A short bush track down to Raglan’s main surf beach. It’s not a long walk but the coastal views on the way down are good and it’s a nice way to get to the beach without driving. The track drops through regenerating coastal forest, nikau palms, tree ferns, kawakawa and kowhai, and spits you out right at the sand.
Quick Facts
| Distance | 1.6 km return |
| Time | 20-30 minutes return |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Start | Wainui Road car park, beside Bryant Home Children’s Bible Camp |
| Parking | Free, small roadside car park, gets busy in summer |
| Dogs | No |
| Wheelchair access | No |
| Pushchair-friendly | No |
| Toilets | At Wainui Reserve and Manu Bay, not at the trailhead |
| Cost | Free |
The Walk
From the car park on Wainui Road, the track heads down through coastal bush with steps on the steeper sections. About halfway down there was a lookout platform with coastal views, but it’s been removed due to safety concerns. You still get good views through the bush on the way down.
The track flattens out near the bottom and delivers you onto the dunes at Ngarunui Beach. From there you can walk along the beach in either direction, or continue along the shore to Wainui Reserve.
It’s steeper than it looks on the way back up, but nothing that takes more than 10 minutes.
Keen for more adventure once you’re done with the track? The Real Rock Climbing Experience: Raglan Rock gives you another good way to get outdoors while you’re in the area.
Ngarunui Beach
This is Raglan’s main surf beach, also known as Wainui Beach and Ocean Beach. The surf patrol operates about 200 metres from the track entrance. It’s a good swimming beach when conditions are right and the patrol is operating. Outside of patrol hours, treat it with care, it’s an exposed west coast beach.
Getting There
Follow Wainui Road out of Raglan for about 6 km. The small car park is on the left beside the Bryant Home Children’s Bible Camp. If that’s full, there’s an alternative access via 50 steps from Earles Place nearby. You can also drive down to the Ngarunui Beach car park and walk up from the bottom, which gives you more parking options on busy days.
No public transport. You’ll need a car.
If you fancy turning your day into a proper outdoor mission, the Karioi Glowworm Canyoning: Raglan Rock Night-time Canyoning Adventure is a fun way to cap off a day in Raglan with a bit of night time adventure on the mountain.
Other Walks Nearby
- Wainui Reserve — walk along the beach from the bottom of this track to get there, or drive
- Kaitoke Walkway — easy estuary walk right in Raglan town
- Raglan 3 Bridges Loop — flat loop around Raglan town and harbour
- Cliff Top to Beach Walk — 12 km out to Ngarunui Beach from the other direction
- Bridal Veil Falls — 15 minute drive south, easy to combine into a day out
