Molesworth Station is New Zealand’s largest high country station, covering almost half a million acres (185,000ha) – and you can access this by taking a Molesworth Tour Company tag-along trip.
What’s more, you’re well looked after, and the company’s boast is “No matter what 4WD you have we will get you through. Up ridgelines, through creeks, pools, we will get you through.”
Molesworth Tour Company has a diverse range of driving experiences -- but nothing over the top, all within your vehicle’s ability and your driving experience – but having said that, you will be able to take your 4WD to heights it has never achieved before in New Zealand.
Molesworth Station is located inland of Blenheim, between the Inland Kaikoura mountains to the east where lofty Mt Tapeanuku, the highest mountain outside of the Southern Alps, dominates the views, standing proud at 2,885m. The western boundary skirts the mighty Wairau River, with the popular alpine Hanmer hot springs resort to the south.
A typical tag-along starts off with a paddock run up a moderate hill to view the lower Awatere Valley, and in the afternoon a ridge run looking out to the North Island, Cape Campbell and the inland Kaikouras.
The next day, following a creek we drive in and out to a musterers’ hut for morning tea, through bush, and up and down river banks on an old pack track.
The afternoon sees us driving a ridge along a fence line, with views over to Molesworth Station, Mt Tapuaenuku the highest Mountain outside of the Southern Alps.
The road here on takes us through Molesworth and the bush-clad Rainbow Stations, with interesting detours you and your vehicle will love.
The tour is not an extreme test of your vehicle’s capabilities, or yours, but an enjoyable journey of discovery in the Marlborough High Country. Enjoy staying in comfortable accommodation with all meals supplied, great stories along the way, and enjoy meeting local farmers over a meal in their homes.
In the past Molesworth was closed to the public for many years, but recently DoC has taken ownership and now allows access for limited times to the public. Having a DoC concession has allowed the Molesworth Tour Company to develop a comprehensive range of tours from October to May.
The summer wild flowers are a special treat from December to March. From December on, new life being introduced to the station, with new-born calves grazing with their mothers along the side of road, beside bubbling creeks, or rushing rivers.
Mountain Lakes or Tarns dot the landscape, with Lake Tennyson being the jewel in the crown, a beautiful crystal blue lake with a back drop of the Southern Alps. There are also historic buildings with their rich history, making Molesworth Station a special place in our history.
Molesworth comprises of three stations, all owned by the Crown – Molesworth, Tarndale and St Helen’s.
Contact Molesworth Tour Company for a memorable New Year’s Eve tour December 30 - Jan 2, with limited places available -- or for other dates contact info@molesworthtours.co.nz, visit www.molesworthtours.co.nz, or phone 03 572 8025 or mobile 027 435 1955.
