ROAD TRIP - Hamilton to Raglan

A journey through Waikato

Hamilton to Raglan via SH 23 42min, 45.6km

SIDE TRIP - Hamilton to Te Kauwhata via SH 1 45min, 52.1km

An hour-and-a-half drive south of Auckland is Hamilton, set on the banks of the Waikato River. There is a lot to include on your itinerary here, from an exploration of the city centre, a visit to the Waikato Museum and Arts Post Galleries or the wonderful Hamilton Gardens to wander or to cycle along the Waikato River Trails. Another bonus for Hamilton is its close proximity to beachside Raglan. Head west for 45 minutes and you’ll soon be sitting at one of the cafés on the palm tree-lined main strip of this rustic, charming settlement. A popular summer destination, Raglan keeps its visitors busy and entertained with its artisan food scene, good coffee, boutique clothing stores, galleries, native bush walks and those famous west coast beaches boasting some of the country’s best surf breaks.

CITY FUN

A two-hour sojourn on the THE WAIKATO RIVER shows off the best of the city by scenic boat tour.

HAMILTON

This picturesque city sprawls along tree-lined Waikato River. Bike or walk along the cobbled

HAMILTON GARDENS An exceptionally well-maintained maze of fascinating themed gardens channelling anything from Indian temples to Italian villas.

Hamilton Gardens Ancient Egyptian Garden

© Hamilton Gardens

HAMILTON ZOO Check out the 600-plus native and exotic animals housed in this lovely, leafy zoo that is totally manageable with small children in tow. Keep an eye out for feeding times and special keepers’ talks.

Hamilton Zoo

© Hamilton & Waikato

WAIKATO MUSEUM AND ARTSPOST GALLERIES This museum’s 13 galleries feature more than 25 new exhibitions and 100 public events annually. Exscite is their latest interactive offering to young, aspiring scientists.

EXTREME EDGE CLIMBING These themed indoor climbing walls are packed full of colour and challenges to varying degrees. Perfect on a rainy day for climbers aged three and up.

HIGHLIGHTS

THE VILLAGE, WHATAWHATA On the corner of Horotiu and Whatawhata roads en route from Hamilton to Raglan is a cluster of pop-up shops and a café known to locals as The Village: an old shed transformed into a hub for the growing rural community. A good spot to refresh and refuel before making the remainder of the journey to Raglan.

WAIRĒINGA/BRIDAL VEIL FALLS Veer left at Te Mata Rd off the Hamilton/ Raglan SH 23 and follow the signposts to Bridal Veil Falls. The spectacular 55m waterfall is revealed after a short, gentle walk through native bush. Walk to vantage points at both the top and bottom: the top track is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. Swimming here is not advised.

THE RIVERBANK LANE A gorgeous wee pocket of shops and hangouts in Hamilton, combining the Browsers bookshop (literally packed to the rafters with second-hand literature), a café, burger joint, Duck Island ice cream and a bar boasting elevated river views.

HAMILTON SUNDAY FARMERS’ MARKET Every Sunday from 8am until noon, fill your bags with fresh farm produce while having a yarn with local growers and sellers. Held at Claudelands Events Arena.

PANCAKE ROCKS Somewhat a secret, Raglan has its own stash of pancakerocks. Hiding in plain sight, book a local kayaking tour and paddle between rocks, little beaches and chasms.

The Village, Whatawhata

© The Village Café

RAGLAN

Raglan is famed for its attractive subculture, which is a mix of Bohemian meets Rasta meets surfer. A thriving medley of arts, cafés and shops showcases this artsy, flower child vibe and the locals are the very definition of cool.

> BLACK-SAND BEACHES Raglan’s iron-rich, black-sand beaches are arguably its most famous feature.

> SURFING The best spots for a tussle with the waves are Ngarunui Beach, Manu Bay, Whale Bay and Ruapuke Beach.

Raglan surf beach

© Adobe Stock

> SOLSCAPE An eco-retreat that doesn’t break the bank. From its lofty position offering dramatic sea views to the on-site yoga classes and earth domes, Solscape will restore your every chakra.

> ATAMIRA Carefully selected boutique designer clothing and homewares.

> JET COLLECTIVE Fun and quirky gallery-shop stocking 100 per cent Raglan artists.

> RAGLAN BOAT CHARTERS For dreamy sunset cruises and scenic morning cruises across the harbour, complete with tea and coffee.

The Raglan Roast

© Camilla Rutherford

TOP WALKS

From gentle strolls along the Waikato River to overnight excursions, this region has a variety of great walking trails to suit everyone.

WAINUI RESERVE BUSH PARK This park is home to a network of trails weaving through native bush, across farmland and down onto Ngarunui Beach. Developed by the Friends of Wainui Reserve community group, it’s dog friendly and has a dedicated car park at the entrance. An 8min drive from Raglan.

NGARUNUI TRACK The original public track leading down to Raglan’s main beach, the track passes through groves of nīkau palms, kawakawa and kōwhai trees. It’s about 800 metres one way.

HAKARIMATA WALKWAY This 12km-long walkway offers a full-day walk through native bush including towering kauriand totara trees. The Waikato River and nearby settlements of Ngāruawāhia and Hamilton city can be seen from elevated points along the track.

HAMILTON LAKE WALKWAY An easy trail in the heart of Hamilton City, the Hamilton Lake Domain Walkway is popular with both runners and walkers alike. Covering 3.8km, the walkway includes varied natural lakeside vegetation, grassed parklands perfect for a picnic, a boardwalk section, playgrounds and a café. The walkway is mostly flat making it suitable for pushchairs and is also a popular dog walking spot.

KARIOI SUMMIT TRACK For the serious walker, this trail traces the peaks of Raglan’s iconic mountain and ancient volcano, Karioi, which translates to ‘sleeping lady.’ Look closely, the outline resembles just that – a woman lying on her back, as Māori legend describes. Terrain is challenging, with abseiling ropes assisting over rocky embankments in some parts. But the views revealed are well worth the effort; on a clear day you can see as far as Mt Taranaki. Be sure to arrange transport at the other end if you’re completing the track in full. Alternatively you can walk up and down the same side, parking at the Te Toto Gorge car park.

Ngarunui beach, Raglan

© Adobe Stock

If you’re venturing south to Hamilton from Auckland, consider a stop to stretch the legs in Te Kauwhata. Tucked away off SH 1, the village is an hour from both Auckland and Hamilton and exudes country charm.

SIDE TRIP - TE KAUWHATA

Visit Pounamu Taonga Greenstone Shop for beautiful items of greenstone, bone and mother of pearl at wallet-friendly wholesale prices. The town also features a sweet mix of cafés, gift stores and other shops.

Te Kauwhata

© Adobe Stock