NEW ZEALAND GREAT WALKS GUIDE
Water
Hydration is key on the track and ensuring you are carrying enough water to tackle those climbs is essential. You will ideally need to carry 2 to 3 liters of water per day. Generally, you can refill at most huts and some shelters but not always if there hasn't been a lot of rain, so check the track in advance. Depending on the Great Walk selected you may be able to fill up at fast flowing rivers/creeks along the way.
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Hydration Bladders
There are many hydration bladders out there. Ensure you choose a quality brand to avoid bladders that will leak inside your pack and soak your gear. A hydration bladder that can fully open up to be cleaned and dried easily is best otherwise mould will grow inside. A 3-liter bladder is enough capacity each day for the Great Walks, and you can usually fill up at most huts/shelters but always check this for each walk. In summer the water tank levels may be low, and more water may need to be carried. Many hikers carry bottles as well so you can add electrolytes and collect water on the trail.
When choosing a hydration bladder, ideally a bladder that doesn't leak inside your pack is best, so avoid cheap versions. Look for bladders that are made from taste-free materials and have a good flow rate from the bite valve to avoid having to sip hard for a drink. Bladders that can be filled easily one handed and most importantly can be opened up completely to clean and dry are the best. Here are some of the bladders we use and highly rate.
TIPS
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Bladder hoses are notoriously difficult to dry and mould can grow in the tube. After rinsing your tube, put the hose in the freezer to avoid mould and bacteria growth.
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Reduce plasticky taste of hydration bladders by choosing a bladder made with neutral taste materials. Sometimes rinsing with water and lemon juice before use can help.
Bottles
Carrying a water bottle? Handily there are a few water bottles on the market that have inbuilt water filters so you can carry and purify water at the same time.
GRAYL water bottles allow you to fill up, press down the top of the bottle like a plunger, and enjoy purified water in 8 seconds. The bottle is a little heavier than most but doesn't require batteries or charging. Replacement purifier cartridges are required over time.
Water Purification Methods
For some Great Walks you may need to treat the water before drinking and this is advisable as a precaution. Water at the huts/shelters is usually rainwater gathered from the roof so caution is required. However, for many of the Great Walks (particularly the alpine walks) we found it was not necessary to treat the water, and we didn't without any issues. It is however personal preference whether you treat or not and it's always a good idea to take some form of water purification just in case. The cheapest way to purify water is to boil but this is pretty inconvenient after a long day, and you will need to wait considerable time for the water to cool enough to go into your bladder or bottle. There are lots of other ways to treat water including UV pens, water tablets, and life straws.
Boiling Water
Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes before drinking.
Pros: Simple, cost-effective, and highly effective at killing most bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Cons: Requires a stove, fuel, and a pot, can be time-consuming on the trail, is difficult to do in large quantities, and you must wait for the water to cool before storing or drinking.
Water Tablets
Pros: Lightweight, compact, inexpensive and easy to use. Water tablets are a great backup option and require no batteries or maintenance.
Cons: They don't remove sediment, dirt or debris from the water, and some types can leave an unpleasant taste. You'll also need to wait for the recommended treatment time before the water is safe to drink.
Water Purification Tablets
Water purification tablets are one of the simplest and most affordable ways to treat drinking water. Simply add the recommended number of tablets to your water bottle or container and wait for the specified treatment time before drinking. Depending on the product, water is typically safe to drink after around 30 minutes.
We tend to carry water purification tablets on our hikes because they're lightweight, compact and inexpensive. The water on New Zealand's Great Walks is generally clear and free of sediment if it needs treating at all, making tablets a practical option. We usually fill our bottles in the evening, add the tablets and leave them to purify overnight, so our water is ready to go the following morning.
Water Filtration
Pros: Effective at removing bacteria, protozoa and sediment from natural water sources. Water filters are ideal for treating larger quantities of water and improving the taste and clarity by removing dirt and debris.
Cons: Most filters do not remove viruses, although these are generally considered a low risk in New Zealand's backcountry. Some filters require occasional cleaning or backflushing to maintain performance.
LifeStraw
LifeStraws allow you to drink directly from streams, rivers and lakes, or from a filled water bottle. They filter out bacteria, parasites, microplastics, sand and silt, making them a lightweight and affordable option for hikers. They require no batteries and can filter up to approximately 4,000 litres of water. LifeStraw also produces filter bottles and collapsible squeeze bottles with built-in filters, making them a versatile option for day hikes and multi-day adventures.
Sawyer Filters
Sawyer filters have become one of the most popular choices for hikers and backpackers thanks to their lightweight, compact design and excellent filtration. The Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer Mini attach directly to compatible soft flasks or water bottles, allowing you to squeeze filtered water into another bottle or drink directly from the source. They require no batteries, are easy to backflush in the field and can filter hundreds of thousands of litres with proper maintenance.
Gravity Filter Systems
Gravity filters are a great option for groups or longer backcountry trips. Simply fill the dirty water reservoir, hang it up and let gravity do the work while clean water filters into another container. They are generally more expensive than squeeze filters but make filtering larger volumes of water quick and effortless. If you regularly hike in the backcountry, a gravity filter can be a worthwhile long-term investment. Check out the Life Straw Peak Compact Gravity Filter Water System.
UV Purification
Pros: Lightweight, compact and highly effective at neutralising bacteria, protozoa and viruses. UV purifiers work quickly and don't affect the taste of the water.
Cons: Require batteries or recharging, are generally more expensive than other purification methods and work best with clear water. If the water is cloudy, it should be filtered first for the UV light to be most effective.
SteriPen UV Pens
SteriPen is one of the most popular UV water purification systems for hikers and travellers. Simply place the pen into your water bottle or container, activate the purification cycle and stir the water as directed. In as little as 60–90 seconds, the UV light neutralises bacteria, protozoa and viruses, making the water safe to drink.
Unlike filters, SteriPens don't remove dirt, sediment or debris, so they work best with clear water. They're lightweight, easy to pack and ideal for hikers who regularly venture into the backcountry or travel internationally. While they are more expensive than many other water treatment options and require batteries or recharging, they provide a fast, reliable and chemical-free way to purify drinking water.