Discover Clinton

Clinton Among the Hills and Catlins

Rolling hills surround Clinton, giving the landscape its calm, open character. The town lies between the larger towns of Balclutha and Gore. The Catlins’ natural attractions also help orient visitors to the region: Clinton is well placed for visiting them.

The town’s name holds a specific trace of history. Clinton was renamed in 1873 after Henry Pelham-Clinton, the former British Secretary of State for the Colonies. This dated event offers a distinct way to explore the town’s history: alongside its landscape and recreational opportunities, the name reflects a historical figure.

Golf and Fly Fishing

Clinton Golf Club is a rural golf course with nine hilly holes. Those interested in golf can picture a course with a distinctive layout: the round takes players across hilly terrain, and the course has nine holes. Clinton is also known for fly fishing. These offer different points of interest: one is a specific golf course with a described terrain, while the other is the town’s general reputation for a type of fishing. This distinction helps visitors compare the recreational interests without combining them into a single experience.

When looking for a hotel in Clinton, you might first consider whether you want to explore the town itself or combine your trip with visits to the Catlins’ natural attractions. Rolling hills, the golf course, and the town’s reputation for fly fishing are Clinton’s specific highlights; other experiences can be explored in the wider context of the Clutha District.

Clutha District: Trails, Coast and Seasonal Experiences

The Clutha District broadens the view beyond Clinton. It stretches along the coast between Dunedin and Invercargill and is a notable section of the Southern Scenic Route.

The Clutha Gold Trail offers another way to explore the district. It is 135 kilometres long and described as an easy, two- to four-day trail graded 1–2. A 62-kilometre extension between Lawrence and Waihola opened on 25 August 2023. It links the existing trail networks in Central Otago and Clutha and continues towards the east coast as a cycle trail. Check current trail information before your trip.

Every spring, a daffodil show is held at Weatherston’s Brewery in Lawrence. As it is a seasonal event, it is a good idea to check the dates in advance. This makes it possible to include the recurring spring event in your plans without conflating it with the year-round landscape and trail themes.

For those interested in surfing, the Clutha District has more than 200 kilometres of coastline and various surfable wave types, including beach breaks, river breaks, and reef breaks. Kākā Point is one example in the district: it has a beach break with rocky points and is suitable for surfers from beginner to advanced level. Conditions depend on swell, tides, and weather, so take these into account before surfing. The coastline’s length and variety of breaks reflect the breadth of the regional offering, while Kākā Point is a named location with a specific wave type.

Agri-tourism is another aspect of the Clutha District. Farm tours and hands-on encounters with animals are available. The operators and dates on offer may change, so check the relevant details if these experiences are important to your travel plans. Together, trails, coast, seasonal events, and farm tours show how varied the Clutha District’s attractions can be, while Clinton itself is characterised by its hilly landscape, golf course, and fly fishing.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Tapanui, Kaitangata, Kaka Point, Milton, Larnachs Castle, Owaka, Tarara, Edievale.

For the broader travel overview: Clutha District.