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By sleeping outside after potentially days of hiking, you are more integrated into the landscape as you move further from your quotidian life. It can be a reminder to us that we actually need very little to find enjoyment and peace, and that it is worth taking the time to slow down in beautiful parts of the world.
Suddenly your pack seems too small, and the variables feel endless. People might start to think you’re crazy as you spend your annual leave sleeping on the ground or wearing one set of clothes for a whole week without showering. But trust us, this is a very exciting step in all hikers’ lives as you open yourself up to so much more of Australia and the world as you can reach special corners of nature only accessible by walking for multiple days. My first overnight hike was also my first big trip without any “grown-ups”; myself and two of my friends at 17 flew to Launceston and hiked the Overland Track. That, and the hikes since then, have been big learning curves, and I have made many mistakes. Let me share some of what I’ve learned with you.
As you sit on the precipice of multi-day hiking, considering your fitness level is critical. Hiking with a heavy pack is a LOT harder than hiking with a day pack, so for your first day hike it is important to be conservative with your abilities. You might be used to smashing the National Parks walking time estimate, but add 15kg to your back and you will be slowed right down. Consider the grade of the hike you’re attempting and perhaps try a less technical walk with fewer scrambles for your first multi-day adventure. To prepare your body, heavy strength training is critical, and you can also practice walking on hills or on an incline treadmill with a full pack to prepare your body for your adventure.
If you’re feeling a bit nervous for your first hike, this is understandable! There are a few options to ease into it. While much more expensive than going by yourself, guided group walks can be a good option to walk with experts and have support with navigation, pack load and safety. The guides will all be extremely knowledgeable in their respective regions and can provide peace of mind with their first aid and rescue skills. Alternatively, going with a more experienced friend could be a great introduction to overnight hiking. Doing a very short overnight hike (<5km one way) can be a great option to test out your gear and help you feel comfortable spending a night in the bush.
Here are a few things to consider before your first multi-day hike:
1. Your fitness level and technical capacity
Thoroughly check trail notes for technical sections and difficulty, and look at photos and reviews from a variety of people. Underestimate your ability, especially for your first hike.
2. Logistics
Where are you sleeping each night? Can you park at the trailhead? Do you need resupplies? How will you source water? It is essential to know all of these answers before you start. It can be a good idea to make a spreadsheet of your food to ensure you are taking enough fuel, but not carrying too much unnecessarily.
3. Emergency procedures
It is essential to take first aid and some kind of emergency communication device, ideally a PLB-type device that is simple to use in compromised states and does not require service. Take a paper map and a compass and know how to use it, and ensure you always tell someone where you are going.
4. Environmental concerns
Different national parks in Australia can have varying rules, so make sure you know what the fire bans are and what the rules are on waste management, as this can vary depending on the biome and local regulations. Consider what the forecast is, and what kind of animals and critters can impact your experience.
5. Gear
Check one of our packing lists so you make sure you don’t forget anything!
6. Pack weight
It can be very easy to overpack on an overnight hike. A generally accepted aspirational pack weight is one that is 15% of your body weight. My top tips are not taking unnecessary water (only if you have guaranteed regular water sources and the capacity to filter), take fewer clothes, and work out what food you actually need and will actually eat.
7. Fuel
Work out how much fuel you need, and whether you are using gas or spirit stoves. You cannot fly with fuel, so ensure you can source it if you are travelling.
8. Footwear
There are lots of opinions out there about whether to wear hiking boots or trail runners on multi-day hikes. There is nuance here, and we always recommend coming into the store to receive personalised advice. As a general rule, if you are taking a heavy pack, ankle support is a good idea. Your risk for ankle injuries increases when there’s more weight on top of you. Trail runners are a great call when you’re walking for a long time with an ultralight setup, as they are often lighter than boots and will dry faster. However, technology has come a long way from the grandfathered leather boots of bygone years, so you can get something closer to a trail runner with the ankle support.
Beginner-friendly hikes in SEQ, recommended by Wild Earth staff:
- Lower Portals, Mount Barney National Park
- Echo Point, Lamington National Park
- Yamahra Bush Camp, Mount Barney National Park
- Montserrat, Mount Barney National Park
- Brahminy walkers’ camp, Great Sandy National Park
- Kitchen Caves circuit, Girraween National Park
While there are lots of factors to consider, overnight and multi-day hiking is a beautiful hobby that can change your life. As always, we at Wild Earth are keen to help you out with our range of experience in the backcountry, so come into the store if you have any questions!
Here are some of my favourite products for multi-day hiking.
Overnight Hikes South East Queensland Guidebook
This book is a must-have for all of our SEQ adventurers and is something I reach for whenever I have a free weekend. A lot of thought has gone into the grading systems and the trail notes, and it’s a gem of a resource.
Lotsafreshair - How to Navigate Hiking Book - 3rd Edition (2025)
An easy-to-follow guide, this Aussie bush navigating book clearly teaches how to read a map and navigate with a compass, using the awareness of the world around us.
Mont Moondance 2 2-Person 3 Season Hiking Tent
The Mont Moondance tent is a staff favourite and a great tent for backpacking. It is excellent for a huge range of terrains - you can start with the mesh inner and then purchase a nylon inner for snow hiking once you get into it! Mont is a great Australian brand, and their gear is of exceptional quality.
Osprey Exos 58L Men's Hiking Backpack
The Eja/Exos family is a favourite for a reason, and is a perfect combo of the features of a well-designed pack with near-ultralight materials. As always, it’s essential to come into the store and get fitted by our team. We have so many great packs to choose from, and comfort for your body is always the most important.
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad
A classic pad with vertical baffles that keep you nice and secure, this 4.8R mat is nice and insulated and can take you all around Australia. It comes in a heap of different sizes to suit your needs, and packs down nice and small for your adventures.
Soto WindMaster Lightweight Hiking Stove
Another staff favourite that can handle a ton of wind and cold conditions. The pot sits close to the flame, increasing fuel efficiency so boil time is much quicker.
A good, cheap bit of kit to have in your first aid should the worst happen. It’ll keep you warm against the elements when it matters most.
Kula Antimicrobial Reusable Sanitary Cloth
The Kula cloth is an essential piece of gear for women in the backcountry. It is super absorbent and antimicrobial, reducing waste and discomfort on your adventures. Kulas come in a range of great prints and colours, so they will always look cool hanging off your pack.
Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB1 Satellite GPS Locator
The PLB1 is the world’s smallest PLB and will work anywhere in the world. It is nice and lightweight, and easy to activate. It is essential to have an emergency beacon that doesn’t require much capacity to use, and this will notify emergency services promptly with extremely accurate coordinates.
