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Food

On the Great Walks all food must be carried in and all rubbish taken out of the track. Food cannot be purchased on the Great Walks with the exception of:

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  • The Hump Ridge Track where hikers can purchase snacks and dehydrated meals or the Tuatapere sausage/pea/potato mash dinner to self-cook. The lodges have a bar and provide a free porridge breakfast including tea/coffee in the mornings.

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  • The Awaroa Lodge on the Abel Tasman track where you can stop for meals or stay the night.

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  • Guided Walks - Often food is supplied as part of the guided walk package. Generally, you will only need to carry your lunch and snacks each day.

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Hiking breakfast

Things to consider

Weight - Food makes up the majority of weight in your pack. Choose lightweight and portable options that are not too bulky, particularly if tackling a longer hike over many days where more food is required.

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Perishability - For health and safety reasons ensure that the food can last unrefrigerated without spoiling or going mouldy. Getting a dodgy belly on the track away from a toilet is not a fun game to play in the remote NZ wilderness. Absolutely take some fresh vege with you, just make sure it can handle many kilometers without squashing like beans, carrot, capsicum, onion, mandarins, apples.

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Size of the Group - If you are cooking for a family or a group then store bought hiking meals may not be for you and can get costly. Consider meals that can be cooked easily in bulk like pasta meals or stir frys that can feed an army.

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Time - If you have long days on the track then you may want to consider food that is easily prepared and cooked without a lot of fuss at the end of a tiring day. 

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Variety - Don't take the same dinners to eat every night. Eating the same food night after night can get old pretty quickly. Jazz up your menu and don't forget sauces, salt, pepper, and spices.

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Cost - Ready-made hiking meals can be expensive at around $15 per packet but are super convenient. There are definitely some more cost-effective options, but more planning and effort may be required. 

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Nutrition - Ideally hiking food should be a good balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins to keep you full and give you plenty of energy for your hike.

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Taste - If it doesn't taste good, just leave it out of the pack. Don't try and be adventurous with your tastebuds as well as your life at the same time. Take food you like to eat and consider trying any ready-made hiking meals before you get on the track if taking these.​​

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 If you are hiking for the first time or arriving from overseas and are keen to know some great options in NZ for food, click the link below.

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