essentials

My 7-month-old is breastfed and on solids, so I packed:

• Bibs (easy wipe)
• Baby spoons & bowls
• Pouches and snacks
• Sippy cup

For my toddler:

• Reusable water bottle
• Snacks for flights and day trips (muesli bars, crackers, sultanas)

🎒 Out & About

For day trips, I always had:

• Change of clothes for each child
• Wet bag for swimsuits or dirty clothes
• Baby carrier (From Holiday travel hire)
• Pram fan (USB rechargeable from Holidat travel kids)
• Insect repellent (and a pram mosquito net for bub)

💊 Medicines & First Aid – Just in Case

I’d rather have it and not need it than the other way around:

• Baby Panadol
• Baby Nurofen (for my 3-year-old too)
• Teething gel
• Thermometer
• Saline spray & nasal aspirator
• Bandaids & antiseptic wipes
• Antihistamine (for toddler mozzie bites)

📱 Entertainment

To keep my toddler busy on flights and rainy afternoons:

• Colouring books & crayons (From the wild hidden)
• A couple of favourite small toys
• Tablet with downloaded shows and games
• Soft books and rattles for the baby

I made the most of Holiday Travel Hire for all our bulky baby gear — and yes, that meant I got to enjoy my own service as a customer too.

For this trip, I hired our pram, portacot, blackout blinds, and white noise machine, and it honestly made travelling so much easier. No heavy lifting through the airport, no overstuffed car, just a smooth, stress-free start to our holiday.

And the best part? I knew every item was high quality and had been cleaned professionally to our own standards — the same way we prepare everything for our customers.

That’s exactly why I started HTH — so families can travel lighter, smarter, and spend more time making memories (and eating snacks 🍫) instead of wrestling with luggage.