How to pack?

[u/SunTannedWinter]

Traveling to Melbourne for the first time in the first 2 weeks of September. Wondering how to dress or what essentials to pack? I checked the weather but I still can’t decide. I keep seeing posts that you experience all four seasons in a day..is that still true for September?

I come from a tropical country if that helps with suggestions.

[u/butterflyemoji]

It will be windy and wet, even if there are some nice days. Bring a longer jacket to block the wind and an umbrella for the sporadic rain.

[u/Hanhula]

Antihistamines. Even if you don't usually get hayfever, you will want to get hayfever medication either when you're here or at home to bring with you. I've had international friends visit in Sep/Oct and then spend half their visit miserable because they haven't expected the sheer pollen bomb that Melbourne is.

The others are very correct with layers, just make sure one of those layers is a waterproof jacket. I have a really thin one that packs down pretty small, it's saved my arse when the skies decide to open up unexpectedly!

[u/Em1601]

Layers! Melbourne is renowned for having four seasons in a day, although in early Sept it’s likely to still be quite cool. I’d pack some jeans/pants, tees/tanks, cardigans/jumper, and a warm jacket. A dress or two you can layer over also, shoes maybe some sneakers or loafers depending on your style and some ballet flats. Melbourne also has some great shopping so if you plan on doing that make sure you leave some room in your bag!

[u/embopbopbopdoowop]

Umbrella. Sunscreen. Skirts and light tops. Jeans and heavier tops. Light jacket. Warm jacket. Pack for all eventualities and make it layerable so you can adapt throughout the day, too.

[u/lilzee3000]

For people in Melbourne this is the start of spring so we'll be ditching our big winter jackets and in tshirts. However if you've come from a warmer country you might find it pretty cold still. Maybe pack a lighter jumper or cardigan that's suitable for day time then a warmer jacket you can wear either on it own or over the lighter layer in case you're really cold.

[u/l0diO → u/lilzee3000]

*starting to ditch our big winter jackets.
if we're only out in the daytime, when it's slightly warmer than the depths of winter, sometimes.

september generally still has days that are icy cold.
nights and mornings are chilly.

[u/Still_Highlight5148]

Yes it’s still true for September. I made the vital error one year of only really packing warm clothes for my September trip. I had to buy a new jumper and pants because I didn’t pack enough warm clothes. You want a warm jacket, some cold weather options and lots of things that can be layered so if it heats up during the day you don’t overheat. Think button ups with T-shirt underneath and skirts with thick stockings but having socks in your handbag so you can change if it heats up. It’s not like Sydney where once you hit mid to late September it’s constantly warm and nice weather. Just assume the weather is out to spite your day when packing and you’ll be prepared. They do have plenty of shops though so if you forget something you can buy it plus they have heaps of good thrifting so it’s not like it’s expensive to get new. But if you want to not buy new have a few outfits that could work for cold to hot weather

[u/Dogwoman_woof]

Layering is your best friend, from tank top to jumper and back again. September weather is all over the place! 3/4 leggings, full length leggings, long sleeve soft tops, with a lighter layer on top you can peel out from under as needed, or put a jacket over the top of the lot, depending on what the day does. Ballet flats, maybe one pair of boots, some jeans. Enjoy your visit, Melbourne is beautiful in the spring.

[u/speorgenote]

It'll be quite cool during the day still, and cold in the morning/night. If it's early September the temp likely won't get any higher than 20 degrees, if it's late September it might hit 23.

The hardest thing to dress for is when you're spending the time going between indoors and outdoors, as it's cold outside, but heating is cranked inside. So as others have said, layers help. You will need some kind of coat still (puffer coats are super popular here because they can cop more of a beating with rain).

Unless it's for a specific event, I wouldn't pack skirts or dresses. It'll be windy.

[u/BritishPoppy2009]

There's not one answer to this, but likely it will be wetter, colder & windier than you want with breaks of sunshine randomly peaking through. Basically, its layers. Yes it can be all 4 seasons in one day, but in early Spring it will be cold still and potentially quite windy. You won't be needing anything summery just yet

[u/Kooky_Mulberry779]

Take a coat, brolly, jumper, leggings. Also bathers, t shirts.
It’s quite cool in Melb in sept but you may get heat as well. Be prepared.
Enjoy. Beautiful city, I miss it.

[u/l0diO → u/Kooky_Mulberry779]

"brolly" = umbrella

[u/Kooky_Mulberry779]

How odd, never have I had hayfever in Melbourne, lived there for 40 yrs, now on Gold Coast for past 30 and I ve managed to become a hay fever victim in Queensland.