Trip Report - Big Station Tour - November 2024
28.11.24.
North Otago 4WD Club Big Station Tour Overview
It was almost 12 months to the day since Chris & Ferne and Owen & I had completed the pre-trip check for the tour we planned to run in February this year. Unfortunately the weather did not allow this as the majority of the areas we were planning to go to were closed due to the fire risk.
We identified a date in early November that we though would work being between Labour Weekend and Christchurch Show Weekend, so we locked this in and set the final planning wheels in motion.
The Group met in Hanmer Springs on the Thursday evening with all looking forward to the 5-day Tour. The weather looked like it would be ok and in fact it was as we have sunshine every day and only a couple of hours light drizzle on the morning of day 4. There had been a weather-bomb in this area over Labour Weekend and we were advised the Rainbow Road was very marginal with a couple of big washouts. We were game to take these on but in the end, they were a bit more of a challenge than we were prepared to tackle at 3.00pm so unfortunately, we had to take the long way to back to Hanmer.
We had a total of 21 people in 11 vehicles, and this was a good-sized group. As the organiser it was pleasing to have the original group who had confirmed their attendance for the Tour in February, less one couple who were unable to attend but the addition of one other member. This was a great group to travel with and from the feedback I received everyone enjoyed the trip.
I would like to thank the Trip Report contributors. As part of our planning Owen and I discussed how we would allocate these so decided to draw the 5 days travel out of a hat. Some may have been a little out of their comfort zone having to produce a trip report, but everyone has captured the 5 days very well.
My final thanks goes to Owen and Chantelle who acted as tail-end-charlie for the 5 days and a special thanks to Chantelle for arranging the dinner venue in Hanmer for our last night. Also thanks to my co-pilot, Grant who has provided us with a large number of great photos of the tour.
Russell Marr - Trip Coordinator.
Day 1, Big Station Tour.
Friday 8th November 2024
The group departed Hanmer at 8.20am, drove past the Forest Park Camp and then onto the gravel leading to Jollies Pass. As the track climbed it was evident that it had suffered from a lot of recent water damage with large puddles but nothing too difficult. We continued up and over the Pass and down to the valley floor and onto the Molesworth Road. We travelled up to the shelter at the junction of the Acheron and Clarence Rivers then back out and over the bridge to the picnic area by the Historic Acheron Accommodation House where we had smoko.
Moving up the valley we stopped to view the information boards at Pig Trough Swing Bridge and the Severn/Acheron Shelter. From there it was on to Molesworth Cobb Cottage for lunch.
The trip down the valley was easy with a few campervans coming in from the opposite direction. The road was quite busy with campers, people fishing and cyclists who would have to put in a great effort to complete this as it is a long way down the valley towards Seddon and there are several long inclines to pedal or walk up.
We had run out of time to do the Black Birch Observatory Road, so it was straight to Blenheim via a short cut over Taylor Pass.
I got lost on my way into Blenheim and most people told me lies on how to find my motel but finally got there after about an hour of searching and I now know here the Speights Ale House is! Glenn McGregor.
Hamner Springs-Blenheim-Murchison
DAY 2 Accidents: 0 Injuries: 0
Stage One.
The Staircase
With weather coming in from the West it was decided we head out to Mount Patriarch first.
Once out of Blenheim we headed for the corner of Newman and Northbank Roads.
We travelled on until we reached Mount Richmond Forest Park.
The Top Valley Road led us on to the Staircase Road which headed in towards the head of the valley.
After passing The Enchanted Lookout and a view of Lake Chalice we hit the top of the ridge line and the end of the road at approximately 1,400 meters above sea level.
Stage Two.
Black Birch Observatory
After finishing the climb to Mount Patriarch, we followed our tracks down back to Blenheim.
Carrying on through Blenheim we headed for SH1 where we headed South until we reached The Awatere Valley Road.
After following the Awatere River in for a distance we turn off on to what I can guess was the Altimarloch track which we carried took us up a steep ridge line until we reach observatory and trig Station a height of nearly 17,000 meters
Once off the hill it was back to Blenheim for dinner and rest in preparation for Day 3.
Hamish Weatherall
Day 3, Big Station Tour.
Sunday 10th November 2024
Day three started off relatively fine with considerably less wind than the last couple of days. We once again met for a briefing in the Pak’nSave car park, this time with a full squad as we were shifting from Blenheim to Murchison with excursions on the side.
We hit the tarmac shortly after 8.30 turning off the Nelson h/way just before Renwick so as to be on the southern side of the Wairau River heading in the direction of St Arnaud.
After several kms we took a left onto shingle to be greeted by the Argyle Power Station which was completed in the mid-1980s with a man-made pond up stream that was fed from the Branch River and from which the water was returned to after generation of power was done.
The group then continued following the Branch River until arriving at the Leatham River, a tributary of the Branch. The Leatham Station taking its name from the river as many sheep stations did was once a high country run and a harsh one at that, is now in the stewardship of Doc and personally I feel for them as it’s only a matter of time and access could become impossible at the current rate of the spread of wilding pines up the entire valley.
