What’s Clarence?!
A decade ago it would be pretty acceptable not to know where Clarence is, but a certain earthquake, and a certain bike park, have recently put this hidden jem of a valley on the map! The secret is out, but you certainly won’t be held up in traffic here. Well, maybe you will, but only in the form of sheep and cows grazing the roadsides…
To be perfectly honest, there’s not a huge amount to do here… well, that is, if you’re looking for organised entertainment and ways to spend your money. But for those keen on getting away from the crowds, BBQing at the beach or relaxing by the river, this valley has all you need!
The Waiau-Toa (Clarence) River holds a special place in the hearts of the locals. We live very much at its mercy, knowing it has the ability to change course and take acres away… which it has done and will continue to do. This is hard to imagine in the summer months, when it runs clear and low - the perfect place for a dip between shuttle sessions at Middle Hill!
Our friends at Clarence River Rafting have been operating for about 20 years now, guiding groups on multi day trips down the river. The full 180 km trip from deep in the Molesworth right through to the river mouth here at Clarence is a must-do, so put that on your bucket list… you could even combine it with a few days either side at Middle Hill!
We may not be within pedalling distance from the pub, but we think that what we’ve got here is pretty dam special! And if you’re really craving city life after a big day on the bike, we’re only half an hour out of Kaikoura anyway… not in the middle of nowhere after all!
