Big Station
Login or Join Adventure Guide for full access to the Adventure Map, plus information including detailed route notes, fuel stops, food supplies/dining, accommodation, preparation and safety, downloadable GPX files plus a printable booklet.
Route Overview
General Overview
The Big Station Adventure is a fantastic loop route through some impressive High Country stations. It offers the option of an two day, or three day adventure.
Start/Finish Point
The starting and finishing point for this Adventure is Hanmer Springs.
Terrain includes
Other than a tarmac section from Blenheim to St Arnaud, the terrain is mostly made up of gravel roads, and four-wheel-drive tracks ranging from Grade 1 through to Grade 3.
Distance
588 km
Max Fuel Leg
220 km
Travel Time
This route can be done over 2 days with one night of camping, or extended to 3 days with two nights of camping.
Accommodation
This route utilises DOC huts and DOC camping areas in great locations.
Access Permission
Big Station utilises four routes that need to be ridden within the open periods.
One route is free of charge, but has seasonal access limits.
One route has a gate fee of $30 for motorbikes or $60 for 4X4 vehicles, and also has seasonal access limits.
Two other routes (free of charge) require you to preregister your vehicle through a website.
All the access details and instructions are provided in Leg 1 and Leg 2.
Access Limitations
While the open periods are generally reliable year to year, some of the roads/tracks within the Big Station route may be closed due to weather or track conditions. These closures can be due to:
1 - Snow, that can render some of the high altitude passes impassable.
2 - Extremely wet conditions, where tracks are closed to minimise track damage
3 - Extremely dry conditions, where tracks are closed due to fire risk.
Details on how to check on the open statuses are provided in Leg 1 and Leg 2.
