At Clifton Glamping, Tom and Lucia Gordon balance luxury accommodation with their dedication to sustainability and reforestation, creating a unique retreat immersed in nature.
Tucked away on a historic coastal farm in Hawke’s Bay, Clifton Glamping offers a unique blend of luxury, nature and history. But behind the safari tents and peaceful retreats lies a deeper story of regeneration, family legacy, and an ongoing relationship with the land. Owned by Tom and Lucia Gordon, Clifton Glamping is more than just a place to stay — it’s an intimate connection to a landscape that has evolved over generations.
The idea for Clifton Glamping began at a pivotal moment in the Gordons’ lives. Lucia, heavily pregnant with her first child, Frankie, recalls making a spontaneous decision to purchase a safari tent from their friend James Lamb, who was importing them at the time. The tent stayed in storage for some time, but the seeds of something much bigger had been planted.
It wasn’t until Lucia was expecting their second child, Jasper, that the couple began thinking seriously about where to place the tent. Driving around their 2000-acre family farm, they found the perfect spot — an old pine block that overlooked a river. The couple threw themselves into the project, with Tom doing much of the setup himself. What emerged was a space that captured the essence of their farm’s natural beauty, and the couple’s passion for hosting and hospitality.
“The first summer was incredibly busy,” Lucia says, reflecting on how quickly Clifton Glamping gained attention. Word spread organically, and soon media outlets were picking up the story. Today, Clifton Glamping is a sought-after destination for those looking to reconnect with nature in style, with its roots firmly planted in the land.
Clifton Station, where the glamping site is located, has been in the Gordon family for six generations. Tom grew up on this land, and he and his father, Angus, continue to farm it together, focusing on sheep, cattle and organic cropping. In recent years, Tom’s passion for trees and reforestation has added another layer of complexity and beauty to the farm.
Tom’s love for planting trees is evident across the landscape. Recently awarded ‘Farm Forester of the Year,’ Tom has a home nursery where he propagates trees — both natives and exotics — to plant in erosion-prone areas and along riverbanks. These plantings not only serve practical purposes like soil conservation but also enhance the natural beauty of the land. “Tom is always picking up acorns and propagating them into trees,” Lucia shares, reflecting on her husband’s dedication. Every year, a new batch of trees finds its place on the farm, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
For guests at Clifton Glamping, this connection to the land is palpable. Now with two glamping locations, both thoughtfully placed on different parts of the farm, the accommodation offers stunning views, a sense of seclusion, and immersion in nature. Each site is surrounded by trees and plantings that Tom has nurtured over the years.
The Kōwhai Retreat, set near the Maraetotara River, is surrounded by a forest of oak trees, offering a peaceful riverside escape. The second tent, Toetoe, sits in a sunlit area with hilly views and an orchard of fruit trees, including avocados and citrus. Around Toetoe, the Gordons have planted silver dollar gums, wattle, and other foliage, chosen both for their beauty and for Lucia’s floral arrangements, which decorate the glamping sites.
“I always like to have something available to pick,” Lucia explains. Flowers are an important part of the Clifton Glamping experience, adding a personal touch. Whether it’s a bunch of long-lasting foliage or freshly picked blooms from Lucia’s garden, these little details bring the outdoors in.
Clifton Glamping sits within the thriving ecosystem of the Clifton and Cape Kidnappers area. The nearby Cape Sanctuary, established in 2006, has worked tirelessly to restore birdlife in the region, and guests can regularly spot native birds such as tūī, kākā and kererū. The Gordons have supported these efforts by planting trees and maintaining habitats that encourage birdlife to thrive
Tom and Lucia’s commitment to the environment doesn’t end with trees and wildlife. The couple practises regenerative farming, a holistic approach that emphasises biodiversity, soil health, and sustainable land use. Through careful management of stock numbers and continuous planting programs, Clifton Station is a model of how modern farming can coexist with conservation efforts. Over four kilometres of river frontage have been fenced off to protect regenerating native bush, a project supported by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.
Despite the hard work and environmental initiatives, Clifton Glamping retains a simple, rustic and romantic charm. The tents themselves are powered and come with all the comforts one might expect from luxury accommodation — outdoor baths, semi-outdoor kitchens, and panoramic decks. Guests can relax under the stars, unwind in a hot bath, or venture out to explore nearby wineries, beaches and cafes.
Lucia, who has a background in hospitality and food, ensures that guests are well-fed and looked after. Visitors can opt for local catering or help themselves to homemade and locally sourced provisions such as muesli and fresh bread. Clifton Glamping isn’t just about luxury, it’s about feeling at home in nature.
As sixth-generation custodians of Clifton Station, Tom and Lucia Gordon are building on the work of their ancestors, adding new layers of sustainability, hospitality and innovation to the farm. The evolution of Clifton Glamping has been organic, growing naturally alongside their family and their land.
For those who come to stay, it’s more than just a glamping experience — it’s a chance to witness a living, breathing example of how nature, history, and modern living can come together. With each planted tree and each guest who unwinds under the Hawke’s Bay stars, Clifton Glamping continues to bloom, just as the Gordons intended.
