Make your own way to Havelock, the mussel capital of Marlborough Sounds located roughly halfway between Nelson and Picton. Check-in to your trip accommodation any time after 2:00pm. Take some time to explore this quiet little village at the head of Pelorus Sound. Visit the local museum, wander along the marina with its flotilla of boats or sample some local produce. Freshly prepared green-lipped mussels are the signature dish and are not to be missed!

Meals:  Nil

Meet this morning at the Mail Boat shed at the Havelock Marina (an easily identified central location) for a 9:30am road transfer to Kaiuma Bay, the southern trailhead for the Nydia Track. The journey is approximately 45 mins and is mostly on a narrow, winding unsealed road. The Nydia Track is a series of old bridle paths linked together, passing through farmland, a variety of native and regenerating forests and tracing the shoreline of Nydia Bay where logging activities occurred from 1876 until 1919. There is little evidence of this in present times. Walk the first part of the track today, through regenerating and beech forest, gradually ascending until Kaiuma Saddle (387m), which is about halfway for today and the highest point on the trail. The view is far-reaching and on a clear day it is possible to see the Marlborough region's highest peak, Tapuae-o-Uenuku (2885m) in the Kaikoura Ranges. From here the track is all downhill, crossing a stream and farmland before reaching the shore of Nydia Bay. The lovely On The Track Lodge in its peaceful surrounds is your base for the next two nights. NOTE: You will need to bring your own packed lunch today.

Meals:  D

Today is completely at your leisure, depending on how much or little you feel like doing. Explore some local trails, meander around Nydia Bay or perhaps take a kayak from the lodge and enjoy some casual water activities. Alternatively, relax in the hot tub, read a book or just absorb the peace and tranquility of this beautifully remote location. All meals today are provided by the lodge, including a picnic lunch.

Meals:  B,L,D

Collect your packed lunch from the lodge after breakfast this morning and continue walking the Nydia Track, following the shoreline along the edge of the bay where saw milling activities once occurred. Turning inland the track then climbs to Nydia Saddle (347m) from where there are lovely views of Tennyson Inlet, your destination today. Cross the saddle and descend to sea level once again, passing through some of the most beautiful native forest on the track including giant rimu, nikau, beech and tree ferns. Your driver will be waiting at Duncan Bay, the northern trailhead, to collect you at around 3:30pm. Transfer back to Havelock (a journey of about 1.5 hrs) where trip arrangements end on arrival at approximately 5:00pm.

Meals:  B,L