New Zealand Walk: Nydia Track - something for everyone
Every walk on the Nydia Track, Pelorus Sound, Marlborough offers a different experience - a scent of flowering manuka, the feel of a sea breeze, sounds of tui and bellbirds, an occasional glimpse of wild pigs, deer and goats or the surprisingly rare chance of bumping into a like-minded tramper.
For the Blom family (parents Helen and Art, and young adults Nick, Maegen, Emma and Art jnr) - the Nydia Track holds many wonderful family memories and it’s a place they regularly return to enjoy and share with others.
The Blom family connection to the area began in 2015 when they purchased the remote On the Track Lodge at Nydia Bay, half way along the Nydia Track, Pelorus Sound, Marlborough.
Helen and Art had inspected the accommodation lodge only once, travelling in and out by boat as there is no road access. This meant their first walk on the track from Kaiuma Bay to Nydia Bay was very special, as it introduced the rest of the family to what would be their home and playground for several years.
Family members remember the excitement and anticipation of that journey and the beauty of the native bush encountered for the first time.
Each member of the family has since explored and enjoyed the Nydia Track many times.
The 27 km track runs from Kaiuma Bay to Nydia Bay then on to Duncan Bay with walkers normally covering the distance in two easy days (five and a half hours and four hours respectively) stopping overnight at either On the Track Lodge or the DOC hut in Nydia Bay.
Shuttle transfers to and from the track and Havelock are available, as is vehicle relocation, or with a bit of organisation two groups can walk the track from either end, swapping keys in the middle.
The Havelock Mail Boat runs regularly to the jetty at Nydia Bay offering an alternate way to explore the area and water taxi services are also available.
Helen and youngest daughter Emma believe walking is the best way to discover the track. They