Perambulators at Nydia Bay

Multi Day Hike to Nydia Bay Marlborough Sounds Friday 2 February to Sunday 4 February 2024

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/places/pelorus-and-kenepuru-sounds-area/things-to-do/tracks/nydia-track/

Bill and Sue Day volunteer as wardens at the DOC lodge at Nydia Bay every year.  We visited them in 2018 as part of a trip that included hiking in the Nelson Bay region. On that trip we walked in and out the same way so this time we are going to do the complete trip.

The first step is to get names together so we can book the lodge at Nydia Bay.  Bookings are already open and are likely to fill up fast.  Once we have the group confirmed we can consider the logistics of getting to and from.  I have been in contact with Pelorus Sounds Water Taxis who run a pick up service to and from the ends of the track.  Pick up could be either at Picton or Blenheim depending on whether we arrange to fly in or go by ferry. The van is limited to 11 people.

Suggestion would be to fly into Blenheim and get a shuttle (as above) to the start of the track at Duncan Bay (1.5 hours from Blenheim or 2 hours from Picton).  Walk to Nydia Lodge, approximately 6 hours according to DOC. This section is through “one of the most beautiful parts of the track with giant rimu, nikau, beech trees and tree ferns”. We would then stay at Nydia Bay lodge for 2 nights, exploring the surrounding area and Bill and Sue’s hospitality. Sunday we would walk out to Kaiuma Bay (Havelock end) approximately 4.5 hours.  We would get picked up by shuttle there and returned to Blenheim (or Picton).

There are several other options for transport e.g. hire a van and leave it at the track start or at Kaiuma Bay to be retrieved at the end.  We could arrange a water taxi, or perhaps Bill to ferry in the heavy food and drinks so you will only need to carry a light load. Before any of these options are considered we first need to have numbers to ensure we can book the Lodge.  Currently there are rooms available for the nights proposed but we will need to move quickly.

Let me know as soon as possible if you are interested.  Numbers are limited by transport options and space at the lodge. I have been asked if non-walking partners could attend. That will be dependent on space at the lodge and the need to make separate arrangements to get to the lodge from the airport via water taxi.

The priority is to get names to book the lodge. 

If you are interested RSVP no later than Friday 29 September.  We will then book the lodge and all other logistics can be worked on over the coming months.