Unravel the story behind kauri gum, a garden of knowledge and a signing of significance right here in the bay. Find out the meaning of a man they called the ‘Tuatara’ and the strength of an important woman at Clendon House.
Aroha mai, Clendon House is closed on Sunday 29 October, due to severe weather. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Ngā mihi
Clendon House Team
Opening Hours
Nov 2023 - Apr 2024 (Summer Season)
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
10.00am - 4.00pm
May 2024 - Oct 2024 (Winter Season)
Saturday & Sunday
10.00am - 4.00pm
(Group Bookings are available on closed days by prior appointment)
Closed Christmas Day
Entry
Member Free
Adult Guided Tour $10.00
Under 18 years Free
Groups Guided group tours are available if booked in advance. Please contact the property for guided group rates.
* Surcharges may apply for special events
Step back through time at this historic place in Northland. Want to find out more? Click to read more
Clendon House is idenitified as a Tohu Whenua heritage site. Tohu Whenua are the places that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand. Located in stunning landscapes and rich with stories, they offer some of our best heritage experiences. See more on the Tohu Whenua website.
Parking
There is ample free on-street parking along the waterfront on Clendon Esplanade in front of Clendon House (see parking signs for times). We also have a small carpark onsite located at 14 Parnell Street for visitors with limited mobility, this provides access to Clendon House without any stairs or obstructions. It’s a nice easy walk into town and campervan drivers may wish to park on the roadside just outside of town. Narrow roads, limited parking and some tight turns onto Clendon Esplanade can make it a busy spot in summer.
Rawene is a pedestrian friendly town, please watch out for pedestrians while travelling through the town.
Accessibility
Clendon House is a two-storey building, with steps for entry, however a mobility ramp is available, just let our staff know you require it. The second floor may not be suitable for those with mobility issues due to the steep and narrow staircase. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to the second floor.
Please note wheelchair users may find it difficult to move within the house because of the width of the doorframes and the narrow passages. Our visitor hosts can share the history of our site with you while enjoying the serene charms the Hokianga harbour from the front veranda.
Food and Drink
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic with them to enjoy in our grounds. Please take all food and rubbish with you. There is also a great selection of local cafés located just a short distance from Clendon House.
This is a smoke and vape free site.
Children and whānau
Both inside and out, there are things for kids to discover. Inside explore the house, imagine living here with seven other siblings or sit at the desk in the attic while you use the original tablet. Outside, there is plenty of room to stretch little legs. Why not investigate the huge rotating clothes line. It could well be the largest in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Things to remember
We care for some important taonga (treasures) in our collection and our heritage buildings have lived a long life, so some rooms or items in the house may be off limits at times for conservation and maintenance.
Some rooms may be dimly lit depending on the weather and time of year.
We want everyone to enjoy their visit, on busy days drones can be disrupting to the experience at Clendon House, as well as our neighbours who reside close by. Please do not fly drones at the house without permission from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
Safe Space
Suffrage Stories | Jane Clendon
Jane Takotowi Cochrane was the daughter of Te Whata, a Rangatira of Mangamuka and Northland trader Dennis Cochrane. She grew to be an accomplished young woman who operated confidently in both Māori and Pākehā society.
Not sure where to start?
We've created a great Northland heritage adventure to get you started on your heritage journey.
Photo: Darryl Ward
