Cheap Flights to Townsville

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight as stress-free as possible. Follow our insider tips and you'll be breezing through the airport and having a ball in Townsville before you know it.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free travel experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, bank cards and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, be sure to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes knives, scissors, aerosol cans and bleaching agents. Sporting equipment like bows and arrows, and items that could injure passengers, such as swords and guns, won't be allowed on board either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should always be your priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Consider your footwear with care too, as swollen feet can be a side effect of flying. Flat shoes which are slightly roomy are your best bet.
• A serious condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity. Walking up and down the aisle and doing leg and foot exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this from occurring. Wearing a high-quality pair of compression socks may also help.

It's all about being organized. We've put together some helpful hints for an easy trip through security. Look out Townsville, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.