Great Walks, Mid Walks, Little Walks, Toddler Walks

Here's the Skin Essentials to Pack light and go far

New Zealand's Great Walks season opens 1 November 2026. Whether you're heading into Fiordland on the Milford Track, winding through the Routeburn, or just tackling your local neighborhood circuit, what you carry has to be small enough to slip into a pocket. It also needs to pull some serious skincare weight.

☀️ Sun Balm Natural Sunscreen SPF 50

Certified natural · Water-free · Stays put on the trail

Recognised two years running across New Zealand and Australia in the Clean + Conscious Awards. Because it's water-free, a little goes a long way. It's perfect for multi-day trips where pack weight matters. The silky formula works on lips, eyelids, face, and all exposed skin, and holds up through both sweat and Fiordland drizzle. Gentle notes of chocolate, peppermint, and coconut make reapplying something you'll actually look forward to.

Trail tip: The 15g tin tucks perfectly into a shorts pocket or pack lid. The 35g tube fits your hipbelt bottle holder.

Go to Natural Sunscreen

🌿 Sandfly Repellent + Soother

NZ's #1 natural repellent since 2009 · Repels & soothes in one

Fiordland sandflies are infamous — and on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks, they're very real. But they can be just as much of a menace in the carpark at the beach in Northland. This oil does double duty: a unique blend of natural oils both deters biting insects and soothes skin at the same time. Gentle enough for all-day use, and it smells great. The smaller bottles can be refilled over and over so they're a long-term trail companion.

Trail tip: The 40ml dropper bottle is the lightest option for a Great Walk

Go to Bug Repellent

🐝 Mānuka OUCH Balm

Portable skin balm  · Certified organic beeswax

A pocket-sized all-rounder for the inevitable scrapes, bites, blisters, and chapped lips that come with a multi-day tramp. Made entirely from minimally processed plant-based ingredients and certified organic beeswax from a third-generation South Island beekeeper. Once it's in your pack, you'll wonder how you managed without it.

Trail tip: The 12g tin is barely noticeable in your pocket. Perfect for lips on exposed ridgelines, unexpected chaffing or blisters mid-hike.

Go to Mānuka OUCH Balm

Pack Smarter: Great Walks Checklist

Here's how these three fit into a well-packed tramping kit:

• ☀️ Sunscreen — reapply every 2 hours during high sun hours- especially exposed ridge sections and open river flats
• 🌿 Sandfly repellent — apply at rest stops, or just keep walking!
• 🐝 OUCH Balm — keep in your hip-belt pocket for quick access mid-trail

All three products together fit in the palm of your hand in their smallest formats — leaving more room for the important stuff (extra snacks).

Ready for MORE on what to pack? And what NOT to pack?

Click Here: What to Carry and What NOT to Carry

Want to know more about Skincare on a Tramping Trip?

Click Here: Skincare on a Tramping Trip

Great Walks season bookings are managed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Goodbye ~ New Zealand products are made to complement your adventure — always follow DOC guidance and hut warden advice on trail conditions.