Spring Overnighter Pack List: 30-Point Checklist
Longer days, more time outside. From midweek micro missions to weekend escapes, a good overnighter starts with knowing exactly what's in your pack.
This is the list we use. Thirty checkpoints, split into four groups, with a few notes on what we've learned the hard way. Check them off and you're good to go.
How heavy should your pack be?
Aim to keep your packed backpack under 20% of your body weight, food and water included. If you weigh 60kg, that's 12kg. Bushwalking clubs in Australia treat 20 to 25% as the upper limit, and lighter is always better. Your knees will thank you on the way down.
A 35 to 45L pack fits an overnighter comfortably. Smaller packs can work, but only once your kit is properly light.
Shelter & gear
- 1x Tent: your room with a view for 2. Our Summit-Seeker™ 2P Ultralight Tent is built for carrying.
- 1x Sleep pad or mat.
- Sleeping bag + pillow. Check the bag's comfort rating against the overnight low where you're going, not the extreme rating. Spring nights in the hills can still drop close to zero.
- Backpack: 35 to 45L.
- Dry bag or pack liner. A wet sleeping bag is the one thing that can really ruin a night, so keep it and your tech dry whatever the weather.
- Hiking poles (optional). Handy on steep descents and for taking a bit of load off your knees.
Overnighter tip
Pack heavy things in the middle, close to your back, and it'll carry lighter. If you don't own an ultralight tent, bring a friend and split the gear across two people.
Things to wear
Layers do the heavy lifting. Spring weather changes fast, so you want options rather than one big jacket.
- Technical pants or shorts, ideally both. Our Overland™ and Daylight™ Pants are made for this.
- 1x Base layer: a long or short sleeve merino top.
- 1x Sun protection layer for sunny conditions or high output, like our Daylight™ LS Shirt or Daylight™ Sun Hoody.
- Mid-layer, like the Air-Grid™ Fleece.
- Packable insulated jacket for camp and cold mornings.
- Rain and wind shell. Always, even when the forecast looks good. We take the Horizon 3L Rain Jacket.
- 2x Socks and underwear. Merino Mountain™ Socks stay comfortable over a long day.
- Hiking shoes or boots, plus sandals for camp. Getting out of your boots at camp feels great, and Trailblazer™ Sandals are made for exactly that.
- Hat, sunnies + beanie. Sun by day, cold by night. Try our Air-Trek™ Cap.
- 1x Extra layer. This one is non-negotiable. We'd pick a long sleeve merino for cooler nights or changing conditions.
Overnighter tip
Save space with multi-use items, like your base layer doubling as pyjamas.
Eat, drink, cook
- Lunch + trail mix for day one, and day two if you need it.
- 1x Easy dinner: ready-to-eat, freeze-dried or noodles. Whatever you'll actually look forward to.
- Collapsible cooker, gas, lighter + a lightweight pot for boiling. Don't rely on the stove's built-in igniter.
- 1x Cup + utensils, chopsticks or a spork. The Trek-ready™ Titanium Mug and Long Handled Spoon are our go-to.
- Oats or cereal + powdered milk, tea or coffee.
- At least 4L of water per person, per day, plus a filter or tablets if you're topping up from streams. Check whether your campsite has water before you rely on it.
- Choccies + sweets. Morale matters.
Overnighter tip
Pre-pack your camp kitchen in one bag so it's ready to grab next time.
Personal things
- Toothbrush, paste and any grooming gear you can't live without.
- First-aid kit with a snake bandage, plus your own medications. Snakes are active in spring, so know how to use the bandage before you need it.
- Map or offline maps. Don't rely on phone signal. Download the area before you leave.
- Headtorch + charged phone, plus a spare battery or power bank.
- Sunscreen, insect repellent + a lightweight towel.
- Journal for reflections. Long, light evenings are made for it.
- Rubbish bag, trowel + loo paper. Leave no trace, and take everything out with you.
Overnighter tip
Use small travel containers or zip-lock bags to carry only what you need and keep weight down.
Before you go
Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. Check park alerts and the fire danger rating on the day, since spring is when planned burns and early fire restrictions start. Heading somewhere remote? Take a personal locator beacon (PLB). In many areas you can borrow one from a national parks office or police station.
Then go. The days are long, and the first night out of the season is always a good one.
FAQs
How heavy should my pack be for an overnight hike?
Aim for under 20% of your body weight, food and water included. If you weigh 60kg, that's 12kg. Lighter is always better on the way down.
What size backpack do I need for an overnighter?
A 35 to 45L pack fits one night comfortably. You can go smaller once your kit is properly light. For multi-night trips, you'll likely need a bigger pack to fit the extra food.
How much water should I carry?
Plan on at least 4L per person, per day. That's about 2L for drinking, plus extra for cooking and hot drinks. Carry more in hot weather or on high-output days. A water bladder, Nalgene bottles or store-bought plastic bottles you can reuse all work well. Bring a filter or tablets if you plan to top up from streams. If you're taking a water filter, make sure it fits the bottle you're bringing so you can screw it on. Check the park guide to see if there's water available at campsites. Please note that this doesn't guarantee there is water, especially in the hot summer season. Sometimes water sources can be very low, so make sure you do your research and plan ahead.
What food should I pack?
Plan every meal for each day you're out, plus a little extra. Keep your snacks light, and you're always better to pack a little more than you think you need, especially for high-output trips. Make sure you have enough to sustain you for the day. One tip is to avoid excess packaging: use snaplock bags, or consolidate things in a reusable pouch, so you're not carrying a lot of rubbish out.
What should I wear for a spring overnighter?
Check the weather report. Spring weather can still change fast, and you can get some cold weather, so don't count on it being warm. Always pack some good layers in case the weather changes rapidly, and some sun protection for the hot days. A merino base layer, a fleece mid-layer, a packable insulated jacket for camp and a rain and wind shell will cover most conditions.
What safety gear should I take?
A first-aid kit with a snake bandage, offline maps, a headtorch and a charged phone. Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back. Heading somewhere remote? Take a personal locator beacon (PLB).
Plan your hike
Weather: Bureau of Meteorology for forecasts and warnings.
Tracks, campsites and water: your state's parks site. Parks Victoria, NSW National Parks, Queensland Parks and WA Explore Parks list track notes, campsite facilities and park alerts.
Fire and emergencies: check VicEmergency or NSW RFS Fires Near Me on the day you leave.
Personal locator beacons: if you own a PLB, register it free with AMSA so rescuers know who to look for.
Walking with others: Bushwalking Victoria lists clubs and safety advice if you'd like company on the trail.
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