If you haven’t already heard, car perfumes have gone luxe. Gone are the days when all on offer was a yellowing cedar tree with a questionable fragrance. Now, you can find your favourite perfumes – think D.S. Durga, Diptyque and Australian Mihan Aromatics – in this featherweight, lightly-scented format. Disperse the subtle notes of rainwater (Big Sur After Rain) or sea air and cucumber (Sienna Brume) through your luggage by tucking one into the interior pocket of your suitcase and you’ll banish that stale, stuffy smell from your luggage forever.

Move over hand sanitiser; there’s a new multipurpose product stepping into the spotlight. Hypochlorous acid is doing the rounds on social media, with everyone from beauty influencers to dermatologists extolling its many virtues. Primarily used to fight acne, this antibacterial, anti-inflammatory ingredient makes a great addition to any carry-on toiletries bag – especially if you’re prone to experiencing stressed skin while travelling (think: psoriasis flare ups or irritation from differing environmental aggressors such as climate changes). As an antibacterial, a quick spritz can do the job of a hand sanitiser, too. (See the 4000+ positive reviews for Mecca’s Tower 28 spray).

Forget the chunky jackets and bulky blankets – this nifty little gadget can do the job of any puffer while taking up half the amount of room in your bag. Its diminutive size, soft exterior and fully rechargeable battery makes the Stoov electric hot water bottle a non-negotiable addition for those who tend to get chilly in transit. Its multiple settings allow for three toasty temperatures (38, 45 and 58 degrees Celsius), with the lowest extending its battery life to a soothing four hours. Turn it on, pop it on your lap and you’ll stay cosy once the cabin lights dim.

Sharing travel tech is one way to keep your suitcase as light as possible. Another way is to swap out your heavy, daily duty accessories for palm-sized alternatives. This adorable Panasonic shaver does the work of devices that are triple its size: with five blades that perform a staggering 70,000 actions per minute, you won’t be sacrificing quality for packing space.

Exploring new sights, new smells and new sounds while travelling can be exhilarating. When it comes to getting some shut eye, you’ll want to keep the sensory overload to a minimum. Cover all your bases with a speaker-equipped eye mask, such as this option from SoundSleep Mask. In addition to blocking light sources with a generous, soft-touch eye covering, the arms of the mask also hide Bluetooth-enabled mini speakers to help drown out external sound. With a helpful eight hours of run time, You can stream your preferred white noise or sleep-inducing podcast and be out like a light, no matter what bed you’re sleeping in.

Few items are as indispensable as your passport. Ensure you’ve got it close to you at all times with a trackable passport cover, such as this one from Journey. Compatible with Apple’s Find My capability, this protector helps locate misplaced passports with sound or by map, leading you to exactly where you left it last. The battery lasts an incredible four-to-six months, giving you complete peace of mind when away. Its casing is also equipped with RFID technology, protecting the sensitive data of your cards – which can also be safely tucked inside – from being read by radio waves.

You’ll win the praise of everyone on the group holiday when you whip out your mini speaker. Backyard barbecues, beachside cocktails and balcony sundowners will be made infinitely more memorable to a thoughtfully curated soundtrack. When carting a Bluetooth-compatible blaster takes up virtually no space in your bag, it’s a no brainer. The Ultimate Ears MINIROLL is one such speaker: small enough to pop in a backpack pocket, it has 12 hours of play time, a range of 40 metres and is made from recycled plastic. Pool parties are no match for it either: it can keep playing while submerged for 30 minutes in water of up to a metre in depth.

Beloved by campers and adventure travellers the world over, a dry bag can be a godsend on holidays. We’re not talking just water-resistant either – these water-tight bags are made to be impermeable, so you can cart wet swimmers, damp towels and leaky toiletries from one destination to the next (or bring liquid souvenirs home) with no risk of leakage. And if you’re worried about keeping your expensive tech safe while on a swim or when caught in a sudden downpour, this is the easily foldable protection you’ll want to keep close.

