Why was Acheron Road built?
New Zealand, oceania
200 km
1,145 m
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for an epic Kiwi adventure on Acheron Road, nestled in the stunning Marlborough high country!
Originally, this track was used by sheep herders, but it was upgraded to help maintain the main power line connecting the island's southern parts.
Stretching about 200km (124 miles) from Blenheim to Hanmer Springs, Acheron Road takes you right through Molesworth Station, which is New Zealand’s largest farm, sprawling across nearly half a million acres (185,000 hectares). This famous road, also known as Molesworth Road or Molesworth Station Road, sees around 9,000 explorers each year.
Thinking of driving it? Most 2WD or AWD cars with good clearance can handle it, as the terrain transitions from vineyards to grassy fields and rocky hillsides. But leave the caravans, buses, or anything over 7 meters at home, and remember that trailers need a special permit.
Keep in mind this narrow, unsealed backcountry road can close suddenly if the weather turns nasty or there’s a fire risk. With much of the road sitting above 900m, and peaking at 1,145m (3,757ft), it's no stranger to heavy snow. Typically, the road is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, from October 1st to either Easter Monday or the second Sunday in April (whichever comes later).
Road Details
- Country
- New Zealand
- Continent
- oceania
- Length
- 200 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,145 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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