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Support on Wakahi →The Ultimate Great Walks Packing List: New Zealand & Australia 2026
Two countries, nineteen official Great Walks, two completely different sets of challenges. NZ will soak you and freeze you. Australia will bake you, dehydrate you, and introduce you to things that bite. Our members have walked both — this is the combined list they actually use.
Know Your Environment First
The single biggest mistake hikers make is applying one country's packing logic to the other. A kit optimised for the Milford Track will leave you dangerously underprepared on the Larapinta. A kit built for the Australian outback will be redundant weight in Fiordland. Understand the differences before you pack a single item.
🇳🇿 New Zealand: What to Expect
- Rapid, unpredictable weather — four seasons in one day is real
- Fiordland receives 7–8 metres of rain per year
- Cool to cold above 1,000m even in summer
- No dangerous land animals — but river crossings are serious
- Sandflies in Fiordland are relentless — worse than most people expect
- UV is intense even through cloud cover — 40% penetrates overcast
- Excellent DOC hut network — camping optional on most walks
- Boot cleaning stations at trailheads — biosecurity is mandatory
🇦🇺 Australia: What to Expect
- Extreme heat on inland routes — Larapinta reaches 45°C+ in summer
- UV among the highest on earth — skin damage within minutes
- Dangerous wildlife: snakes, spiders, crocodiles (northern routes)
- Serious water scarcity on outback and inland trails
- Bushfire risk October–April across most regions
- Coastal tracks (Overland, South Coast) can match NZ for rain
- Enormous regional variation — one list doesn't cover all states
- Always register a trip plan and carry a PLB in remote areas
NZ priority item
Australia priority item
Both countries
The Complete Checklist
Pack & Shelter
Backpack 50–65L (hut trips)Osprey Atmos/Aura, Deuter Aircontact Lite
Backpack 65–80L (camping trips)Especially for AU camping routes
Rain cover for packNZ priority — use a dry bag liner too
Dry bag liner (heavy-duty bin bag works)NZ priority — rain covers fail
Lightweight 3-season tent (if camping)Check if camping allowed on your track
Sleeping bag (0°C comfort rating for NZ)AU coastal routes: 5°C sufficient in summer
Sleeping mat (R-value 2.0+ for NZ huts)Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite recommended
Sleeping bag linerAdds warmth, keeps bag clean in huts
Clothing
Merino base layer top (long sleeve)Avoid cotton entirely on both countries
Merino base layer bottomsNZ priority — AU summer routes: optional
Moisture-wicking t-shirts (x2)Merino or synthetic, never cotton
Fleece or mid-layer jacketPackable synthetic preferred for NZ rain
Waterproof shell jacket (Gore-Tex)NZ non-negotiable — AU coastal tracks too
Waterproof shell trousersNZ priority — especially alpine routes
Quick-dry hiking pants or shortsZip-off style adds versatility
Merino or synthetic underwear (x3)Merino resists odour across multi-day trips
Wool or synthetic hiking socks (x3–4 pairs)Darn Tough or Smartwool recommended
Sun hat (wide brim)AU critical — NZ important on exposed routes
Warm beanieNZ priority — alpine and shoulder season
Lightweight glovesNZ — Kepler, Routeburn, alpine routes
Light long-sleeve sun shirt (UPF50+)AU priority — protects from UV and insects
Camp shoes or lightweight sandalsHut evenings and creek crossings
Footwear
Waterproof hiking boots (broken in)NZ: waterproofing non-negotiable
Trail runners (well-fitted, grippy sole)AU hot routes: lighter and faster-drying
Gaiters (low or full)NZ: excellent for mud and sandfly coverage
Blister prevention (Bodyglide or tape)Test your boot-sock combo before the trip
Water & Food
Water bottles or reservoir (2L minimum)AU desert routes: carry 4–6L minimum
Water filter or purifierNZ: Giardia and Cryptosporidium present
Chlorine dioxide tablets (backup)Aquatabs — effective against Crypto, iodine is not
Lightweight backpacking stove + fuelCheck if hut has cooking facilities first
Pot, spork, biodegradable soapLightweight titanium or aluminium
Dehydrated meals (dinner)Plan calories per day: 500–600g food minimum
High-calorie snacks (trail mix, bars, nuts)Hip belt pockets — eat before you feel hungry
