Itinerary and trip info update 22nd Sept 2023
North Otago 4WD Club “Big Station” Tour - Feb 2024
Please find below some updated information regarding this trip.
Considering the distance from Hanmer to Blenheim and not wanting to rush this iconic route we believe it is best we leave the Staircase Road Loop option for another trip. This would add another 150km to the day and now with Day 2 being a little longer (see below) we will leave Staircase Road for another trip.
The original plan was to stay in St Arnaud on the Saturday night, but this has proven to be somewhat of a challenge as there is limited accommodation available and some of the more reasonably priced options are already booked for that weekend.
After a discussion with Owen and Pam we have decided to move the Saturday night stopover to Murchison where there are multiple accommodation options and the local pub has both accommodation and meals available. They are also happy to cater for our group on the Saturday night for dinner. Murchison is approx. 45min (60km) on from St Arnaud so a little more travel that day however this does provide an additional opportunity for the Sunday as we can drive the Porika Track on the way back to St Arnaud and the Rainbow Road.
Owen and I intend to Pre-Trip the “Tour” in November and will then send an update with more details on distances, travel times and a Trip Event Information Sheet.
Suggest all attending to confirm your accommodation bookings ASAP as there may be limited options as summer draws nearer.
DOC access to Mailing Pass, Edwards Pass and the Severn to Sedgemere Tracks require vehicle information to be loaded into the DOC website. As organiser I will do this prior to the trip so will require vehicle information from all attendees. More information on what details are required will be included in the next update.
My contact details are below – please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.
Update #1
Thursday 22nd February 2024 - Arrive Hanmer Springs.
Accommodation option – Alpine Adventure Holiday Park, Hanmer Springs.
- https://hanmerspringsaccommodation.co.nz
- 0800 568563.
- Powered and Non-Powered sites.
- Chalets, Tourist Flats and Cabin options.
- All details and bookings are on their web site.
- Caravans can be left here while we do the Blenheim and Murchison trip.
Friday 23rd February 2024: Hanmer to Blenheim - approx. 225km.
- Jollies Pass Road.
- Molesworth – Top House Road north on to Awatere Valley Road.
- Altimarloch Road (in and out).
- Taylor Pass Road to Blenheim.
Accommodation options:
- Asure Sundowner Motel. 0800 828180.
- Knightsbridge Court Motor Lodge. 0800 108444.
- Middle Park Motel. 0800 333329.
- Booking details ore on each Motel website.
Suggest dinner at the Speights Ale House which is just over the road from these 3 motels.
Countdown Supermarket is directly over the road for any supplies required. There is also a café in the Countdown complex.
Saturday 24th February 2024: Blenheim to Murchison via 4x4 tracks - approx. 280km.
- Blenheim via SH63 to Moore Ave and past the Argyle Power Station and on to Leatham Road.
- Leatham Road leads on to the Leatham River 4x4 Track which starts as Grade 3 and then turns to Grade 5. (In and out).
- On the way out take a right turn on to the Boulder Stream 4x4 Track. (In & out).
- Further back down Leatham Road turn left on to Branch River 4x4 Track. (In & out).
- Back down Leatham Road and left onto SH63 and then on to Murchison.
- Overnight in Murchison.
Accommodation options:
- Hampden Hotel. 03 5239008.
- Murchison Motels. 03 5239026.
- Mataki Motels. 03 5239088.
- Kiwi Park Motels and Holiday Park. 03 5239248.
Dinner at the Hampden Hotel.
There is fuel, Café, and a Supermarket in the centre of Murchison.
Sunday 25th February 2024: Murchison to Hanmer via The Rainbow Road - approx. 245km.
- Murchison to Lake Rotoroa via Mangles Valley, Tutaki Road and Braeburn Track.
- Lake Rotoroa to St Arnaud via Porika Track, Howard Valley Road and SH63.
- South on the Rainbow Road to Lake Tennyson. Note Toll Charge of $60.00 per vehicle.
- Option - there is a 2km Grade 3 track up the southern side of the Lake. (In & out).
- Continue south then right onto Mailing Pass Track. (In & out).
- Continue south then right onto Edwards Pass Track (In & out). Note: Cow Stream Natural Hot Springs is on this track and worth a visit and “dip”.
- Continue south and over Jacks Pass to Hanmer Springs.
Accommodation as per Thursday 22nd.
Dinner venue – TBA.
Monday 26th February 2024 – Severn to Sedgemere Track Option:
For any of the Group interested in doing this track it is only open from 05 January to 28 February each year. This is approximately a 140km loop which can be travelled either way:
- Hanmer via Rainbow Road to Sedgemere then across to Severn and back down the Molesworth Road.
- Or the other way round.
Accommodation as per Thursday 22nd.
Dinner – suggest a pot-luck tea at the Alpine Holiday Park.
Contact details:
Russell Marr.
0274328001
russelljmarr52@gmail.com
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