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Highway 6: Richmond to Murchison, Hope Saddle, Tasman
Photo: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Tasman, New Zealand Nelson, Marlborough and Kaikoura

Highway 6: Richmond to Murchison

SH 6, Whitby Road · Richmond → Murchison

Sweeping72 mi1 hr 35 min3,600 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,000 ftOne way
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The drive

This stretch of State Highway 6 is the road from the Nelson-Richmond area to the Buller River and the West Coast. It leaves Richmond heading southwest across the Wairoa and Motueka river plains, passes Wakefield, then climbs to Hope Saddle, 634 m above the sea, before running generally west along the Buller River valley and its tributaries.

Past the Kawatiri junction, where SH63 turns off toward St Arnaud, the road drops to Murchison on the Buller River. Beyond Murchison the valley narrows into the Buller Gorge.

The curves are steady and gentle rather than tight. This is the main road from Nelson to the West Coast, running through forest and farmland.

Along the way

  1. Richmond
  2. Wakefield
  3. Murchison
Elevation
3,600 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,000 ft
RichmondMurchison
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
RichmondMurchison
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Hope Saddle, at roughly 2,000 feet, is the high point of the drive.
  • Murchison is where the Buller Gorge begins, so it is the natural place to stop if you are continuing to the West Coast.
  • Check NZTA Journeys for slips and storm closures before leaving, particularly after heavy rain.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NZTA Journeys: traffic and road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does SH6 from Richmond to Murchison take?

State Highway 6 from Richmond to Murchison is 115 km (71 mi) and takes about 1 hr 35 min.

How high is Hope Saddle?

Hope Saddle on SH6 is 634 m (2,080 ft) above sea level.

What does SH6 pass between Richmond and Murchison?

It crosses the Wairoa and Motueka river plains, goes through Wakefield, climbs Hope Saddle and follows the Buller River valley to Murchison, passing the Kawatiri junction with SH63.

Where does the road go after Murchison?

SH6 continues into the Buller Gorge and on to Westport and the West Coast.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

All 3 drives in Tasman, New Zealand ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 6: Richmond to Murchison, from Richmond to Murchison