The Graveler

One of the highlights of The Graveler is the opportunity to explore Molesworth Station, which is only open to the public for a limited period of six weeks each year with permission, crossing from Molesworth Road to rainbow Road. Participants will have the chance to traverse this remarkable terrain and experience some of New Zealand's most beautiful and remote backcountry, with stream crossings and real 4-wheel drive country, which is often inaccessible to the majority of New Zealanders.

In 2024 the Severn /Sedgemere Road was only open for 3 weeks due to fire risk and was able to be used for The Graveler. This road is only driven and/or ridden by a few each year and those that enter The Graveler, be one of the few to experience it in 2025.

Overall, The Graveler offers a distinctive biking experience in New Zealand, allowing riders to enjoy stunning landscapes, ride across Molesworth Station, and discover the hidden beauty of New Zealand’s backcountry that is seldom experienced.

Water: There will be water and R-Line at the 75km mark and the finish. There will be no bag drops on the course or other water stations as getting water out to the location is a big challenge as this is a very remote location.

Cut Off Time:

Cut off at the Severn- Sedgemere Road (Just before the Severn Bridge) approximately 55km as you come off Molesworth Road is 11:00am

Cut off as you come on to Rainbow Road approximately 75km is 12:15pm

Cut off 4:00pm at the Finish.

If you do not make this time you will need to exit the course on the request of the Marshalls. And/or Tail End Charlie. You and your bike will be brought back to the Finish in the Tail End Charlie vehicles.

Minimum Gear List:
We recommend you have an emergency blanket or bag with you as well as a waterproof jacket as it is very barren, if the weather is wet. Also, chain oil as it can be very dry and dusty out there. If you are riding an e-bike you must have 2 spare batteries. In year, 1 riders were caught short having only 1 spare battery.

Prize Giving:
This will be 15 minutes after the last competitor has finished at the Hanmer Springs Domain by the Finish Line - approximately 4:15pm

Please Note:
Molesworth Station is public land but is leased to Pamu/Landcorp and is farmed. Please be respectful of the farming operation by sticking to the formed roads.

Please refrain from trying to ride the route outside of the event as we do not want to jeopardise the event for future years by people going across the station.

The Severn-Sedgemere track is open to the public from 5 January to the end of February but CLOSED the remainder of the year. The Acheron Road is open from October to Easter.