Rural Living
More space, strong communities and country living.
Across the Clutha District, rural communities and small settlements offer another way to make Clutha home. From farming areas and small townships to coastal and inland communities, there are plenty of options for people looking for more space, a quieter pace of life and strong local connections.
Life in Clutha's Rural Communities
Living rurally in Clutha can mean many different things. It might be a lifestyle property within easy reach of one of the district's larger towns, living and working on a farm, or becoming part of one of the small communities dotted throughout the district.
Many of these communities have their own primary school, community hall, sports club or other local facilities that provide a focal point for community life. In smaller settlements, everyday services may mean travelling to a nearby town, but distances are generally manageable and the connections between rural communities and their local service towns are an established part of life in the district.
Community halls, schools, sports clubs, volunteer groups and local events play an important role in bringing people together, and rural communities often provide plenty of opportunities to become involved.
Find Your Place
From Waitahuna, Heriot and Waikoikoi in the west, to Stirling, Warepa and Waiwera in the centre, and Pounawea, Kākā Point and smaller coastal communities further east, Clutha is home to communities of many different sizes and settings.
Each has its own character. Some have a local school, community hall, sports facilities or other services, while others are simply small clusters of homes surrounded by farmland or coast. What they share is the opportunity to enjoy more space and become part of a rural or small community.
Living & Working Rural
Agriculture is a major part of Clutha's economy and rural communities are closely connected with farming and the industries that support it. Employment opportunities extend beyond working directly on farms to agricultural contracting, transport, engineering, trades, rural services and businesses supporting the primary sector.
Rural living is not limited to people working in agriculture. The district's road network means many people can live in the countryside or a smaller community while working in one of the larger towns, and changing ways of working also provide opportunities for some people to work from home.
Location and Connectivity
Rural doesn't necessarily mean remote.
Many of Clutha's rural communities are within a short drive of towns providing supermarkets, healthcare, schools and everyday services. State highways and local roads connect communities throughout the district and provide access to larger centres including Dunedin and Gore.
Living rurally can also mean travelling on rural roads, and not all roads within the district are sealed. Gravel roads are a normal part of the local road network in some areas, particularly away from the main routes, and travel times and road conditions can vary depending on where you choose to live.
Your location will also determine which town naturally becomes your local service centre — whether that's Balclutha, Milton, Lawrence, Tapanui, Ōwaka or a centre beyond the district boundary.
Explore More of Clutha
Whether you're looking for a farm, lifestyle property, small settlement or simply more space, Clutha offers plenty of opportunities to find a place that suits the way you want to live.