Moleworth Station / Archeron Road

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jamesrt

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#311423 14-Jan-2024 15:28

Has anyone driven the Archeron Road thru Molesworth Station recently? ("Recently = within the last 12 months or so")

Wife's somewhat interested; we only have a 2WD cSUV (Hyundai Kona); not entirely sure or convinced, and looking for advice.

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#3183573 18-Jan-2024 15:48

No-one? That's a little unexpected!

jonathan18

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#3183579 18-Jan-2024 16:04

It's not a particularly commonly travelled road (I'm betting most on here, and NZers more generally, have never traversed it) and, given you're after feedback from trips in only the last 12 months, I'm not too surprised at the lack of responses thus far!

I've only been through once and that was over 20 years ago; it was with my parents in their relatively underpowered 2l Toyota Hiace and it coped ok. I have no what the condition of the road is now vs then...

rscole86

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#3183591 18-Jan-2024 16:40

@scottjpalmer is this where you went on two wheels?

mentalinc

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#3183593 18-Jan-2024 16:41

Try calling DOC and getting their input/thoughts given they have this site?

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/places/molesworth-reserve/things-to-do/tracks/acheron-road/

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scottjpalmer

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#3183597 18-Jan-2024 16:48

Yep @rscole86!

Went through in April, most normal cars would've smoked through most of it easy at that time. We were on bikes and took a gnarly route at the Hanmer end, the more eastern of the 2 options, Jollies Pass. Pretty sure the other route (more west, Jacks Pass) would be fine for car.

wellygary

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#3183599 18-Jan-2024 16:52

scottjpalmer: Yep @rscole86!

Went through in April, most normal cars would've smoked through most of it easy at that time. We were on bikes and took a gnarly route at the Hanmer end, the more eastern of the 2 options, Jollies Pass. Pretty sure the other route (more west, Jacks Pass) would be fine for car.

Jollies pass is now classed as a 4WD track... Jacks pass is still fine for 2WD....

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eracode

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#3183666 18-Jan-2024 20:32

jonathan18:

It's not a particularly commonly travelled road (I'm betting most on here, and NZers more generally, have never traversed it) and, given you're after feedback from trips in only the last 12 months, I'm not too surprised at the lack of responses thus far!

I've only been through once and that was over 20 years ago; it was with my parents in their relatively underpowered 2l Toyota Hiace and it coped ok. I have no what the condition of the road is now vs then...

Twelve of us rode it on MTBs about 30 years ago, with 4WD + trailer support. Ten-day trip: Blenheim to Hanmer via Awatere/Muller Station > Acheron > Jollies Pass.

Then back up through Rainbow Valley > Lake Tennyson > Sedgemere > St Arnaud > Blenheim. We stayed in pre-arranged shearers’ quarters, TransPower huts, Police Association accommodation and the RNZAF basic-training camp at Dip Flat.

One of the best and most memorable things I’ve ever done. Stunning scenery. The photo from which my GZ avatar was developed was taken one evening after dinner at the DOC hut near the Island Saddle.

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PJ48

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#3183673 18-Jan-2024 20:47

We drove it about 12 months ago in a Subaru Forester, but at no point did we feel you needed a 4WD. It is a fantastic gravel road through a part of NZ that many rarely see. As others have said, at the Hanmer end do NOT take Jollies pass road - Jacks Pass is fine.

scottjpalmer

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#3183727 18-Jan-2024 21:39

The Rainbow (road mentioned above from Jacks Pass to St Arnaud) was epic too but no way would you do that 2WD, even lower 4WDs wouldn't make it, just so you're aware.

Both were great fun on Suzuki GN125s :-D

Tockly

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#3183728 18-Jan-2024 21:53

Stunning part of the world.

Drove it about 18 months ago. Drove up Jollies Pass Rd, but was in a 4WD. Even then it was still fun!!

Went from there to Lake Tennyson...

All the other roads would easily be driven in a 2WD.

eracode

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#3183760 19-Jan-2024 05:01

scottjpalmer: The Rainbow (road mentioned above from Jacks Pass to St Arnaud) was epic too but no way would you do that 2WD, even lower 4WDs wouldn't make it, just so you're aware.

Both were great fun on Suzuki GN125s :-D

The Island Saddle just north of Lake Tennyson on the Rainbow Road is reputedly the highest-altitude point on any through-road in NZ. The road has locked barrier arms at each end to prevent vehicles using it at certain times of the year. Open for only three months in the summer and a toll is payable.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/nelson-marlborough/molesworth-brochure.pdf

https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/hanmer-to-st-arnaud-road-2022.pdf

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#3183761 19-Jan-2024 05:44

jonathan18:

It's not a particularly commonly travelled road (I'm betting most on here, and NZers more generally, have never traversed it) and, given you're after feedback from trips in only the last 12 months, I'm not too surprised at the lack of responses thus far!

I've only been through once and that was over 20 years ago; it was with my parents in their relatively underpowered 2l Toyota Hiace and it coped ok. I have no what the condition of the road is now vs then...

Twelve of us rode it on MTBs about 30 years ago, with 4WD + trailer support. Ten-day trip: Blenheim to Hanmer via Awatere/Muller Station > Acheron > Jollies Pass.

One of the best and most memorable things I’ve ever done. Stunning scenery. The photo from which my GZ avatar was developed was taken one evening after dinner at the DOC hut near the Island Saddle.