Thread: Molesworth Dillon Block Best Access Route

I have hunted Half Moon and Bullen Hills, both adjoining Dillon, but not hunted Dillon itself.
I think you're in for a walk.
As far as I know there are no vehicle access options but I don't know about the side of the Clarence where Hossack is. Even with permission to use a possible vehicle track there you have to cross the Clarence ( if coming from Hamner ) to get to the track ( I don't know if there is a suitable ford to cross ) then recross the Clarenece downstream to get into Dillon. A Clarence crossing would be very subject to flows and around there it can run swift and fairly deep.
The two walking options are:

Parking at or arond the campsite at the lower Acheron ( near the Clarence confluence ) and hoofing it down the true left of the Clarence. It's not bad going, just a couple of swampy areas to get around. Getting around the bluffs is not to bad. I did it the right way going downstream and the wrong way returning upstream but still doable. And yes, I crossed the Acheron over the small bridge upstream from the campsite.

Parking at the ford to the Guide Hut. You could drive your gear over in a suitable 4WD but I think you need to park on the true right so at least one person needs to walk across the Acheron, which is easy. You can't drive much further than the crossing as there is a locked gate just before Guide hut. Getting through the gate would require Jim Ward's permission, and a key, and I don't know if either are given.
So, walking from there you follow the vehicle track up the Guide River , cross through the saddle into Half Moon Stream, follow the vehicle track downstream past Half Moon hut to its confluence with the Dillon River and downstream from there you are in your block. Re the 4WD track bewteen the saddle and Half Moon hut there are a couple of boggy areas to negotiate. Doable in dn dry conditions I would assume but maybe not if wet. Molesworth staff do drive the track but only when passable I would guess.

Since you want to access the center of the block I'm not sure which route would be most expedient. Personally if I were going in for a first time I would choose the Guide River / Half Moon Stream route as I enjoy this walk. You could always go in by one route and return by the other but when reaching Acheron Road again would probably need to thumb a lift whicever way to return to your vehicle.

Nice country in there. Hope you have a great hunt.