Moving Day Survival Kit: 10 Essentials Every Melburnian Forgets

The 10 Most Forgotten Essentials (And Where to Get Them Fast in Melbourne)

1. The Toolkit

• What’s Inside:

  • Allen keys (IKEA furniture will wobble)

  • Zip ties (for last-minute cable management)

  • Duct tape (fixes everything from boxes to tears)

• Melbourne Hack:

  "Bunnings on Swanston St is open until 9pm—sprint there when you realize you tossed your tools."

2. Cleaning Caddy

• Why? 92% of landlords charge for cleaning if it’s not spotless.

• Must-Haves:

  • Magic Eraser (for scuffs)

  • Microfiber cloth (streak-free windows)

  • Garbage bags

• Local Tip:

  "Daiso in QV sells $3 cleaning kits—grab one when returning your keys."

3. Reusable Water Bottle

• Not Just Hydration:

  • Use it to:

    • Wet rags for cleaning

    • Rinse dust off hands

    • Water plants post-move

• Melbourne Bonus:

  *"Refill at 7-Eleven’s free water stations when moving on 40°C days."*

4. Portable Phone Charger

• Disaster Prevention:

  • No phone = No Uber Eats delivery when you’re too exhausted to cook

  • Can’t call removalists if they get lost in new suburbs

• Where to Buy: JB Hi-Fi has same-day pickup for power banks.

5. Sunscreen + Umbrella Combo

• Melbourne’s 4 Seasons in 1 Day:

  • AM: Sunburn risk in new west-facing homes

  • PM: Rain floods uncovered driveways

• Pro Tip:

  "Keep both in your car door—not a box!"

6. Cash for Parking Meters

• Why Card Won’t Cut It:

  • Many Melbourne councils (Port Phillip, Stonnington) still use coin-only meters

  • Fines start at $98

• Smart Move:

  "Park in Woolworths lots (2hr free) while unloading."

7. Spare Myki Card

• For When:

  • Your car gets blocked by a tram

  • You need a coffee run but movers took your keys

• Hidden Use:

  "Scrape paint off windows with the edge!"

8. Ziplock Bags

• For:

  • Screws from disassembled furniture

  • Spare keys

  • Petty cash for pizza bribes

• Melbourne Hack:

  *"Coles sells 50-pack for $2.50 at self-checkout."*

9. First-Aid Kit

• Most Needed Items:

  • Band-Aids (cardboard cuts hurt)

  • Panadol (for stress headaches)

  • Antihistamines (new neighbourhood pollens)

10. A Printed Map

• Why? Mobile reception dies in:

  • New estates (Clyde North, Rockbank)

  • Basement apartments (looking at you, South Yarra)

• Where to Get:

  "Melbourne Visitor Centres give free CBD maps."

Melbourne-Specific Moving Day Hacks

1. Avoid AFL Game Days

   • *"Traffic jams near MCG add 2+ hours to your move."*

2. The 7-Eleven Lifeline

   • "$1 coffee at 4am when you’re exhausted."

3. Council Bin Night

   • "Put packing waste in neighbours’ bins the night before collection."

Let us handle everything with our Full-Service Moves—we’ll even pack this survival kit for you!