I packed up my things and Neishya packed hers with out a large amount of thought. So much so, I wasn’t aware that I was meant to be bringing Neishya a tent (we had to stop of a by a $7 one from Target).

Camping Equipment for two

Tent x 2, sleeping bags, sleeping bag liners, camping mats.

Cooking Things (see below)

Stove, cooking pot, lighter, gas, forks, cups.

Clothing per person

4 x t-shirts, 1 x jumper, 2 x trousers, 4 x socks, 2 x undies (quick dry), thermals top and bottoms, beanie, sun hat, gloves, buff, sunscreen, insect repellent, hiking boots (Neishya wore trainers that were fine).

Other

First aid, water purification tablets, playing cards, map of Australia, day bag (I keep this on me always with all valuables and emergency items), dry bag, water bladder (not needed), 10l water reservoir, pack, head torch, phone, charger, battery pack, diary, pen, camera (I forgot my camera charger), deodorant, soap, travel towel (I forgot mine it was annoying), wallet (license, cards etc).

Food

We took a bunch of random food between us. I was once again in hiking mode taking lentils and cous cous, but the time it takes to cook these dinners is often too much. Cooking oats for breakfast is slow, easier to have a muesli bar and get on the road, particularly if you’re camping with your lift. If I were to plan it again, I wouldn’t take the cooking equipment and oats, instead chuck in some of the below.

Note, if you’re a big caffeine drinker, not taking a stove may interfere with your morning cuppa.

Recommended Foods:

• Can’s of food – Normally I avoid cans because of their weight, but Neishya brought creamed rice and it was awesome. Quick to eat and tasty.
• Energy bars
• Nuts and trail mix
• Instant Noodles (if you have a stove)
• Sandwich stuff – We bought a loaf of bread of day 4 with cheese, cucumber and lettuce and jam when that ran out.
• Crackers – If you don’t want to carry bread.
• Flour – If you want damper! We spent half our trip on the hunt off flour, it was a beautiful day when we got it in Coober Pedy. Although the only place we had a fire was Kings Creek Station.

Although you can buy food along the way, it’s easier to hitch from the edge of towns, so it’s rare you’ll want to be dropped near a super market. The servo’s are expensive and don’t sell very much. We got a lot of our calories from sugary drinks (and crisps) which were great because of the heat, but not the most balance diet. We carried a lot of dried food we didn’t eat.

Water is essential. In the event of getting stuck somewhere we had a constant supply of 4-6l between us, plus a little more in remote areas. We never needed to rely on this, but it was good to know it was there. I took a drinking water bladder which was not needed, you’re rarely wearing your pack. Water bottles are all you need plus possibly a soft water reservoir for back up water if you have one.

 

 

 

In general you can take more when you’re hitching than hiking, you are not carrying your packs as long or as far. But be aware the people driving past weren’t planning to pick you up, so if they don’t have space for you and your luggage they wont stop.

We had a few amazing people stop anyway, reorganise their cars and squeezed us in, with our bags on top of us (see the photo to the right). I’m sure there where also people who didn’t. Particularly if you’re travelling as a two, try downsizing your bags, while still carrying enough clothes that you don’t smell.

This can often be done with just the type of bag you take. Neishya’s hard framed backpack, turn suitcase, took up a huge amount of space even when it was empty.