The Cardrona River is found in Otago in the South Island of New Zealand. It is one of the first tributaries of the Clutha River, which it meets only 5 kilometres (3 mi) from the latter's origin at the outflow of Lake Wanaka.
The Cardrona flows north for 40 kilometres (25 mi) down the steep narrow Cardrona Valley, which is also the location of one of New Zealand's most notoriously difficult roads, the Crown Range route.
Coordinates: 44°41′S 169°12′E / 44.683°S 169.200°E