Raglan Guidebook
Beaches and surf spots
Please know your ability. *Ngarunui - learner + swimmers. Manu bay - intermediate surf spot. Whale Bay and Indicators - advanced.
This is the access point to Whale Bay, just around the corner. It’s a great surf spot for advanced surfers. Also a great spot for sunset walk and surf watching. Not great for swimming as there are lots of rocks and it’s not monitored by lifeguards.
9 Tohora Close
9 Tohora CloseThis is the access point to Whale Bay, just around the corner. It’s a great surf spot for advanced surfers. Also a great spot for sunset walk and surf watching. Not great for swimming as there are lots of rocks and it’s not monitored by lifeguards.
Manu bay is a great surf spot for intermediate level surfers. Sometimes on a small day it’s fine for learners who have some experience and are confident navigating the rocks.
Swimmers also visit manu bay for a swim at the boat ramp, but it’s not monitored by lifeguards
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Manu Bay
Manu bay is a great surf spot for intermediate level surfers. Sometimes on a small day it’s fine for learners who have some experience and are confident navigating the rocks.
Swimmers also visit manu bay for a swim at the boat ramp, but it’s not monitored by lifeguards
Ngarunui is a great beach for swimmers and surfers. Please swim between the flags – this is the only safe area for swimmers. There’s often decent surf at Ngarunui and some options for learners. If you’re learning how to surf, Ngarunui is the best place for you.
There is a decent walk down hill and back up for visitors to this beach. There are toilets and showers. But no snacks, shade or drinking water options - so take your own.
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Spiaggia di Ngarunui
Ngarunui is a great beach for swimmers and surfers. Please swim between the flags – this is the only safe area for swimmers. There’s often decent surf at Ngarunui and some options for learners. If you’re learning how to surf, Ngarunui is the best place for you.
There is a decent walk down hill and back up for visitors to this beach. There are toilets and showers. But no snacks, shade or drinking water options - so take your own.
Food scene
Great food and hospitality. Nice lawn for kids to play
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Rock-It Kitchen
248 Wainui RdGreat food and hospitality. Nice lawn for kids to play
Great Japanese influence food, tasty and fresh. Bookings recommended. They are only doing takeaway during traffic light restrictions - order as soon as they open and request a pickup time to avoid a long wait.
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ULO’s Kitchen
6 Wallis StGreat Japanese influence food, tasty and fresh. Bookings recommended. They are only doing takeaway during traffic light restrictions - order as soon as they open and request a pickup time to avoid a long wait.
The Shack
19 Bow StGreat food, coffee and service.
WYLD Raglan
11 Bow StreetRaglan Roast
9 Bow StGreat coffee! Roasted locally
Isobar Raglan
23 Bow StReally good food, coffee and cocktails. Book ahead
Good fish and chips. Also filleted fish for taking home and cooking yourself. The smoked fish is great from here, and the raw fish and prawn salad also yummy. The wait can be very long when it’s busy or the weekend, maybe have some snacks handy and a drink while you wait to avoid a “hangry” time there.
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Raglan Fish
92 Wallis StGood fish and chips. Also filleted fish for taking home and cooking yourself. The smoked fish is great from here, and the raw fish and prawn salad also yummy. The wait can be very long when it’s busy or the weekend, maybe have some snacks handy and a drink while you wait to avoid a “hangry” time there.
Fitness
Movement options for visitors to Raglan
Great Pilates studio, good for all levels but see class offering and book ahead. They also do one on one at request.
20A Bow Street
20A Bow StreetGreat Pilates studio, good for all levels but see class offering and book ahead. They also do one on one at request.
Yoga studio, available for drop in classes but book ahead. thespaceraglan.com it’s above The Yot Club. Access is at the back of the building, opposite raglan roast.
9A Bow Street
9A Bow StreetYoga studio, available for drop in classes but book ahead. thespaceraglan.com it’s above The Yot Club. Access is at the back of the building, opposite raglan roast.
Bar and live music
Events
Raglan’s only place for live music. Often a younger party scene, super grungy. Make sure you plan transport home to Whale Bay, sometimes the bar will have a “fun bus” to drive patrons home - check in advance.
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The Yot Club
9 Bow StRaglan’s only place for live music. Often a younger party scene, super grungy. Make sure you plan transport home to Whale Bay, sometimes the bar will have a “fun bus” to drive patrons home - check in advance.
Sightseeing
A beautiful waterfall of special significance to local hapū and iwi. It’s open to the public. A 30min drive to get to the access car park. Then you take a short walk to see it from two lookouts at the top, there are lots of stairs if you want to walk to the bottom of the waterfall. Beautiful to see it, recommend! There is a long drop there but no shops or services and not great reception - so load your google maps return trip in advance. A word of caution, don’t leave valuables in your vehicle, as it has been known to attract thieves.
