Activities at Molesworth Station
Tracks and walks
There is a well-travelled network of tramping tracks accessible from the Hanmer-St Arnaud Road (via Rainbow Station). Outside the summer season (from the beginning of December until the first weekend in March), permission must be obtained from Star Holdings Limited for access through Rainbow Station.
Open periods for recreation activities
The open periods for public recreation access vary across Molesworth with restrictions in place to protect the working farm. The Upper Clarence/Wairau rivers area in the western part of the station is open throughout the year. The Acheron Road through the station is open from 28 December 2012 to 7 April 2013. Two large areas - in the north-west and east - are open for seasonal access. Open areas may be temporarily closed due to weather conditions or stock movements.
See the Molesworth map for more details on areas open for seasonal public access.
A permit is required for access to the central part of the station essential to the farming operation outside of the period when the Acheron Road is open. Those seeking permits should contact the DOC South Marlborough Area Office.
Trout fisherman
Guided tours
DOC grants concessions for a number of reputable tour operators, who offer visitors to Molesworth the option of being driven through the property by a knowledgeable guide. Special interest tours include cycling, rafting, kayaking and horse-trekking.
Horse trekking
At all times of the year, permission is required to ride through Molesworth. Routes and logistics need to be carefully planned. Contact the South Marlborough Area Office for advice and necessary permits.
Fishing
Good trout and salmon fishing are available in the rivers, streams and lakes of Molesworth. Please park your vehicle and walk, as off-road driving is prohibited. Walking access is possible up stream margins and major rivers.
Fishing permitted only during the open season (October 1 to April 30) and requires a license from Fish & Game New Zealand. Contact their Marlborough, +64 3 578 8421 or Nelson office, +64 3 544 6382.
Anyone wanting access when the road is closed must apply for a special permit from the South Marlborough Area Office.
Hunting
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting the Clarence River is a multi-day wilderness experience, offered by a number of adventure tourism companies employing qualified guides. Trips are generally four days and five nights.
Rafts are launched at the Acheron River confluence and the journey ends 214 kilometres later where the Clarence meets the sea. Rapids are a moderate grade two and three. October to December is the main rafting season, when water levels are sufficiently high.
Historic appreciation
Maori were the first to develop trails throughout the high country including Molesworth to link coastal settlements to mahinga kai/food gathering resources and pounamu/greenstone.
Early settlers followed these same routes and in the 1850's the inland route between Nelson, Marlborough and North Canterbury delivered most of the livestock for the initial stocking of the Canterbury runs.
The old cob accommodation houses at Tophouse, Rainbow, Tarndale and Acheron were part of a chain of Accommodation Houses placed to serve these early travellers using stock routes through Molesworth.
Visitors to Molesworth can visit two of these cob buildings including the original homestead - the Molesworth Cob Cottage (1866) and the historic Acheron Accommodation House (1862).
The wide open spaces and expansive vistas help even the most neglected imagination experience the isolation and determination felt by early travellers.
Bird and wildlife watching
Kea in flight
Molesworth supports one of New Zealand's most diverse lizard faunas. The nationally threatened scree skink and spotted skink are found here as well as more common species.
Nationally threatened bird species which occur on Molesworth include the southern crested grebe, black-fronted tern, kea, New Zealand falcon, yellow-crowned kakariki, New Zealand pied oystercatcher and banded dotterel.
Molesworth provides valuable habitat, especially during the summer, when most birds leave coastal areas to breed on braided riverbeds. A significant proportion of the national population of black-fronted terns breed in the Wairau, Awatere and Clarence catchments, of which Molesworth forms a part.
Molesworth also provides bird habitat in the shrublands that support high populations of tomtits, robins, rifleman and brown creeper.
Land-locked native fish species, including members of the bully and galaxiid families, occur in lakes and tarns, some unique to Marlborough. Rivers and streams are populated by native fish species and trout.
Several species of spectacularly large giant wetas and speargrass weevils can be found in the area.
Scenic nature tours
Add the one-day drive through New Zealand's high country to your bucket list. The 207 kilometre journey from Blenheim to Hanmer Springs follows the Awatere River, then crosses Wards Pass to follow the Acheron to its confluence with the Clarence River.
The trip provides a surprising and unforgettable journey through spectacular scenery and wide-open landscapes. There is plenty of opportunity to stop along the way for picnics, trout fishing, bird watching, a dip in the swimming holes, photography or several marked several short walks.
Child and family activities
Molesworth offers a wide rage of family activities from camping, great swimming holes, trout fishing and historical appreciation to the variety of short walk options. Plus, kids are great to have on hand to open and close the farm gates along the 3 hour scenic drive down the Acheron Road!
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Guided activities and tours