The best things to see & do in Raglan, New Zealand’s hippie surf town
Kick off your shoes and enjoy a chilled out, bohemian vibe in this little surf town. Raglan is one of my favourite places to getaway to on the weekend; here are all my favourite things to do and places to eat, drink, and chill.
Raglan is one of the coolest small towns in New Zealand.
Anytime I head to Raglan, I feel like I’m on holiday, even if it’s only a weekend trip (only two hours from Auckland, Raglan is one of my favourite weekend destinations). I’ve spent many a day in the waves here, and many a night camped out under the stars.
Raglan is famous for world class surf breaks, so has the laid-back air of surf towns everywhere.
The town is a little hippie enclave and as well as vans with surfboards strapped to the top there’s plenty of yoga, art, and live music that give Raglan a lively atmosphere.
Even if you’re not in Raglan for the surf, it’s well worth visiting. Chill on the beach, hike to hill tops, or enjoy epic local food in the town’s cafes.
This is a great place to go barefoot and enjoy the simple things — great coffee, stellar sunsets, and long beach walks. Here are the best things to do in Raglan.
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RAGLAN AT A GLANCE
Stay
Raglan is small, so check out Vrbos — I have previously stayed at this brilliantly named house and loved it.
Eat
The Shack cafe
Ulo’s Kitchen
Raglan Artisanal Bread
Fish and chips at the wharf
Do
Visit Ngarunui Beach lookout for sunset.
The best things to do in Raglan
Honestly, this list mostly includes surfing and eating.
Go surfing, even if you’re a beginner
One of the main draws to Raglan is the surf. This is where I took my first ever surf lesson.
The left hand point break at Many Bay is legendary world wide. It can also get extremely busy though, and it’s more suited to experienced surfers.
There are multiple breaks around Raglan, including the beach break at Ngarunui Beach. If you’re not pro enough to surf Many Bay, Ngarunui often has waves to suit different levels.
This is where I head to as a beginner-ish surfer. On small days you can get really nice, mellow waves and with the sandy bottom it’s not as intimidating as the rocky Manu Bay.
Even on bigger days, the white wash is really fun. Just be prepared for strong currents and look out for the rips.
Ngarunui Beach is where the surf schools operate. If you don’t have your own board, you can rent a surfboard and wetsuit from one of the caravans in the carpark.
The last time I was there (January 2024) a friend hired a surfboard and wetsuit from Green Wave Raglan for $35 for 3 hours — not a bad deal for half a day of fun.
CAN’T SURF YET? TAKE A LESSON
Book a surf lesson with Raglan surf school >>
If you don’t know how to surf yet, a surf lesson at Ngarunui Beach is the way to go.
This is where I took my first ever surf lesson. Just be warned — you’ll get hooked. I did.
Even though the waves at this beach can look big and intimidating, the long stretch of whitewash is actually perfect for learning to surf. You’ll have time to get to your feet for the first time on foam board.
Ngarunui Beach, with the long west coast stretching into the misty distance and large sandy cliffs rising above beach, is an incredibly scenic place to learn to surf.
As well as catching waves for the first time, you’ll get sucked into the laid back surf lifestyle in Raglan and want to start living like this all the time. That’s what happened to me.
There are multiple surf schools to choose from. If you’re serious about progressing quickly, I’ve heard really good things about Up Surf Coaching.
RAGLAN’S BEACHES
Raglan is located on New Zealand’s west coast, which means big surf swells and black sand. It also means glorious west coast sunsets.
There are a number of different beaches around Raglan — it’s worth exploring all of them.
Ngarunui Beach (or Ocean Beach) is Raglan's most famous beach, known for its surf. It’s a huge stretch of black sand and from here you can see the sea-misted west coast stretching far into the distance.
From the main carpark, you can walk up to a little lookout point for a nice view.
You can swim at Ngaranui, but it’s often more of a chaotic jump through the waves. If you’re not surfing, you’re likely to spend more time on your beach towel than in the water here.
In the evening, the Michael Hope lookout area on the hills just above Ngarunui Beach comes alive with people stopping by for the daily sunset show.
It gets really lively and it’s a fun atmosphere. Plus, the views from up here are stunning. It is the best sunset spot in Raglan, and if the weather plays ball you’ll be in for a treat.
Located adjacent to Ngarunui Beach, Manu Bay is famous for its left-hand surf breaks. The bay is also a lovely place to watch the surfers catch the waves from the lookout point. It’s less ideal for swimming, as it’s a rocky beach.
