Rai Valley
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Get in
By car
The Rai Valley is on State Highway 6 between Nelson (40 minutes) and Havelock (25 minutes).
By bus
All buses and shuttles traveling Picton - Blenheim - Havelock - Nelson return travel through Renwick.
Get around
Rai Valley is the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds. Ideal base for accessing Elaine Bay, Cissy Bay, Okiwi Bay, French Pass and D'Urville Island, Tennyson Inlet, Duncan Bay. Fantastic for boaties, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking (not much traffic!) and seeing nature at it's best. Between Nelson and Blenheim and so easy to find on SH6
See
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phone: +64 3 571 6086, +64 27 721 1555address: Carluke DomainGenuine rural show day. Sheep shearing, home baking competitions and the 'Rai Challenge'.
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Rai Valley Cottage
address: Opouri Road, CarlukeBuilt of totara and beech slabs, pit sawn on the site by the district's first European settler, Charles Turner. This small, four-roomed cottage was built in 1881 and Turner and his wife Matilda and their four children lived here for 28 years. The roof was shingled and the fireplace constructed of river stones. It is furnished in the style of the 1890/1900 period and is one of the few remaining buildings of this type of construction in the country. Visitors can view the interior at any time through glass observation panels.
Do
- Rai Valley is the gateway to the western Marlborough Sounds. The turn-off to Okiwi Bay and French Pass is 1 minute west of the township.
Buy
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Rai Trading
address: Main RoadGroceries, the NZ Post Agency and General Store.
Eat
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Brick Oven
address: Main Rd -
address: Mount Richmond Estate, SH6The cafe/restaurant is open daily (except Christmas Day) serving delicious chef produced meals and snacks. Great range of drinks including fantastic coffee. Sit inside in front of the log burner in the cooler months or outside on the deck in the warmer months. Wifi internet available, $2 per half hour
Drink
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Rai Valley Tavern
address: Main Rd
Sleep
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address: State Highway 6Individual self contained refurbished units sleeping up to four people. Rates from $150 for two people, extra persons $20 each per night. Set in 10 acres of parkland surrounded by forest. Each unit has two bedrooms (super king and twin beds), bathroom, kitchen, dining and lounge area, tv, dvd player, freeview. Accessibility unit too with one bedroom and similar facilities. Plenty of birdlife, walks, mountain biking, horse riding at Pelorus River Horses or just relax! 'Foresters' cafe/restaurant on site for everything from breakfasts, snacks through to dinner.
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phone: +64 3 571 6147address: Rimu Gully
Connect
- Internet access is available at
Community Library
address: Main Road
Go next
- Nelson – art and culture
- Pelorus Bridge – a reserve with cafe, campground, bush walks and (in summer) a beautiful swimming hole, 10 minutes east of Rai Valley
- Wine in Blenheim, or the scenery of the Marlborough Sounds