Kit List

Your go-to multi-seasonal clothing 'Kit List'

Passengers on all of our North and South Island tours will experience a range of weather conditions. There will be very warm days and nights, but there’ll also be occasions when you’ll be glad to slip on a thermal layer, a beanie, and some gloves. Even in Summer!
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If you’ve overlanded before, you’ll know what to bring, and will be prepared to wrap yourself in bin liners and pinecones if everything is in the wash and the next chance to do laundry is not til tomorrow (Note – there will be opportunities to do washing every few days).

But if this is your first time on an epic camping tour, put away the iron and ironing board, and be prepared to roll up and scrunch into your backpack as much of this stuff as you possibly can (check your airline baggage restrictions – you may have to buy some of this once you arrive in NZ)

Camp Gear

Sleeping bag - Season three or four, preferably. There will be a few cold nights on the 90-day tours (0-5°c/32-41°f), so best to ensure you are warm enough when you need to be.

Blow up or roll up mattress - make sure it rolls up small but is still thick enough to be comfy for the length of the trip. There are so many good ones now - note that you may well have a wider and cheaper choice of options than we do in New Zealand.

Small Travel Pillow - we prefer a proper pillow each, but agree they are often difficult to manage/store when on the road.

1-2 fast drying towels (for showering and swimming)

Insect repellent - can be easily purchased here in NZ. Those containing diethyl toluamide or dimethyl phthalate as the active ingredients are most effective.

Adapter for electrical appliances. Consider a multi-plug power adapter, perhaps with USB sockets too, from your own country. This will mean you will only need to bring one NZ plug adapter. Note: New Zealand’s electricity supply runs at 230/240 volts, and we use angled 2/3 pin plugs.

Your personal charging cords and possibly a power bank.

The Basics

Personal toiletries (Note: that camp bathrooms do not supply shampoo, conditioner, or soap/gel)

Underwear

Socks – For hiking, and perhaps the odd night in bed. Note that through the December to April period, it’s typically warm enough to wear jandals/flip flops/sandals almost all of the time.

T-shirts/short sleeved tops

Shorts

Swimming gear – some of those lakes, rivers and beaches will be hard to resist

Something to wear out into town (e.g shirt, jeans) (Note: Us Kiwis are notoriously ‘casual’ in our clothing choices.)

Sun cream and sunglasses. Buy your sunscreen here after you arrive. There is a hole in the ozone layer above New Zealand, and the sun is pretty strong, so we recommend 30-50+ SPF.

Reusable water bottle

Warmth

Thermal/merino top – good for layering with. (Perhaps a pair of leggings too if you tend to suffer from the cold)

Long sleeved tops/t-shirts – helps to keep the bugs from biting here and there.

Long trousers/pants

Waterproof raincoat with a hood

Polar fleece or woollen top/jumper

Windcheater/light-weight puffer/down jacket

Accessories

Cap/sunhat and beanie

Gloves (light but warm)

A small/medium sized daypack that can carry your electronics, your towel, a few of your toiletries, and perhaps a t-shirt, underwear, and swimming gear, to save you from having to go into your main backpack/suitcase every day. You can also reuse it for hikes and daytrips where required.

A smaller bag with handles that can be hung from a hook inside the cubicle when having a shower - big enough to put your clothes, toiletries and towel in.

Head torch - get one with a red light too, if possible. Good for nocturnal kiwi spotting!!

Some clothes pegs - great for drying your clothes using the washing lines at the campsite (NB. most campsites have dryers too)

Footwear

Comfortable walking or running shoes/trainers

Jandals/sandals/flip-flops

Hiking boots/shoes - the longer trails can be comfortably trekked in normal 'running shoes', but there tends to be scree in a number of places, and so we do suggest bringing your hiking boots if you can fit them in. Also, bring a little waterproof bag to keep your boots in for when they get muddy and/or wet.

Water shoes/Aqua shoes - these are great for when its pebbly, rocky and you choose to walk beside/in a river, lake or the sea. Great in the showers too!