It’s 9.29am on a Tuesday in early May, and all across the country people sit anxiously in front of their computer, one hand resting on the mouse, a DOC Great Walk booking form open on the screen. 

A comment on a Facebook group that bookings are opening is met with cries of “No, no, no, don’t remind people, it’s hard enough.” 

The clock ticks over to 9.30am and people frantically click through the pages, entering their details as fast as they can. Credit cards at hand, everyone hopes the page won’t crash at the last step and they’ll join the thousands of other trampers lucky enough to bag a spot on a Great Walk for the coming season.

Before that nerve-wracking booking lottery, you should do some basic preparation, especially determining which Great Walk you want to do.

Check DOC’s website where walks can be compared, each with a brochure showing the suggested itinerary; how to split the distance and elevation maps that show how tough those hills will be. There’s also a guide to what you need to know before you go, and how to get there. All this helps with the choice of Great Walk, based on your preference, fitness level and those of tramping pals along for the fun. 

Once you’ve decided on dates and, hopefully, booked your spot, it’s time to get physically ready. The terrain of each Great Walk is different, so make sure you’re fit enough for the walk you’re doing. If there’s a lot of elevation, practise going up and down hills carrying your pack. Walking with weight is very different to walking without and it’s advisable to get familiar with it.

Knowing what to take can be daunting. Basics like waterproofs, warm clothing, first aid kit, sunscreen and insect repellent are essentials, but Great Walks conditions and facilities vary, so it’s important to pack for your specific walk. 

Try out your gear before you go so you know how it works and how it feels when you’re walking. Advice from others can be useful but not necessarily adhered to because everyone’s different. It’s a good idea to practise filling and walking with your pack so you learn how to make it sit comfortably. No one wants four days of blisters, chafing or a sore back!

Are you the one who creates hut food envy by preparing a feast, or do you prefer something quick and easy? Either way, make sure you have enough food to provide energy for powering up those hills and keeping the kilometres ticking by. Taking a variety of food so you’re not eating the same thing day after day can be a real boost for morale.  

Organise transport for the beginning and end points well in advance, to ensure you start with a smile on your face with thoughts being how good the trip will be and how many photos you’re going to take!