Molesworth Station

Molesworth Station is New Zealand's largest farm at over 1,800 square kilometers. From the 1850's it

was the main route between Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury. After being overgrazed by more than 90,000 sheep, infested with Rabbits and repeatedly burned, careful management and stocking solely cattle has gradually restored the vegetation in the area. It is important to travel only on the roads open to the public as off roading can damage the fragile plants, cause the spread of weeds and start fires. Over 60 endemic plant species grow in the South Island and half of these can be found on Molesworth.

The road from Blenheim to Hanmer Springs is 207km. Take the turnoff at the Awatere Valley road which is 22km south of Blenheim and just before the town of Seddon. The sign at the end of the road will tell you if the road is open. The Department of Conservation has administered this area of land since 2005 and opens the road to the public from the 28th December until the 9 April. 

In spring and early summer the wild flowers are brilliant, colors contrasting with the grasses. This is one of those places that you could visit every month and the photo's will be completely different. Such is the diverse landscape of the Molesworth.

 Trying to show the many different types of landscape was difficult. Just trying to give an idea of it's vastness but still keep some visual interest.

It's also an area of harsh climate with ground frosts over 200 days of the year. There are not many trees and the ones that are there show the ravages of the climate.

After driving up the Awatere Valley the vista that opens before you when you get into Molesworth is awesome. There is an incredible change in the landscape, like someone drew a line. The trees growing along the river in the sheltered areas in stark contrast to the barren hills behind.

Initially it all looked like the area was just grass, grass and more grass. But once you started to look down at your feet there were an amazing number of plants, some of which we'd never seen before. It would have been great to know what they were.

This mown strip leads to the lookout where you can view the Molesworth Station Homestead. The stark contrast of the manmade strip against the colours of the landscape was amazing.

View Larger Map

Cape Campbell

Cape Campbell marks the southern approaches to Cook Strait and was named by Captain James Cook after Vice Admiral John Campbell who sponsored Cook.

The light was first lit on the 1st of August 1870 and is one of three that are painted in black and white stripes to make them stand out from the background. The Cape was also the sight of a Radar station during the war. Cape Campbell and the lighthouse are a difficult place to access but the walk is well worth it. Head to Marfell's beach turnoff which is 36km south of Blenheim, and the camping area is a further 8km down the road. There is no road access to the Cape Campbell lighthouse. From Marfells beach  walk south along the beach. Allow a full day for the walk and be aware that spring high tides can block access around the foot of the Bluffs. Alternatively you could walk the Cape Campbell walkway. www.capecampbelltrack.co.nz

The Kiwi beach hut. Something I think every NZ child gets taught to do when they're down the beach. We've certainly built a few in our time.

Some old rusted tractor wheels provide great material for foreground interest and a chance to duck down out of the wind.

 The wind out on this point can be extremely blustery and can make climbing these steps a real challenge. Not too mention the sheer noise it makes as it whistles around the lighthouse.

The keepers used to drive a horse and cart along the base of these cliffs to go for any supplies that were needed.

This is the view back along the track from the lighthouse. The Blffs along here were blasted to provide a track for keepers to go for supplies.

This wide angle view of the lighthouse shows one of the cottages below where the keepers lived.

The lonely grave of Rose Anna McGahey. Born 12th March 1887 at Cape Campbell where her father was a lighthouse keeper. At the age of 7 months she took ill and died after 7 days.  Rose was buried here at the Cape in October 1887.

Looking along the ridge towards the lighthouse and out to Clifford Bay. Holding onto the camera tripod in the strong winds made the day challenging.

View Larger Map

Wither Hills Farm Park

There are several ways into the park, I entered from the southern end of Weld St. The climb is steep and steady for around 1 hr but the view is well worth it. The green rolling hills of the region are
unmistakable and on a clear day you can see the North Island clearly across Cook straight.

This is probably the best area to see Blenheim city.

Early spring with the lush green growth taken on a cloudy day produces brilliant tones.

