March 1, 2025
Across the Hurunui; Part One
Hanmer to Horsley Downs
The Hurunui District sits between Canterbury in the south and Marlborough in the north. Today is the first day in this district, getting to know places not many have a chance to.
It was a sunny morning and the forecast was for temperatures above 30C (86F) (which is hot for me). Although it would have been better to leave early I couldn’t quite tear myself away from the events occurring live on TV.
But back to the Hurunui. Have any of you ever heard of Horsley Downs? One of those quiet places where few people live and everyone knows everybody else. I’ll put in a photo at the end.
The road out of Hanmer was quiet on this Saturday morning. Only a few cars at first on what is actually a state highway.
The reduced load on the back felt better, but I still knew it was there.
The sun had been shining and the farmers, being farmers, making hay. Extensive sheep and beef farms all around.
About 10km out from Hanmer is the Waiau Ferry Bridge. It’s a rather old (1887) steel frame one lane bridge that spans a 77 metre (252 feet) gap 30m (100 feet) above the river.
You can bungee off this if you are desperate for near death experiences.
Not enough time for that unfortunately. The road wound along the Waiau Uwha River with a gradual downhill slope. Quite pretty especially with the mountains on all sides
Just north of Culverden I came to the Red Post. This marker was first placed there in 1873. It was originally intended to mark a location for a town or a railway, neither of which actually happened. But everyone got used to it being there and it’s become a local icon.
This is not the original post. It has been replaced several times after being attacked, first with axes and more recently with chainsaws. The current version of steel bolts and rods in it for protection. Kiwi ingenuity.
Shortly after this I stopped in Culverden (population 380) for lunch. A nice town, great grocery store, a pub, a fish and chip shop and a cafe and the only place for resupply until tomorrow night. Culverden’s claim to fame is having held the the largest sheep sales in the world in the late 1880s with 130,000 sheep going under the hammer.
Unlike Molesworth there were few cyclists. The two parked outside the cafe in Culverden were the only ones I saw today.
Onwards. Next was a 25km dogleg away from the highway to avoid traffic. It was a hot afternoon and the heat was reflecting off the tarseal. Temperatures were up to 33C.
This is an irrigated area and sheep and beef farms have been replaced with more lucrative dairy farms. The cows, smarter than me, were relaxing in the shade after lunch.
The now closed Hurunui Hotel passed by and I eventually reached my B&B late in the afternoon. It was very quiet. In the 18 hours I was there only two cars went past. Slept well, out like a light.
Today's ride: 73 km (45 miles)
Total: 256 km (159 miles)
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