Raglan (New Zealand)
Raglan is a seaside town in Waikato, New Zealand. The town is best known for surfing and its arts scene.
Get in
By bus
Raglan is served by bus Route 23 from the Hamilton Transport Centre [1]. Buses to/from the rest of New Zealand connect at the transport centre.
The Stray backpacker bus travels from Auckland direct to Raglan three times a week. The stray bus is one way, and does not travel in the opposite direction. [2]
By car
State highway 23 connects Raglan with Hamilton and is the main road route into Raglan.
Get around
There is no public transport within Raglan, except on the weekend the route 23 bus takes passengers between Raglan township and Manu Bay.
A single car taxi service called Raglan Taxis.
See
- Bridal Veil/Waireinga Falls (10 km from Raglan, turn off State Highway 23 to Te Mata, once past Te Mata, turn left on to Kawhia Road and continue on until you see the Bridal Veil/Waireinga Falls carpark).
- Raglan and District Museum, 15 Wainui Rd, ☏ +64-7-825 7195, info@raglanmuseum.co.nz. 9:30am – 6:30 pm daily. Has a collection of local history from the Raglan area.
Do
- Walk to summit of Mt Karioi (follow Whaanga Rd from Raglan until you reach the Te Toto Gorge carpark). The summit of Karioi offers great views of Raglan and the west coast. The walk takes three hours each way. Is relatively difficult.
- Walk into Te Toto Gorge (follow Whaanga Rd from Raglan until you reach the Te Toto Gorge carpark). The gorge is reached by a track just down the hill from the car park. It is a steep track. The adventurous can turn left in the gorge and follow an overgrown track round the foot of the cliff to come up about a km further south and walk back along the gravel road (there is another track but it is overgrown and unmarked).
- Walk the 6km of beach and visit Wainui Reserve. The Trig Point is much easier to get to than Mt Karioi and the view almost as good.
- Get to know some of the environmental groups. Google for groups such as Kaiwhenua Organics, Te Whakaoranga o Karioi, Friends of Wainui, Raglan Green Party, Xtreme Waste (shop at their recycle store), Whaingaroa Environment Centre, Whaingaroa Environmental Defence, Raglan Ramblers, Raglan Mountainbiking, Whaingaroa Beachcare, or follow the above link for Harbour Care.
- Take a 10 min or half hour stroll in the town and learn about its history. Nothing ancient here, but typical development of a mission station from 1834, then small NZ port from 1850.
Buy
- Raglan Creative Market, Stewart Street. The Raglan Creative market is held at least once each month. For sale are a variety of locally made food and arts.
- Raglan Calendar. The calendar has local photos and information and is on sale (proceeds to support Friends of Wainui Reserve) at the Raglan Book and Gift shop, 10 Bow St.
Eat
- Orca restaurant and bar, 2 Wallis St, ☏ +64 7 825 6543.
- Marlin Cafe and Grill, 43 Rose St.
Drink
Sleep
During the summer months, in particular from mid December through to the end of January, accommodation is in high demand. So it is best to have a booking.
- Raglan Backpackers, 6 Wi Neera St (on the edge of Raglan harbour), ☏ +64 7 825 0515. Free use of kayaks, spa pool, bikes and fishing gear. Surf lessons all year round, great local surf advice, full surf board rentals and transport to surfing beach.
- Raglan Holiday Park, 61 Marine Parade, ☏ +64 7 825 8283. Offers a varitey of accommodation options. Camp sites, motel units and tourist flats.
- Number 4, 4 Bankart St (close to the town centre), ☏ +64 21 761 657. Holiday apartment.
Connect
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