Molesworth 4 Day Journey
Travel Time:
4 days/3 nights
Departs:
Blenheim
Highlights
The Four Day Heritage Tour will let you discover the east coast of Marlborough and Molesworth and Rainbow Stations in the beautiful Marlborough high country. You will be able to enjoy four days to relax in rural Marlborough and the fabulous unspoilt high country regions, with towering mountains, meandering rivers and native beech forests through rolling farmland to the famous Marlborough vineyards.
Fast Facts
Day One: Depart Blenheim at 8:00am. Heritage stay in Awatere Valley
Day Two: Travel through Molesworth Station. Stay in Hanmer Springs.
Day Three: Rainbow Station, St James, Lake Tennyson and stay at the Nelson Lakes
Day Four: Travel the Wairau Valley, returning to Blenheim by 5.30 pm
Food
- Daily breakfasts are continental style
- Lunch on day one is in a homestead, other lunches are picnic style enjoyed in the wide open spaces of the back country.
- Dinners are two courses
- Morning teas are hosted on farms and other tea breaks will be served from our onboard supplies of locally roasted plunger coffee or tea and home baking from the cake tins.
Pricing
Twin/share rate is $1655per person; please contact us to find out latest specials, single supplement options are available at $200.
This includes three nights’ accommodation while on tour and all meals for duration of the tour with some alcohol included.
Tour Dates 2012
|
January |
February |
March |
April |
| 28-31 | 15-18 | 1-4 | 10-13 |
| 14-17 | 17-20 | ||
| 27-30 |
| Day 1: | 100km Touring - Departing from Blenheim at 8am, explore the coastal route of the Wairau Lagoons with its interesting history. Visit an olive grove and private home for morning tea and enjoy a meal in the home of a third generation farming family. Experience wine tasting at Peter Yealands sustainable winery before arriving at Ugbrooke Country House for your overnight stay. |
| Day 2: | 200km Touring - Departing Ugbrooke after a relaxing night in the country, travel up the Awatere Valley following the river terraces into the high country visit a station for morning tea with the family before reaching Molesworth Station to enjoy lunch beside the original cob cottage, visit the old Acheron accommodation house, before arriving at Hanmer Springs by 5.30pm time for a swim and group dinner. |
| Day 3: | 220km touring - Departing from Hanmer by 9am travel into the back country stopping at Lake Tennyson to view the alpine plants. Tour highlights include Island Saddle, Tarndale and Rainbow Station, with a picnic lunch beside a creek, beautiful native beech forests and a short bush walk and swing bridge if you feel like stretching your legs. Arriving at the historic Top House for our overnight stay by 5.00pm. |
| Day 4: | 100km touring - Leaving the alpine setting of Top House to visit the shores of Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa surrounded in native bush and mountains, enjoy a relaxing lunch with our local host before visiting Kawateri Junction to learn about the history of the area. Your senses will enjoy a lavender farm visit before returning to Blenheim by 5.30pm. |
Lunch
Lunch at our host's property is always a special occasion being surrounded
by nature and views over the river below
Swing Bridge Crossing
Using the swing bridge to cross the Upper Wairau is a good confidence booster for all ages.
Olive Grove Visit
Brian and Roberta will enjoy welcoming you onto their East Coast olive grove and showing you their oil press. You will even be able to try the different oils they produce.
Reaching Island Saddle
Reaching the top of Island Saddle the highest point on the route from Hanmer to Rainbow Station
Lavender Farm Visit
Visiting the lavender farm for special scones and tea, viewing the plants and browsing in the gallery will round off your high country experiences.
Native Bush Walk
Time for a short bush walk amongst the native beech forest on Rainbow Station
Upcot Station Family Visit
Meeting the family for a chat over morning tea at Upcot Station is a chance to get an insight into high country life.
Nelson Lakes DOC Centre
A visit to the Nelson Lakes DOC Centre to find out about the local habitat
and natural history
Ugbrooke Country House
Heritage listed Ugbrooke Country Estate - built 1885 - 1903. The elegant and gracious home spans 10,000 square feet with high ceilings and unique timber joinery. Ugbrooke presides in an elevated position with views across vineyards to the Cook Strait.
Glenalvon Lodge Motels
Located in the heart of Hanmer Springs next to the thermal pools, Glenalvon Lodge Motels offers 9 quiet, spacious, ground-floor studio units. All rooms sleep 2-4 persons and have king or queen-size beds and ensuites.
Tophouse
Tophouse is a Historic Place listed with The New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Built in 1887 as a hotel in the wild mountains of New Zealand, Tophouse is a solid mud (called "cob") building with six guestrooms and a large open fire burning daily welcoming you when you arrive.