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Rural settlement in Marlborough, New Zealand
Photo: Mattinbgn (talk · contribs), CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Rai Valley is a small rural settlement in Marlborough in NZ's South Island. If the dryness of the rest of Marlborough drives you to drink then Rai Valley will amaze with its lushness. When it rains it rains!! But set halfway between Blenheim and Nelson who contest each other for the sunshine record for New Zealand it also receives loads of sunshine. The result stunning green scenery with fantastic native bush. Rai Valley is a handy place to explore the Sounds.
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Genuine rural show day. Sheep shearing, home baking competitions and the 'Rai Challenge'.
Built 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.
The 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
Individual 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.
Groceries, the NZ Post Agency and General Store.
By bus
All buses intercitycoach.co.nz and shuttles traveling Picton - Blenheim - Havelock - Nelson run through Renwick.
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.) and seeing nature at its best.
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