What to take.

Day walks

• Sturdy, broken-in walking shoes or boots, and spare socks.
• A day pack with at least two litres of water each, more for hot or long walks. Many tracks have no drinking water.
• Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a rain layer. Check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast before you leave.
• Snacks and a small first-aid kit, with insect repellent and blister care.
• A torch or headlamp, in case a walk runs late.
• Offline maps and a printed or downloaded track note. Phone signal is patchy or absent in most parks.

Camping

• A tent that suits the season, a ground sheet and a sleeping bag rated for the coldest night, not the average one.
• A sleeping mat, a stove, fuel, a lighter, and cookware you can clean in a bucket. Many parks restrict fires, so check the park's rules.
• Water containers. Some camping areas have no tap water, and tank water may need treating.
• Head torch, spare batteries, rubbish bags (take everything out) and a trowel where there are no toilets.
• Your booking confirmation, offline. See when park bookings open.

4WD trips

• A tyre pressure gauge, an air compressor, a puncture repair kit and a properly checked spare.
• Recovery gear: rated recovery points, a snatch strap and shackles, a shovel and traction boards. Know how to use them before you need them.
• Extra fuel and water for the longest stretch without a supply, plus a paper map.
• A satellite messenger or UHF radio where there is no phone coverage, and a trip plan left with someone.
• A road report from the park authority on the day you leave. Tracks close after rain.

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