Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Tramp
Day 1: Shag Point to Nydia Bay
4-5½ HOURS, 15KM
This tramp starts at
Shag Point
, a rocky promontory that juts into
Kaiuma Bay
in
Pelorus
Sound
. From here it is 3km to the Nydia Track start. The first 1km winds through a grassy
paddock and then swings north and begins to climb towards a 490m point above Kaiuma
Bay. You move into beech forest and sidle around the point's western flank, and in one hour
descend to cross two branches of the
Omahakie Stream
.
On the other side, the track re-enters beech forest and climbs steadily to
Kaiuma Saddle
(387m). It's a steady climb, taking the average tramper around one to 1½ hours to reach it
from the stream. Halfway up you pass a waterfall that cascades down a rock slide into a
small pool. Views from the saddle are somewhat limited, but it's still a pleasant spot to take
a break.
From the saddle the track is well defined and benched, and within minutes you're enjoy-
ing grand views of
Nydia Bay
. The track remains in beech forest until you bottom out in
farmland and ford a stream. You cross another paddock (follow the track signs and watch
out for the cows) and quickly ford a second stream.
Within four hours of leaving the car park you arrive at Nydia Bay and a signposted junc-
tion. To the east (right fork) is the track to Nydia Lodge, a 30-minute walk away. To the
west (left fork) the track skirts the bay briefly and then swings into the beech forest. You
climb above the shoreline and then descend back to Nydia Bay where the track continues to
skirt the shoreline, weaving in and out of the bush and passing a handful of private homes
and On the Track Lodge. Within 15 minutes you pass the Nydia Bay wharf, and within an
hour of the wharf you cross a stream and pass an incredible pool that is perfect for a soak on
a hot day. The signposted junction for the Nydia Bay Campsite is just down the track. The
campsite has a toilet and pitches overlooking the bay.
Day 2: Nydia Bay to Duncan Bay
4-4½ HOURS, 12KM
From the signposted junction to the campsite, the main track heads left (north) and begins
climbing. It's a 1½- to two-hour ascent along the west side of the valley to
Nydia Saddle
(347m). Like Kaiuma Saddle the climb is a constant march but never steep, and trees block
most of the views.
