Story by Alexx
Rural Retreat Near Raglan
Adventure in Raglan, Waikato, NZ
Tucked down a long gravel road near the North Island's surf haven of Raglan, Harewood Grange is only half an hour from Hamilton and less than two hours from Auckland, perfect for a weekend getaway.
From the outside, Harewood Grange looks like a quaint and cosy farmyard barn, but as soon as I stepped inside I was blown away by the décor. Impeccably kitted out with funky furniture, cute trinkets and a brilliant splash of colour in the form of an Amazon-esque feature wall, this place is packed with character!
My immediate reflex when I visit a new accommodation spot is to test out the bed, and I was not disappointed. Cloud-like with luxurious linen, I was already excited to hit the hay, but not before I cooked up a mini feast on the Weber BBQ. I was lucky enough to catch a clear sky that evening too, and the barn is perfectly placed with minimal light pollution for brilliant stargazing conditions.
The next day I took the ten minute drive into Raglan township to test out some of the cafes, galleries, gift shops and viewpoints. For a small town the food scene is absolutely next level, but my favourites were Rock-It Kitchen for brunch (creamy mushrooms with a yorkshire pudding, divine!) and Isobar for dinner.
Sunset at the beach is always a must on Raglan's wild west coast, I'd recommend grabbing some fish and chips and parking up at Ngarunui Beach or Manu Bay for the best views. After a day of exploring, I headed back home and popped on a Netflix series in front of the fire.
The following morning I was treated to a lovely send off from Wilco, the resident doggo who lives at the villa on the farm, and then made a stop at Bridal Veil Falls which is a 10 minute drive south from Harewood Grange. The waterfall is 55m and can be seen with a short bush walk to a top viewing platform, or take the 261 steps down to the base of the waterfall to feel the spray on your face, just what I needed on a hot summer's day and a great way to wrap up my Raglan adventure.
From the outside, Harewood Grange looks like a quaint and cosy farmyard barn, but as soon as I stepped inside I was blown away by the décor. Impeccably kitted out with funky furniture, cute trinkets and a brilliant splash of colour in the form of an Amazon-esque feature wall, this place is packed with character!
My immediate reflex when I visit a new accommodation spot is to test out the bed, and I was not disappointed. Cloud-like with luxurious linen, I was already excited to hit the hay, but not before I cooked up a mini feast on the Weber BBQ. I was lucky enough to catch a clear sky that evening too, and the barn is perfectly placed with minimal light pollution for brilliant stargazing conditions.
The next day I took the ten minute drive into Raglan township to test out some of the cafes, galleries, gift shops and viewpoints. For a small town the food scene is absolutely next level, but my favourites were Rock-It Kitchen for brunch (creamy mushrooms with a yorkshire pudding, divine!) and Isobar for dinner.
Sunset at the beach is always a must on Raglan's wild west coast, I'd recommend grabbing some fish and chips and parking up at Ngarunui Beach or Manu Bay for the best views. After a day of exploring, I headed back home and popped on a Netflix series in front of the fire.
The following morning I was treated to a lovely send off from Wilco, the resident doggo who lives at the villa on the farm, and then made a stop at Bridal Veil Falls which is a 10 minute drive south from Harewood Grange. The waterfall is 55m and can be seen with a short bush walk to a top viewing platform, or take the 261 steps down to the base of the waterfall to feel the spray on your face, just what I needed on a hot summer's day and a great way to wrap up my Raglan adventure.
Things We Did
- Waterfall
- Beach
- Kayak
- Café
This 55m high waterfall is a must-do when in the Waikato region. You'll spot the falls after a short walk through lush native forest takes you to the upper viewing platform, where you can step out right above the water thundering over the cliff. For an even better view, take 261 steps down to the pool at the bottom.
Raglan has a bunch of stunning sunset spots but Ngarunui Beach has gotta be at the top of your list. Park up above the cliff for sweeping views along the black sand beach, or walk down and have a picnic while you watch the surfers hit the waves.
Hire a kayak or paddleboard and take to the water with a kayak trip around Raglan's unique bays. You can rent one and explore at your own pace, or join a guided tour to learn about the area's ecology and geology.
With a huge sun-soaked backyard for summer dining, a brilliant menu with some unique twists on classics, and baristas that serve up local legend Raglan Roast, this is the best way to start the day in Raglan.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
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