Make sure you bring clothes for a variety of temperatures. If it takes you longer to walk or kayak between bays or stops than you expect you might find you’re cooling off and need an extra layer. Most Kiwis take a layering approach so they can dress more warmly or get cooler when they need to if the weather changes.

Don’t forget that when you stop for lunch you may cool down quickly. Similarly if you’re walking in the shade or experiencing the track or bays during the autumn or winter it can get quite a bit cooler.

It’s worth wearing clothes that can dry more quickly if they get wet. So some quick dry shorts or pants that can be rolled up out of the way of water are great. Jeans don’t tend to be a good option for that reason.

A top that dries quickly is helpful and carrying a lightweight waterproof jacket is a good idea in case there’s a flurry of rain. A hat is essential as the New Zealand sun is harsh and you can find yourself with sunburn in as little as 10 minutes.

Wide-brimmed hats that cast shade on your neck and face are great and tend to be better than caps. Carrying a change of clothes in a day pack can be a good idea, particularly if you are multi-day tramping or kayaking.

There are a lot of specialist suppliers who make durable, lightweight clothing for tramping, walking and kayaking, and that kind of clothing can be a good option. But if you’re looking to buy just one new item to make your trip more comfortable nothing beats a good pair of socks.

Make sure you’re wearing shoes that have some grip on the soles and aren’t going to slip on stones and tree roots as you’re walking along the track.

The track does include hills so you need to make sure your toes have enough room to move so that they don’t jam into the end of your shoes when you’re walking downhill.

Always wear in your shoes before you use them for a multi-hour walk to avoid getting blisters – and a good pair of socks is a must. If there has been rain recently the track may be muddy in places so be prepared for your footwear to get dirty – white shoes will probably not be white at the end of the day!

While you don’t need tramping boots they are always a good option if you can fit them in your luggage. Good sneakers or walking sandals will also work. We always strongly advise parents to make sure their kids have good shoes to walk in too – jandals (you may know them as flip-flops or thongs), gumboots, or light sandals won’t work well for a multi-hour walk in the Park and you might find you end up carrying a disgruntled and footsore small person.

Bring some water shoes if you have them. These are great for wearing in a kayak, although jandals will also work if it’s an all-day kayaking trip and you’re not doing any walking. Water shoes are also ideal for tidal crossings where you want to keep your walking shoes dry, but where it’s a bit rough underfoot if you have bare feet because of shells and rocky seabeds.

We get a lot of sunny weather here so it’s important to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun can be unforgiving in New Zealand so if you’re sweating or having a swim don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen during the day.

Carry some water with you and make sure that you take the water bottle out of the Park with you at the end of the day. There are no rubbish bins in the Park so it’s important that everything we carry into the Park is carried out at the end of our trip.

Take a small day pack with enough food to keep you going for a busy day and a bit extra – walking and kayaking is great for creating an appetite. Insect repellent is needed and we have some good brands for sale here – some made from entirely natural ingredients and just as effective.

Take your swimming costume and a towel for the many lovely beaches you’ll see during your trip. If you need any medication then it’s a good idea to pack it, and a small first aid kit with plasters can come in handy. Lastly don’t forget your camera or phone (for taking photos not taking calls!).

You don’t need walking poles but some people do use them.

See below for all the info in a handy bullet point list if you’d like to print it out and check it off as you pack.