What to Pack for PAX Australia: A Not-Quite-Definitive Guide from Someone Who’s Been There (A Few Times)

So you’re heading to PAX Australia. Nice. See you there… hopefully.

Whether you’re rolling in as a wide-eyed attendee or flashing a media badge like it’s a backstage pass (it’s not, but let’s pretend), you’ll want to pack smart. Not obsessively smart. Just… enough to avoid regretting everything halfway through day one and catching a full-blown case of the dreaded PAX pox by day three. And yeah, I’ve had it. The PAX pox. It’s real. Nothing kills your post-PAX glow like spending the next week in bed, surrounded by tissues and regret.

Here are my recommendations for what goes in the PAX Pack, or my Mary Poppins bag as most people call it. As I have everything you need and more. So, whether you’re there for one day, all three, or just popping in between commitments. I’ve been both an attendee and a content creator, and this list is built from experience. Or at least, what I try to remember.

Some years, I nail it. Others… I forgot socks. Let’s not talk about 2019. I don’t even know how it happened, but by lunchtime, I was walking to Big W in a mild panic.

The PAX Pack: For Attendees

You’re here for the games, the panels, the chaos, the vibes. Maybe a little cosplay. Maybe a lot. Either way, here’s what to pack so you’re not the person begging for a phone charger or limping by midday.

1. The Bag Itself

Backpack. Always a backpack. Not a tote, not a shoulder bag. Trust me on this one. By day two, that shoulder bag may look cool, but your shoulders and back will tell you why you should have taken a backpack. Plus, you’ll want both hands free for merch, for snacks, for waving at someone you think you follow on Twitch (or a DezDoes team member), but aren’t totally sure. Keep it light. You’re not hiking Everest. Just enough room for the essentials and whatever you impulse-buy by lunchtime or collect from some of the booths.

2. Portable Charger (and the Right Cable)

Your phone will die. Or your headphones. Maybe your camera. Doesn’t really matter which; it’s going to happen. Not “if,” just “when.”

You’ll be checking the app, snapping blurry cosplay pics, wandering through the tabletop zone trying to find your friends (reception in there is… I don’t know, cursed?). Meanwhile, your battery’s quietly giving up. You won’t notice until it’s too late.

Bring a power bank. A decent one.

I upgraded mine recently. Used to rely on a 5k Belkin, solid, dependable, kind of like an old friend who shows up but doesn’t stay long. Now I’ve got the Belkin BoostCharge 20k power bank & a BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank. The magnetic one has a kickstand, which, okay, I mostly got it for the train ride home, and have already utilised it many times even before the event. After a full day at PAX, it’s nice to prop up my phone and zone out. That little stand? Weirdly satisfying.

Anyway. Get a good one. I know it’s tempting to grab something cheap from Kmart or one of those kiosks that sell phone cases and mystery cables. But they don’t last. Worse, they mess with your devices. I’ve had one overheat mid-charge and nearly fry my earbuds.

Belkin’s been reliable for me. I trust them. Their stuff feels solid, and I’ve never had one damage my gear, not even after years of travel, daily use, and the occasional drop. The circuitry feels well-designed, and I’ve never had issues with overheating, weird voltage spikes, or flaky connections that could fry a port. If you can, go for a 10k or, better yet, a 20k model. The tiny ones that promise “just one full charge” tend to give up halfway through the day. Or sooner. Especially if you’re running hotspot, Bluetooth, and a few apps in the background.

In my experience, Belkin’s higher-capacity models hold up better under pressure, and I’ve found they don’t overheat or get weird with charging speeds. Definitely worth the extra few bucks if you’re relying on your phone to navigate, post, or stay in touch during long con days.

Also, check your cable. Seriously. I once packed a Lightning cable for my Android. Didn’t realise until I was already out of reception, low on battery, and halfway through a queue. That was… not my best moment.

3. Wall Charger (and the Right Cable)

Look, I’ve tried surviving on one sad little USB port tucked behind a hotel TV. It’s not worth it.

If you’re heading to PAX, staying overnight, or just planning to recharge everything before the next day, bring a proper wall charger. I use the Belkin Compact BoostCharge 65W, and honestly? It’s been one of those rare tech purchases I didn’t second-guess later. It’s small enough to toss in a side pocket, but powerful enough to charge my phone, earbuds, and even my laptop, sometimes all at once, depending on what I’ve plugged in.

That said, don’t forget the cable. The right cable.

Also, double-check compatibility. I once brought a cable that technically fit but didn’t support fast charging. It worked… eventually. But watching your battery crawl from 12% to 13% over ten minutes is a special kind of frustration.

4. Snacks That Don’t Self-Destruct

Convention food is… fine. But it’s also expensive and weirdly soggy. Bring snacks. Muesli bars, trail mix, maybe a banana if you’re feeling brave. Just nothing that melts or crumbles into oblivion in your bag. And water. A bottle. Refillable. You’ll walk more than you think, and Jeff’s shed does have stations to refill your water bottles.

