25 Best Things to Do, See & Eat in Raglan, New Zealand
Raglan is a beautiful beach town on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, known for its epic surf breaks, black sand beaches, and laid-back bohemian vibes.
Mention Raglan to anyone who’s been there, and they’ll likely get stars in their eyes as they talk about how much they just love this place!
And I count myself as one of those people—I absolutely love Raglan and visit any chance I can get.
Raglan makes for an excellent weekend trip from Auckland, and it’s also a great stop along a larger North Island itinerary for anyone who enjoys beachy locales.
Even if you’re not a surfer, there is plenty to do in Raglan, whether it’s hiking to a waterfall, going for long beach walks, or kayaking in the harbour.
The town is also filled with gorgeous shops and eateries run by creative and passionate locals (in fact, about half of this guide is all about where to eat in Raglan—you’ll be spoilt for choice!).
Read on to discover my handpicked guide on where to explore, eat, shop & stay in Raglan.
The Best Things to Do in Raglan
1. See Bridalveil Falls
Bridalveil Falls is one of my favourite waterfalls in New Zealand—a dramatic stream of water drops down from a clifftop to a perfectly-formed pool below, surrounded by fern trees and greenery.
It’s a relatively flat 10-15 minute walk through the forest to a couple of lookouts to view this stunning waterfall from above.
If you’re up for a bit of a workout, you can walk further down a long, steep staircase to get to a viewpoint platform at the bottom of the waterfall (which I highly recommend doing if you can!).
2. Go Surfing (or watch the surfers)
Avid surfers will likely know of the top surf spots in Raglan, with the left-hand break at Manu Bay being the most famous of them all.
Even if you don’t surf, it’s worth visiting Manu Bay just to watch the surfers in action.
I don’t surf, but my partner Ty does, and I always love sitting here with a good book in hand while keeping an eye on the action in the water (there are some incredible surfers here and it’s truly fun to see).
If you’re a beginner, Ngarunui Beach will be the best spot for you to try surfing (when the conditions are right).
And if you need to hire a board & wetsuit or want surf lessons, contact the friendly Raglan Surf School and they’ll sort you out.
3. Kayak to the pancake rocks
When the weather is calm, kayaking (or paddle boarding) in the Raglan harbour is an awesome activity.
You can kayak through the harbour to see Raglan’s limestone coastline and pancake rocks.
Hire kayaks from Raglan Kayaks to take out on your own, or book one of their guided tours. Their prices are super reasonable and they make it easy for you to get out on the water, even if you’re a beginner.
On a nice day, this is one of the best spots for kayaking in New Zealand!
4. Take a yoga class
As you might expect from a relaxed, bohemian beach town, Raglan is a hotspot for yoga enthusiasts.
The Space is a lovely yoga studio right in town. Or head up to Solscape to enjoy a yoga class (and epic views) at the Raglan Yoga Centre.
5. Visit Ngarunui Beach
Go for a long stroll along the black sands of Ngarunui Beach, Raglan’s main beach (it’s also sometimes known as Wainui Beach or Ocean Beach).
On a sunny day, this a great spot for a picnic or swim (and as mentioned above, it’s a good spot for beginner surfers, too).
There are also some lovely picnic spots above the beach in Wainui Reserve. You can easily spend a whole afternoon here.
I love accessing Ngarunui Beach via the Bryant Memorial Reserve—more on that below!
6. Enjoy the Bryant Memorial Reserve walk
Walk to Ngarunui Beach via the Byrant Memorial Reserve, where you’ll find a beautiful coastal forest filled with nikau palms, tree ferns, and kawakawa.
Once you emerge from the forest cover, the trail gives you sweeping views over Ngarunui Beach.
7. Get epic views from the Te Toto Gorge Lookout
From the end of Wainui Road, drive for about 15 minutes along the gravel Whaanga Road to reach the Te Toto Gorge Lookout.
This lookout area gives you stunning views over the Tasman Sea and bush-clad cliffside.
The carpark here is also the starting point for the Karioi Summit Track, a rough tramping track to the top of Mount Karioi (which is best saved for a clear, sunny day—and if you’re up for some mud and scrambling).
8. Explore Ruapuke Beach
Ruapuke Beach is an absolutely epic black sand surf beach located about a 30-minute drive from Raglan.
For much of the drive to Ruapuke Beach, you’ll be on a winding & narrow gravel road, but the adventure is worth it: this wild beach is awe-inspiring (and the drive is gorgeous, too).
You could make a whole afternoon out of driving to Ruapuke Beach, stopping at the Te Toto Gorge Lookout on the way, then circling back to Raglan with a detour to Bridalveil Falls.
9. Walk the 3 bridges
Walk along Raglan’s 3 bridges for an easy, short walk that links the town and harbour in one lovely loop.
10. Shop local
One of my favourite things about Raglan is its abundance of local businesses and lack of chain shops.
All it takes is a stroll around town before you’ll find one (or many) shops that strike your fancy.
In town, I love Ulo’s for vintage, Artisan & Merchant for housewares, & the Raglan Herbal Dispensary for loose-leaf teas and local honey.
And at the Raglan Wharf, you’ll find Tony Sly (beautiful pottery) and Soul Shoes (handcrafted leather shoes, bags & belts).
11. Watch a West Coast sunset
You just can’t beat a West Coast sunset—and Raglan is no exception.
For the best sunset views in Raglan, head to the beach!
Ngarunui Beach (or Wainui Reserve above the beach), Manu Bay, or Te Kopua Beach are all great spots for watching the sunset in Raglan.
