Off The Beaten Track - The Beach Cottage

Raglan Boat Charters is located at the Raglan Wharf on Whaingaroa Harbour, the West Coast of New Zealand's North Island, 40 kms from Hamilton and approx 150kms from Auckland, Tauranga and Rotorua. About our Cruises: Departing Raglan Wharf aboard the Wahinemoe to explore the charm of Whaingaroa Harbour – cruise past large conservation reserves, farmland and fishing villages. You will see marine wildlife and ancient limestone rock formations, and listen to fascinating tales about the history and culture of this very special area. Your friendly skipper and crew will take great care of you and make sure you have a magical experience. The sunset cruise is the best and its extremely rare on the west coast to find such an excellent viewpoint.

Thundercross Valley Dirt Bike Park provides a totally unique experience. You can book a lesson with an experienced coach & try out the delights of dirt biking in a safe and friendly environment. Set in 750 acres of stunning, rolling countryside, the Park is a popular destination for visitors from all around the world, including first-timers, advanced riders, adrenaline seekers and families alike. No licence or experience necessary. When hiring one of our bikes full protective gear provided, as well as available to hire when riding your own bike. We look forward to welcoming you at the Park soon.

We're so stoked to have partnered with Cyclery raglan to bring you high quality bikes, so you can make the most of all the biking opportunities Raglan has to offer. With the awesome Te Ara Kākāriki mountain bike trails, cruisy Wainui bush park, or a safe and comfortable cycleway into town, Raglan is certainly a place to hire bikes. With an offering of sizes on high quality mountain bikes, we ensure we have something for everyone. Whether you're an experienced mountain biker wanting to shred the trails, or a cruisy Sunday rider wanting to explore the bush and town, we have you covered.

The Family surf lesson is designed to provide one instructor specifically for your family as opposed to being included in a larger group. The lesson outline is flexible to suit different ages and skill levels. Our instructors are friendly, enthusiastic and keen to pass on their surfing knowledge to both parents and kids alike. Booking times are flexible to suit the best tides on our beach as well as your families needs. The surf lesson starts at Ngarunui beach with all wetsuits and boards provided for both kids and adults.

Nikau Cave is less than 90 minutes drive southwest of Auckland, has thousands of glowworms and amazing formations, but no crowds. The 90 minute tour is personal and unhurried. Located on a working farm, the cave is 1km long with a stream running through it and is in its natural state. Most of the cave is open and spacious, except for a 12m length which must be crawled through. We provide a helmet and flashlight. A moderate level of fitness is required and a change of clothes and shoes with good tread. Surrounded by a river, the café is designed to showcase the stunning landscape. The seasonally inspired menu offers a range of fresh and locally produced dishes and drinks. Bookings are essential for caving.

Visit the award-winning Hamilton gardens and the Waikato’s most popular visitor attraction. As the sun goes down, be guided by the light of the glow worms and stars and descend into the old freshwater canyon stream flowing down from Mt Karioi. Explore natural underground formations and caves with a canyoning expedition in Raglan. This is a highly rated, truly magical canyoning experience.