What to pack for a New Zealand Great Walk

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Every gram counts and I’ve (mostly) got it down to a fine art

New Zealand has eleven Great Walks: stunning landscapes, well-marked tracks, well maintained DOC (Department of Conservation) huts … and, if you hit bad weather, a bit of that “why-am-I-doing-this” kind of fun that somehow becomes one of your best memories later.

I’ve ticked off three of the walks so far — the Routeburn, Kepler and Abel Tasman — with three more lined up over the coming warmer months (Rakiura, Hump Ridge & Heaphy). I’ve also done a few other overnight hikes and by now I’ve pretty much nailed my packing system. You have to carry absolutely everything on your back, so every gram counts. Trust me, you don’t want to be halfway up a mountain wondering why you brought three pairs of leggings and a full bottle of shampoo.

Most Great Walks are multi-day tramps and in most cases, you’ll need to carry cooking gear, food, clothing, sleeping gear and all your personal bits. Plus there’s no way to dispose of your rubbish so you’re carrying that around too. A bit of planning goes a long way — both for your back and your general enjoyment.

Note: I don’t camp on those trails so my packing list isn’t complete for people staying in tents.

My New Zealand Great Walk packing list

The Department of Conservation has a solid packing list on their website and it’s a great starting point. Here’s what’s usually on mine:

Essentials

• Backpack – mine is 40L & it’s enough. I deliberately bought a smaller pack so I don’t get tempted to stuff it full of unnecessary stuff. Make sure the pack fits properly.
• Waterproof backpack liner & cover – better save than… damp for the rest of the hike
• Sleeping bag – it gets cold in those huts, even in summer
• Blow-up pillow – mine is tiny when not inflated
• Travel towel – quick drying, folds down to nothing
• Water bladder – mine is 2L
• Walking poles – Light weight & foldable. I used to think they were for the over-60s. I was wrong.
• Dry bags – rain + wet clothes = misery
• First aid kit – just the essentials incl. blister plasters
• Camping cooker – I actually don’t own one, but hire when needed which was only necessary on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track so far.
• Cooking gear – pot with a lid that functions as a mug, hiking cutlery, a small cut-up tea towel & a tiny bottle of dishwashing liquid
• Gaiters – Depends on the hike. I don’t always take them.

Clothes & footwear

• Hiking boots – worn in and waterproof, ideally
• Flip flops – to use inside the huts
• Wide-rimmed hut & sunglasses – that NZ sun can be harsh
• Rain jacket & foldable rain overpants – non-negotiable. NZ weather changes fast.
• Quick-dry pants – I have one of those zip-off hiking pants that turn into shorts. Used to think they were silly. Again, I was wrong, they’re super practical.
• Light-weight belt – as the backpack sitting on my hips keeps pushing my pants down!
• Quick-dry tops – one for every day because sweat smells.
• Super warm fleece hoodie – worth every penny! Mine’s from Outdoor Research.
• Thermals (top & bottom) – always. I also use my long thermal tights in the huts rather than taking another hut outfit (you want to get out of your hiking clothes after a long day on the trail).
• Long quick-dry t-shirt – for the hut & to sleep in.
• Beanie, loop scarf + waterproof gloves – yes, even in summer. It snowed on the Kepler in late summer. Potentially not necessary on the Abel Tasman in summer.
• Undies & hiking socks – one set for every day. And a sports bra.

Bits & pieces

• Head torch – with a red light setting (better for wildlife spotting). For that night time trip to the loo as huts usually don’t have electricity.
• Rubbish bag – you carry all your waste out with you
• Small roll of duct tape – it fixes most things
• Small Swiss knife – useful in so many situations
• Hand sanitiser – mine is clipped onto the outside of my pack for quick access on the trail
• Cloth handkerchief instead of tissues – doesn’t fall apart when damp
• Fully charged power bank – huts usually don’t have electricity
• Toiletries – bare minimum and all in tiny containers. A tiny bottle of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm, moisturiser, mozzy repellent. Most huts don’t have showers so shampoo etc is useless.

Food

This one takes a bit of planning – you don’t want to end up going hungry and you also want to avoid lugging too many supplies around with you. Most Great Walks are in the middle of nowhere meaning there aren’t any shops, cafes or restaurants. Having done some overnight hiking, I’ve figured out what amount of food I consume. This might not be sufficient for everyone, but it works for me:

• During the day I snack on: unsalted nuts, dried fruits, gummy bears, energy gels (I usually get Pure Sports Nutrition). On day 1 of the hike I usually also have an apple or two, but I tend not to carry more due to the weight.
• Lunch: high energy bars (my preferred brand is OSM), tuna (Sealord’s pouches are great & light weight) and crackers.
• When I get to the hut sometime in the afternoon: coffee and a hot chocolate which is such a treat at this stage!
• Dinner: freeze-dried hiking pouches. Real Meals is my preferred brand – yummy & nutritious. Herbal tea.
• Breakfast: again, freeze-dried hiking pouches. Real Meals has very tasty options, however I find the portion size far too big so I’ll be looking for alternatives for my next hike. And coffee. Must have coffee!
• Aquatabs to purify water
• Small sachets of electrolytes to rehydrate

There’s a bit of an art to packing for Great Walks. Too much and you’ll feel like a pack mule. Too little and you’ll regret not having that extra thermal when the hut gets chilly. But once you’ve done a few overnight hikes, you’ll figure out what you actually use (and what you’re carrying just in case).

This isn’t a sponsored article; I simply want to share some of the gear I’m using.

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