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.

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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.

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