Raglan - New Zealand's Surfing Mecca
Raglan - New Zealand's Surfing Mecca
Sarah
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West of Hamilton and just 2 hours from Auckland, NZ's surf town is a great escape if you're looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Catch a wave, explore black sand beaches, waterfalls or pay the quirky shops a visit.
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Raglan
@sarahgeiger
Raglan is NZ's surf mecca and this lively small town with hippie flair is the perfect destination to spend some days at the ocean or explore the stunning landscape with beautiful waterfalls.
The town is situated west of Hamilton and just 2 hours from Auckland, making it a perfect weekend getaway as well.
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FOOD AND DRINKS
Raglan Harbour View Hotel
@sarahgeiger
A great place in town for a dinner. I can highly recommend getting a pizza and the nachos. Nice atmosphere to have a drink as well.
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Raglan Bakery
@sarahgeiger
If you're looking for tasty pies, you shouldn't miss out on this place. Well worth it to grab on and enjoy it sitting at the waterfront.
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Raglan Roast
@sarahgeiger
This small shop offers the best coffee in Raglan. If you're looking for your daily dose of caffeine, you definitely have to check out this spot.
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WHERE TO STAY
Te Kopua Whanau Camp
@sarahgeiger
There are no freedom camps in Raglan but if you're looking for a low-priced spot, this camp is perfect for you. On arrival you have to register, fill out a card and put it in the box together with the cash.
There are coin operated hot showers.
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Raglan Holiday Park
@sarahgeiger
Very beautiful camp and located right at the beach. There's all the amenities you need and everything is impeccably clean and well looked after.
Just outside the town center and you can easily walk as there is a footbridge connecting the peninsula where the camping is located with Raglan's town center.
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Raglan Backpackers, Surf, Kayak, Paddle Board Hire & Waterfront Lodge
@sarahgeiger
A great hostel with ocean views and garden, nice common areas for socializing and even a jacuzzi and sauna.
Make sure to book the hostel in advance as it is very popular and fills up quickly.
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Raglan Sunset Motel
@sarahgeiger
Great place if you want to stay in the town center of Raglan. The rooms are tastefully furnished and decorated with a beach vibe. The river is just 100 m away and it is a short walk to the beach. There are BBQ facilities and even a jacuzzi.
A perfect base for your stay in Raglan.
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WHAT TO DO
Ngarunui Beach
@sarahgeiger
A super beautiful beach and perfect to go for long walks, a swim or surfing.
There are showers and changing rooms and at the car park there are surf rentals.
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Michael Hope Lookout
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Definitely worth stopping by here. The lookout provides views over Ngarunui Beach, the ocean and the gorgeous coastline. There are benches and picknick tables. Bring your lunch and enjoy those stunning views while eating!
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Raglan Surf School
@sarahgeiger
Raglan is the perfect place for surfing, whether you're experienced or a beginner. You can't leave this surf mecca without having been on the board yourself at least once. You can find the Raglan Surf School right at Ngarunui Beach and I had a blast with them. Don't miss out on a surf lesson!
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The Space Raglan
@sarahgeiger
Another popular activity in Raglan is yoga. Doesn't matter how experienced you are, there are classes for everyone. Check out The Space which is located at the main street.
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Raglan Kayak & Paddleboard
@sarahgeiger
There's a limestone coast in Raglan and the best way to explore it is by renting a kayak and discover the rock formations. Depending on the time of the year, you could get lucky and even see some orcas.
If you're not a kayak fan and prefer a paddleboard, go for it!
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Bridal Veil Falls
@sarahgeiger
The Bridal Veil Falls is 55 meters high and really impressive. It's a very beautiful waterfall, nestled in amazing nature and fern forest and it's just a wonderful place. This waterfall is definitely recommended and counts to one of my favourite in NZ.
There's 4 lookouts, one from the top, the second a bit further to get a full view of it, another from the middle of the height of the falls and the last one is down at the pool. I liked the middle one the best!
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Ruapuke Beach
@sarahgeiger
Super beautiful and remote black sand beach. To reach it you take a short walk through the dunes from the parking lot. Please stick to the path to not damage the flora. This piece of wild and rough coastline is definitely worth a visit.
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Thank you for reading till the end!
Have the best time during your visit in Raglan!🙂
Writing these guides takes up quite some time so if you liked my guide and want to support my work, I'd be very happy if you leave a tip. This will help me to continue my travels and provide you with more content.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah
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❗PLEASE NOTE❗
I'm trilingual. I offer my services here in English but I can also provide them in German 🇩🇪 and Spanish 🇪🇸 if you contact me ✨
Hi everyone 👋🏻
I'm Sarah from Germany and my biggest passion is everything related to travel. I not only LOVE to organize my own travels but also help others make travelling and especially planning easier. Below you can find some facts about me to get to know me a little better 😊
🌏 I'm backpacking solo around the world since 2017, exploring new places and cultures. I love to travel off the beaten path as I think this is the best way to experience local life and discover places away from mass tourism.
🗻 I've lived in New Zealand for 2,5 years, exploring this beautiful country in my van and I've also lived in Australia and Uruguay for one year each.
🥥 I always try to spend as much time as possible in one country to be able to explore it thoroughly. The first thing I usually do is wandering the streets to get a feel for the place, visiting local markets and also trying all the food.
🏞️🏝️ I love the outdoors, hiking, chasing waterfalls, driving around with the scooter, scuba diving and snorkeling.
🤔Have initial questions or need quick advice? Hit the “Contact Me” button to send me a message! I’d love to hear from you.
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