Queen Charlotte & Marlborough - Hiking and Tramping in New Zealand - page 293

do ample facilities (including a pool and spa, and games, kayak and bike hire), plus a res-
taurant and boatshed bar-cafe (decent local beers and $25 pizza).
Around 10 minutes further along the bay are two other lodging options, the first of which
is Mahana Lodge ( 03-579 8373; www.mahanalodge.com; d $195; closed May-Aug) . This
idyllic waterside property has a purpose-built lodge with en-suite doubles, home-cooked
meals available, and an eco-friendly attitude towards bush regeneration and pest trapping.
Keep following the pink arrows and you'll reach Noeline's Homestay ( 03-579 8375; dm
$30-35) , a relaxed place run by 70-something Noeline, 'the Universal Grandma'. It's a
friendly arrangement, with cooking facilities, great views and the bonus of home-baked
treats.
MOUNTAIN BIKING ON QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK
Although it has long been popular with NZ mountain bikers, track improvements in re-
cent years have seen a sharp increase in the number of cyclists on Queen Charlotte
Track. You can't really blame them: although the track features some good hills and a
few other hazards, it is an achievable ride for a fit, competent cyclist and is now part of
Nga Haerenga/New Zealand Cycle Trail ( www.nzcycletrail.com ) .
Bike rental is readily available in Picton; most water taxis will transport the bike to
the track for you. A fantastic three-day 'multisport' trip is offered by the Marlborough
Sounds Adventure Company ( 0800 283 283, 03-573 6078; www.marlboroughsounds.com ) ,
which involves a tramp from Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet, kayak to Portage Resort
Hotel, and mountain bike to Anakiwa. This Ultimate Sounds Adventure is $1025, all in-
clusive.
To keep both walkers and cyclists happy, an easy-to-follow code of conduct has
been developed:
A Mountain bikers are allowed on the Kenepuru Saddle to Anakiwa section any time
of the year, but only from Ship Cove to Kenepuru Saddle during March to November.
A Bikers should give way to walkers; trampers have the right of way at all times.
A Bikers need to avoid excessive braking as it can damage the track surface, espe-
cially after rain.
A Bikers need to control their speed and not surprise trampers from behind; use a
bell or give a yell.
A Trampers need to respect the bikers' right to be there, and share the track with
them.