Guide River

We found a great spot after winding down a neat 4wd track off the Molesworth Road, started trout fishing. Couldn’t see the dusty road for about 20km. Well set up - level, protected, close to trout fishing - what more could we ask for?



About 2 hours after we set up camp, a DoC guy spoils our fun. “You can’t stay here, drive 60km that way, and camp in the DoC camp. The local farmers might be shooting tonight.” Not a soul for 50 km - Yeah Right! So we move on, right out of the Molesworth.

The Molesworth

Don’t know the name of these flowers (probably Daisy, or Rose, or Violet...), I thought the paddocks had gone mouldy. Only open for 2 months in summer, 120km through NZ’s largest station (Molesworth Station). Supposedly a 4wd road, it’s really just a long, dusty, corrugated, dusty, winding, dusty road that you’re only allowed to do 50km/h on. Any car could get through this road with relative ease.



Not allowed to stop here either, this is leaving the Awatere Valley. Wonderful country, pretty mediocre road, only punctuated by avoiding about 20 cyclists. 120km of dust and more dust. We found out that the rear sliding window is not totally dust-proof.

Awatere River stopover

Beside the river, open air solar showers, just the local farmers for traffic - peace at last after the bustle of North Island morons, the ferry, and tourists packing out Blenheim.


A short break before going into the Molesworth Road, relaxed here for 4 days.