Guide to Ultralight Hiking in Australia [Hikes, Essentials & Tips]

What Is Ultralight Hiking?

Ultralight hiking has genuinely taken off in recent years. It entails playing a sport with minimal gear and bringing what you need. Because of this, hiking in ultralight mode involves more preparation and organisation than simply pulling on some shorts, sneakers, and a T-shirt and heading for the trail.

The Key Concepts Of Ultralight Weight

• Choose the lightest equipment that can fit your demands.
• Carry only what you need. Adjust your equipment as needed to save weight.

For example, trim straps or remove unnecessary compartments. When going abroad, it's customary to pack your luggage, repack it, and carefully examine your belongings to see whether they're essential.

• Make your items: just two examples of tarps and cat food can stoves.
• Need vs Want.
• Decide to purchase equipment or if you genuinely need it.
• Either response is acceptable, but remember that you must carry it.
• Weigh and record your equipment.

This is to create a list of your equipment so that you will know what to choose from when planning a trip.

Why Should You Choose Ultralight Hiking?  

Backpacking and hiking are two of the best outdoor activities. Backpacking in the woods is an exciting and challenging adventure that tests your limitations. You get to see nature in all its beauty and visit locations where only a few people have been.

For your upcoming journey, you should think about ultralight hiking for the following principal reasons:

Increased Comfort: Your comfort level primarily depends on your posture, which is crucial for enjoying and avoiding exhaustion on your journey. Wearing a heavy backpack might throw off your posture, making your journey unpleasant and depleting your energy for other activities.

When wearing an ultralight backpack, your head should be high and your back straight to breathe more quickly and enjoy the natural beauty. Additionally, you may tackle more challenging trails and routes with less strain on your back.

Travel Quicker With Less Energy: Pacing your trek ensures you reach your destination before dusk and can quickly set up camp. You can move more rapidly and with less energy when you carry a lightweight backpack on your back. This implies that a hewilload able to handle won't limit you, and you may explore more.

Decreased Risk of Injuries: Carrying too much weight might make you ungainly on the trails and raise your chance of being hurt. If your bag is heavy, you are far more likely to trip, fall, or lose your equilibrium. A lightweight backpack increases your stability and improves your balance on challenging terrain.

Simple to Pack and Unpack: Ultralight backpacking requires you to carry less gear, which is lightweight, small, and easy to place into a backpack. This makes it simpler to prepare your belongings for the journey, retrieve what you need from your backpack quickly and conveniently without emptying it, and unpack and store your belongings when you reach home.

The Difference Between Lightweight & Ultralight Hiking  

Ultralight hiking aims to reduce weight even further than lightweight backpacking. The term "base weight" is commonly used to refer to the total weight of all equipment in the absence of fuel, food, and water. The latter are classified as "consumable weight. " Some hikers also include toothpaste and toilet paper in this category.

You may also lessen the weight of your equipment by subtracting it from the essential weight. 'Worn weight' can include items like hiking attire, shoes, and sports watch, which are never found in your rucksack. This also applies to the DSLR fastened to your belt, cell phone, and the map and compass in your trouser pocket- all of which are not part of the essential weight.

• Lightweight Backpacking: A backpack with a base weight of less than 10 kg (22 lb).
• Ultralight Backpacking: A backpack with a base weight of less than 5 kg (11 lb) and corresponding weight limits of 9 kg 72 g (20 lb) and 4 kg 540 g (10 lb).

Backpacking can also be divided into four categories:

• Hyperlight under 3.63 kg (8 lbs)
• Ultralight 3.63-8 kg (8-15 lbs)
• Lightweight backpacking 6.8-72 kg (15-20 lbs)
• Regular 'classic' backpacking over 10 kg (20+ lbs) base weight.

How to Prepare for Ultralight Hiking in Australia?  

It's a good idea to step back and be ready for the adventure before gathering all your things for your ultralight hiking excursion. If you are new to ultralight hiking, these are some checklist items you may use to make sure you are prepared.

