Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence
Located in the Marlborough region
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Introduction
Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence provides a remote experience in a vast rugged high-country landscape straddling the Seaward Kaikoura Range.Find things to do and places to stay Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence
Manakau (2610 m) and Te Ao Whekere (2590 m) are the most rewarding climbs. A winter traverse on foot or skis is a major undertaking.
Although the routes aren't difficult, they are very long and remote. Climbers should be fit and well equipped, prepared to camp out or snow cave.
Climbers must seek permission from landowners for access to some areas.
The Clarence River provides ideal brown trout and salmon fishing. A licence from Fish & Game New Zealand is required.
Didymo is present in the Clarence River so it's essential that all fishing gear is cleaned.
Vehicle access into the Clarence is arranged by contacting Colin Nimmo of Muzzle Station on +64 3 3195791. A road maintenance fee is charged for motorised vehicles.
Looking down Blind Saddle
Driving in the Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia/Clarence Reserve is at your own risk. The section between the Kahutara gate and Quail Flat is 30 km and will take a minimum of two hours. The road is steep, rough and narrow in places, with several fords. Slips and floods are common; there can be no guarantee of a safe vehicle passage.
The road is suited to people with 4WD experience and drivers need to be fully aware of their surroundings.
In the Special Lease Area
Keep vehicles to the formed track within the Special Lease Area marked on the map. Leave gates as you find them and avoid disrupting farm operations or stock.
Horse riders will find the Clarence experience hard to beat. You must get an access permit through the DOC office at all times of the year.
Feed availability is unpredictable so it is recommended to take supplementary feed. To reduce the spread of weeds only take grain feed.
Travelling the Clarence River by raft, canoe or kayak is a great way to see the Clarence Reserve.
There are four huts accessible to river users; Forbes, Palmer, Goose Flat and Snowgrass.
Rafting on the Clarence River
Travelling the Clarence River by raft, canoe or kayak is a great way to see the Clarence Reserve.
There are four huts accessible to river users; Forbes, Palmer, Goose Flat and Snowgrass.
The main access into the Clarence is over Blind Saddle Road.
From Kaikoura, follow SH1 south for 5 km to the Waiau/Mt Lyford turnoff and head inland to the car park at Kahutara River bridge, 25 km from Kaikoura.
There is a locked gate here restricting horse and vehicle access. Arrange vehicle access into the Clarence by contacting Colin Nimmo of Muzzle Station on +64 3 319 5791 or email muzzle@xtra.co.nz. A road maintenance fee is charged for motorised vehicles. 4WD open weekends are no longer organised by DOC. Note: The road is closed to vehicles over the winter months.
Be prepared
Visitors should be prepared for all weathers; snow can fall at any time of the year and the sun can be relentlessly hot. It is important to carry water and be equipped with warm, waterproof clothing, adequate food and accurate maps. It is advised to leave your intentions with family or friends. Remember your safety is your responsibility.
Dog access
Dogs are allowed by permit only from the Nelson Visitor Centre. They must have a current vet's certificate showing that they have been treated for Taenia ovis (sheep measles) less than 1 month and more than 2 days prior to entering the reserve. Certificates must be carried into the reserve and shown on request.
Fire
Due to the high fire risk, fires are not allowed in Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence.
Permits
For dog permits contact the Nelson Visitor Centre. For horse permits contact the Renwick Office.
Apply online for hunting permits: Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Conservation Park hunting.
Hunting
Hunting on public conservation land is by permit only. Hunting in the Special Lease Area requires a separate Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence hunting permit. Contact the Wairau/Renwick DOC office for further information.
Encompassing some of the highest mountains in New Zealand outside the Southern Alps, Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence is of national significance geologically and for the many rare, interesting and unique native plants and animals it harbours.
Landforms
Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence protects some of the highest mountains in New Zealand outside the Southern Alps. It is of national significance geologically and for the many rare, interesting and unique native plants and animals it harbours.
Due to its relatively dry climate, the area escaped extensive glaciation during the Ice Age. Instead of glacial features, landforms above the original bushline are a result of mass movement of rock and debris. In places, it seems the very bones of the mountains are revealed - chalky white outcrops of limestone, contrasting vividly with deep-red remnants of ancient underground volcanic activity.
Vegetation
The vegetation forms a complex mosaic of tussock grasslands, shrublands, forest, flaxes, screefields and bare rock. Several threatened plants, a number of species at their northern or southern limits and numerous plants endemic to the region are found here. These include the rare pink broom, New Zealand lilac, coral daisy and Marlborough rock daisy. Despite overgrazing, burning, spraying and damage by pests, the lower altitudes still support some important remnant communities. The many bluffs are goat-proof havens for plants, some of which live only on the limestone outcrops. Introduced weeds, such as hawkweed and briar, are also a major nuisance.
Wildlife
The Seaward Kaikoura Range is a very important area for a whole range of native animals. Eleven species of lizard have been recorded, including the threatened black-eyed gecko and scree skink. The New Zealand falcon occurs throughout the area; and kea live in the alpine zone. Blind Saddle is one of the most important areas known for large invertebrates in New Zealand: two weta species, a tussock butterfly and two speargrass weevil species survive there. Introduced animals, including rabbits, pigs, stoats, hares and possums, pose a threat to the native wildlife and vegetation.
Proposed international dark sky sanctuary
This area is renowned for its clear night skies. It’s a perfect spot for stargazing and astrophotography. Due to its position and location, and so little light pollution, you’ll have an amazing view of:
- the Milky Way (Te Ikaroa)
- the Southern Cross
- Large and Small Magellanic Clouds
- the magnificent globular cluster Omega Centauri.
Find out more about the best spots for stargazing in the area and read the proposal to make the area an international dark sky sanctuary at the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust website.
Maori living at the mouth of the Clarence River used the river valley as a route through to Waiau for at least 750 years. In 1857 the first sheep runs were taken up in the Clarence by Joseph Ward and C. F. Watts.
By 1890 no lessee could be found for the difficult runs, which were infested with scab, a skin disease in sheep. The area became part of the Crown’s reserve of unoccupied pastoral lands. Access was always a major obstacle. Horses were a valuable asset and the old pack track can still be seen in places. The modern vehicle track was only completed in 1969.
The leaseholders used materials at hand for building their homes and farm buildings. Trees, including introduced species, such as willow and elm, were used for framing. Cob was used for constructing walls; sometimes even the dog kennels and outside ovens were made from this mixture of mud and tussock.
There are several historic huts in the Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence area: Black Spur Slab Hut, Bluff Dump Hut, Horse Flat Hut, Old Willows Hut and Tent Poles Hut. Find out about historic huts in Ka Whata Tu o Rakihouia Clarence area.
Contacts
| Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre | |
|---|---|
| Phone | +64 3 546 9339 |
| nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 1/37 Halifax Street Nelson 7010 |
| Hours | Visitor centre hours and services |