Nydia track, Pelorus and Marlborough Sounds

Start: Duncan Bay car park at the end of Duncan Bay Road.
Waymarkers : orange arrows

(S) Walk to the end of the car park and start the track with a beautiful view of Duncan Bay on the left as you walk onto a wooden pontoon, great for a first picture! Then, walk straight North in the native woodland until you reach the signpost Pipi Beach on the left.

(1) Take a detour here, this is a beautiful spot along the beach. Then carry straight on. Walk further into the bush as the elevation gain starts to rise. Make sure to carry plenty of water with you! Carry on on the hike, still well indicated with orange arrows within the bush, offering stunning views of the sounds. Keep going, and keep those legs working out, it's almost the end of your pain (3.5 Km to go)!

(2) Up here, you have a stunning view from an inclined tree on your right, if you're brave enough to climb it. (It is not too difficult but please be careful!). Then make sure you carry straight on and turn right to reach a nice viewpoint.

(3) You are now at Nydia Saddle, well done, now you can enjoy walking downhill. The whole track down is pretty well indicated, you won't get lost.

(4) On the way, you will have other stunning views of the sounds. (WOW point!)

(5) Soon reach a junction with the Nydia campsite on your left, where you can stay overnight if you book in advance. It is also a good spot for a lunch break, a swim. There are toilets and a nice bench. When you finish enjoying, keep going along the track. It is relatively flat from here and still well-indicated. You will go through farmlands.

(6) As you walk along the lakeside, be careful not to try to cross the branches on your right, if they are still there, instead you have to cross the river straight ahead to carry on and you will see an orange triangle on the trees on your right.

(7) As you reach a gate on your right indicating another path, make sure you keep going on the track along the lakeside left. The track on the right is for the next day if you do the two-days trek (or the same day if you are brave enough to do this walk in a day).

You are going to walk past a lodge then across the gates to finally reach the Nydia lodge. Well done you made it to the hut!

Here, just at the junction before you reach the hut there is another nice pontoon on your left down the hill, if you fancy a well-deserved swim. If you decided to walk the Nydia track in a day please walk back to waypoint (7) and carry on reading the second walk sheet. If you didn't organise car a transfer or taxi ride, walk back the same way back to your car. (E).

Start: Duncan Bay car park at the end of Duncan Bay Road.
Waymarkers : orange arrows

Transport: This is a one-way trek with no public transport. At the starting point, there is a car park but you won't come back this way, so ensure you have someone who can pick you up at the end of the track or have transport organised. It is possible to arrange a taxi in advance. Please contact Haverlock I-Site to help you out.

Terrain : ⚠️While the track is generally easy to navigate, hikers should come prepared to cross a stream and cross fallen branches along the way. For more information about any closures and warnings, please check the DOC website here.

Facilities & Gears: You will cross some steams along the way to replenish your water. A water filter is recommended. It is good to have hiking poles to cross a stream and some parts of the paths with uneven surfaces or fallen trees. It is a long track so make sure to bring enough food and water.
At the campsite (waypoint (5)), there are toilets and a nice bench for a break.

Accommodation : The scenic journey includes an overnight stay at Nydia Bay, allowing hikers to immerse themselves fully in the tranquility of the surroundings. You can book a logde/hut in advance for a very cheap price here and have access to hot showers, which is a must for a hut in NZ! The lodge has a hut atmosphere but with the extra luxury of having hot showers and a fully furnished kitchen. The bunk beds are also in separate rooms which is nice if you prefer privacy.
There is a DOC campsite along the way which you can book in advance.

Stunning views on the Marlborough sounds all along the track. A lot of native trees and birds (fantails).