The Ultimate Great Walks Packing List: New Zealand & Australia 2026
Countries
NZ & AU
Great Walks
19+
Trip Type
Hut & Camp
Updated
2026
Two countries, nineteen official Great Walks, two completely different sets of challenges. New Zealand 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 expect
- UV is intense even through cloud — 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 can't cover all states
- Always register a trip plan and carry a PLB in remote areas
The Complete Checklist
Use the dots to read each item at a glance. Items marked for one country are critical there and often optional in the other.
Both countries
New Zealand priority
Australia priority
Pack & Shelter
Backpack 50–65L with hip beltOsprey, Macpac, or Deuter — an adjustable, well-fitted torso matters more than litres
Pack liner or dry bagsLine the inside of the pack — a cover alone won't keep gear dry in real rain
Lightweight rubbish bagNo bins anywhere — every scrap of packaging comes out with you
Sleeping bag (0°C comfort)Huts and desert nights both get cold, even in summer
Hut booties or crocsFor slipping on inside the hut and the night trip to the long dropNZ priority — boots aren't allowed inside DOC huts
Tent & sleeping matCarry your own shelter in case sites or bunks are fullAU priority — many routes have no hut network
Inflatable pillowOr stuff a dry bag with spare clothes — small comfort, big sleep difference
EarplugsBunkrooms and snorers are universal on both sides of the Tasman
Clothing
Waterproof jacket15,000mm+ hydrostatic head with a storm flap — non-negotiable in both countries
Merino or synthetic base layersNever cotton — it holds water, won't dry, and chills you
Insulated pufferDown or PrimaLoft for cold evenings in the hut or at camp
Quick-dry hiking trousersZip-off styles double as shorts on warm stretches
Waterproof overtrousersLong cold-rain days are routine, especially in FiordlandNZ priority — sustained rain is the norm
Sun hoodie / long sleevesCover skin rather than relying on sunscreen aloneAU priority — UV is extreme on exposed routes
Warm beanie and glovesAlpine NZ and desert AU both drop below freezing at night
Spare dry socksKeep one pair sealed at the top of the pack for hut arrival
Footwear
Worn-in boots or trail shoesBroken in well before the trip — new footwear means blisters by day two
Camp shoes or sandalsLet your feet breathe and recover at the end of each day
GaitersKeep out grit and add a measure of snake protectionAU priority — rocky, snake-country terrain
Blister kit & spare lacesTreat hot spots early — before they become blisters
Water & Food
Water capacity 2–3LA bladder plus a bottle covers most hut-to-hut days
Extra capacity to 4–6LTanks can be far apart — carry enough to reach the next reliable sourceAU priority — water scarcity on inland routes
Water treatmentFilter, purification tablets, or a purifier bottle
Stove + fuelBuy fuel locally — canisters can't go on planes
Pot & sporkA pot that doubles as a mug saves space and weight
Lighter & matchesKept in a waterproof container, with a backup
Energy-dense foodRepackaged to cut weight and waste — plan each day's meals
Navigation & Safety
Personal Locator BeaconEssential on remote AU routes, strongly advised on NZ backcountry
Printed mapDon't rely on a phone — signal and battery both fail in the backcountry
Head torch + spare batteriesA red-light setting is easier on hut-mates at night
WhistleCheck your pack's sternum strap — it may already have one built in
First aid kitYour own medications, blister care, strapping tape, antiseptic
Offline trail appThe free NZ Great Hikes app is GPS-enabled and works offlineNZ priority
Fire-danger app"Fires Near Me" or your state equivalent — check before departureAU priority
Sun, Skin & Insects
High-SPF sunscreenReapply through the day — UV penetrates cloud in both countries
Wide-brim hat & sunglassesUV-filtering lenses; a brim beats a cap for neck and ear cover
Insect repellent (DEET)Plus a buff — Fiordland sandflies bite through thin clothingNZ priority — relentless sandflies
Head netOutback flies target eyes, nose, and mouth — a net is a sanity-saverAU priority — brutal outback flies
SPF lip balmLips burn fast at altitude and in reflected desert glare
Hygiene & Personal
Toiletries decanted smallMost huts have no showers — minimal is all you need
Quick-dry towelCompact and light — dries overnight
Toilet paper & trowelFor backcountry sites without facilities
Hand sanitiserShared kitchen benches make this worth the few grams
Personal medicationClearly labelled, with enough for the full trip plus a buffer
Documents & Admin
Booking confirmationsHut or campsite bookings, printed and saved on your phone
ID & permitsCarry any required permits for the specific track
CashFor shuttles and small-town stops that don't take cards
Travel insurance detailsConfirm it covers multi-day hiking and remote evacuation
Trip plan left with a contactShare your route and an agreed check-in time before you leave
Country-Specific Hazards Our Members Flag
What experience teaches
- NZ — Sandflies: Fiordland sandflies are in a different league. 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 backcountry cause. Never cross a flooded river. Wait. DOC huts post crossing guidelines — read them.
- AU — Snake awareness: Australia has nine of the world's ten most venomous snakes. Wear long trousers and boots, watch where you step and where you put your hands, and never try to catch or kill one.
- AU — Heat management: On outback routes, start before 7am and stop by 11am on hot days. Midday rest in shade is survival strategy, not optional. Electrolytes matter as much as water volume.
- AU — Bushfire: Check the fire-danger app for your state before departure and know your evacuation route. If a Total Fire Ban is declared, your trip may need to be cancelled — accept this.
- Both — Weather: In NZ and in AU alpine areas (Overland Track, Blue Mountains), conditions change faster than any forecast predicts. 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 real difference.
- Leave the luxuries. A book, a camp chair, a full-size towel — they feel important at home and irrelevant by day two.
- Eat your heaviest food first. Pack so the dense items are eaten earliest, lightening the load as you go.
- Dry bags over pack covers. Lightweight dry bags inside the pack are more reliable than an external cover alone.
Have you walked the Great Walks in New Zealand or Australia?
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