Clinton: Hill Country, Golf and Fly Fishing

Rolling hills surround Clinton, which lies between the larger towns of Balclutha and Gore. The town’s profile combines a distinctive landscape with a rural golf course and a reputation for fly fishing. The wider Clutha District destination offers further nature and cultural experiences.

Hill Country and Local History

The gently rolling hills give Clinton’s description a clear landscape setting. There is also a specific historical connection: in 1873, Clinton was renamed after Henry Pelham-Clinton, the former British Secretary of State for the Colonies. The town’s name therefore refers to a particular person and a particular office. If you are interested in a destination’s history, you can remember this story behind its name alongside its landscape.

Golf and Fly Fishing in Clinton

Clinton Golf Club is a rural golf course with nine hilly holes. The number and character of the holes make the golf offering particularly specific: it is a nine-hole course in hilly terrain. At the same time, this description of the course fits the gently rolling hills that surround Clinton. For guests who want to include golf in their travel plans, the club is a named point of reference in the town’s profile.

Clinton is also known for fly fishing. Together, golf and fly fishing represent two different interests that may play a part in choosing a destination. If you are looking for a holiday home in Clinton, you can consider whether this combination suits your travel interests or whether you would rather focus on the wider variety of experiences in the Clutha District.

Wide-Ranging Experiences in the Clutha District

The Clutha District stretches along the coast between Dunedin and Invercargill and is a standout section of the Southern Scenic Route. Its varied landscapes include more than 200 kilometres of coastline and different surfable wave types: beach breaks, river breaks and reef breaks. The coast is therefore a distinct natural feature of the wider destination.

The Clutha Gold Trail also offers a clearly described option for active days in the Clutha District. The trail is 135 kilometres long, graded easy and assigned a difficulty level of 1–2; it is listed as taking two to four days. If you plan to include this hike, check the route information before your trip. The trail also has a 62-kilometre extension between Lawrence and Waihola. It opened on 25 August 2023, connects the existing trail network in Central Otago and Clutha, and continues as a cycle trail towards the east coast. Hiking and cycling here should therefore be planned around different routes and time estimates.

For surfing, the Clutha District offers different wave types; specific conditions depend on the weather and swell. Kākā Point is a beach break with rocky points and is suitable for surfers from beginner to advanced level. Conditions there vary with the swell, tides and weather. If you include surfing in your plans, take these factors into account on site.

Seasonal and agricultural experiences also contribute to the Clutha District’s offerings. Every spring, Lawrence hosts a daffodil display on the grounds of Weatherston’s Brewery. As seasonal programmes can change, it is a good idea to check the dates before your trip. The district also offers farm tours and hands-on encounters with animals as part of its agritourism. Individual operators’ offerings and dates may change; if you plan to include one of these experiences, check the latest details.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Owaka, Balclutha, Edievale, Kaitangata, Milton, Lawrence, Chaslands, Tarara.

For the wider travel overview: Clutha District.