Routeburn Track Gear List
On the Routeburn Track, DOC separates the Great Walks season from winter. In season the huts have cooking facilities and cold running water but no utensils, food or showers. From May to late October DOC asks for alpine and avalanche equipment and a stove.
What the huts give you, and what they do not
Great Walks season
Huts have bunks, mattresses, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar lighting and cold running water. Check each hut's page for cooking and lighting.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Not provided
Food, cooking utensils, showers and bedding.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Campers
Campsites have toilets, sinks and a water supply, and Routeburn's have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Campers cannot use hut facilities.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Winter huts, May to late October
Gas is not provided, flush toilets become pit toilets and running water is turned off inside, so use the outside tank. No rangers are based at the huts.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Winter and alpine additions, May to late October
Food and cooking
Food for at least two extra days, plus a stove, gas and a lighter or matches.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Snow equipment
Ice axe and crampons.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Avalanche equipment
Avalanche beacon, snow shovel and probe.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Locator beacon
A personal locator beacon, with a satellite messenger as an option.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Safety gear DOC lists
Emergency shelter and distress beacon
Both are on DOC's list for all seasons.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Water
DOC advises against taking water from certain creeks because of didymo.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
DOC's packing list
DOC prints this list on the track page. It does not mark each line as required or advised.
Pack and liner
A 40 to 60 liter backpack with a waterproof or plastic pack liner.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Sleeping bag
DOC lists a 3 to 4 season sleeping bag.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Drink bottle
One to two liters.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Eating and cooking gear
Knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, a pot or pan, a cleaning kit and a tea towel.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Matches or a lighter
In a waterproof container.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
First aid kit
With blister treatment.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Survival kit
A survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil and high-energy snacks.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Map and compass
Plus other gear suited to the track and the season.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Torch and spare batteries
A torch is on DOC's list for the huts.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Rubbish bag
You carry out what you carry in.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Earplugs
For communal bunkrooms.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Booking confirmation and ID
Bring both.
From DOC: Routeburn Track
Gear questions for the Routeburn Track
Do you need a stove for the Routeburn Track?
DOC says the huts have basic cooking facilities in the Great Walks season. From May to late October gas is not provided, so you carry your own stove. Campers need a gas cooker.
What winter gear does the Routeburn Track need?
DOC lists extra food for two days, a stove and gas, ice axe and crampons, an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe, and a personal locator beacon.
Do the Routeburn Track huts provide cooking utensils?
No. DOC says huts do not have food, cooking utensils, showers or bedding.
Sources
Checked against the agency page above on 30 October 2026. This page names no products, and it lists what the agency says, in our words. Check the agency page for rules that changed since.
In an emergency in New Zealand, call 111.