5. A Light Jacket or Hoodie

Melbourne’s weather is a roulette wheel. It might be sunny when you leave and raining sideways by 3 pm. Inside the expo hall it’s usually okay, but if you’re heading out after, you’ll want something warm. I’ve seen people in full armour cosplay shivering outside the tram stop. Don’t be them.

6. Deodorant. Please.

I wish this didn’t need its own section. I really do.

But here we are. So, just pack it. Use it. Reapply if needed. We’re all crammed into the same halls, breathing the same recycled air, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in merch lines and photo ops. It’s not about judgment, it’s about survival. Sorry, this has to be said. But also… not sorry.

6.5 PAX First Aid Kit a.k.a. Sanity Saver

This is the one thing I pack every time. Before the Camera, before the chargers, this goes in first.

Grab a cheap pencil case from Officeworks or Kmart. Doesn’t need to be fancy. Just something small, zippered, and easy to spot in your bag, mine looks like a red Hawaiian shirt & cost me 3 bucks on clearance. Then fill it with the stuff you’ll wish you had halfway through the day.

Here’s what’s in mine:

• Travel deodorant (you’ll thank yourself around hour five)
• Headache tablets: Panadol, Nurofen, whatever works for you
• Band-Aids, because blisters happen & so do slips and trips
• Electrolyte sachets, especially if you forget to drink water until 3pm & only drank 13 coffees
• Throat lozenges (trust me, the PAX pox is real), I often got through 3 packs over the days. Throw one in, if you are feeling even the slightest tickle.
• Mints, because sometimes you just need a fresh hit
• And anything else that makes you feel human again

I’ve used this kit more times than I can count. Not just for me, friends, strangers, or someone in line who looked like they were about to pass out. It’s weird how quickly a day can turn if you get a headache or feel run-down. Suddenly everything’s louder, slower, harder.

This little kit? It’s my number one. Always packed. Always within reach. And honestly, it’s saved more PAX days than any power bank ever has.

7. Headphones. For sanity, silence, and sweet escape.

Sometimes you just need to tune out. Not because you don’t love the energy, but because your brain’s quietly begging for a moment of peace. Whether it’s the cosplay crowd, the vendor hall chaos, or just the sheer volume of overstimulation, noise-cancelling earbuds are a lifesaver.

I went with the Belkin Soundform Bolt 2 Wireless ones. Honestly, I didn’t even know Belkin made headphones, but I was already upgrading everything else and thought, why not? Turns out: solid choice. They’re compact, comfy, and block out just enough of the world to let you breathe.

So pack your headphones. Use them unapologetically. Take your little audio bubble when you need it. We’re all here to have a good time, but that includes knowing when to step back and recharge.

8. Plan Your Panels Like a Pro

Panels are one of the absolute best parts of PAX. Whether it’s devs spilling behind-the-scenes stories, creators sharing hard-won wisdom, or chaotic live shows that feel like a fever dream in the best way, this is where the heart of the event beats loudest.

So don’t wing it. Build a running sheet. Make a list of the panels you want to attend, who’s speaking, and where they’re happening. Trust me, knowing the room name ahead of time saves you from wandering aimlessly while the intro music plays and the seats fill up.

And go to as many as you can. Even the ones you’re unsure about. Some of the most memorable moments come from unexpected panels, the ones you stumble into because the title sounded weird or you needed to sit down. That’s part of the magic.

If you’re juggling interviews or meetups, slot your panels around them. Prioritise the ones that speak to your passions, but leave room for spontaneity. And if you’re with friends, compare lists. You might discover something brilliant you’d have missed solo.

PAX isn’t just about the show floor, it’s about the stories being told in those rooms. Don’t miss them.

9. A Bit of Cash

Most places take cards, but not all. Sometimes the EFTPOS machine dies, especially in the Black Zone of the board game area. Sometimes the enamel pin stall is cash-only. Having a fifty tucked away can save you from heartbreak.

10. Space in Your Bag

You will collect things. Flyers, stickers, merch, a foam sword you didn’t plan on buying. Leave room. Or bring a foldable tote. Or just accept that you’ll be carrying stuff like a travelling bard by day three.

The PAX Pack: For Content Creators & Media

You’re not just here to play, you’re here to cover ground. Capture moments. Interview devs. Maybe vlog. Maybe stream. Or maybe just glide through the crowd like a polite shark in a sea of lanyards, networking with quiet precision.

Whatever your mission, your pack needs to pull its weight. Every cable, battery, and backup counts. And yes, double down on everything mentioned above, especially the PAX First Aid Kit a.k.a. your Sanity Saver. It’s not just for emergencies; it’s for keeping you functional when the expo chaos hits peak volume.

1. Camera Gear (But Not All of It)

DSLR? Great. Phone with a gimbal? Also great. Just… don’t haul your entire gear locker unless you really enjoy back pain. Overpacking is how you become your chiropractor’s favourite PAX story.

I keep it simple: phone, Canon 200D with a standard lens, and a travel monopod. Compact, easy to pack, and does the job without turning me into a pack mule.