Step 1: Make A Plan

As with any walk, selecting a project and getting knowledgeable about it is critical to make informed judgements regarding the equipment you should bring. Planning is crucial if you'll be gone for a few days, and while travelling in ultralight mode, you'll need to pay close attention to the route, the terrain, the weather, the flora, and the animals.

Step 2: Weigh All Your Gear

Most of your time will likely be spent on this activity, but it will be worthwhile. Weighing your equipment will make you aware of which components and pieces you never considered significantly heavier than you had expected. You are forced to consider how each piece of equipment adds to the overall weight of your pack when you give it a weight. This allows you to rank the goods in order of importance, as you must defend their inclusion in your pack.

Step 3: Safety First

While it could be OK to forgo some luxury or fine dining, you should never compromise safety or attempt to reduce the amount of safety gear you wear to lose weight. Ultralight hiking ought to be enjoyable and safe at the same time!

Step 4: Choose A Backpack

To ensure that your ultralight backpack satisfies your demands while minimising weight, it is essential to consider several critical criteria. Here is a guide to assist you in choosing the best one:

Weight: The 45L Lightweight Hiking Backpack weighs only about 1.7 kg, so that you can save a lot. Another feature to consider when searching for an ultralight backpack is its carry weight range of around 40-55 litres.

Fit & Comfort: The backpack should still be pleasant despite being lightweight. To avoid sweat, look for cushioned shoulder straps, a supporting hip belt (if necessary), and sufficient ventilation. To guarantee a good fit, see if the pack comes in various sizes.

Durability: It's crucial to balance durability with weight. Consider your tolerance for possible wear and tear about the advantages of lighter materials, as ultralight materials may not be as durable as their heavier equivalents.

Types: There are two main types of ultralight backpacks.

• Simple Frame: There are a few different types of simple frames, but for the sake of this category, a simple frame is not arc-ed and is maintained in tension to provide airspace behind you. The reverse U-shaped frames made of carbon/Delrin or tubular aluminium are more sophisticated.
• Tensioned Air Frame: These are more basic packs that resemble the ones we reviewed in our article on hiking packs. Many hikers sweat or take trips mainly in the warm to hot months of the year like packs with airflow between their backpack and their possibly sweaty back.

Step 5: Ultralight Hiking Essentials

When replacing outdated equipment and selecting new items, meticulously consider the weight of each piece. Your objective will be to achieve a total base weight of approximately 10 pounds. (The addition of consumables may result in a doubling in weight.)

Due to the escalating cost of lighter gear, a prudent strategy may involve gradually reducing your load. Substitute one significant item at a time with a more lightweight (possibly more expensive) variant. In the following part, we will explain more about ultralight hiking essentials.

Ultralight Hiking Essentials  

Procuring modern, high-quality ultralight equipment has become increasingly affordable due to a proliferation of skilled artisans and available resources.

Alternatively, for the resourceful, there exists a significant movement for creating one's gear, along with excellent textile suppliers for raw materials.

Regarding budget considerations, one may invest in bespoke, cottage brand products, economise through online promotions, or acquire gently used UL equipment at a discounted rate via various internet platforms.

The following is the checklist for ultralight hiking essentials. Check out our guide if you want to know the classic hiking essentials.

Tent: Selecting an ultralight tent can help you reduce the weight of the items you will carry, so it's also an excellent idea. One-person ultralightweight tents, such as the Illumina X Ultralight Hiking Tent, often weigh 1.35 kg or less, but traditional tents can weigh up to 3 kg. Even though there is a significant weight difference, they are robust; some are even made to survive inclement weather.

Sleeping Bag: Make sure the sleeping bag you select fits you properly in length. A sleeping bag that is too small will not be pleasant, while a bag that is too huge won't keep you warm. When choosing between down and synthetic sleeping bags, try to choose the former, as it is lighter and has a comparable temperature rating to the latter.

