Equipment List

Sidetracks recommends this tried and tested list of equipment: 

Luggage          

• Travel bag, duffel-bag or large backpack (50-80l)
• small day pack (30-40l)
• sleeping-bag (4 seasons)
• sleeping mat, well insulated (self inflatable is best) 

Clothing    

• good rainwear (jacket and trousers are better than a poncho) 
• parka or warm jacket 
• warm jersey (fleece is ideal) 
• hat and gloves 
• 2 pairs of trousers (comfortable, hard wearing and quick-drying)
• shorts 
• light jersey 
• shirts, t-shirts 
• sport underwear (e.g. polypropylene, if available, can be bought cheaply in NZ) 
• underwear 
• socks, 2 pairs hiking socks
• swimsuit 
• sunhat 

Shoes 

• comfortable walking shoes
• comfortable, water resistant, sturdy, ankle high hiking boots (very important!!) 
• swimshoes

Useful and important

• toilet gear (personal)
• personal medication
• personal first aid kit 
• towel 
• torch 
• spare batteries and bulbs 
• alarm clock 
• drink bottle 
• telescopic hiking poles (optional) 
• sunglasses 
• spare glasses if necessary 
• pocket knife 
• lighter 
• sewing kit
• guide books 

Papers, money… 

• airline tickets 
• travellers' cheques, cash, credit cards 
• Eurocard (with PIN number) 
• passport 
• international vaccination card (if available) 
• camera gear 
• binoculars (optional) 

Buy in New Zealand 

• sunscreen and insect repellent (more effective and cheaper) 

Above all your clothing and gear needs to be weatherproof, hard wearing and easy to dry. You will have plenty of opportunity to use the washing-machines and clothes-dryers provided on tour. 

Note: Air New Zealand restricts luggage to 2 main pieces of luggage and 1 piece of hand luggage. For most other airlines the limit is 20kg and 7 kg for hand luggage.

Please consider the limited space in the van, and restrict yourself to one main piece of luggage with a maximum of 20kg for this trip. 

Warning: It is illegal to bring any agricultural products into New Zealand. Also any equipment used on a farm (e.g. shoes) has to be thoroughly cleaned and will be checked on arrival. New Zealand does not have foot and mouth diseases so please don’t bring it with you.