We certainly saw some brilliant scenery and got in some good 4WD recovery practice on the odd gnarly lip or two in the riverbed. Didn’t get to the end of the track as time was against us.
Had a lunch stop at the turn around point before heading quietly back down after personally having learnt a hell of a lot in a short time about all the buttons that can be used while 4wdriving.
Once back on the main road it was onward and upward to Murchison in search of our overnight quarters followed by a meal at the hotel.
Overall, a really awesome day thanks to Russell and the companionship of everyone involved.
Dave and Alison.
Day 4, Big Station Tour.
Monday 11th November 2024
Trip Report for Murchison to Hanmer Springs
A beautiful sunny morning greeted us as we decamped Kiwi Park Holiday Camp and with a hearty cooked breakfast provided by the Hampden Hotel we gathered for our briefing from trip organiser Russell.
Our first challenge, The Porika Track, near Lake Rotoroa and this was quite tough as it was badly washed out by recent rain leaving bare slippery reef rock some of it in tricky situations such as a sharp left turn onto a ridge with little forward visibility but with help from my co driver Don it was negotiated successfully. Going down we traversed a clay mudhole which would have been tricky going uphill, a fun track though and my pick for the trip.
We then drove through to Lake Rotoiti to have a snack and toilet stop and after sharing some DNA with some pesky locals we moved on to Rainbow Station where we paid our track fee and picked up the gate key.
The Rainbow Track services The Rainbow Ski Field, Rainbow Station and also the Mainline Electricity supply to the North Island, further up we lunched at Connor's Creek Hut built in a pleasant clearing with bush clad hills all around and then carried on with winch equipped vehicles interspersed between us should it all turn to custard.
The Track follows the Wairau River with many small tributaries cutting through it and at one spot a lot of rain had obviously come down washing a 1 meter deep cut which would have required a lot of digging and as we surveyed our options it was clear the main river was too deep to cross and recross to circumvent the damage and other routes all had their drawbacks so we agreed to turn back the way we had come.
The trip back was quite quick with no stops as we had to meet dining obligations in Hanmer, so once we rejoined SH63 it was small group travelling through the Lewis Pass and back to Hanmer to refuel and dine at O'Flynns Irish Pub, a long day but very enjoyable.
Cheers, Dene Thelning
Day 5, Big Station Tour.
Tuesday 12th November 2024
After 4 days of 4-wheel driving, mainly off road, the final day arrived, again beautiful sunshine and very little wind. 10 trucks again met opposite the Hanmer Bakery, ready for an 8.30am start.
With Russell and Grant leading and Owen (without Chantelle), who had the job of finding us a dinner destination) as Tail-End Charlie, it was off onto Jacks Pass Road, via Top House Road (sign saying CLOSED!) that runs alongside the Clarence River,
The corrugations and pot holes were horrendous but we finally got to the Maling Pass carpark, turning off the road to travel to the end of the 4x4 track, and part of the St James Cycle Trail, at the Waiau River.
The mountain views were spectacular, a little snow on the tops, the land fairly barren, but holy moly, some deep ruts, made for some challenging driving.
Definitely no maintenance done in there for some time! Amazing what you find at the end of the track though..... a vehicle and boat trailer parked on the other side of the river. The question was... How did it get there?
On the way out, there was an opportunity for the drivers to do a recovery of a vehicle stuck in a very deep rut.
The drivers’ were in their element, discussing the ‘how to’ and after some trial and error, the driver hooked on two snatch straps to the towing vehicle, and a recovery board under the wheel, and out she came!
With no more dramas we continued out on the same track and on to Lake Tennyson for lunch. Such a picturesque spot for a picnic, great fact sheets in the shelter, and a reasonable toilet! Interesting to see solar panelling at the entrance of the Lake, and some said cell phone coverage was great!
Interesting too, to read of the 128km ‘high quality rabbit proof fence’ from the 1880’s, we followed for a time on the Maling Pass, some of which still remains the boundary fence between Molesworth Station and St James Station.
A decision was made not to try to drive to the end of the Rainbow Road, that we couldn’t pass through the previous day, as time was against us, so it was back to Edwards Pass.
A more sedate ride, with a few river crossings, and much learning. It was great to see less experienced drivers asking for assistance from more experienced drivers. That what it’s all about!
Further on over Peters Pass and on to Scotties hut, reaching 900mt, to the Waiau River. There was a wonderful steep 4x4 track off to our left.... but no-one took up that challenge!
The return trip took us past Cow Stream turn off, so no hot pools soak this time, and back to Hanmer via St James Station, ready for dinner at Monteith's Pub at 6pm. Great food!
A big thank you to Russell for his organisation for the whole trip, and to Owen and Chantelle for their expertise of being Tail -End Charlie.
Thank you. Ron and Julie.
A note of thanks from Norman Moreton and crew,
Just like to thank Russell Marr and Owen Phaup for a great trip. This trip was outstanding.
Everyone helping each other out. A great bunch to do a trip with. Also thanks to Owens navigator, Chantelle.
Thanks again from the crew in the Wildtrak Ranger. Norman.
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