Explore/New Zealand/NZ/Rainbow Road — Hanmer Springs to St Arnaud via Island Saddle

NZHanmer Springs, New ZealandChallengingMixedMotoVault Pick

Rainbow Road — Hanmer Springs to St Arnaud via IslandSaddle.

Distance

112 km

Duration

1 day

Climb

1,500 m

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Curated by Rider · Updated Jun 2026

Overview

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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Day-by-day

The route.

ROUTE

6 stops

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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