Travelling to Australia with Your Contact Lenses? Here’s How to Do It Right

Travelling to Australia with Your Contact Lenses? Here’s How to Do It Right

Travelling to Australia with Your Contact Lenses? Here’s How to Do It Right. Image source

You’re in for a treat if you’ve chosen Down Under as your holiday destination. Our country-continent has approximately 2.97 million square miles for you to enjoy—and within it, stunning natural landscapes, bustling cosmopolitan cities, and bright sunny beaches.

As with any trip, however, you must keep safety and health in mind to enjoy your trip to the fullest. This means getting enough rest to fuel your explorations and maintaining a balanced diet to keep yourself in shape for Australia’s more strenuous adventures.


Yet those who need vision correction usually need to be more wary, especially since the eyes are vital for thoroughly enjoying sightseeing in the country. For example, glasses wearers must bring a spare pair in case of breakage. Contact lens wearers must be even more cautious since contacts sit directly on the eye’s surface.


If you’re wondering how to maintain contact lenses as you traverse Australia, here’s how to do it right.

Update your lens prescription.

Update your lens prescription and see the sights even better in Australia. Image source

Australia holds many varied wonders. There’s the sacred sandstone monolith Uluru with all its vivid reds and oranges, the Yarra Valley with its picturesque flowers and vineyards, and the architectural marvel of the Sydney Opera House, to name a few. They all have in common that you’ll want crystal-clear vision when you encounter them.


That’s why you should book an appointment with your optometrist to update your prescription before you travel. If it’s been a while since you last checked on your eye grade, it’s best to get it done as soon as possible so the contacts you’re travelling have the correct prescription. Doing so not only allows you to see better—you’ll also be able to avoid issues like eye strain, blurriness, and headaches. By hopping on the plane, ensure you have the best contacts to accentuate your vision.

Consider using daily disposable contacts.

Travelling to Australia with Your Contact Lenses, consider using daily disposable contacts. Image sources

Holidaying in Australia holds rich potential for adventure. If you’re up for a hike or camping trip, pitch your tent on North Stradbroke Island’s white, sandy beaches or nestle among the tea trees in Booderee National Park.


Your contact lenses, however, might get in the way. Most contacts require careful daily cleaning, some with unique products like enzymatic cleaners. If you want to skip that time-consuming routine and extra packing without compromising your eye safety, consider dailies you can dispose of each night without maintenance.

Such contact lenses are readily available online, where you can choose from reliable brands like Acuvue, Bioinfinity, and Dailies Total. They also come in 6, 30, and 90-day packs—perfect for any trip length! With disposable lenses, you won’t need to worry about dust, sand, or other debris from Australia’s natural landscapes affecting your eyesight on your travels.

Wash your hands regularly. 

Wash your hands regularly when roaming the country. image source

They say your eyes are the windows to your soul. They’re certainly the keys to your enjoyment while you’re in Australia! Whether you’re going on a sailing tour of the Whitsundays or heading to the party paradise of Byron Bay, you’ll want healthy eyes to see them.


Contact lens wearers, however, are in continual danger of eye infection. It comes with the fact that you need to replace and remove your contacts daily—more physical touch means more access for germs to reach your eyes. Because of this, you should always practice hand hygiene before you put on your lenses.

Always use soap and water when washing your hands, rubbing soap on all areas and rinsing thoroughly. It’s also a good practice after coughing, preparing food, or petting kangaroos in Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Bring your eyeglasses

Bring your eyeglasses and see the best creatures underwater.

Your eyes still might get irritated during your holiday—for example, seawater might irritate your pupils when you dive to see the Great Barrier Reef. Should that happen, you’ll want to skip your contacts. If you’re shortsighted or have a similar eye condition, bring prescription eyeglasses so you can still navigate your surroundings.

Not being able to use your contacts can be disappointing, but you can always opt for designer eyeglasses brands like Burberry or Tom Ford to ensure you’ll still be in peak style. Get a pair from Costco, Target, or any nearby optical store.


You’ll want to see everything Australia offers you during your holiday. To prevent contact lens issues from getting in the way, try the maintenance tips above.