Preparation
I was able to get 5 weeks of paid leave from work approved, since I had a lot of leave saved up.
In Australia, I bought tickets for the flight to Christchurch, the TranzAlpine Train, and the Kiwi Experience Backpacker Bus (I ended up not using much of the Kiwi Experience pass).
I had also booked a guided walk on the Milford track. I would have done it independently, but by the time I knew when I was going, it was too late to book for an independent tramp.
It was very expensive, but didn't want to wish I had done it after I got back.
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I had an approximate Itinerary mapped out, where I would go :
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across to Greymouth on the Tranzalpine, then back to Arthurs Pass
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do a short hike in Arthurs Pass
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go back to Christchurch, and head north on the Kiwi Experience Bus
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Take the bus around the north part of the South Island and down the west coast, to Queenstown,
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Take the Bottom Bus (Kiwi Experience) around from Queenstown to Dunedin and Invercargill
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Get off and go to Stewart Island to do a short hike
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Take the Bottom Bus to Te-Anau
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Do the Milford Track guided Walk
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Tramp a short hike near Te-Anau or Queenstown
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Take the Kiwi Experience bus back to Christchurch via Mount Cook
As my diary shows, I quickly changed my plans to slow things down, do less travelling, not use Kiwi Experience, and to do more hikes.
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Compass
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Whistle
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EPIRB
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Camelback drinking system
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2 water bladders
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Trangia stove with only 1 pot and 1 pan/lid
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Camp cutlery
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Matches (waterproof)
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Pocket knife
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Tea towel
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Scourer
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Iodine tablets with neutraliser tablets
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Chlorine tablets
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Small plastic food bottles (Bought in NZ)
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Tent (1 man Macpac Microlight)
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Self inflating sleeping mat (thermarest ultra-light full length)
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Sleeping bag (extra long 850g white goose down fill mummy style, breathable shell – Mont Spindrift)
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Fuel for stove (bought in NZ)
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