12. Take a harbour cruise
For a relaxing activity in Raglan, head out on a Raglan harbour cruise.
You could do a lunchtime cruise (and order fish & chips to have onboard), or enjoy a sunset cruise and watch the sky light up in oranges and reds over the ocean.
13. Pick up flowers at the Raglan Floral Co.
Visit the roadside Raglan Floral Co stall to pick up a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. They accept cash & bank transfer.
Where to eat & drink in Raglan
14. Ulo’s Kitchen
When in Raglan, dinner at Ulo’s Kitchen is an absolute must.
This brightly-decorated, vibrant restaurant is only open for dinner from Thursday through Saturday, and I highly recommend booking ahead as it’s extremely popular with both locals and visitors.
At Ulo’s, you’ll find beautiful Japanese fusion food and delicious cocktails. I love their Aburi Scallops but honestly, everything is amazing. They regularly have live music, too.
15. The Shack
If you go to just one Raglan cafe, make it this one! It’s a Raglan institution for good reason.
The Shack serves up delicious fresh breakfast and lunch items using locally-sourced ingredients. I love their chilli scrambled eggs and avocado toast. Order from the menu or from an array of cabinet items.
16. Raglan Fish
This popular fish & chips shop is situated right on the Raglan harbour—on a good day, you really can’t beat the spacious, sunny deck at this spot. Their fish is super fresh and portions are generous.
17. Wyld Cafe & juice bar
Wyld is another wonderful Raglan cafe that cranks out beautiful breakfast and lunch items. I love their Turkish eggs and green benny.
The juice bar next to the cafe is also a great spot for smoothies, freshly-pressed juices, and acai bowls to enjoy in the Raglan sunshine.
18. Sidekick sandwiches
Get a sandwich made with love from this delightful little sandwich shop.
The sandwiches here are creative and delicious; I love the Joni California, a veggie sandwich with pickled vegetables and salt-and-vinegar chips for extra crunch.
19. Roll Up
Roll Up makes delicious real fruit ice cream (in their front shop on Bow Street), and burritos (in their back shop on Volcom Lane).
I can’t visit Raglan in summer without getting an ice cream from here!
20. Raglan Artisan Bread
Visit Raglan Artisan Bread to pick up a perfect loaf of sourdough bread. If you want a quick snack, their scrolls, pizza breads, and slices are also delicious.
21. La La Land
La La Land is a chocolate lover’s dream cafe.
This charming chocolate-centric cafe looks like it could be in Paris, and it’s the perfect spot for a sweet treat. Sip on a luxurious hot chocolate or tuck into some decadent waffles.
They have options for vegans and gluten-free eaters, so no one has to miss out.
22. Raglan Roast coffee
Raglan Roast has multiple coffee shop locations across New Zealand, but their Volcom Lane “hole in the wall” location is the original.
Visit their shop window for a freshly-brewed cup of coffee to fuel your explorations around Raglan. And if you enjoy your coffee (which I trust you will), you can pick up some beans to take home with you, too.
23. Raglan Rasoi
This cosy Indian restaurant serves up delicious belly-warming curries for takeaway or dine-in. I can also highly recommend their garlic cheese naan.
24. Orca Eatery
Orca Eatery is a beautiful location for a special brunch or dinner, especially if you can get a table out on their sunny deck overlooking the harbour. I love their breakfast dish of poached eggs with halloumi and dukkah.
They also do a nice happy hour from 4-6pm.
25. Workshop Brewing
Craft beer lovers should visit Workshop Brewing to pick up some takeaway bottles of small-batch craft beer. They also do bottle fills (and sell flagons, too).
If you can’t visit their taproom, you’ll find their beers at multiple eateries in Raglan, and at the supermarkets and bottle shops around town.
Where to stay in Raglan
- Bow Street Studios: These apartments are my top choice for accommodation in Raglan! The property is located in town close to the water, and the units have mid-century minimalist decor and leafy patios.
- Raglan Sunset Motel: This property offers great value-for-money. The middle-of-town location makes it so easy to walk to Raglan’s shops & eateries, and there’s a hot tub onsite, too.
- Camping in Raglan: The Raglan Holiday Park couldn’t be in a better location. It’s right by Te Kopua Beach and from here, it’s just a 5-minute walk to town over the pedestrian bridge.
Where to Next?
For more black sand beaches, surf breaks and good local food, check out my guide to New Plymouth!
Heading east from Raglan? Don’t miss the Coromandel Peninsula, which is packed with more beaches and campsites.
Thanks for Reading my Guide to the Best Things to do in Raglan!
I truly hope it’s helped you plan your next getaway.
As always, please leave me a comment if you have any questions or feedback about this article. I always love hearing from you!
Hi Jac
That was an awesome read!! Going there tomorrow and feeling 3 hectic days coming on! Thank you so much!! Perfect amount of text too!! I’m from Cromwell, so seeing a bit of the north!!!
Thanks for reading, Val – I’m so glad you found it helpful! Hope you have an awesome time in Raglan!
Cheers,
Jac
Solo here from Canada Jac. Great read & very helpful. Originally planned two days around Raglan but making it three after reading. Coromandel is my next stop. After I find the Roll Up ice cream shop! Thanks for your excellent efforts with the blog.
Cheers,
Evan Pugh
Hi Evan!
Thanks for reading, and for your kind words – I’m so happy to hear you found the blog helpful.
Hope you have the best time in Raglan (and the Coromandel)!
Cheers,
Jac