Introduction

It's essential to have suitable equipment, clothing and food for a safe and enjoyable experience on the Whanganui Journey.

Huts on the Whanganui Journey don't have toilet paper. Remember to take this with you.

Equipment unique to Whanganui Journey

These items can be hired as a package from local suppliers.

  • Life-jacket
  • Kayak or Canadian canoe
  • Paddle/s – include a spare
  • Plastic drums or equivalent for storing food, dry clothes and personal equipment
  • Dry bags

Optional

  • Swimwear
  • Sandals or aqua shoes for walking in water

Personal equipment

  • Backpack – 40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking
  • Waterproof/plastic pack liner
  • Sleeping bag – 3–4 season
  • First aid kit including blister treatment materials
  • Survival kit including survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, high energy snack food
  • Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year, for example, map, compass
  • Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
  • Rubbish bag
  • Booking confirmation and ID
  • Earplugs for communal bunkrooms
  • An emergency shelter, for if you are trapped by flooded rivers or bad weather
  • A distress beacon

Cooking and food equipment

  • Drink bottle – 1–2 litre capacity
  • Eating and cooking utensils – knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel. Check individual huts for what cooking facilities and lighting are provided.
  • Matches or lighter in waterproof container

Toiletries

  • Toiletries, including insect repellent, sunscreen, and personal medication, for example, antihistamine for allergy to wasp stings
  • Use a toilet when you see one and be prepared with a backup toilet option
  • Some of our Great Walk huts have sanitary bins but do come prepared if there isn't one. Find out more about Menstruation in the backcountry.

If camping

  • Tent
  • Sleeping mat
  • Ground sheet
  • Gas cooker

Clothing

  • For multi-day walking you'll need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night. 
  • Tramping/hiking boots or firm footwear – should be comfortable and well broken in
  • Socks – wool or polypropylene
  • Shorts – quick dry material
  • Shirt – wool or polypropylene
  • Under layers, top and bottom – wool or polypropylene
  • Mid-layers – wool or polar fleece
  • Raincoat – waterproof, windproof with hood
  • Overtrousers – wind and waterproof
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Sunhat and sunglasses
  • Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey

Optional

  • Gaiters
  • Lightweight shoes for inside the huts

Food

You cannot buy food on the track.

We do not provide emergency food in huts. You will need to bring emergency food supplies in the event of an unexpected track delay or weather event.

Bring food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value. For example:

  • Breakfast: cereal/porridge/oats, firm bread, honey or other spreads
  • Lunch: cracker biscuits, cheese, salami, jam/jelly, fruit
  • Dinner: instant soup, pasta or rice, dried vegetables or fruit, cheese or dehydrated (freeze-dried) meals.

You'll also need water, snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, tea or coffee, powdered fruit drinks and emergency food in case of any delays on the track.

Storage your food in a rodent proof container or bag. This is especially important if you are camping. 

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