By Mike Huber
Traveling and living mostly off my BMW GS1250 for the past six years has really taught me how to live in a minimalistic way, but travel with enough to be comfortable. It is a rarity that I need anything more than what I have. My organizational skills are honed to the point that I know where everything I own is at all times. Everything has a specific place and keeping items consistent with their location is key to organization. I can get out of my tent at 2:00 a.m. and know not only which pannier any given item is located, but the exact location within that pannier. It’s an art form that I take pride in. So you can imagine if things are flipped upside down and I am pushed into a new packing routine how it would take time to readjust my mindset to a new format.
This is exactly the place I have found myself in now. Beginning January 10th I am converting from a motorcyclist to a backpacker as I begin a trip to Oceania for an unknown period of time. Auckland, New Zealand will be my starting point and a 50 Litre Osprey Backpack will become my new home. Relearning organizational skills as a backpacker will include a learning curve, albeit a fast one. With a little bit of discipline my organization as a backpacker will become just as honed as my previous life was on the motorcycle.
Here’s my packing list:
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- Sleeping bag
- Tent
- Inflatable pillow
- 2 pairs of pants
- 3 t-shirts
- 2 sweat shirts
- 3 pairs of socks
- 3 pairs of underwear
- Swimsuit
- Winter hat
- Baseball cap
- Sunglasses
- Personal hygiene kit
- Flip flops
- Airtags
- Air mattress
- SpotGen3 GPS tracker
- Plastic fork
- Power adapter for New Zealand and Australia
- Luci light
- Headlamp
- Laptop
- Medical kit
- 3 litre water bladder
- Rain jacket
- Foldup day backpack
- Updated US Passport
- International driver’s license
- Lambykins
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Although this seems minimalistic it will be summer in the southern hemisphere so going light on clothing was an easy decision to make. I am sure if I am missing anything it will be easier to pick it up along the way rather than carry the weight and bulk of unneeded items. Being new to backpacking I am fully open to criticism and suggestions on anything I am missing or have over packed. Let me know your feedback and items that you cannot live without that should be added to this list.
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From what I hear , new Zealand is one of the best places to ride on earth.
I don’t know which island is the better. Lol.
Good luck .
Its been great now that I am coherent after jetlag. Starting in the north. 🙂
What not snake bite kit? As boy scout, ummm a couple of years ago, we always had a snake bite kit in our gear… just sayn’. Australia is a land of more venomous snakes than anywhere else in the world, just sayn’ , again. Enjoy your travels and thanks for sharing your skills, and I did click on a vendor!
That may very well be added if I travel is AUS as everything there wants to kill you (crocs, sharks, spiders, snakes, kangaroos, etc). LOL Thanks.
My list typically also included bear spray, (bear) rope / carabiner for hanging stuff sack, water filter, cooking gear, bug spray, whistle, maps, trekking pole, safety mirror, sunscreen, compass, book, solar charger, iPhone, wasabi peas and whiskey! Love your stories! Have fun!
I concur with ALL of that. I should have mentioned I was doing carry on luggage not checking bags so… hell i dont even have a knife. carry on made a huge difference in a bad way. That def should have been annotated in the blog. but youre spot on! 🙂
I’ve been told New Zealand is the most beautiful place on earth, so I’ll expect (and hope for) a lot of pictures along the way.
Only comment on your kit: folks do a lot of walking (and sounds like you’ll be in that camp), often carry a luxurious amount of sock changes. Three is very much on the light side I think. Five or six might have been a better starting point. But I’m pretty sure you’ll report on how your kit turned out as you go along.
Great luck to you and looking forward to reports and updates!
Thanks. I flushed out gear camping needed a microfiber towel. Just bought it. 🙂
You’ll love the South Island. Nelson is a great place to pause, lots of motorcycle stuff there. Hell, I’d go live in Nelson.
The west coast is spectacular.
You may never come back.
I’m networking to rent a moto on south island for… well whenever I arrive there
Mike,
I don’t know the schedule but each year there is a Burt Munro motorcycle event (all the way south to Invercargil) it’s a good time.
Burt Munro Challenge Rally: 8th February – 11th February 2024
I doubt I’ll make it that far south in time but I added it to my maybe column. Thanks!