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Have a mate coming down for 3 days, would we have time to drive Rainbow road to Hanmer and back via molesworth and still have time to fish.
I think it's a 500km loop back to Picton and assuming 8 to 10hrs driving.
Anyone fished the upper reaches, worth it.
Would camp out somewhere along the way maybe lake Tenyson.
Cheers
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Do it.
It's a great drive and you should at least be able to hook a fish or two in Tennyson
Great drive but it might pay to check both roads are open before you head out.
I remember seeing a bloody massive trout towards the upper reaches of the rainbow road, back in about 2002
One of my favorite places, we head there for a trip most years. Plenty of trout but not always the easiest to catch
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That's from right up the top of the Wairau earlier this season
Both roads are currently open.
My preferred option is to drive to Blenheim and do Molesworth first as that leg is long and boring into the start of the Molesworth so best to do that bit first instead of last.
Thanks, I have to drop him back at Picton for ferry Saturday night, pick him up on Thursday from Picton so can go either direction, want to have a full day fishing the upper Wairua and Acheron, but happy to have 2 full days fishing.
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It is an amazing trip and well worth doing, have fun.
Just be aware it could be pretty crowded (relatively) at the moment. Been through there a couple of times & great trip especially the Rainbow. Some of the fords can be a bit loose. Pennyless
Other option is go in from rainbow through as far as redgate and take track through to sedgemere, which should be open, and back out rainbow. Stop at Argyle ponds for some easy fish if you have time then back to Picton. Redgate to Sedgemere is easy in any 4wd.
Great idea thanks, Sedgemere track is open as of the 5th Jan.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c5587ee470.jpg
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@Fat belly Dog
Keen to hear how you get on. Thinking to head thru there in about a weeks time and do some fishing with my boys. Was also looking to camp along the way somewhere we can fish. Most likely lake tennyson [emoji106]
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Lake Tennyson can be busy this time of year but there’s plenty of room there. Molesworth and surrounding areas are fantastic places to visit. First experienced Molesworty in I think 1974. Spent a lot of time there from early ‘80’s to about 2012. Love the place, still try to at least drive through once each year these days. Many happy memories of the area.
Any other hot tips for camping spots @woods223 [emoji106]
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Text ya.Quote:
Originally Posted by kukuwai
Also plenty of flat ground over Maling Pass beside the Waiau River to camp.
Not going to be too specific. Between accomodation house and Cobb cottage you’ll probably get moved on by doc guys doing evening road closure sweep, unless you duck up one of the gullies by pudding hill or Yarra valley. On rainbow road there’s plenty of good camp spots where you probably won’t get bothered eg. Leaderdale confluence, segemere hut area or Fowlers hut. On Rainbow stn. there’s any number of good stopping places.Quote:
Originally Posted by kukuwai
Cheers [emoji106]
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Back from the road trip, great part of the country and awesome to be able to drive thru the guts of it.
Years of fishing to be had on the Acheron. Clarence and Wairua. We only scratched a tiny hole on it. Mark caught a couple of brown trout each day, I educated a few..
Drove up Awetere valley and stayed first night at Acheron homestead camp site, fished the Acheron and Clarence until we had baked enough in the sun.. Drove over to Rainbow rd via Lake windy (Tennyson) and camped at Coldwater camp (Sandfly central), fished the Wairua today, lovely cold fast water.
Really needed a couple more days up there and will head back for sure, so much to explore. Nice to tick off these iconic back country roads.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4a03b0a927.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3622ece7f2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...48364712f5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...61647096eb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dbad75c386.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7dc42410f4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8c95783164.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...73dca199ae.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...19b0259db6.jpg
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Hi I am dragging the van around the South Island in march, looking for back country places to see, is there anywhere in molesworth I could get without wreaking something pleaseAttachment 241550
I was going to take our Jayco from Hanmer to St James homestead. One mate said ‘you couuuuuld do it, but…’ whilst another stated he’s towed his van to St James on several occasions. The road can be very pot holey and I’ve no intention of damaging my rig. We’ve decided to park at Hanmer using either NZMCA camp by the bridge or one of the commercial campsites in town.Quote:
Originally Posted by witchcraft
@witchcraft the molesworth/Acheron rd doesn't allow vehicles over 7m or towing caravans, however we did pass stock truck and trailer unit and i think the road is fine to tow on.
The rainbow station website says you can tow on rainbow road, it's a tougher road than molesworth and has a couple of ford's that require a bit of ground clearance and a few step cut up accents, but nothing that required 4wd. There website says to give them a call or e-mail and they can advise if you vans suitable, I would say you want a caravan with good suspension and ground clearance.
Hammer over Jacks pass and to Acheron homestead would be fine, gravel rd so dusty, same goes with up to St James and Lake Tennyson, there were horse floats at St James Homestead and boats and caravans at the lake.
Dust ingress into your van may be an issue.
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Great fishing, but this time of year the sandflies will drive you absolutely mental.
There is a freedom camping spot within walking distance of Hanmer township too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ingrid 51
Rainbow road was absolutely stunning !! Blue bird days no wind.
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Not technical in any way, just lovely driving. If you haven't done it....do it !!
Infact if you have a capable vehicle and are travelling up or down the south island i reckon its the more preferable route between Hanmer and Nelson !! I drove home via the lewis (500km round trip) no where near as cool ! Should have just gone back thru the rainbow [emoji41]
Certainly more direct, and definitely worth the $60 toll.
As for the fishing....
We seen what we think was a salmon (judging by the size of it) in a deep pool near hells gate. Should have taken a photo but didn't.
Had a few casts in the Sedgemere tarns. Seen about half a dozen big eels and a few trout cruising the shallows. Probably more suited to fly fishing as fairly shallow and weedy.
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Lake tennyson is one hell of a spot on a nice day.
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It seemed to be very well stocked with small fish so after letting plenty go we decided that we had better thin them out a bit so it was trout sandwiches from then on.
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Can't recomend the trip highly enough. Epic scenery, good fishing and hardly anyone about. Seen a few cyclists, a couple of motorbikes and had to pull over for three vehicles coming towards us the entire drive !!!
Get amongst it [emoji106]
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Excellent. You are lucky it was so quiet.
Got a bit lucky both roads mate. Just cruised back over the lewis late yesterday. Was in no hurry as had been a big couple days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
Bearly had car roar up behind me. They were all in the southbound lane !! Far out... boats, caravans, kayaks you name it !!
Nothing like a bit of rain at the top of the island to push them in that direction i guess [emoji6]
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Be all heading home from Kaiteriteri and Tahunanui campsitesQuote:
Originally Posted by kukuwai
Awesome mate,
well done on the trout from Lake Tennyson, you are right in that the population needs thinning out so it's suggested to take your limit from that lake.
The big fish at hells gates could have been a brownie, rumors of double digit fish in the upper reaches..
Great part of the country.
Cheers
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