36 | Molesworth tours ‘a bucket list experience’ The route crosses Island Pass before continuing through Rainbow Station’s beech-covered mountains. Gavin Martin Photography. Karen Phelps RURAL PEOPLE » Molesworth Station A Hanmer Springs man who thought retirement would mean slowing down has instead taken on one of the region’s most established tourism operations, offering visitors access to New Zealand’s largest and most remote high country station. Ross Carter purchased the Molesworth tour business, and renamed it The Molesworth Experience Tours (molesworth.co.nz), two years ago after more than four decades of operation under previous ownership. The business provides exclusive access to Molesworth Station, a 180,787-hectare working farm located inland from Blenheim between the inland Kaikoura mountains and the Wairau River. Molesworth Station runs approximately 5,500 Angus and Angus-Hereford cross cattle. “When you’re retired you’re busier than when you were working,” jokes Ross Carter, who had stepped back from business at 65 before a friend’s text message offering to sell him the business changed his plans. “I wasn’t ready to retire so I took it on.” He says it’s business as usual but as a Hanmer local he brings intimate knowledge of the region to the role. Born and bred in Hanmer Springs, Ross spent 13 years on his OE before returning to establish an adventure tourism operation offering mountain biking, clay bird shooting, archery and quad biking. He ran that business for 26 years, also acquiring and operating Activity Hanmer before eventually selling both enterprises. “I’ve always hunted out this way and always been a lover of the land. I could drive here every day and never get sick of it. It’s something I enjoy and is part of my DNA,” says Ross. The Molesworth Experience Tours offers three distinct experiences, with options ranging from one to five days. Pickups are available from various locations including airports, Blenheim and Picton, and bespoke tours can also be arranged. The flagship The Molesworth Experience Day Tour travels into the Clarence Valley, passing through locked gates to access the Acheron Valley. Visitors explore the 150-year-old Acheron Cob Homestead before following the Acheron River north to the famous Molesworth Homestead area, with picnic lunch at the Old Molesworth Cottage. The afternoon traverses Saxton, Muller and Tarndale country before descending the historic Jollies Pass Road. The Rainbow Tour explores the southern and western sides of Molesworth Station, travelling through St James conservation area to Lake Tennyson. The route crosses Island Pass before continuing through Rainbow Station’s beech-covered mountains and the boulder-strewn Wairau River valley. The Woodchester Station Tour offers a different perspective, visiting the settlement of Waiau before meeting property owner Rebekah Kelly at Woodchester Station. The property gained prominence following the 2016 earthquakes when major fault lines caused massive slips and formed Lake Rebekah, which remains today. The tour continues through Gore Bay and Port Robinson before crossing the Lowry Hills Range with stunning views over the Amuri Plains. Tours operate under a Department of Conservation concession with coordination sometimes required with the farm manager. Livestock Freight Fertiliser Bulk stock@amuritransport.co.nz freight@amuritransport.co.nz fert@amuritransport.co.nz bulk@amuritransport.co.nz CONTACT OUR TEAM (03) 315 3033 admin@amuritransport.co.nz Servicing the North Canterbury region Aerial agricultural services • • Charter tours • Hunting & fishing info Since 1954, we've been working in partnership with the Hurunui District farming community for improved animal health to achieve optimum production. We provide a wide range of advanced veterinary and technical services and welcome talking with you about how these can improve performance and profitability. Partnerships, not just products ncvets.co.nz ENQUIRIES@NCVETS.CO.NZ FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: NORTH CANTERBURY VET CLINICS NCVC SHEEP & BEEF Proudly supporting Molesworth Station The Molesworth Experience Tours operates from October through mid-May and Ross says the tours are particularly popular with retirees aged 65-85, mainly hailing from the North Island. “Basically it’s been on the bucket list and it’s been a dream of theirs to do this.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=