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Awatere Valley & Pacific Coast
The Awatere Valley is a spectacular area of pastoral land and foothills, dominated by Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku. It is a traditional sheep-farming region where more recent additions to the community are vineyards along the terraces of the Awatere River and an increasing number of olive groves. The township of Seddon is a service centre for the rural community surrounding it, where many local craftspeople live.
Awatere Valley Road to Molesworth Station is open for part of each summer and follows the river from State Highway One through the mountains of the Inland Kaikoura Range to the legendary Molesworth Station - the largest farm in the country. The road itself is one of the marvels of Marlborough, with remote, high country scenery all the way to the alpine resort of Hamner Springs. It is suitable for cars but is not tar-sealed all the way.
The Awatere is known for the hospitality and friendliness of the locals, and there are numerous farm stays in the district as well as motels and backpackers. Several spectacular gardens are open to the public, some with historic homesteads.
Lake Grassmere Saltworks is visible from the main road south, where a network of settling ponds turn bright pink in late summer. Just beyond, is a road leading to Marfells Beach, a popular camping and recreation spot with clean, white sand and beautiful views - one way to the North Island, the other way to the mountains of the Awatere Valley.
Further south is the township of Ward, a small rural service centre with accommodation, a garage, tearoom and pub. Nearby is distinctively wild and rugged Ward beach with a seal colony and the landmark rock formations of Chancet Rocks and Needles Point with in walking distance. At Ward the main road heads towards the Pacific Coast, an awesomely beautiful combination of black sand, native trees, blue sea and the Seaward Kaikoura mountains right alongside. Kekerengu is a village right on the coast with a restaurant, shop and sublime sea views.
Colonies of seals live on the rocks just by the road and there are vantage points for a close-up view. Nearer the seaside resort of Kaikoura there are several well-known surfing beaches and freshly cooked crayfish (rock lobster) - the area’s speciality - for sale.
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