Molesworth Acheron Road — Hanmer Springs toBlenheim.
Distance
207 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,100 m
Molesworth Acheron Road — Hanmer Springs to Blenheim.
A bucket-list gravel traverse of Molesworth, New Zealand's largest farm at 180,000 hectares. The Acheron Road runs roughly 200 km from the spa town of Hanmer Springs over high tussock basins, past two historic cob accommodation houses, and down the Awatere Valley to the Marlborough wine country at Blenheim. The road is only open to vehicles from late December to early April — check before you ride and carry fuel and water.
Quick facts
SurfaceOff-road
Distance207 km
Days1
Total climb1,100 m
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
Hanmer SpringsStart · Alpine spa town and the southern gateway. Confirm Molesworth is open (late Dec to early Apr) and fill the tank — there are no services for the next 200 km.
Jacks Pass — Acheron Road GateScenic Point · The seal ends and the Molesworth gravel begins. Note the daytime-only access gate hours.
Acheron Accommodation HouseScenic Point · Historic 1863 cob building at the Clarence and Acheron river confluence, once an overnight stop for horse-drawn coaches.
Molesworth Cob CottageRestaurant · The 1866 cob homestead at the heart of the station. The only sanctioned camp and rest stop on the route — a good place to pause before the Awatere descent.
BlenheimEnd · Descend the long Awatere Valley to Blenheim in the heart of Marlborough wine country. Cold drink earned.
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