Molesworth Recreation Reserve is located NW of Kaikoura. It is accessible from Hanmer Springs in the south, Seddon in the north eat, and St Arnaud in the north.
The Acheron Road from Hanmer Springs to Seddon
The primary route through Molesworth is the Acheron road, from Hanmer Springs to Seddon. This is the only route suitable for 2WD vehicles, but even so there are restrictions on type of vehicle and time of year. Caravans, trailers, buses, and vehicles over 7m length are not permitted. See the DOC site for details. The road is a single track for the most part, carrying two-way traffic, so care is required at corners. The road is unsealed, which tends to be dusty in summer, but is kept in sufficient condition for 2WD vehicles. There are numerous corrugations, but there are no fords on the Acheron Road, and the gradients are not steep. Users of rental vehicles are advised to check insurance implications. The unsealed road is approximately 200 km, with a maximum speed of 50 km/hr, though practical road speeds are lower. In practice allow at least 6hrs for this section, and be mindful of when the gates open and close. This is not a short cut, and travellers seeking a faster route would do better taking state highway 1 through Kaikoura. The only fuel on this route is at Hanmer Springs and Seddon.
Hanmer Springs to Acheron Accommodation House
Two different routes are available. Jacks Pass is much the better. Jollies Pass is rough, poorly maintained and requires 4WD.
Acheron Accommodation House
This is an historic house, and no accommodation is now provided. However simple camping facilities are available. The house itself is a cob construction, i.e. mud walls.
Acheron valley
The road follows the Acheron river on its true right for much of the route through Molesworth. In places the river runs in a gorge, and there are a number of historic bridges. The scenery is open grassland for the most part.
Isolated Flat
Travelling north, the road departs from the Acheron river to briefly follow the Severn river, then over the Isolated Saddle about 100m above the plain. It then descends again to the Isolated Flat, and again follows the Acheron river.
Leaving the Acheron river, the road goes over Wards Pass, a climb of about 160m. This brings the route into the upper reaches of the Awatere valley.
Molesworth Homestead
The historic homestead and the modern farm yards are located to the north of the Reserve. There is also a simple camp site here.
Awatere Valley
Leaving Molesworth station, the road continues through farmland in the Awatere valley. In the higher reaches the valley is narrow and the farming primarily stock, but in the lower reaches towards Seddon it broadens and more cultivation becomes apparent.
