Glamping at Clifton Station:The sixth generation of a Hawke’s Bay family open historic farm to guests.
Words: Ann Warnock Photos: Tessa Chrisp
Tom Gordon of Clifton Station isn’t a big fan of leaving home. Teasingly accused of dragging his feet every time he needs to cross the Tukituki River and head into town, he says he’s not much good at jumping in the car. “I love tinkering on the farm and I’ve always felt a huge connection to the land and have never wanted to be anywhere else,” he says.
The powerful pull 34-year-old Tom feels for the historic, coastal Hastings station is understandable. He’s the sixth generation of his family to farm the challenging and rugged tract of sea-swept Te Awanga land since his forebearer Scottish-born James Gillespie Gordon settled it in 1861.