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Getting to the Lodge by Water

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.

The advantages of water transfers include speed and time savings, a comfortable way to travel for all ages and fitness levels, and the option to bring more luggage/catering supplies. Havelock Marina offers pay and display car parking.

Here are the 6 best-known options for getting to On the Track Lodge by water.  It pays to contact more than one business when planning your trip and to familiarize yourself with details.  Most boats can arrange to transfer your gear including bikes and kayaks but you will need to discuss that in advance.  For most water taxis, the bigger the group, the lower the price per individual.

Also please be aware, the jetty is an easy 15 minute (quite lovely) walk to/from the Lodge front door, guests need to carry their own luggage and make their way there by foot.  The path is unsealed with some tree roots and can be damp if there’s been rain.  When you get off the boat, take a left turn along the Nydia Track and follow the track to the Lodge.

1) Mail Boat

The historic mail boat run has been operating for over 100 years.  It leaves from a berth and office on Pier B of the Havelock Marina on Wednesdays at 10 am. The ‘sea postie’ delivers and collects mail, parcels, supplies in and around the Pelorus Sound.

The current Pelorus Mail Boat is a large, modern catamaran launch (capacity 99 people).  There are tea making facilities and onboard toilets.  Remember to bring your own lunch (unless you have made prior arrangements for lunch with us at On the Track Lodge).

The outward bound leg of the trip from Havelock to On the Track Lodge Nydia Bay costs $50 per adult ($30 per child 5 -15 years).  The return trip from On the Track Lodge to Havelock takes the scenic route around the sounds and costs $tbc per adult and returns to Havelock late afternoon.

Details available at https://www.themailboat.co.nz/

Pelorus Mail Boat

2) Pelorus Sound Water Taxi

Recommended for private groups of six to twenty  people – Dean and Denise operate a water taxi service to get you and your group to wherever you want to go in the Sounds.  They have a large water taxi and it can carry up to 20 passengers.  They have a custom-made bike rack. Pricing all depends on the numbers in your group and whether the boat is heading in your direction around the same time for other reasons.

Pelorus Water Taxis have a regular Saturday route between Havelock and the Pelorus Sound, including a stop at Nydia Bay.  Pelorus Sound Water Taxi, like most companies, will provide customized itineraries if requested –  contact them to discuss.  Pricing all depends on the numbers in your group and whether the boat is heading in your direction around the same time for other reasons.

On the Track Lodge has teamed up with Pelorus Water Taxis to offer a ‘Taste of the Sounds’ package (minimum four people) – including water taxi transfers from Havelock to On the Track Lodge, stopping off to visit a mussel farm and if the weather is good, have an onboard mussel tasting experience, one night’s accommodation at the lodge (all meals included) before you tramp out to Duncan Bay and return to Havelock by road shuttle.  Visit our Packages page.

https://www.pelorussoundwatertaxis.co.nz/

3) Havelock and Sounds Water Taxis

Recommended for groups between six and fifteen people – Brownie and Carleen operate this service using their 40 foot boat ‘The Interceptor’ which can transfer up to 15 people at one time with gear.  The cost from Havelock to On the Track Lodge is $330-$350 each way.

http://www.havelockwatertaxis.co.nz/

Havelock Water Taxi

4) Te Hoire Water Taxis

Recommended for water transfers from Duncan Bay – Run by Jesse Clements, this is a new service on offer to visitors.    The boat can take 11 people and Jesse will drive you wherever you need to go.  Dogs are welcome aboard.  There is a set fee of $tbc for the boat to pick up from Havelock and drop off at On the Track Lodge (whether its 2 people or 11).  If your group would like to walk the track to Duncan Bay, Jesse can bring you back via the water to Havelock for $tbc.

Contact Jesse on 03 576 5691, 021 209 6554 or jesserebel3@gmail.com

5) Your Own Boat

If you are lucky enough to have your own boat, On the Track Lodge can offer a complimentary mooring in Nydia Bay for your use (contact us in advance to discuss arrangements).  At high tide, luggage and guests can climb to shore right outside the lodge – and there is always the Nydia Bay jetty (a 15 minute walk from the lodge) where boats can tie up for short periods of time.

Please call or email On the Track Lodge for any further information or help.

Foreshore at Nydia Bay On the Track Lodge

Map of Nydia Track On the Track Lodge
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