2nd Jan 07, Molesworth, heading south

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:36 am

Im new to this road, not sure of times etc, but I get off the ferry around 9:30am-ish and plan to head south through the Molesworth station.

If there are any other people that would like to travel on this road with me, it would be appreciated, and also very welcomed.

Its bacislly a different route home for me from the NI trip I'll be on.

Never done the road before, and have wanted to do it for many years.

Any one keen? Any advice?

Ken

http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=35123

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:49 am

Ive ridden it on a mountain bike in the molesworth muster, just a gravel road nice scenery but a bit boring.

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 12:08 pm

Yeah, I know its not much of a 4x4 road at all. Im just totally expecting a gravel road, heard there is a couple of 'tricky' bits that a 2wd might struggle with.

Im going for the scenery!! :-D

And the 'fun' on the way, lol

MATT4U · Post by **MATT4U** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:51 pm

its just a shingle road, nothing that bothers a 2wd car even.

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:32 pm

its not even that scenic either :roll:

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:00 pm

My aunt drove it years ago, on her own in a Standard Ford Focus

DieselBoy · Post by **DieselBoy** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:09 pm

I just remeber a hell dry dusty gravel road, thinking when is it going to end?????

It is one of those things that you gotta do though. Don't worry boutdoing it by yourself, its honestly just a good gravel road :lol:

Elmo · Post by **Elmo** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:11 pm

Oh, Im not worried bout doing it by myself, I know its tame. Was just asking if others wanted to go, the appreciated bit was more because of directions. Ya know, if someone had been they may remember where to go etc. But I have a map, and can read it :-)

kiwipete · Post by **kiwipete** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:37 am

Take it from the others Ken, there will be no probs driving it, just another shingle road.
Opinions vary re the boring scenery, but it is one ofthose things you should do one at least.
No need for maps cos if you get lost there, you should be thinking long and hard if you should be driving at all. :wink:

The Rainbow is one trip I am planning to do next year, and sometimes that is a little washed out, but the Molesworth is a sinch.

muddy · Post by **muddy** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:58 am

I'm pretty sure it's closed to the public at the moment due to fire risk. Best you check with DOC. I think you can still get access by permit, but may get turned back by locked gates if you don't check first...

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:24 am

The road is only open for a short time and is locked most of the year, you need to talk to the guys at the molesworth station to get permission to go through.

BrentC · Post by **BrentC** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 11:31 am

Elmo wrote:Yeah, I know its not much of a 4x4 road at all. Im just totally expecting a gravel road, heard there is a couple of 'tricky' bits that a 2wd might struggle with.

Im going for the scenery!!

And the 'fun' on the way, lol

Don't think there are any tricky bits - I drove it in my lowered, side skirted mazda a few years ago and again in Jan 2005 in my cruiser - I reckon going sth to nth is much more boring than nth to sth