Electrolyte sachetsAU priority — heat sweating depletes salts fast
Navigation & Safety
Topographic map (waterproofed)Don't rely solely on phone GPS
Compass (baseplate)Know how to use it before the trip
Headlamp + spare batteriesBlack Diamond Spot or Petzl Actik
Power bank (10,000mAh+)Charge in huts where available
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)AU remote routes: mandatory. NZ: strongly advised
Emergency whistleClip to shoulder strap — always accessible
Emergency space blanketWeighs almost nothing, can save your life
Comprehensive first aid kitInclude blister treatment, pain relief, antiseptic
Trekking polesSignificant knee savings on descent
Pocket knife or multi-toolLeatherman Wave is the community favourite
Sun, Skin & Insects
Sunscreen SPF50+ (water resistant)Reapply every 2 hours — both countries
Sunglasses (UV400 rated)Polarised lenses help on water crossings
Lip balm (SPF30+)Wind and UV damage lips quickly on exposed ridges
Insect repellent (DEET-based)NZ: sandflies in Fiordland are brutal — don't skip this
Insect repellent (strong, 40%+ DEET)AU north: mozzies and march flies — higher concentration needed
Buff or neck gaiterSun protection and sandfly defence in NZ
Hygiene & Personal
Biodegradable soap and shampooUse well away from water sources
Travel toothbrush and toothpasteToothpaste tablets save weight
Quick-dry microfibre towelPack two: one body, one dishes
Toilet paper (waterproof bag)Bury waste 50m+ from water in NZ and AU
Hand sanitiserBefore every meal on trail
Personal medications (labelled, original containers)Pack more than you need
Documents & Admin
Great Walk booking confirmation (NZ DOC)NZ: required at hut check-in
National park permit (AU walks)AU: check requirements per state/territory
Passport or photo IDRequired at some huts and permit checkpoints
Emergency contact list (written, not just phone)Leave full itinerary with someone at home
Cash for emergenciesSome trailhead shuttles are cash only
Repair kit (duct tape, needle and thread)Small dry bag of basics saves trips
Country-Specific Hazards Our Members Flag
- NZ — Sandflies: Fiordland sandflies are in a different league to anything in Australia. They bite through thin clothing, swarm in seconds, and the reaction lasts days. DEET, long sleeves, and a buff are not optional on the Milford or Kepler.
- NZ — River crossings: More people die crossing rivers in NZ than from any other cause in the backcountry. Never cross a flooded river. Wait. DOC huts have crossing guidelines — read them.
- AU — Snake awareness: Australia has nine of the world's ten most venomous snakes. Wear long pants and boots. Watch where you step and where you put your hands. Don't try to catch or kill them.
- AU — Heat management: On outback routes, start hiking before 7am and stop by 11am on hot days. Midday rest in shade is not optional — it's survival strategy. Electrolytes matter as much as water volume.
- AU — Bushfire: Download the Fires Near Me app (NSW/VIC) or equivalent for your state before departure. Know your evacuation route. If a Total Fire Ban is declared, your trip may need to be cancelled — accept this.
- Both — Weather changes: In NZ and in AU alpine areas (Overland Track, Blue Mountains), conditions can change faster than any forecast predicts. Always carry your full rain kit even on clear mornings.
How Our Members Keep Pack Weight Down
- Weigh everything before you pack it: Most members are shocked the first time they put their full kit on a scale. Target 12–14kg total for a NZ Great Walk hut trip.
- Decant toiletries: Transfer liquids into small containers. You don't need 200ml of shampoo for five days.
- Share group gear: One stove, one first aid kit, one water filter between two or three people makes a significant weight difference.
- Leave the luxuries: A book, a camp chair, a full-size towel — these feel important at home and irrelevant by day two when your shoulders ache.
- Eat your heaviest food first: Pack food so the dense, heavy items are consumed earliest, lightening the load progressively.
- Dry bags over waterproof bags: Lightweight dry bags inside your pack are more reliable than external covers alone and add minimal weight.
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