On The Track Lodge

Halfway along the Nydia Track in Marlborough's Pelorus Sound, this lodge has no road in. Guests arrive by walking or mountain biking the bush-lined track, or by boat to the Nydia Bay jetty — the journey itself is part of the stay. Once there, the setting is remote and off-grid, with waterfront access and no Wi-Fi to pull attention elsewhere.

Accommodation sleeps up to 24 across several distinct options: 1930s train carriage rooms with private ensuites, upstairs and downstairs chalets with shared bathrooms, a Mongolian-style yurt suited to groups, and a seaside cabin close enough to hear the waves. Shared facilities are kept tidy, and the whole property can be booked exclusively for reunions, celebrations, or holidays like Christmas and New Year, with self-catering options available.

Days here run on the lodge's own rhythm rather than a packed itinerary: a soak in the hot tub, short bush and coastal walks, kayaking or paddleboarding, swimming, wharf fishing, glow worms after dark, or games and books in the lodge's library. Meals are home-cooked — breakfasts, dinners, and artisan picnic lunches are prepared fresh daily.

The lodge runs its main trekking season from October through April; winter stays are by request via email. It does not operate seven days a week, so advance planning matters, and one-night stays are enquiry-only. Packages bundle the track walk or boat journey with a two-night stay, including an Explorer Package from $575 per person and a Yurt Package from $485 per person on a group rate. Pets are not permitted.