Cardrona Bra Fence
Originally starting as a mysterious holiday prank in 1999 with just four bras attached to a wire fence, this roadside spectacle has grown into a massive display of thousands of undergarments. Located alongside the Cardrona Valley Road, it has evolved into a whimsical fundraiser that collects thousands of dollars annually for breast cancer charities. Passersby are encouraged to add their own or make a donation, turning a quirky roadside oddity into a unique community tradition.
- Admission
- Free, donations for breast cancer charities encouraged
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
- Duration
- 15 to 30 minutes
- Parking
- Pull-off gravel parking area adjacent to the roadside fence
- Access
- Gravel and uneven grassy roadside terrain, no paved paths
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The Cardrona Bra Fence, historically known as the Bradrona fence, stands alongside the Cardrona Valley Road in the Otago region of New Zealand. What began as a clandestine and eccentric collection of intimates hung on a rural wire fence has evolved into one of the country's most photographed and debated roadside spectacles. The display sits against the backdrop of the rugged Crown Range, catching the eye of travelers journeying between Wanaka and Queenstown.
The phenomenon originated around 1999, when four bras were mysteriously attached to a wire fence line outside a local homestead overnight. While the precise identities of the original decorators remain officially unconfirmed, the installation quickly grew. Over the following months and years, passing locals and tourists added their own garments to the barbed wire, turning a standard pastoral boundary into a sprawling textile tapestry.
Over the years, the fence has drawn mixed reactions from the local community and regional authorities. Some viewed the growing collection as a harmless, quirky tourist attraction and a symbol of rural whimsy, while others considered it an eyesore or a distraction to drivers on the narrow alpine road. Consequently, the bras have been removed on multiple occasions by local councils or landowners, only for supporters to promptly restring the fence with new donations.
Today, the attraction has embraced a dual purpose beyond mere roadside curiosity: it serves as an informal fundraising channel for breast cancer research. Visitors frequently leave donations in collection boxes placed nearby, transforming the eccentric landmark into a community-driven charity initiative. Those who pull off the highway encounter a fence completely blanketed in hundreds of colorful undergarments fluttering in the mountain breeze, accompanied by informational signs detailing its charitable evolution.
Ratings
attractionLore & References
- The Midnight FourLocal folklore holds that the entire phenomenon started after a night at the nearby Cardrona Hotel, when a small group of patrons removed their bras and strung them along the roadside wire as a late-night prank.
- The Great Removal and ReturnIn 2000, workers cleared over a thousand bras from the fence in an effort to clean up the highway, only for a coordinated community effort to string nearly double that number back up within a single weekend.
Visitor Tips
- ◆ Pull well off the narrow Cardrona Valley Road onto the designated gravel shoulder to ensure safe parking.
- ◆ Bring cash or use the provided digital donation options if you wish to support the breast cancer charities associated with the site.
- ◆ Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions, as the alpine valley can be windy and exposed.
- ◆ Respect the surrounding private farmland and stay within the immediate viewing area near the fence.
Heads Up
- ◆ Exercise extreme caution when entering and exiting traffic, as the roadside can become congested and visibility on the bend is limited.
Common questions
Can I add my own bra to the Cardrona Bra Fence?
Yes, visitors are welcome to attach their own bras to the fence, and many do so as a tribute or to support the charity fundraiser. There is a donation box on site where contributions are collected for breast cancer research.
Why is there a bra fence in Cardrona?
The display started organically in late 1999 when a few bras were mysteriously attached to the wire fence along the road, and despite local council removals and controversies over the years, it grew into a massive tourist attraction and charitable fundraiser.
Is the Cardrona Bra Fence open all year round?
Yes, the fence is located along Cardrona Valley Road on public-adjacent property and is accessible 24 hours a day, every day of the year.