Whale Bay is a secluded bay about a 15-minute drive from Raglan's town centre. This is another popular surf spot, but it’s also fun to rock hop on the beach.
Te Kopua Beach is right at the Raglan Harbour entrance. On the edge of a sheltered lagoon, the waters here are much calmer for swimming.
Nearby this beach is a footbridge that connects this little peninsula with the centre of Raglan town. You’ll quite often see local kids jumping off the bridge — doing ‘bombs’ — join them if you’re brave!
Go on a sunset cruise
Enjoy a scenic cruise at sunset >>
If you’d rather watch sunset from out on the water rather than from the beach, there is the option of taking a scenic harbour cruise in the evening. There’s a lunchtime option available too, if you have dinner plans.
Shop local Raglan arts and goods
Raglan town is a great place to shop. One of my top things to do here is browse the different creative stores.
ULO, on the corner of Bow Street, is a must-visit store. The small corner shop features a colourful collection of vintage clothing, eclectic art, and records. With the many bohemian and unique goods, ULO is a true representation of Raglan’s creative spirit.
Every time I visit Raglan I pop into ULO and pick up a sticker for my van — I now have quite a collection.
Another great shop is Merkaba, which stocks goods made from organic hemp. The Herbal Dispensary is also worth a look, as they proudly sell a whole range of goodies made in Raglan, like Hunt and Gather honey and Raglan Coconut Yoghurt.
Wandering around the shops in Raglan is a great way to find some New Zealand souvenirs.
If you’re up for a walk, stroll around Cliff Street along the water’s edge to the Raglan wharf, where you can find more cool handicrafts.
Image courtesy of Tony Sly Pottery
I love popping into the Tony Sly Pottery store. Tony Sly is a local Raglan potter and in the store you can browse the many beautiful pottery pieces and homewares.
Tony shapes practical pottery for cooks using colours from Raglan’s landscapes — earthy greens, gentle blues and whites inspired by the harbour alongside the studio.
Then there’s Soul Shoes, a leather goods store that has been operating since 1973.
There’s also a cool spot to stay at the Raglan Wharf — The Silos are apartments in converted concrete silos. They have unique rounded shapes and stunning views across the water.
Eat fish and chips at Raglan Wharf
One very cool thing to do in Raglan is to follow the waterfront around to the Raglan Wharf.
Here you’ll find Raglan Fish, a fish and chip shop supplied by the fishing boats that dock at the wharf. Fish is carried almost straight from boat to fryer, resulting in incredibly fresh fish and chips.
Choose from beer-battered fries or kumara chips, if you want to taste a local speciality.
On sunny days, you can sit on the wharf and admire the gorgeous harbour while you picnic.
Hike Mount Karioi
If the beach and waves aren’t your thing, go hiking instead.
Climbing up Mount Karioi is heaps of fun. It takes about three hours to get to the summit.
It’s a tough climb in places and can get very muddy thanks to the rain clouds that like to hang around the mountain. But that just adds to the experience.
You’ll climb up ladders, scale rocky outcrops with chains, and have to jump from rock to rock in places. It’s like a natural obstacle course, so if you’re in touch with your inner child, you’ll love this hike.
From the summit you get awesome views on a clear day. Allegedly you can see as far south as Mount Taranaki, but you’d need exceptional weather for that.
Round trip, the hike takes 5-6 hours, so make sure you pack lunch and enough water.
What to do in Raglan for the thrill seekers?
For an even bigger adventure than hiking, one of the most unique things to do in Raglan is to go canyoning down Mount Karioi with Raglan Rock.
This local adventure travel company runs trips down the mountain’s canyons, following a stream down ancient lava flows. The bush covered canyon and dramatic waterfall will have your pulse racing.
Visit the Te Toto Gorge Lookout
The Te Toto Gorge is a deep, wide chasm in the coastline. It’s located 30 minutes outside of Raglan, along an unsealed coastal road.
Once you reach the carpark, it’s only a few hundred metres to the lookout.
There’s a viewing platform tacked to the edge of the gorge, from where you can look straight down into the gorge. It’s surprisingly far down the sheer sides of the gorge, which has native bush growing in the bottom.
Beyond the lookout, you can follow unofficial paths past the lookout platform through the grass on the hill here, but do so at your own risk.
The carpark for Te Toto Gorge is the same as the one for the Mount Karioi hike, so you can easily do both things in one go.
Take a yoga class at The Space
Surfing and yoga go together hand in hand. There are a couple of different yoga studios around Raglan. The Space is the most well known, with a loft space right in the centre of town.