Wairēinga / Bridal Veil Falls
A beautiful waterfall of special significance to local hapū and iwi. It’s open to the public. A 30min drive to get to the access car park. Then you take a short walk to see it from two lookouts at the top, there are lots of stairs if you want to walk to the bottom of the waterfall. Beautiful to see it, recommend! There is a long drop there but no shops or services and not great reception - so load your google maps return trip in advance. A word of caution, don’t leave valuables in your vehicle, as it has been known to attract thieves.
Nice little bush walk alongside a stream. You can take the ridge walk which will give you access to the beach too, but keep in mind the hike back after long day in the sun, might be better to park closer. Moderate incline. Some great picnic areas close to the stream. No wheels/bikes or horses are permitted on the track. It’s quite popular, but be sure not to leave valuables in your vehicle.
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Wainui Reserve Bush Park
368 Wainui RdNice little bush walk alongside a stream. You can take the ridge walk which will give you access to the beach too, but keep in mind the hike back after long day in the sun, might be better to park closer. Moderate incline. Some great picnic areas close to the stream. No wheels/bikes or horses are permitted on the track. It’s quite popular, but be sure not to leave valuables in your vehicle.
Activities
Things to do in Raglan
A great spot for kids with pump track and playground. There’s a basketball and toilet facilities and a short walk across the bridge to the town centre. People do swim in the water directly in front of the playground and jump from the bridge at high tide. A word of cation not to swim by the harbour mouth, also be aware of your abilities and small children are the area isn’t patrolled by lifeguards. Some good shady options
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Raglan Playground and Skate Park
61 Marine ParadeA great spot for kids with pump track and playground. There’s a basketball and toilet facilities and a short walk across the bridge to the town centre. People do swim in the water directly in front of the playground and jump from the bridge at high tide. A word of cation not to swim by the harbour mouth, also be aware of your abilities and small children are the area isn’t patrolled by lifeguards. Some good shady options
Bookings essential: https://www.raglankayak.co.nz/ a great way to see Raglan from a different angle
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Raglan Kayak & Paddleboard
Bow StreetBookings essential: https://www.raglankayak.co.nz/ a great way to see Raglan from a different angle
This is the access point for Whale Bay reserve. A place to have a picnic or take the kids to the swings. Take down a towel and book to watch the surfers.
12 Calvert Road
12 Calvert RoadThis is the access point for Whale Bay reserve. A place to have a picnic or take the kids to the swings. Take down a towel and book to watch the surfers.
Shopping
Tony Sly
90 Wallis StGreat local ceramic artist
A boutique shop that stocks designer clothing, great books, and other bits and pieces.
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Atamira
11 Bankart StA boutique shop that stocks designer clothing, great books, and other bits and pieces.
Raglan surf co’ is great for good coffee (all press) and clothing. Where you can buy the famous “Raglan” t-shirts
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Raglan Surf Company
7 Wainui RdRaglan surf co’ is great for good coffee (all press) and clothing. Where you can buy the famous “Raglan” t-shirts
Local supermarket. Raglan supermarkets aren’t large chains and being smaller are more expensive. Some items are better to buy in Hamilton before you arrive.
3 Bankart Street
3 Bankart StreetLocal supermarket. Raglan supermarkets aren’t large chains and being smaller are more expensive. Some items are better to buy in Hamilton before you arrive.
This is the artist studio of Simon Te Wheoro, a contemporary Māori Visual Artist – of Ngati Ranginui, Ngati Mahanga, Te Aupouri descent. A well known artist based here in Whaingaroa, Raglan.
He is a graduate of the renowned Contemporary Māori Visual Art School “Toihoukura” in Gisborne.
He works in many art mediums; Paint, Sculpture, or Ta Moko (Māori Tattoo). Contact Simon directly if you are interested in his work. Or visit the studio on our way in or out of Raglan.
https://www.toihauauru.com/
Toi Hauāuru Art Studio & Gallery
State Highway 23This is the artist studio of Simon Te Wheoro, a contemporary Māori Visual Artist – of Ngati Ranginui, Ngati Mahanga, Te Aupouri descent. A well known artist based here in Whaingaroa, Raglan.
He is a graduate of the renowned Contemporary Māori Visual Art School “Toihoukura” in Gisborne.
He works in many art mediums; Paint, Sculpture, or Ta Moko (Māori Tattoo). Contact Simon directly if you are interested in his work. Or visit the studio on our way in or out of Raglan.
https://www.toihauauru.com/
Sells organic produce and items. Also some natural skincare and herbal tonics. There’s some good natural bug repellent here if you’d like an alternative to deet. The also stock yummy pastries
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The Herbal Dispensary
6 Wallis StSells organic produce and items. Also some natural skincare and herbal tonics. There’s some good natural bug repellent here if you’d like an alternative to deet. The also stock yummy pastries
Raglan Artisan Bread
3 Wainui Rd