To do

• Passport: Is it up to date? It must have at least six months' validity and one blank page.
• Visa: Australian passport holders need a visa to enter Brazil. Have you applied?
• Vaccinations: Have you checked which shots you may need?
• Travel insurance: Are you covered?
• Safety: Have you registered your travel plans with smartraveller and checked the latest safety advice on the region you're travelling to, including the latest advice on the Zika virus?
• Money: Have you told your bank you're going overseas and do you know how you'll be paying for things in Brazil?
• Booking: Have you booked accommodation?
• Transport: Do you know how you'll get from the airport to your accommodation?
• Getting around: Do you know how you'll get around once you're settled?
• Phone: Have you switched off data roaming and voicemail? If you're planning to use a local or travel SIM, is your phone unlocked?
• Apps: Have you downloaded offline maps, travel apps or the Brazil travel guide onto your mobile?
• Medication: If you're travelling with medication, is it in its original packaging and do you have the original prescription and/or a letter from your doctor?

To pack

• Tickets.
• Money (cash and cards).
• Passport.
• A photocopy of your passport.
• A copy of your travel insurance details.
• A list of emergency contacts at home and in Brazil.
• Your hotel address and itinerary.
• A written translation of any other important information such as food allergies or medical conditions.
• Chargers and a power adapter. Download the Brazil travel guide for tips such as which type of adapter you'll need.
• Mosquito repellent and mosquito-proof clothing, you may also want to consider a mosquito net.

Tip: When you travel, you should carry all medications (even vitamins) in their original packaging, along with their original prescription. It's also a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor explaining what the medications are (using generic names) and what they're for.

If you are travelling to (or transiting through) countries with strict drug laws, check with the country's embassy to ensure your medication is not a restricted drug.