Molesworth Recreation Reserve tramping tracks
Located in Molesworth Recreation Reserve in the Marlborough region
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Introduction
There are five tramping tracks accessible from the Acheron Road; from short tracks from the cob buildings at Molesworth and Acheron to longer tracks with panorama views.Seasonal restrictions
Acheron Road is open 7 am – 7 pm daily from 1 October to Easter Monday or the second Sunday in April – whichever is later. It can close without warning.
Note: Since 2022 the road started opening on 1 October. Older brochures may say it opens on Labour weekend, which is now incorrect.
Dog access
Molesworth Homestead Lookout Track
Time: 10 min
Distance: 450 m
Starting from behind the cob cottage the track starts from a gate entrance taking walkers across a paddock to a point for views of Molesworth Homestead and surrounding farm buildings.
Acheron Lookout Loop Walk
Time: 20 min
Distance: 1 km
This 20 minute loop walk starting from Acheron Homestead gives views of the homestead, Clarence River and the surrounding valley.
Trig Lookout Track / Mt Chisolm Track
Time: Trig Lookout - 25 min / Mt Chisolm - 1 hr 20 min
Distance: Trig Lookout - 1.3 km / Mt Chisolm - 3.5 km
The track to Trig Lookout and Mt Chisholm starts from the carpark on the Molesworth side of Wards Pass. From the carpark follow a 4WD track to the junction where signs direct you to Trig Lookout and on to Mt Chisholm.
From Mt Chisholm are spectacular views of Molesworth Homestead and its associated farm buildings. From the summit all round views take in the Awatere Valley and Inland Kaikoura Ranges to the east, Acheron Valley to the north-west and views across Isolated Flat and Mt Barefell to the south.
The track is a tramping track marked with poles, is unformed, steep with rough sections suitable for walkers with a good level of fitness.
Pudding Hill
Time: 2 hr
Distance: 4 km
Pudding Hill summit is reached after a 2 hour walk. From here looking south the Acheron River winds its way towards its confluence with the Clarence River. Looking due north the Boddington Range separates Isolated Flat from the Acheron River.
The track standard is a tramping track and is marked with poles. The track is suitable for mountain biking.
If you plan walking to the summit of Pudding Hill, start your day early to allow the necessary time to take in this half day walk.
Mt Augarde Track
Time: 1 hr
Distance: 1.5 km
From a car park at the southern end of Isolated Flat is where the track to Mt Augarde starts. Parts of the track are unformed, steep, and rough. Follow the ridge to the summit.
From the summit of Mt Augarde are views north across Isolated Flat and the distant tops of the Severn, Saxton and Acheron Ranges.
The track is marked with poles and is suitable for walkers with good fitness.
Awatere turn-off (22 km/185 km)
From Blenheim, follow State Highway One 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 Molesworth Road is open.
Along the public Awatere Valley Road, picnic and toilet facilities are offered at the Marlborough District Council’s Blairich Recreation Reserve (37 km/161 km) and the Hodder Bridge Picnic Area (76 km/132 km).
Molesworth Cob Cottage (122 km/85 km)
For visitors who have travelled up the Awatere Valley, the original cob homestead built by John Murphy in 1866 is the gateway to Molesworth where the Acheron Road begins. If the road is closed, don't go any further.
Contacts
| Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre | |
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: |
Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Postal Address: |
Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 |
| Full office details | |
| Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +64 3 546 9339 |
| nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |