# Molesworth Station > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Molesworth_Station > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Molesworth_Station.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molesworth_Station > Source revision: 1341064453 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Cattle station in New Zealand Molesworth station Molesworth station includes high-country areas. Molesworth east **Molesworth Station** is a [high country](/source/High_country_(New_Zealand)) [cattle station](/source/Cattle_station). It is located behind the [Inland Kaikōura](/source/Kaik%C5%8Dura_Ranges) Mountain range in the [South Island](/source/South_Island)'s [Marlborough District](/source/Marlborough_District). It is [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand)'s largest farm, at over 1,800 square kilometres (440,000 acres)[1] and supports the country's biggest herd of cattle. It also hosts government science programs, such as research into [bovine tuberculosis](/source/Bovine_tuberculosis) and related research into [possums](/source/Common_brushtail_possum).[2] The station helps rabbit population reduction.[3] The present station was formed in 1949 when a third station, St Helens, was added to Tarndale and Molesworth stations which had been amalgamated in 1938 after the runholders "walked off" the land. The three stations had once run around 95,000 head of sheep. The land was brought back into production by a major investment in rabbit control followed by revegetation of the barren ground. Cattle replaced the sheep.[4] The land is owned by [the Crown](/source/The_Crown) and is leased for farming. On 1 July 2005, administration of the land was handed to the [New Zealand Department of Conservation](/source/New_Zealand_Department_of_Conservation).[1] The [HVDC Inter-Island](/source/HVDC_Inter-Island) transmission line passes through the station. ## Molesworth Station ### Livestock and their managers Molesworth is a high country cattle station. Its [Angus](/source/Aberdeen_Angus) and Angus/[Hereford](/source/Hereford_cattle)-cross cattle range free on the high country in summer months and graze in the warmer valleys during winter. They are cared for by a team of [stockmen](/source/Stockman_(Australia)) camping with their dogs and horses in remote huts. Each October/November they achieve a [calving rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Calving_rate&action=edit&redlink=1) of 92 per cent. The calves are weaned just before their mothers drop their next calf. Surplus [heifers](/source/Heifer_(cow)) are sold as two-year-olds and [steers](/source/Steer_(cow)) as three-year-olds.[4] Permanent staff is five and another half-dozen stockmen are employed except in winter. During the most active periods there are around 80 horses and up to 45 working dogs working on the station. Molesworth uses aircraft to find cattle at mustering and to pick up any missed by the muster.[4] ### Weeds pests and diseases Weed control is expensive. [Briar](/source/Blackberry), [broom](/source/Carmichaelia) and [wilding pine](/source/Wilding_pine) and the flatweed, [hieracium](/source/Hieracium). Possums and ferrets can transmit [bovine tuberculosis](/source/Bovine_tuberculosis)[4] ## Climate Climate data for Molesworth, elevation 890 m (2,920 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1944–1992) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 31.9 (89.4) 35.1 (95.2) 30.6 (87.1) 26.9 (80.4) 21.4 (70.5) 18.9 (66.0) 14.9 (58.8) 18.2 (64.8) 23.8 (74.8) 25.0 (77.0) 27.2 (81.0) 29.9 (85.8) 35.1 (95.2) Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 21.3 (70.3) 21.2 (70.2) 18.8 (65.8) 15.4 (59.7) 11.8 (53.2) 8.4 (47.1) 6.9 (44.4) 8.6 (47.5) 11.7 (53.1) 13.8 (56.8) 16.2 (61.2) 18.7 (65.7) 14.4 (57.9) Daily mean °C (°F) 13.9 (57.0) 14.0 (57.2) 11.8 (53.2) 8.6 (47.5) 5.8 (42.4) 3.0 (37.4) 1.8 (35.2) 3.3 (37.9) 5.9 (42.6) 7.8 (46.0) 9.8 (49.6) 12.2 (54.0) 8.2 (46.7) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 6.6 (43.9) 6.7 (44.1) 4.8 (40.6) 1.7 (35.1) −0.3 (31.5) −2.4 (27.7) −3.3 (26.1) −2.0 (28.4) 0.0 (32.0) 1.7 (35.1) 3.4 (38.1) 5.7 (42.3) 1.9 (35.4) Record low °C (°F) −2.8 (27.0) −4.1 (24.6) −6.9 (19.6) −8.2 (17.2) −12.5 (9.5) −14.0 (6.8) −13.0 (8.6) −12.2 (10.0) −9.4 (15.1) −8.3 (17.1) −6.7 (19.9) −4.6 (23.7) −14.0 (6.8) Average rainfall mm (inches) 44.8 (1.76) 46.5 (1.83) 50.6 (1.99) 46.1 (1.81) 49.5 (1.95) 60.0 (2.36) 53.2 (2.09) 50.7 (2.00) 58.1 (2.29) 72.5 (2.85) 47.1 (1.85) 47.8 (1.88) 626.9 (24.66) Source: NIWA[5][6] ## Tourism There are restrictions in place to protect the working farm. Bad weather may also close some other areas.[4] Molesworth Recreation Reserve ('Molesworth Station') is located NW of Kaikōura. It is accessible from Hanmer Springs in the south, Seddon in the north east, and St Arnaud in the north. The primary route through Molesworth is the Acheron road, from Hanmer Springs to Seddon. This is the only route suitable for 2WD vehicles. Caravans, trailers, buses, and vehicles over 7m length are not permitted. The road is a single track for the most part. The road is unsealed but there are no fords, and the gradients are not steep. The road is approximately 200 km, with a maximum speed of 50 km/h, though practical road speeds are lower making for at least a 6hr journey. ### Hanmer Springs to Acheron Accommodation House Two different routes are available for this section. Jacks Pass, and Jollies Pass which is poorly maintained and requires 4WD. ### Acheron Accommodation House This is an historic house, and no accommodation is now provided. However simple camping facilities are available. The house itself is a [cob](/source/Cob_(material)) construction. Acheron cob house ### Acheron valley The road follows the Acheron river for much of the route through Molesworth. In places the river runs in a gorge, and there are a number of historic bridges. The scenery is open grassland for the most part. Acheron river Student Bridge designed and built 1944 by C.U.C. engineering students ### Isolated Flat Travelling north, the road departs from the Acheron river to briefly follow the Severn river, then over the Isolated Saddle about 100m above the plain. It then descends again to the Isolated Flat, and again follows the Acheron river. Molesworth Severn river ### Wards Pass Leaving the Acheron River, the road goes over Wards Pass, a climb of about 160 m, which brings the route into the upper reaches of the Awatere valley. ### Molesworth Homestead The historic homestead and the modern farm yards are located to the north of the Reserve. There is also a simple camp site here. ### Awatere Valley Leaving Molesworth station, the road continues through farmland in the Awatere valley. In the higher reaches the valley is narrow and the farming primarily stock (sheep and beef), but in the lower reaches towards Seddon it broadens and more cultivation becomes apparent including vineyards. ## See also - [Station (New Zealand agriculture)](/source/Station_(New_Zealand_agriculture)) - [Wards Pass](/source/Wards_Pass) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SHARING_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SHARING_1-1) Clark, Mathew (29 August 2006). ["Mathew Clark: Sharing our land's bounty"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/land-information-nz/news/article.cfm?o_id=433&objectid=10398453&pnum=2). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. pp. 2 of 2. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-PROGRESS_2-0)** ["Scientists make progress in war on TB"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/landcare-research-ltd/news/article.cfm?o_id=303&objectid=10010226&pnum=1). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 9 February 2005. Retrieved 30 January 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Department of Conservation](https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/nelson-marlborough/lake-tennyson-interp-info.pdf) accessed 23 February 2019 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bro_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bro_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bro_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-bro_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-bro_4-4) [Department of Conservation *Molesworth Recreation Reserve*](https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/nelson-marlborough/molesworth-brochure.pdf) accessed 21 August 2021 1. **[^](#cite_ref-NIWA_5-0)** ["CliFlo – National Climate Database : Molesworth"](http://cliflo.niwa.co.nz). NIWA. Retrieved 19 May 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-NIWA2_6-0)** ["CliFlo -The National Climate Database (Agent number: 4461)"](https://cliflo.niwa.co.nz/). NIWA. Retrieved 15 July 2024. ## External links - [Molesworth Station](http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/marlborough/south-marlborough/molesworth-station/) at the Department of Conservation - [Map of Molesworth Station](http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/marlborough/south-marlborough/molesworth-station/plan-and-prepare/map-of-molesworth-station/) v t e Marlborough District, New Zealand Seat: Blenheim Populated places Marlborough Sounds Anakiwa Bulwer Canvastown Elaine Bay French Pass / Anaru Havelock Linkwater Koromiko Moenui Ngākuta Bay Ōkiwi Bay Pelorus Bridge Picton Port Underwood Rai Valley Waikawa Waitaria Bay Blenheim Blenheim Central Burleigh Mayfield Redwoodtown Riverlands Riversdale Springlands Witherlea Wairau-Awatere Fairhall Grovetown Marlborough Ridge Rapaura Rārangi Renwick Seddon Spring Creek Tuamarina Waihopai Valley Wairau Valley Ward Wharanui Woodbourne Geographic features Islands Allports Island Amerikiwhati Island Anatakupu Island Arapaoa Island Blumine Island / Ōruawairua Chetwode Islands Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D'Urville Island Forsyth Island Long Island Matapara / Pickersgill Island Maud Island Rangitoto Islands Stephens Island Bodies of water Admiralty Bay Big Lagoon The Brothers Bryant Range Clifford Bay Te Koko-o-Kupe / Cloudy Bay Croisilles Harbour Elaine Bay Fairy Bay Kenepuru Sound Lake Grassmere / Kapara Te Hau Maungatapu Meretoto / Ship Cove Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere Penzance Bay Te Anamāhanga / Port Gore Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui Tawero Point Tennyson Inlet Tory Channel / Kura Te Au Wairau Bar Landforms Cape Campbell Cape Jackson Dillon Cone Kaikōura Ranges Maungakura / Red Hill Richmond Ranges Tapuae-o-Uenuku Ward Beach Wards Pass Facilities and attractions Long Island-Kokomohua Marine Reserve Molesworth Station Mount Richmond Forest Park Rainbow Ski Area Whale Trail Government Council Mayor Iwi Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Te Atiawa o Te Waka-a-Māui Ngāti Kōata Ngāti Kuia Rangitāne o Wairau Ngāti Rārua Ngāti Tama ki Te Tau Ihu Ngāi Tahu Ngāti Toa Rangatira [42°05′25″S 173°11′33″E / 42.09024°S 173.1924°E / -42.09024; 173.1924](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Molesworth_Station¶ms=42.09024_S_173.1924_E_region:NZ_type:landmark) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Molesworth Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molesworth_Station) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molesworth_Station?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.