Capsule Wardrobe for Month in Australian Desert

[HereThereBeWoozles]

As the title suggests really

I'll be spending a month in September crossing by car from Cairns to Perth for honeymoon, and could really do with a capsule wardrobe to achieve this stylishly.

So far I have

• nice swimwear for (GBR)
• eveningwear (for Singapore on the way home)
• thermals
• shoes

I could really do with some suggestions for practical everyday beautiful outfits. I love these shorts (and the entire outfit), but don't know how practical they'd be?

www.reiss.com/p/high-waisted-tailored-shorts-womens-lennox-short-in-off-white-cream/?category_id=12710&gaEeList=W%20-%20All%20Products

Come at me with your fantasy explorer wardrobe suggestions!

(I'm 5'3, size 6 and 27, and drown in anything too long)

Clothes probably not top priority then! I went on a guided trip and even so the vast distances and remoteness were pretty daunting for a Brit! Make sure you have plenty of water and fuel on board.

Cyclone season too 🙈

Hopefully we won't run into any cyclones or typhoons. I worry about the wind blowing my clothes up in breezy Britain as it is

@Woozles, unlikely there would be anyone close enough to see your embarrassment, honestly. Cheap stuff you can throw, and find a few things to see you through Singapore. A dark-colour T shirt dress would be a good idea if you need to do presentable in Oz.

When I was there I wore mostly linen mix trousers and shirts with T-shirt's/vest tops. If you want to glam it up, take some accessories but I think you'll feel overdressed in OST other stuff

Okay... Cairns does not have UNIQLO and it is not as likely to have the thermals. Forget what I said about Brisbane then. Bring them with you. Just remember that we are talking about huge distances between towns and cities here in Australia. It’s too far to just pop down. (About 1000km) But still advice on sunscreen, shampoo, insect repellent etc still stands. Buy it here. It’s very heavy to carry and it’s easy enough to buy cheaply from Chemist Warehouse. (Best source for toiletries, etc) when in big cities. Stock up in Cairns.

Sounds awesome - I’d love to read a blog if you do one.

To confirm the point about night/day temps over here in the west. It’s going to be 26 later (perfect) but I was up at 5 seeing husband and son off on a (much less hard core than yours) camping trip and it was really quite chilly. My son was huddled in a blanket on the sofa whinging how cold he was. Bring a few jumpers and a woolie hat.

Just looked on the map - “only” 27h drive from my house to Uluru via Great Central Road. (Takes 10 hours by plane as have to fly over east first.) I’d advise West McDonnell National Park (Ormiston Gorge), Kings Canyon, The Olgas, all somewhere in the Alice/Uluru vicinity. Enjoy!

Having lived in Australia and travelled extensively in the red centre including crossing the Simpson desert, I would suggest a good wide brimmed hat, clothes that are comfortable but maybe not new as they will get trashed ( by red dust and sunscreen) . Save your nice clothes for Perth ( go to Fremantle). Enjoy have a ball x

I’d genuinely go with a pair of lightweight quick wash/dry hiking trousers (try Craghopperd Kiwi) and t-shirts as the basis for most days in the Centre. NT is extremely casual and you definitely won’t meet anyone dressed better on that internal route.

Personally I’d do all of my shopping here, I’m Australian and find it very expensive at home. Plus you don’t want to spend precious holiday time hunting down toiletries. The only thing I’d leave for FNQ is mosquito spray.

If you are on FB look up families on the road, cape York adventures. There are loads of groups and you can pick up some good advice ( and crap) .If you are travelling remote make sure you have an adequate 1st aid kit and know how to use it esp snake bite bandage . We travelled as a family ( 3 young kids) for a year and did numerous trips 4x4 never had to use it but always took s bandage with me when walking . We saw lots of snakes but we did do a lot inc mountain biking. Not trying to scare you and you do have to remember they are generally more scared of you!
Also people generally are willing to help. Have fun. I am so jealous!

There was a tragic case here this week of a guy who went bush walking and got bitten by a snake but couldn’t tell emergency services where he was. Download the St John First Responder app as it gives you GPS coordinates. (I presume you have to be within reach of a phone signal though.)

You don't necessarily need a phone signal for gps. Navionics uses gps, no phone signal needed.

Eep sorry for the late reply - I was in London yesterday then dancing all morning!

Lightweight hiking trousers/shorts ordered and my first pair of hush harems for the plane. I feel like I've undergone some kind of MN rite of passage!

I've learned how to deal with snake bites until help arrives (we went on the survival course they send Nat Geo crews on, which was amazing) and we have at least one GPS as well as Sat Phone and EPIRB. (Taking all precautions.) Will definitely download that App as well and look up those FB groups.

I'm hoping to blog it, presuming one of our cameras survives the dust, and obviously once we're back in range of signal afterwards! Will be a nice project for after the wedding/honeymoon high!

Now that we're onto survival advice as much as fashion, any other tips or local advice?

Drink water, and then some more! We always kept 40 litres in the boot just in case of a breakdown plus a six pack in the cab. Use fly repellant always, especially through the red centre, they are relentless. We found the food at Ulhuru campsite a bit rubbish and v expensive. Check out the pool at Katherine Springs, worth it for the fruit bats! We loved it. We arrived in Ad and bought a tent etc there the first day. Have a wonderful time.

Just to say jeans may be useful for mozzies etc. Just stick with denim or dark blue shorts? Cotton shirts.

Dh comes from red dirt northern Vic. You also may only get to wash clothes in tank water and red dirt really stains. fil and bil are farmers and it’s like the dirt is engrained in their clothes! I’m from Melbourne where the shorts would be perfect!

Take Santa hats & enough tinsel to wrap around both your shoulders for photos with Uluru in the background. The photos look great/funny printed as Christmas cards! I know its not exactly the answer you were looking for but its a bit more glam than a hat with a brim that you can drape fly screen over....(which is also a good idea)

You need this theconversation.com/health-check-do-wrist-bands-work-to-repel-mozzies-50186

All that driving will be into the sun for 50% of the time. You can get your arm sunburnt easily enough but also your cleavage. You will need a rashie of some sort - they are available everywhere eg www.target.com.au/p/long-sleeve-rash-vest/60296498

Wear old shoes and they will get red and it doesn't wash out but keep them as a souvenir. Wear them with pride. Try myswag.org and www.exploroz.com/forum for more information.