Story by Kristina
The Perfect Beach Town Escape
Adventure in Raglan, Waikato, NZ
If you love the beach, and outdoors, or simply love the classic Kiwi coastal town atmosphere, then Raglan is a dream destination for you.
Pulling off the highway and up the short gravel driveway, our studio accommodation was waiting for us beneath the shade of nearby banana palm trees. On a cloudless summer day, we opened the ranch slider doors and let the cool coastal breeze cut through the midday heat.
We popped back into town to grab some chips from a recommended takeaway place and made our way on foot to one of Raglan’s many pristine beaches to watch the sunset. A stunning array of colours set the
tone for the weekend and a deep relaxing sleep was waiting for us in a comfy bed.
The following morning, we made a stack of pancakes in the well-equipped kitchenette and spent some time relaxing out on the deck before heading back into Raglan to grab coffee, a bite to eat, and do some window shopping along the pier. Ngaranui Beach is only minutes away from the studio, and it was easy to pass the remaining hours of the day relaxing on the warm golden sand.
Rested and refreshed, thanks to our relaxing stay, we said our goodbyes and finished the weekend adventure with a hike up to the summit of Mt Karioi, where we were treated to spectacular views of Raglan and the surrounding ocean. From seaside to mountain summit, we were spoilt for choice and felt lucky to be at the epicenter of all the action at the Banana Palm Studio.
Pulling off the highway and up the short gravel driveway, our studio accommodation was waiting for us beneath the shade of nearby banana palm trees. On a cloudless summer day, we opened the ranch slider doors and let the cool coastal breeze cut through the midday heat.
We popped back into town to grab some chips from a recommended takeaway place and made our way on foot to one of Raglan’s many pristine beaches to watch the sunset. A stunning array of colours set the
tone for the weekend and a deep relaxing sleep was waiting for us in a comfy bed.
The following morning, we made a stack of pancakes in the well-equipped kitchenette and spent some time relaxing out on the deck before heading back into Raglan to grab coffee, a bite to eat, and do some window shopping along the pier. Ngaranui Beach is only minutes away from the studio, and it was easy to pass the remaining hours of the day relaxing on the warm golden sand.
Rested and refreshed, thanks to our relaxing stay, we said our goodbyes and finished the weekend adventure with a hike up to the summit of Mt Karioi, where we were treated to spectacular views of Raglan and the surrounding ocean. From seaside to mountain summit, we were spoilt for choice and felt lucky to be at the epicenter of all the action at the Banana Palm Studio.
Things We Did
- Sunset
- Hike
- Takeaway
- Town
- Café
With it's expansive shoreline, Ngarunui beach is a stunning spot to catch a sunset. If you go around low tide, you'll also get some gorgeous glassy reflections on the sand.
Starting at the Whaanga road end, the Mt Karioi track is a challenging hike to the summit of Mt Karioi, where you'll be treated to stunning 360 degree views of the coastline and surrounding farmland. The hike takes approx. 3.5hrs one way and includes scrambles over tree roots and a section with chains. Take good footwear as the trail can get muddy.
We picked up takeaway pizza from the Pirates Club in Raglan and enjoyed it while listening to the blissful sounds of the waves at Ngarunui beach.
Located right next to Raglan town center, Te Kopua beach is the perfect spot for an after dinner stroll to watch the sunset.
A little shop on the Raglan wharf where you can buy Tony Sly's beautiful hand-thrown pottery. You can even see the items being crafted out the back of the store.
The Shack was recommended to us by a local and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious and the service was quick.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
We've plotted our adventure on the map below. Select the map icons to discover more details.
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