Road through historic Molesworth Station opening with new walking tracks

Date:  23 December 2008

The Acheron Road through Molesworth Station is due to open to the public on Sunday 28 December offering the awesome experience of driving through the historic and vast high country station that is New Zealand’s largest farm.  

The road through the heart of Molesworth, in South Marlborough, is scheduled to be open from 28 December through till 1 April 2009, weather and road conditions permitting.

Three new tracks have been marked to provide additional opportunities for visitors to get out of the car and explore the station.  A one-hour-20 minute walk up Mt. Chisholm offers far reaching views of the station; the two-hour Pudding Hill track is also suitable for mountain biking; and the one-hour walk up Mt Augard offers spectacular views of the surrounding ranges.

The 180,476-hectare Molesworth Station is a recreation reserve under Department of Conservation management with the cattle farming operation run by Landcorp Farming Limited.  There is no fee to travel the road but there is a cost to stay at two campsites at each end of the road. Rangers on duty can provide information on camping and directions to the new tracks.

Anyone planning to make the road trip should first check that the road is open as it can close at short notice due to weather-related conditions. People can call the DOC South Marlborough Area Office, ph: (03) 572 9100, or check with visitor centres in the region.

DOC South Marlborough Area Community Relations Programme Manager Colin Davis said the Acheron Road journey was popular with around 7500 people making the road trip during each three-month opening period.  

“Molesworth has outstanding natural features, a rich history and a stunning and dramatic landscape. It combines farming, conservation and recreation in one vast area and is a fascinating place to visit.”

Visitors to Molesworth Station are asked to comply with a Molesworth Care Code aimed at protecting native species and the working farm. Access is restricted to the roads and areas open to the public. No open fires are allowed. The area is often very dry in summer and visitors are asked to take extreme care to avoid starting fires.

The trip between Blenheim and Hanmer takes around 6 hours. The 59-kilometre Acheron Road through Molesworth is open between 7am and 7pm daily. The narrow and unsealed road is suitable for two-wheel drive cars and mountain bikes but not for caravans or vehicles over seven metres long.

Camping fees for the campsites by Molesworth Cob Cottage and Acheron Accommodation House are $6 per adult and $1.50 per child per night. Portable cookers should be carried.