Equipment
1 DAY GUIDED TRIPS - EQUIPMENT WE PROVIDE:
| thermal top | thermal leggings | wet suit vest |
| fleece top | paddle jacket | buoyancy aid |
| spray deck | fleece hat | pogies |
| clothing bag | camera bag | double kayak |
| paddle | all safety and emergency gear | hot drinks and kayaking snacks |
1 DAY GUIDED TRIPS - EQUIPMENT YOU NEED TO BRING:
| lunch ($17 extra if we order it) | insect repellent | shorts for over the thermal leggings we give you (optional) |
| sandals or soft shoes | socks | camera (optional) |
| sunglasses and sunblock | water bottle | swimsuit or underwear |
| towel | rain jacket | dry clothes and alternative footwear for after kayaking |
FOR ALL MULTI-DAY GUIDED TRIPS - EQUIPMENT WE PROVIDE:
| thermal top | long john wetsuit | fleece top |
| paddle jacket | life jacket | spray deck |
| fleece hat, souwester hat | pogies | clothing bags |
| camera bag | laminated colour map | double kayak |
| paddle | all safety and emergency gear | bouyancy aid |
all camping and cooking gear including:
| 1 or 2 person tents | thermarests | gas cookers |
| pots | cooking utensils | chairs |
hot drinks and wine for the evening meal
and a big insect shelter with tarpaulin in which we do our cooking and eating.
(Rain jacket, wet shoes for kayaking, plates, cups, cutlery also available if necessary.)
FOR ALL MULTI-DAY GUIDED TRIPS - EQUIPMENT YOU NEED TO BRING:
(See also equipment list sent to you or if on a longer trip, given to you at 5.00pm pre-trip briefing.)
Or download the equipment list as a pdf file here
clothing for paddling:
swimsuit or underwear for beneath wetsuit, sandals, crocs, reef shoes or soft shoes - will get wet, warm socks - also the most reliable sandfly protection for ankles and feet, sunglasses and sunblock, water bottle
clothing for campsite:
next to skin layer top(s) - preferably polypro or wool
warm top(s) - preferably fleece or wool
long trousers or track pants or shorts with long thermal leggings
towel and underwear
warm socks
shoes for campsite - preferably hiking boots/shoes
waterproof jacket
rain trousers - if you have them
warm hat or cap
general equipment:
sleeping bag - available for hire at: Bev's Tramping Gear Hire www.bev's-hire.co.nz or phone NZ 64 3 249 7389 torch/flashlight
plates, cup, utensils - available from us if required
insect repellent - we use Repel or Ultraguard, the lotion
toilet gear - toothbrush, etc - we supply toilet paper
camera - suggest using waterproof/water resistant type while in kayak
personal medication
spare cloth bags for your bits and pieces
book - for longer tours
food and snacks (supermarkets stay open late in Te Anau). It is normal on a kayaking tour to eat lots of food - keep it simple but nourishing. The kayaks have good storage space - freshness/weight not really issues - consider canned food, fresh fruit, sachets. Te Anau has two good supermarkets which stay open late during the season and can provide everything you need - the only restriction is that we use gas cookers for the evening meal, so the food should not take too long to cook.
Suggestions:
- plenty of snack food e.g. bananas, chocolate, muesli bars, etc.
- lunch for each day e.g. instant noodles/sachet soup, fresh sandwich type food, cheese, salami, tuna, fruit, biscuits, etc.
- evening meal for each night at campsite(s) e.g. pasta, rice or noodles with a prepared sauce, add soft vegetables, meat, canned fish, etc.
- breakfast for each morning at campsite(s) e.g. cereals, fruit, yoghurt, toast, baked beans, etc.
Note: Food can just be carried in supermarket bags (preferably cloth) and stowed in kayak hatches as is - remove excess packaging prior to trip to reduce waste.
If on a 2 day trip:
please phone by 6.00pm day prior to departure to confirm pick up place and time and we need your height and weight.
If on a 3, 4 or 5 day trip:
please meet with us at our base at 5.00pm on day prior to departure.
For Doubtful Sound, on the first day, have a good breakfast and be ready for an early departure:
- wear warm clothing with waterproof jacket (that is, your campsite clothing - see list above),
- with swimsuit/underwear layer for beneath wetsuit, already on (makes changing into paddling gear easier and quicker).
Note: The best way to carry your personal equipment on the way to the launch point is in your back pack. Any gear not in a backpack or good bag that may damage if it gets wet such as sleeping bag or clothing, should be protected. When we reach the launch point we give you 2 large dry bags to protect your clothing and sleeping bag while stored in the kayaks.
If you are travelling with us from Te Anau:
- we will collect you from your accommodation or meet you at one of the following car parking areas, just after 6.15am: 'Department of Conservation long term car park (Te Anau-Manapouri road); or 'Secure Parking Agency' - contact 64-3-249-7198 or saferparkingteanau@msn.com
or if you are staying in Manapouri:
- we will collect you from your accommodation or meet you at jetty in front of Real Journeys Manapouri office, at 6.45am.
(There is a public car park on View Street in Manapouri, with a walkway down to the jetty area.)
We return to Manapouri approximately 5.30pm and to Te Anau approximately 6.00pm on the last day.
A coach service departs Te Anau to Queenstown approximately 7.00pm daily.
