According to our Muval Index research, 63% of Aussies put packing in their top three most-loathed moving tasks. It doesn't have to be that way — the trick is starting early, packing the right things in the right order, and labelling like your sanity depends on it (it does).
Less stuff means fewer boxes, a smaller truck and a cheaper move. Only pack what you want to unpack.
Boxes, tape, butcher's paper, bubble wrap, markers. Supermarkets give boxes away; Bunnings refunds unused ones.
Heavy items at the bottom, light on top. Pad fragile items, don't overfill, and reinforce every box with tape.
Room, contents summary and a HEAVY warning — on the top and the sides. Colour-code by room.
A moving-day bag per person plus an essentials kit: keys, documents, snacks, chargers, first-night gear.
Short on supplies? Check the moving boxes price guide before you buy.
Boxes are only half the truck — count your furniture too with the moving inventory list for the full cubic metres your quote is built on.
Watch: which boxes to buy (and which to scrounge for free) — the moving boxes guide.
Plates, glasses and everyday breakables: butcher's paper. It's cheaper, recyclable, takes less space and stacks well. Skip newspaper — the ink smudges onto surfaces and can be impossible to clean off.
Large items (appliances, ceramics, artwork): bubble wrap, ideally over a layer of paper. Its cushioning protects against impact; use extra tape.
Electronics: bubble wrap, then pack tight with towels or linen so nothing moves in the box. Movement, not weight, is what kills electronics.
Full walkthrough: how to pack and move your glassware safely — or press play on the video for the 60-second hack.
Start eating from the freezer four weeks out. Inventory the pantry, toss what won't survive the trip, donate what you can, and only move what's left. Defrost and clean the fridge the week before — more in our food packing tips.
On move day, pack surviving cold items into an esky — and schedule a grocery delivery to arrive at the new place a few hours after you do.
You'll want: bubble wrap, glassine or parchment paper, packing tape, corner protectors (folded cardboard works), picture boxes or crates, and moving blankets for big pieces.
Wrap the face in glassine first (it won't stick or smudge), add corner protection, then bubble wrap. Store upright, never flat, and mark which way is up. Detail in packing artwork for your move.
More in our labelling hacks article.
If there's a gap between properties, tell your removalist early — a container that ships and stores can be far cheaper than unloading a truck into storage and re-loading later. Don't forget to insure anything that goes into storage. See our guide to finding the best self storage.
Rather skip the packing altogether? Muval can arrange professional packing and unpacking services with your move.
Watch: the fragile glassware packing hack.
Watch: the must-pack moving day essentials box.
The box that gets you through the first 48 hours without opening anything else:
Mark it clearly and load it on the truck last so it comes off first — or take it in your own car.
Compare prices and reviews from vetted removalists — then let the checklist walk you through the rest.