Food: Rather than choosing meals based only on taste, we should consider how they will fuel our bodies and meet our daily nutritional demands when ultralight backpacking. You may always think about the ratio of calories to weight to do this. Nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, and peanut butter are foods with excellent calorie-to-weight ratios; conversely, canned foods, which are frequently heavy and low in calories, should be avoided.

First Aid Kit: Always have a first aid kit with you. Because you are in the wild, you must be ready for unforeseen emergencies. Additionally, it is better to be cautious than sorry.

Navigation Tools: A reliable navigation system is always a good idea, even though you are familiar with the path. This should include a GPS device, a tiny folding directional compass, and a map in case you get lost.

Portable Power: Electricity is essential in outdoor adventure, especially if you lose connection with others. Jackery Portable Power Stations can make hiking more fun and powerful since electricity is vital, especially for overnight hiking.  

Bring a small power station like the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus or Explorer 600 Plus to charge your electronics (GPS devices, communication tools, and personal electronics) on your hiking trip. They are only the size of a book or a ball, so you can easily take them everywhere.      

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Hiking

Ultralight hiking demands compact, lightweight, and efficient gear—qualities that define Jackery Portable Power Station. Designed for adventurers who value mobility and reliability, these power stations charge devices without weighing them down.

Jackery's cutting-edge LiFePO4 and Li-ion batteries provide portable, sustainable energy. No matter where your hike takes you, you can stay fueled by pairing them with Jackery Solar Panels, which offers an environmentally responsible charging option.

We suggest the Jackery Explorer 600 Plus and Explorer 300 Plus for ultralight backpacking because they provide the ideal performance ratio to portability.

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus is an excellent choice for hikers prioritising ultra-portability. At just 8.3 lbs (3.75 kg) and with a compact design, it easily fits into your backpack while delivering 300W output and 288Wh capacity.

This power station is ideal for charging smaller devices like smartphones, cameras, and headlamps. Its intelligent app control feature allows remote management via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, offering modern convenience in a lightweight package.

Equipped with dual PD ports and advanced safety features, the Explorer 300 Plus ensures efficient and secure charging of smaller devices, such as headlamps, power banks, and cameras. The intelligent app control feature lets you manage the battery remotely via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, adding a layer of convenience to your hiking adventure. 

Jackery Explorer 600 Plus

The Jackery Explorer 600 Plus is a powerful yet portable solution for ultralight hiking. With an 800W output and 632Wh capacity, it powers essential devices like GPS units, portable stoves, and camping lights, making it an indispensable hiking companion.

With a collapsible handle and a weight of just 16.1 lbs (7.3 kg), the Explorer 600 Plus is lightweight and portable. Even in isolated areas, your gadgets will remain fully charged because of its dual PD fast-charging ports, which can handle up to 100W of power.

While its quick UPS mode (less than 20ms) offers continuous power for vital devices, the 4000-cycle LiFePO4 battery ensures durability for years of use. Because of its quiet operation and robust safety features, it is a reliable complement to your ultralight hiking gear. 

Both models combine portability with advanced features, ensuring your ultralight hiking experience is powered and stress-free. With Jackery Portable Power Stations, you can confidently explore the great outdoors while staying connected to the essentials.

Ultralight Hiking & Camping Skills

Good camping abilities are the secret to remaining warm, dry, and content when ultralight backpacking. If you are confident in your ability to camp, you won't try to make up for it by bringing a tonne of bulky backup and overkill gear.

Campsite Selection

You put yourself in unnecessary danger when your shelter is exposed and unprotected from the full power of winds and storm precipitation. Therefore, while hiking ultralight, set up your shelter (tent, tarp, or pyramid) in a safe spot a few hundred feet above the lowest region, ideally in trees.

Instead of drawing attention to yourself and everyone for miles around, you may do the people who share the region with you a favour by quietly setting up camp in the trees out of sight.

