ST ARNAUD TO ARTHURS PASS VIA MURCHISON For some reason we didn't take any photo's of this trip, maybe because the weather deteriorated. We had intended to stay at the YHA hostel at the Pass, but when we phoned our booking ahead we were told the hostel was full with a large group, however the Mountain Chalet that manages the hostel on behalf of YHA had other accommodation available . Our restored railway workers house was shared with another two couples, Paul and partner form the UK were very nice people and we all spent many hours chatting around the log burner in the lounge The weather had deteriorated to steady rain and it had turned quite cold. Sheryll and I both love Arthurs Pass and have fond memories of weekends spent there with the ... read more

PICTON TO HANMER SPRINGS VIA MOLESWORTH STATION Sheryll and I for ages have wanted to drive the Molesworth Station Road which is about 198 Km s long and runs between Blenheim in Marlborough and Hanmer Springs, the road is shingle all the way and is the access road for New Zealand's largest cattle station, "Molesworth Station". Molesworth covers approx 180,000 hectares and is home to New Zealand's largest herd of cattle, the road is only open to the public for a few months of the year. On Saturday the 4th of March, after packing up the 4WD and loading on our mountain bikes we said goodbye to the kids and left Auckland headed for Paraparaumu to visit with my Mum before catching the Ferry from Wellington to Picton the following morning at 2am. The Ferry crossing ... read more