As the seasons change in Marlborough so does the colour of the surrounding hills. By summer the hills between Blenheim and the Awatere Valley will take on the brown hues of a drought prone area.

The view North towards Picton. On a cloudy day the surrounding view and colours change by the minute. I could easily have spent the entire day sitting in this spot clicking off photos of the area.

The view across Cloudy Bay toward Port Underwood.

From the highest area in the park you can see Wairau Lagoons and Vernon Bluffs. The Bluff in the foreground is called Bastion and sits above State Highway 1.



View Larger Map

Sawcut Gorge

Saw cut gorge is a great adventure walk, and in my opinion one of the most interesting places in the region. Turn off State Highway 1 55km South of Blenheim at the Waima (Ure) River bridge. It's a 12 km drive along a narrow gravel road with steep drop offs in places to Blue Mountain Station carpark and as you are crossing private land please close the gates behind you. The walk should not be taken lightly as the river can flood very quickly and there is the danger of falling rocks so check the weather.  Good footware is a must as the river is cold and you will be crossing it several times and clambering over rocks. Follow the orange triangles, when you can find them to Sawcut Gorge.

The first part of the walk is a typical small river, Don't be afraid to get wet because it becomes a necessity later on. After a while the valley changes to a deep gorge. The water at this point is a deep green/blue and the stark contrast against the white limestone is incredible. Waima means clear water and it certainly was that.

It takes a good 30 mins walking up the river to reach Sawcut Gorge. The bush is beautiful with native broom and Marlborough Rock Daisies which cling to the bluff outcrops.

Approaching the Gorge the river winds through a steep gully. There was meant to be a track which went up and over this area but we lost the triangles. Much more exciting this way.

The opening of Sawcut gorge, a 150 metre deep chasm through which Isolation Creek flows. Isolation hut is another hour on from here following the marked route.

The chasm is only 2 metres wide in places and the light can make it difficult to photograph. Standing in the freezing cold water taking long exposures was interesting.

View Larger Map

Wairau Lagoons

The access for the Wairau lagoons is at the end of Hardings Road which is on the laft hand side 1.5km South of Blenheim on State Highway 1.There is a carpark and information at the end of Hardings Road. It's a three hour loop walk along the shore of the upper lagoon, past Budges and Moerepo islands to the lagoons main channel.

The Wairau Lagoons are a great place to catch sunsets as the large areas of standing water reflect the colours. A lot of birdlife is attracted to this area.

After an hour or more of walking toward the North past the wreck of the Waverley the Wairau river mouth comes into view.

This area is saltmarsh so the walking tracks are flat but can also be very wet In the background to the right the start of the northern end of Vernon Bluff is visible. This area is sometimes referred to as the Vernon Lagoons.

There are alot of waterways like this which make great reflections.

The rusting hulk of the Waverley sits at the edge of the lagoons main channel. The ship had been towed over from Wellington by the S.S. Wairau to be scuttled for a breakwater. However she was swept up the channel by a flood before they had a chance to sink her.

View Larger Map

Awatere River Mouth

Awatere river mouth can be accessed via the Redwood Pass road. At about 3km North of Seddon turn right onto Redwood pass road. Go over the rail crossing and drive along past some of the Awatere's vineyards.Keep going until you reach a point where the road makes a hard left turn. Drive straight ahead on Renners Road, a gravel road, for another 1km to the car park. There are working vineyards in this area so be mindful of traffic.

This is a great place to catch the sunrise. or just a relaxing beach walk. Be aware it is not a place to go if the Awatere is in flood.

Because of the way the sea dumps gravel onto the beach. the river actually runs along the front of the bluff all the way to the car park.

Looking North along the gravel beach from Awatere River mouth.  The Bluffs in the background are known as the White Bluffs or Vernon Bluffs. The Wairau Lagoon is on the other side of the Bluffs. This is a great bird watching area as well.

View Larger Map