Rainbow Road — Hanmer Springs to St Arnaud via IslandSaddle.
Distance
112 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
1,500 m
Rainbow Road — Hanmer Springs to St Arnaud via Island Saddle.
A 112km high-country adventure across the Molesworth and Rainbow stations, linking the spa town of Hanmer Springs to Nelson Lakes at St Arnaud. The unsealed road climbs to Island Saddle (1,347m) — the highest public road in New Zealand — through vast tussock basins. Summer only; carry fuel, food, and check the weather.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance112 km
Days1
Total climb1,500 m
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
Hanmer SpringsStart · Start in the alpine spa town of Hanmer Springs — last reliable fuel and food. The Rainbow Road is gravel the whole way and adventure-bike territory. Fill the tank.
Jacks PassScenic Point · A short steep climb out of the Hanmer basin onto the tops, with views back over the forest and plain. The gravel begins in earnest here.
Lake TennysonScenic Point · A glacial high-country lake (1,102m) ringed by tussock, scree and beech — a scenic highlight and the last sheltered spot before the saddle.
Island Saddle (1347m)Mountain Pass · The highest public road in New Zealand. Exposed alpine tops where the weather turns without warning — snow can fall in any month. Do not linger if cloud rolls in.
Rainbow StationScenic Point · The long descent follows the Wairau River through the working high-country Rainbow Station. Stock gates to open and close — leave them as you find them.
St ArnaudEnd · Finish at St Arnaud on Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park. Sealed roads, fuel and food resume here. A swim in the lake is well earned.
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