Famed for its legendary surf and black-sand beach, Raglan is a laid-back town in the magnificent countryside of Waikato. It’s home to a charming museum that explores its cultural heritage and is a short drive from the Bridal Veil Falls and summit of Mount Karioi.

Things to do

Learn to surf in the waves breaking off the black sands of Ngarunui Beach or follow the sculptural walking trail of the adjacent Wainui Reserve. Want to surf a record-breaking wave? Drive to Manu Bay for one of the longest rides in the world.

Follow the steep trail to the base of Bridal Veil Falls, a 55-metre-high cascade in the Wairēinga Scenic Reserve. Surrounded by a native tawa forest, the falls cascade spectacularly over a basalt cliff and into a large plunge pool, with a wooden viewing bridge spanning the river below.

Discover the region’s Maori heritage and learn about life for early settlers at the Raglan and District Museum. See the first surf life-saving reel used in Raglan and artefacts from the town’s first pharmacy, as well as an extensive collection of old photographs and newspapers.

Take in the sweeping views of the snow-capped peak of Mount Taranaki from the summit of Mount Karioi, an extinct volcano that rises to the south-west of Raglan. Select one of the two trails that wind through farmland and native forest before following Karioi’s steep-sided mountain ridge or combine the two for a full day's trek.

Getting around

Raglan is a 45-minute drive from the centre of Hamilton and just under one hour from Hamilton Airport. The town is small enough to explore on foot and a bus service connects to Manu Bay on the weekends.