Family Holiday Packing List For Cairns, Port Douglas and Other Hot Spots

So we’re off to Cairns and Port Douglas on Thursday, and in an atypical move, I’m aiming to be quite organised about packing. Generally, I’m very relaxed and pack haphazardly at the last moment.

What’s my excuse for being a slack packer? Well, these days we all use suitcases on wheels; it’s not like my old travelling solo days at all when I had to carry a backpack.

Here’s our luggage and golf and sports back for the trip we did to Coollum.

But I’m hoping that the bairns might become more independent, especially the twins.  The teenagers are good at packing for school camp, they just follow the lists.

So I’ve made up some lists for them. This will really help the twins a lot too. They often try to pack for themselves, but the ratio of cuddly toys to clothes is all wrong. I’ve been inspired by another blogger too, more on that below.

My kids are boys aged 17 and almost 15, and boy/girl twins who are eight.  If you have babies and toddlers, you’ll find some great ideas for you below my lists.

Here are my lists:

Readers will note that my list is a lot bigger than the kids!

If you’d like to download a printable copy of these lists, just click on the link below.

Family Holiday Packing List On White Background – To Print

Family Packing Lists From Other Bloggers

I’ve found some other great packing lists for families. Take a look at:

Camping Gear For Families

Kelly at Be A Fun Mum has a very comprehensive lists of what her family takes when camping. Read here.

Caravan Holiday Packing List

This is a great list from Australia – Family Style. It is especially for a caravan holidays with the family. The packing list post links to a downloadable Excel spreadsheet. Read it here.

Skiing Camping and Beach Holiday Packing Lists

Handy downloadable lists from Mumsnet, a UK website. Read here.

When I was at Problogger at Surfers Paradise recently, I met Brooke from the website Her Packing List – do you know it? It’s a fab website aimed at younger women than myself but still relevent in loads of ways to mums. It’s full of handy hints, reviews, useful information … and packing lists… chatting to Brooke has definitely inspired me to get organised.

Let’s see if what I’ve listed fits into the suitcases and whether we find it was just what we needed! Will report back.

You’ll love these posts

If you’re thinking of a holiday to Cairns or Port Douglas start with..

Tips for Planning Family Holiday to Cairns and Port Douglas (has a good list of things to do)

And here are detailed posts on what we enjoyed

Coral Reef Dreaming – Overnight Yacht Trip to the Great Barrier Reef

 River Tubing On The Mulgrave River With The Kids

 Why We Are Loving The Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Muddy’s Playground On The Esplanade In Cairns

 Miracle on the Great Barrier Reef – Kids Take Photos of Mum For Once!

Happy travelling, and best of luck with your packing?

What’s your top tip for family packing?

What have I forgotten!!??

Her