Molesworth/Hanmer Springs/Arthurs Pass

Molesworth - backcountry New Zealand. Big sheep farming stations deep in the river valleys of the Kaikoura ranges and Southern Alps. Travel the off road trail between Marlborough and Hanmer Springs up the Awatere Valley and stay a night at Middlehurst Station. See the farm in action or take a cooking class and then continue your drive through the Molesworth Station and over the pass to Hanmer Springs. This road is only open each summer and while 2WD accessible is not recommended for novice off road drivers or rental cars.
 
Recommendation: 2 Days
 
Hanmer Springs - a resort town best known for its thermal mineral waters and spa. Surrounded by walking and biking trails set against the foothills of the southern alps. Relax in one of the 22 thermal pools in a beautiful natural setting - NZ”s finest hot pools.

 
Recommendation: 1 Day
 
Arthurs Pass - this mountain pass crosses the southern divide and is the main route from Christchurch to the West Coast of the South Island. While the drive across the island takes around 4 hours there are a number of places worth stopping at enroute to make this into a full day's adventure.. Castle Hill for some Asterix like rock formations, Cave Stream for a short cave experience, and The Devils Punchbowl Waterfall at Arthurs Pass Village. It's also possible to do this route by train on one of the worlds most scenic rail routes but you won’t be able to get off to visit the aforementioned sites along the way and you will go through a 8.5km tunnel at the top and miss the highest points of the road completely (where you often see the cheeky Kea - the world's only alpine parrot!). Our recommendation is to drive and take in all the stops along the way.
 
Recommendation: 1 Day