Mudbrick Lodge - Activities: The Stunning Sounds and National Parks

Activities - The Stunning Sounds and National Parks

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Spectacular and unspoilt - an introduction to one of New Zealand's natural wonders

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Myths Legends and Eco-Tours
Pete, Takutai and Tane are a Maori family who operate personalised eco-tours on a 74year old, solid kauri. Classic launch – Tutanekai. It is an amazing experience and for many a very personal insight into our history, culture and environment. Pete and Takutai take you to the special places in the sounds, far from the usual tourist spots, they share with you untold stories handed down to them by their ancestors. It is truly one of the most personal and moving cultural experiences I have ever experienced. Myths and Legends are based out of Waikawa Bay in Picton, it is an hour's drive from the Lodge. Their charters are small and personalised usually with no more than 10 guests.

Mudbrick Lodge - Myths Legends and Eco-Tours

Local Bush Treks and Tramps
The Pelorus and Rai Rivers both have some very pretty bush walks alongside their riverbanks. Tennyson Inlet through to Nydia Bay provides some amazing views of the Sounds. Our local knowledge can recommend the track that best suits your fitness level.
Time from Lodge - 10 - 20 minutes . Time needed dependant on track. Fitness required from Low to high dependant on track.

Mountain Biking
There are several very good mountain bike tracks scattered through the sounds - from the Queen Charlotte, which is open at certain times of year to mountain bikers, through to Nydia bay, Wakamarina. Let us know where your riding abilities are at and we will point you in the right direction. We can also arrange experienced guides.

Mount Richmond Forest Park
Mount Richmond, New Zealand's second largest forest park is made up of mountain ranges, forests and rivers. It is sometimes referred to as the Forgotten Park since despite its well developed network of tramping tracks and huts, short walks, picnic areas, natural swimming holes and historical features, it is a comparatively rarely visited park.
Time from Lodge - 20 minutes . Time needed dependant on track. Fitness required from Low to high dependant on track.

Native Bird Watching
Some of the islands within the Sounds are protected and free from predators. At certain times during the year, they are open to licensed operators to bring visitors. Mudbrick Lodge is able to gain visits to these islands.
Time from Lodge - 1 hour. Time needed full day.

Queen Charlotte Track
The Queen Charlotte Track is one of nature's wonderlands with stunning Marlborough Sounds views and interesting varied coastlines. The track is open to walkers all year round and mountainbikers from Feb 28 to Dec 1. The full track takes between 3 - 5 days walking or 2 - 3 days mountainbiking. We can cater for many options such as dropping you in at bays by water taxi, for day walks. Kayaking is another option.
Time from Lodge - 30 minutes . Time needed dependant on how much of track you walk. Fitness required from medium.

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Abel Tasman National Park
Famous for its sweeping golden sands, lagoons, estuaries and awesome granite headlands, the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk is New Zealand's most popular Great Walk. Combinations of sea kayaking and walking prove the most popular.
Time from Lodge - 1.5 hours . Time needed dependant on option. Fitness required medium.

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Kahurangi National Park
Kahurangi is New Zealand's second largest national park. Discover Middle Earth right here. The ethereal scenery of the Kahurangi National Park was used as a backdrop to the movie Lord of the Rings. It contains some of the most outstanding natural landforms, habitats, plant and animal communities of any of New Zealand's protected conservation areas. Tramping options range from the historic Heaphy Track, noted as one of New Zealand's Great Walks through to remote wilderness routes.
Time from Lodge - 2 hours. Time needed dependant on option. Fitness required medium.

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Caving - Kahurangi National Park
Kahurangi National Park hosts some of the most spectacular limestone caves in New Zealand with Ngarua Caves and Labyrinth Rocks.
Time from Lodge - 2 hours. Time needed dependant on option. Fitness required medium.

Harwoods Hole
A 176-metre (577 feet) sinkhole. This is the deepest vertical drop in New Zealand. A 40-minute walk in from the carpark.
Time from Lodge - 2 hours. Time needed dependant on option. Fitness required medium.

Pupu Springs
One of Golden Bay's most famous and fascinating attractions. The Marble Rock of the Takaka Hills is famous for its cave system, underground rivers and features. In the Waikoropupu Valley the surface river has eroded down through the cap rock to a point where the underground water, at great pressure, emerges as springs. The natural filtration this water goes through holds it at a constant temperature of 11.7° C, and is reputably one of the clearest springs in the world. It is also ranked in the top 100 largest springs in the world (at about 90th). Tours can be arranged to dive on the springs.
Time from Lodge - 2 hours. Time needed dependant on option. Fitness required low.

Anatoki
A heritage farm that is home to pet eels and breeds a wide range of endangered and rare animals such as llamas, alpacas, sheep and yaks. $10 entrance fee.
There is also a newly developed Salmon farm where you can experience the thrill of catching your own fish for cooking later.
Time from Lodge - 2 hours. Time needed dependant on option. Fitness required low.

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Heaphy Track
78kms past Collingwood through the Kahurangi National Park to the West Coast. The track is benched, cut and kept clear. All streams and rivers are bridged and there are many huts and shelters along the way.
Time from Lodge - 2 ½ hours. Time needed 5 days. Fitness required mod to high.

Farewell Spit
A narrow windswept sandspit, which stretches 30 kilometres (19 miles) away from the northern tip of the South Island. It is an internationally recognized bird sanctuary. Over 90 species of birds have been recorded here. The reserve has been officially acknowledged by the United Nations Nature Resources as a wetland of worldwide importance.
Time from Lodge - 3 ½ hours. Time needed 2 days.

Nelson Lakes National Park
Situated at the very northern end of the Southern Alps, this park attracts many visitors each year with its tramping, climbing and skiing through the ranges and boating on the lakes. Nelson Lakes National Parks are famous for its blue lakes, beech forests, mountains and wild open river valleys.
Time from Lodge - 2 hours to St Arnaud. Time needed full day.