If you’re planning to do interviews, a small mic goes a long way. I recommend a lavalier over a shotgun, especially in expo halls, which are loud, echoey, and full of people randomly yelling “WOO!” like it’s a sport or the MSI booth and their deafening giveaways.

I use the Neewer KM18 Wireless Lavalier Mic, and honestly, unless your device has the greatest built-in mic known to humanity, your audio, your editors and your sanity will thank you for the upgrade.

2. Spare Batteries, SD Cards, and Cables

SD cards. Batteries. Storage space. Sanity. It’s all finite, and it always disappears faster than you expect. So pack more than you think you need. Then pack a little extra.

And for the love of all things digital, label your cards. I once recorded an entire interview on a full SD card. It didn’t save. No warning, no error message, just… nothing. I still think about it. The lighting was perfect. The guest was on fire. It was one of those rare moments where everything clicked, and then it vanished into the void because I didn’t double-check.

Now I label everything. I rotate cards like clockwork. I backed up twice. It’s not paranoia, it’s experience. So learn from my pain. Prep like your footage depends on it, because it does.

3. Business Cards or QR Codes

Devs, PR reps, fellow creators, fans, friends-of-friends—you’ll say “let’s collab” and genuinely mean it, but forget their name by the time you hit the tram. It’s not personal. It’s just PAX.
That’s why cards help. Or a QR code that links to your stuff. Anything tangible. Because “I’ll find you later” rarely works when you’re scrolling through blurry selfies and half-remembered usernames.

Business cards might seem old-school, but they’re still one of the most effective tools you can carry. I always end up with a little stack after PAX, and I keep them. They’re breadcrumbs—tiny reminders of real conversations in the middle of the chaos. When someone gets home, empties their pockets, and finds your card, that’s a moment. That’s a connection.

PAX is a whirlwind. You’ll meet hundreds of people. And in that blur, having something physical that says “Hey, this is me” makes all the difference.

On a budget? Fiverr for quick designs, VistaPrint for affordable printing. Easy, cheap, and surprisingly solid. And if you spot Nicktacula, grab one of his cards, they’re legendary. Like, I keep mine from him in toploaders,  legendary.

4. Press Schedule or Appointments

If you’ve booked interviews, previews, or meetups, don’t rely solely on the app. It’s good, until it’s not. Reception inside expo halls can be patchy at best, and trying to load your schedule while dodging cosplayers and merch queues is… not ideal.

Take a screenshot. Better yet, print it. Old-school, yes, but it works. I’ve seen people sprint across the expo floor, clutching their phones, desperately trying to remember which booth was “the one with the red banner and maybe a dragon?” Don’t be that person.

Also, set alarms. Not just for the time of your appointment, but 30 minutes earlier. Getting anywhere on the Saturday esepecially, takes longer than you think. Crowds move slowly. You’ll get distracted. You’ll stop for a photo or a snack, or a surprise demo. Suddenly, you’re late.

And here’s the trick: in the alarm, include the meeting location. Literally type it into the alarm name. That way, if your internet’s crawling or completely down, you’ve still got the info. No digging through emails. No guessing. Just a quick glance and go.

It sounds small, but it’s saved me more than once. Especially when you’re juggling gear, conversations, and caffeine levels that are… questionable

5. A Bit of Flexibility

Things will go wrong. Appointments will shift. Gear will glitch. You’ll forget something. It’s fine. Roll with it. Some of the best content comes from the unexpected stuff anyway.

What Not to Pack

Let’s be honest, some gear sounds useful in theory but ends up being dead weight in practice.

• Computers or tablets: Unless you’re planning to write full articles or do serious editing on-site, leave them behind. You won’t have time, and lugging them around will just slow you down.
• Massive camera rigs: Unless you’ve got a secure place to stash your gear, skip the bulky setups. You’ll spend more time navigating crowds and worrying about your equipment than actually capturing anything. Plus, your back will thank you.
• A bad attitude: PAX Australia is built on inclusion, creativity, and a shared love of gaming. If you can’t be patient, or if you struggle to let others enjoy the event in their own way, without judgment, do everyone a favour and sit this one out. This is a space for joy, curiosity, and community. Bring that energy, or don’t bring yourself.

Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Move Smarter

Conventions like PAX aren’t just about games; they’re about connection, chaos, and carving out moments that stick. Whether you’re here to report, record, or just roam with purpose, preparation isn’t optional. It’s the difference between gliding through your day or unravelling by noon because your charger’s buried under three layers of merch.

So build your kit like you mean it. Screenshot your schedule. Label your alarms. Pack the weird little things that keep you sane. And when the crowd gets loud and the Wi-Fi gets weird, you’ll be the one calmly sipping water while others panic-Google booth maps.

You’re not just attending, you’re experiencing an unforgettable event. And with a little foresight, you’ll do it with style, stamina, and maybe even a spare Band-Aid.

If there’s something you swear by that I missed, or a must-have item that’s saved your PAX experience more than once, let me know on socials. I’m always keen to hear what others pack, forget, or discover the hard way. PAX is wild, and we’re all just trying to survive it a little smarter each time.