Connectivity isn’t just for digital nomads: having access to your documents, itineraries and map apps is a key part of a stress-free travel experience. Ensure there’s no gap between logins with a mobile wifi hotspot device. The key is to opt for one that’s small enough to pop in your daypack or handbag and equipped with international data roaming capabilities (some, like options from NetGear, don’t restrict usage to a single device, either). The best part? Plans are flexible to suit every need (and travel budget).

This is no ordinary travel adaptor. The bright red PlugBug from Twelve South (the same company who brought us the AirFly headphone bluetooth adaptor) not only allows you to charge several devices at the same time (with the ability to switch out the socket to match that of the location you’re in), it can also connect to Apple’s Find My location tracking app, minimising your chances of leaving it behind in your hotel room.

A pair of scuffs may seem like a creature comfort that should be confined to home, but they can have myriad uses while on holiday. Change into slippers once your plane has taken off to avoid tugging on your shoes to go to the bathroom, pop them on to wander down to the campsite kitchen or even to help keep outside dirt from being scattered around your Airbnb. A robust style, preferably with a thin rubber or grip sole, will save you from going barefoot many times over.

Airbnb bedroom curtains that don’t quite close. Wet clothing that needs help drying. Snack packets you can’t easily reseal. Who knew something so light could be so effective at solving travel’s most pesky bug bears? The potential uses of a humble peg while away from home are seemingly endless, more than making up for the minimal amount of space throwing a couple in your luggage will take up.

Some hotel rooms have powerful pod-machines; some holiday homes have fabulous French press setups. For the times when you have access to neither, you’ll be grateful you packed quality drip coffee bags. Instead of relying on freeze-dried instant coffee, get your caffeine fix with Stitch’s drip coffee bags. They’repacked with locally roasted single origin beans, delivering spades of flavour with no fancy equipment required.

Excess sand is an unwanted souvenir of any beach holiday. Protect your hire car or suitcase from these persistent particles by dusting baby powder on your feet once you’ve left the beach – the sand will magically slide off, leaving it where it belongs instead of sprinkled through your shoes and the car's footwell.

Any product that can do double time is a friend of frequent travellers. The power of Australian tea tree oil, traditionally used in First Nations herbal medicine, is proven – not only is it antimicrobial and effective at fighting a number of different bacteria, it’s also a natural insect repellent when applied topically. Apply to minor cuts and skin irritations or pop a few drops in your body moisturiser to help banish bugs.

Holidaying with kids brings its own packing necessities. If you have a high proportion of little ones in the group, consider popping a mini houseproofing kit on the packing list. Sets can include everything from appliance latches to door stoppers and even corner guards, covering all your bases when it comes to an unfamiliar home. Your littles ones will be safely tearing around the place – while you relax with a beverage – in no time.

A few doggie business bags can go a long way in a pinch: as makeshift covers for dirty hiking boots, keeping any rubbish contained or covering leaky items when something has unexpectedly exploded. These compostable bags won’t harm the earth and they come in a compact roll that can easily slip into an unused bag pocket.

Supporting hydration and fluid balancing, a few electrolyte chews are essential for active travellers who hike or walk while away. Instead of carrying an excess of space-hogging snacks, tuck a handful of these in your pocket and they should help sustain energy levels on even the most demanding of sightseeing expeditions. Bonus points if you opt for those containing ginger – a proven tonic for tummies upset by travel.

You’re one of two travellers: the one who feels smug when pulling out your pen for a customs form or the one who has to sheepishly ask to borrow someone else’s. In our increasingly digitised world, purposefully packing a pen may seem a little old school but having one on hand for forms, document signing and even jotting down verbal directions can be a lifesaver. This option from Pilot is fitted with an airtight lid, eliminating the possibility of leakage and ink stains.

Why decant your existing skin and body care when you could pick up some appropriately sized travel-friendly toiletries? The standout trend in travel skincare is everyday products done in solid form. In addition to being eco-friendly and reducing the use of plastic containers, solid shampoos, conditioners, body washes and even perfumes won’t leak in your suitcase or hold you up when going through security.

The East Coast Road Trip You Need to Do at Least Once