Getting to Nydia Track by Road
On The Track Lodge is situated in Nydia Bay, Pelorus Sound, Marlborough Sounds, South Island. This beautiful stretch of water extends out from the small town of Havelock. We are accessible via walking / mountain biking the Nydia Track or by boat. There is no road access.
We are approximately a 4-5 hour walk from either the south end (Kaiuma Bay) or the north end (Duncan Bay / Tennyson Inlet). Being halfway, the Lodge is perfect for your night’s stopover.
#1 Walking
We provide our own road transport for pick-ups/drop-offs for walking the Nydia Track. Depart Havelock at 9:30am from the Havelock Marina. Meet outside our ‘On The Track Lodge’ sign on the Mail Boat shed (next to the Slip Inn Café). Our driver will drive you by road to Kaiuma Bay where you start the 4hr 30min walk to On the Track Lodge in the beautiful Nydia Bay. Relax in the hot tub and enjoy a peaceful rest at the Lodge (for one or more nights). Start walking at 10am to arrive in Duncan Bay / Tennyson Inlet (5h walk). Be collected by our driver at 3:30pm to return to Havelock by road by 5pm. The cost is $100 per person. A minimum of 2 people are required for the transport. Please contact us if you are alone as we might have another booking already or for group rates.
Please note; as our transport is done by road (not water taxi) we cannot deliver your luggage to the Lodge and you need to carry what you bring.
OR
Park your car at either the southern end (Kaiuma Bay) or the northern end (Duncan Bay, Tennyson Inlet – (see below for road directions). Walk in – stay with us – then walk back to your car.
OR
Get two groups with separate vehicles together. One parks at Kaiuma Bay and one parks at Duncan Bay, Tennyson Inlet – (see below for road directions). Meet half-way at On The Track Lodge – stay with us – exchange car keys – and continue walking the track.
ROAD DIRECTIONS
Southern End – Kaiuma Bay
From Havelock, follow State Highway 6 towards Nelson for 5 mins, and then turn right onto Te-Hoiere Road (unsealed). Then cross two single lane bridges. After the second bridge, turn right to Kaiuma Bay and drive for another 14km (approx 30min drive) to reach the start of the Nydia Track.
Northern End – Duncan Bay, Tennyson Inlet
From Havelock follow SH6 towards Nelson and turn right onto Ronga Road, just north of Rai Valley Township. After 1 min drive, turn right again, following the sign to Tennyson Inlet. It is 27 km from here to Tennyson Inlet over the Opouri hill. The car park is at the end of the road in Duncan Bay for the track (approx. 1hr drive, 56km from Havelock to Duncan Bay).
#2 Mountain Biking
The Nydia Track is open to mountain bikes. It is best ridden from North to South and the track is very technical: grade 4 (a few areas of exposed tree roots and rocks, making it rough to negotiate), but highly recommended! In wet weather it is very slippery, and best not attempted.
Staying at On The Track Lodge gives you a night to relax before continuing. You can add length to the ride by starting at the top of Opouri saddle, where you can descend an old bridle track into Duncan Bay and start the Nydia Track.