It’s a cosy studio with wooden floors and a good timetable, but it is popular, so show up early for class.
Head to Bridal Veil Falls for a refreshing short walk
Bridal Veil Falls is an impressive waterfall just outside of Raglan. It’s about a 20 minute drive to get from Raglan to the Bridal Veil Falls carpark.
The falls cascade down a sheer rock face, creating a mesmerising "bridal veil" effect as the water plummets 55 meters (approximately 180 feet) into the pool below.
The walk to reach the waterfall viewpoints isn’t strenuous. It’s 1.4 kilometres out and back, so it only takes around 30 minutes.
There are two viewing platforms at the top of the falls, and another at the bottom. The viewing points at the top are suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
There are quite a few steps down to the base of the waterfall, though, so this part of the track isn’t wheelchair accessible, and the way back up can be more challenging.
Where to eat in Raglan
For a post surf brunch, I always head to The Shack in the centre of Raglan. The rustic chic cafe has a gorgeous beachy aesthetic, a cabinet well stocked with cakes, and a menu with creative breakfast and lunch options.
For dinner, head to ULO’s Kitchen. From the same team behind the funky corner shop is an equally vibey restaurant. ULO’s kitchen has a similar bohemian air with vintage and retro decor, along with a menu full of Asian-inspired dishes like bao buns, karaage chicken and spicy laksa.
Where to drink in Raglan
COFFEE
Raglan Roast coffee was started by a couple of barefoot surfers, and their ethos is still clearly visible. They’re all about good vibes and slow living, taking the time to enjoy the little things — like a cup of excellent coffee.
Their coffee is hand roasted daily and it’s the brew you need to power you through a surf session or a hike up Mount Karioi.
Stop by their hole-in-the-wall coffee shop on Volcom Lane in the centre of Raglan for your morning caffeine fix, or stock up on some of their beans to brew your own at home.
This simple little coffee joint is where it all started, from out the side of the old surfshop. You can still see the original roaster in action here, from when the guys first started ‘slinging brews.’
COCKTAILS
Orca is located close to Raglan’s harbourfront. From their outside seating area, you can admire the water and the gnarled pohutakawa trees that grow alongside it.
It’s a great spot to sit and watch the treacle-slow pace of Raglan life trickle past. Go between 3-6pm everyday, and you get to enjoy happy hour cocktails to go with the view.
The margaritas go down a treat on a sunny Raglan afternoon.
Where to stay in Raglan
Raglan is a small town and doesn’t have a lot of large hotels. It’s a great place for an eco getaway in the bush, a treehouse, or even a yurt. These are some of the best places to stay in Raglan.
A RUSTIC CABIN
Part of Raglan’s magic is its environment. The West Coast of New Zealand has a special, wild feeling about it, with the open coastline and native bush.
Stay in a unique place in Raglan to experience this for yourself. Going off grid somewhere is part of the experience of being in Raglan.
You can find a few cool Airbnbs in Raglan, but this one is definitely one of the best.
CAMPING
If you’re travelling in a campervan, I have enjoyed staying at the Te Kopua Whanau Camp before, which is a great option for budget travellers (it was $15 a night in 2024, for simple facilities a few minutes walk from the beach).
Getting to Raglan
Raglan is a two hour drive from Auckland, and an approximately two hour drive from Rotorua. Raglan is only a 30 minute drive from Hamilton (if you pass through Hamilton on your way to Raglan, I highly recommend stopping to see the Hamilton Gardens).
The easiest way to get to Raglan is in your own vehicle. It only takes two hours to drive from Auckland to Raglan, so it’s the ideal distance for weekend trips.
You can catch a public bus from Hamilton to Raglan. From Hamilton, there are buses connecting to Auckland and other parts of the country.
I hope you enjoyed reading about all the wonderful things to do in Raglan. It’s one of my favourite towns in New Zealand, so if you love beaches, the outdoors, and a kick-back kind of life, Raglan might be for you.
Here are some other places in the North Island that you might enjoy:
Martinborough is a small town close to Wellington, where you can visit wineries and the epic Cape Palliser lighthouse.
Waiheke Island is a must-do in Auckland. Here’s all the information you need on getting the ferry to Waiheke and getting around the island.
AUTHOR BIO
I’m a freelance travel writer from New Zealand with bylines in National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and more.
I’ve travelled up and down beautiful Aotearoa and I love sharing my recommendations for the best places to visit in New Zealand.
