Suggested Equipment

Typical Stay

Main List

(Items in italics -- You could decide to get some or all of these in OZ or NZ)

See this Alternate list if you plan an extended stay in NZ to hike.

School

• Required: 1 or 2 Bound Field Notebooks
     available at http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=5726 Rite in the Rain Field book, item # 49497
• Laptop (not necessary but useful -- see below for a discussion)
Calculator
Watch and/or Alarm clock
A 512mb USB storage device (sold as "memory sticks", "thumb drives", "microdrives", etc.)
Notebooks
• The Handbook for Study Abroad in Queensland produced by the Center for Global Education

Special considerations -- Should I bring my laptop?

There are computer labs and kiosks on the UQ campus and you will be issued an account by the UQ IT department. That said, space on machines can become scarce as the semester nears completion and everyone there has finals and papers. Also, bus service ends relatively early on weekends, so it's hard to work late on the computers on campus then head for home.

One student's machine was stolen last time we were there, but is it any more likely to be stolen there than here in the states? Probably not, as long as you exercise due caution. It does make sense to check your insurance policy about coverage before you go.

Our feeling is that if you want to have it, bring it. They'll be particularly useful for putting together the research presentations and for writing your final papers as well. In a nutshell, if you don't have a laptop or don't want to bring one, you'll be fine. If you do bring your laptop, you'll use it.

What about power? Most laptops can handle the difference in both voltage and frequency (see the Electricity section of the Survival Guide for general information on electrical issues.). Check to see if yours says something like "Input 100-240 v, 50-60hz." For more information on electric power issues, you can visit laptoptravel.com. This is an informative commercial site that also sells power adapters and converters.

Clothes

Students dress casually in Australia: shorts and tops, jeans, t-shirts (no holes). Bring some warmer clothes: jeans, sweaters, turtlenecks, and sweatshirts for the field trips to Lamington and Saddler Springs. Layers are ideal; it gets warm by the middle of the day.

Evening out clothes: Men: dress shoes (no sneakers), pants other than jeans and collared shirts. Women: closed-toed shoes (no boots) 1 or 2 nice outfits.

Walking shoes/sneakers

Beach and Reef

• swimsuits (2)
• beach towel
• dive booties or old sneakers/aqua shoes for reef walks
• Sunglasses
• Sun block, SPF 15 (at a miniumu!) or higher
• Hat    --- A big brim all around is best. Although baseball caps are an indispensible part of the college uniform for men in the states, you won't see many Ozzies wearing one. Wear one if you want to look like you're from the US.)
• Long sleeved t-shirt or rash-guard for sun protection while snorkeling
• Face cloth (not usually supplied in Australian accommodations)
• Snorkel gear (optional, easy to purchase, just bring your mask from home if you have a prescription adapted one)
• 1 pair cheap cotton gardening gloves (for work in reef flats)

Hiking Gear

• 1 day pack that can hold lunch, rain gear, two water bottles, camera, notebooks etc. This might be the same day pack you would use as carry on and as book bag while in Brisbane.
• 1 sleeping bag -- Required -- You'll need this for Saddler Springs and the New Zealand trip. They can take up a lot of space in luggage, however, if you've already got one that packs relatively compactly, you might bring it from the States. To save space, however, you could decide to purchase one in OZ.
• 1 fleece jacket
• 1 outer shell (rain parka)
• rainpants (optional, but many swear by them)
• 1 pair hiking boots (Broken in!!) (Light to medium weight ok)
• 1 wool hat
• 1 mittens
• 1 sleeping pad (optional)


• 1 nylon bag with toiletries
    toothpaste/toothbrush
    concentrated shampoo
    concentrated soap
    lip balm
    small towel

Miscellaneous

• camera  (optional)
mosquito repellent
Sunscreen (30 SPF)
qt/ltr water bottle
pack cover  (optional)
headlamp or flashlight

Other

• Compact binoculars if you've got them - nice for birding, whales, kangaroos, but most cameras now have a decent zoom


• Personal medication (extra prescription, just in case), toiletries, cosmetics, sanitary items for first week ‘til you know where to buy them.
• Book(s), music for long plane/bus trips

Luggage

• Backpack (day pack) and larger backpack (or Duffel)

See your Student Handbook for a lot more about luggage, packing, and so on.

Special considerations -- Should I bring my bike?

We have had at least one student bring a bike. It's not worth the expense and worry of bringing your own bike unless you're a semi-pro or professional biker. It's far easier and CHEAPER to check postings at hostels around town for used bikes for sale. Lots of travelers buy a bike for a time then sell it to someone else when they leave. There is a bike shop on campus, but they only sell new, and as I remember, costly, bikes.