Keep Hiking While It Is Cold

It is essential to exercise often but moderately (it doesn't have to be complicated or exhausting) to stay warm in cold weather. Your hands and feet should stay warm even if you walk one to 1.5 miles per hour. This is because your body uses energy internally to heat itself. You need to move more quickly if you are growing weary!

If you must stop for more than five minutes, attempt to do so in a warmer, more sheltered spot and immediately wear warm clothes, such as a down jacket. Just before you resume your hike, remove your warm garments.

Leave No Trace Principles

Adhering to the Leave No Trace attitude minimises environmental harm and promotes eco-friendly outdoor recreation. This includes limiting the campsite's ecological effects, safeguarding animals, and appropriately disposing garbage.

Best 3 Ultralight Hiking Spots in Australia

Australia has several excellent ultralight hiking locations well-known for their breathtaking scenery and secluded wilderness experiences. Here is a list of five of Australia's best trails:

1. Cape To Cape Track

The Cape to Cape Track offers an interesting mix of sandy beaches, meandering woods, cavern systems, and coastal cliffs. Every day will be different as you stroll through the breathtaking Margaret River region. One of the best ways to begin this journey is to go for a stroll with a stroll into Luxury. On their four-day guided tour, they will enjoy wine, excellent meals, small-group hikes, and villa accommodations.

Where: Margaret River region

Duration: Five to seven days

Distance: 130km (81mi)

Grade: Moderate

2. Overland Track

While Tasmania boasts several excellent hiking trails, few are as well-known as the Overland Track. The circuit travels through verdant forests and over sheer cliffs over six thrilling, breathtaking days. Go it alone if you want flexibility.

Alternatively, walk the Cradle Mountain Signature Walk to complete the Overland Track in luxury. After a strenuous day of hiking, you may escape to cosy private huts. Because the weather in Tasmania may vary fast, you need to pack for several scenarios to enjoy your trip there truly.

Where: Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Duration: Six days

Distance: 65km (40mi)

Grade: Difficult

3. Great Ocean Walk

The Great Ocean Drive is one of Australia's most breathtaking road trips, and walking the Great Ocean Walk is as astonishing. Starting from the charming fishing village of Apollo Bay in Victoria, you will stroll through windswept beaches and along coastal cliffs, stopping to see landmarks like the famous 12 Apostles. You can go on this walk alone, but if you prefer to skip carrying your gear and treat yourself to a few little indulgences, you may choose a guided group outing.

Where: Ocean Road's Great Ocean

Duration: Eight to ten days

Distance: 100km (62mi)

Grade: Easy to difficult, depending on the section

Ultralight Hiking in Australia FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about ultralight hiking in Australia:

1. How many litresdo I need for ultralight backpacking?

While the average traveller would carry a 65-litre pack weighing three to four pounds, astute ultralight enthusiasts could choose a frameless, lightly cushioned 45 to 55-litre pack or perhaps even smaller, about one and a half to two pounds. 

2. Is ultralight hiking worth it?

Ultralight backpacking might satisfy the needs of outdoor enthusiasts who are concerned about not hurting themselves. But compared to non-ultralight options, most ultralight camping gear is marginally less comfortable. It frequently removes unnecessary components like pockets, cushioning, and frames.

3. Is 3kg tooheavy for a hiking tent?

Generally, a hiking tent should weigh no more than 3 kilograms per person; the lighter, the better. However, a lighter tent may have less inside space and may be of worse quality. A lighter weight may entail a higher cost. Therefore, you must compare comfort, quality, and weight against price and available space.

Final Thoughts

One excellent approach to broaden your hiking experience is to become ultralight. Now that you've read these pointers, you ought to feel lighter and more in control of your journey. We want you to have a smooth but unforgettable journey because we want you to get the most out of your vacation. Be well-prepared for the hazards, and you'll be alright. Now is the moment to take action and begin your ultralight hiking journey!