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Writer's pictureSidetracks Women

The Truth About Sandflies: The Uninvited Guests of Nelson Lakes National Park

Brave trampers are ready to go!

Nelson Lakes National Park is a favourite in our hiking program despite one of its most notorious features: the infamous NZ sandfly, or "the most mischievous animal," as Captain James Cook described them. These tiny terrors are the stuff of legend, and it's time to bring the truth to light with a dash of humour and a heap of honesty.


Let's face it, no one goes to Nelson Lakes for the sandflies. They're the troublemakers at nature's big party, and they don't take a hint! But don't worry, if you know the right facts (and have a good repellent), you can enjoy the park's stunning beauty without becoming a walking buffet.



Stay tuned to learn everything you need to know about these pesky critters and how to outsmart them on your next adventure. We promise it's not all doom and gloom—there's plenty of laughter and good times to be had, too.


The article New Zealand's blood-sucking summer nightmare (actually, it's year-round) published by Stuff in 2017 tells you everything you need to know about these creatures in a fascinating and illustrative way. Click here to find out more.


A great tip from Entomologist Trevor Crosby:

"When you're out tramping, if you want to have a rest, most people stop on the edges of clearings between the trees or a grassy area. That's where they congregate. It's best to be in the middle of a bleak field with a cleared area."

We recommend wearing long pants and a long sleeve top. Stuffing your pant legs into your socks provides extra protection. 😊


We promise all our tour participants have survived just fine  ;-)


Happy women trampers


So, be brave and join us on our Nelson Lakes, Nydia Track & Kaikoura Coast Tour.


Explore not only the stunning landscape of Nelson Lakes National Park but also the beautiful Nydia Track and Bay as well as the Kaikoura Coastal Track.


This tour is truly a hiker's gem.



**More Info**

We offer several dates for the Nelson Lakes, Nydia Track & Kaikoura Coast Tour per season, each limited to max 10 participants - see our tour calendar for available options. On this 8-day long hiking tour we take you to three stunning locations, each offering a unique and unforgettable hiking experience. The scenic Kaikoura Coastal Track (2 days) and the remote Nydia Track in the Marlborough Sounds (2 days) followed by a panoramic day walk in Nelson Lakes National Park. Diverse hiking bliss!


This post is based on an article in our Sidetracks Women Newsletter.  It offers a great way to stay in the loop about our tours, regularly receive interesting info and handy hints about hiking and cycling in NZ, as well as tour-related specials.

To subscribe to our newsletter, write your email address in the field under JOIN US at the bottom of our website and click on SUBSCRIBE. You can also follow us on facebook to get impressions of our tours. If you do both, you will never miss a special! 😃






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