The 1347 m Island Saddle is the highest point on a publicly accessed road in New Zealand.
From Blenheim, follow SH1 south, then turn right at the Awatere Valley intersection just north of Seddon and the Awatere Valley Bridge. A sign here will indicate whether the Acheron Road through Molesworth is open.
From Hanmer, take Jacks Pass Road a short distance past the Hurunui isite and about 750 metres along that road turn right into the Clarence Valley Road. Follow this road over the pass and turn right for Molesworth and the Acheron road.
- Watch out for wasps, especially in late summer and autumn.
- Check if you need an activitiy permit.
- Check if Acheron Road is open.
- Molesworth Recreation Reserve Bylaws 2017 apply.
- The weather here ranges from scorching summers to freezing snowy winters.
Molesworth care code
- Open fires are not allowed, even in cottage fireplaces. Use portable stoves for cooking.
- Leave gates as you find them.
- Keep vehicles to the formed roads.
- Dogs are prohibited.
- Don't remove or damage native plants and animals.
- Check for seeds and plants on your gear before entering.
- Remove rubbish.
- Respect our cultural heritage.
- Toitu te whenua – leave the land undisturbed
Useful contacts
Fish & Game
Marlborough office, +64 3 578 8421
Nelson office, +64 3 544 6382
Rainbow Station
Email: info@rainbowstation.co.nz
Phone: +64 3 5224 413 between 8.30 am – 4.00 pm
Rainbow Station website
Molesworth Recreation Reserve contains special and diverse biodiversity, including tiny inconspicuous endangered plants. Almost half of the over 60 endemic plant species found in South Marlborough grow on Molesworth.
Molesworth has a rich farming history. The area is also home to the historic Acheron Accommodation House (1862) and the historic Molesworth Cob Cottage (1866).
Learn about the history from interpretation panels, camp outside the Cob Cottage, picnic by the mighty Acheron River or enjoy walks from 10 minutes to several days duration.
The 180,787 ha reserve is New Zealand’s largest farm, running the country's biggest herd of beef cattle, numbering up to 10,000.
Check, Clean, Dry
Clean all gear when moving between waterways to prevent the spread of didymo and other freshwater pests.
Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 521 1806 |
| Email: | nelsonlakesvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | View Road St Arnaud 7072 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |
Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |