Rainbow - Hanmer 4WD Road in the Off-Season

[@GarthHaylock]

Cheers for sharing your journey, I always enjoy travelling through that road, such great scenery. Have spent a lot of time up there with work

[@realneilsadventures]

I'm pleased you enjoyed it. What sort of work took you that way?

[@youtuberAstar]

I was under the impression that a key was NOT required to travel the Rainbow road as it was a "public road". Would you confirm if a key is required or not please. Many thanks for sharing. LOVE the G wagon !

[@realneilsadventures]

Between the 26th December 2024 and 14th April 2025 you just need cash for the toll gate. Off season you need to pay for a key and post it back. email [e-mail]

[@pauls4708]

Love the rainbow

[@realneilsadventures]

Yes, and it was a different feeling having the place to ourselves

[@whalenz]

Is 22:07 Island Saddle? Been there late one night about a month ago. I knew the road was closed further ahead, but it was the first time in my 02 Rav4 which the Rainbow would be too much for. Funny this pops up, I was talking to my Dad the other week and he said he'd never been through but would like to this summer.

[@realneilsadventures]

No, I think its about 18km before Island Saddle just after Berts Creek on my Topo map.

[@philiplittle1786]

Many year's ago i rode my bicycle from Hamner to St Arnaud and then around Rotoiti. Amazing ride, although Island Saddle was a gravelly nightmare!

[@realneilsadventures]

That would be hard work

[@tonyvanhout2394]

thanks for posting

[@realneilsadventures]

You're welcome

[@chrisbird6609]

Have done the road afew times, once with horses and waggons when we took nearlt 3 days Hanmer to St Arnaud. Long before This road was put in, in the early days of nz settlement this was used as a sheep droving route from nelson to Canterbury. That is why the cob cottages werebuilt in the 1800s.

[@realneilsadventures]

Horses and wagons sounds like a great why to travel though there.

[@robward7662]

Did this trip other way just after Christmas was a great trip , towed my toy hauler would not recommend unless you know your shit.

[@realneilsadventures]

I hope you were able to use what you towed.

[@robward7662]

@@realneilsadventuresyip 20ft with pretty good ground clearance and puts over 200kg on hook , the steep climb would catch a lot out if towing and light hitch weight

[@kiwiphil1963]

The toll fee is for just 400m of road apparently going by Jim Ward manager of the Molesworth Station told me.

[@realneilsadventures]

Wow I didn't know that. I was thinking they maintain the road between the locked gates.