Raglan Town Pic:Raglan.net
Head two hours south-west of Auckland or 40 minutes west of Hamilton and you’ll pull into the cute-as-a-button seaside township of Raglan.
The main street is all you really need to know about, with enormous palm trees creating the centre line and edged with cafes, an historic pub, surf shops and arty farty galleries.
About 3000 people call Raglan home and I was there to speak at the Word Cafe on travel blogging and how to get your own blog up and running.
Friday night and Orca Restaurant and Bar was hopping. A 6-piece jazz-folk band called Twisted Timber played in the bar where starting a tab means just telling them your name. No handing over the credit card. We’re all family here! Then the interlude band of 2 with an electric ukelele and electric cello for some rollicking good times. I love it!
Breakfast is served on the table converted from a door at Plantation House
We stayed in gorgeous Plantation House, a 1920s bungalow set on a hill overlooking the harbour and Te Ahau hills through the trees. It has wrap around verandahs and is exquisitely decorated with all the things you’d love to collect if you had such a period home. Owner Rosie Worsp had made muesli, stewed rhubarb and 2 loaves of freshly baked bread for brekky. Here is the link on Holiday Houses.
The ceiling at The Shack cafe
Waouku Lodge is a stunning property up the road that overlooks the ocean. I stayed here a couple of years ago, and here is my review of this place.
For brunch, I heartily recommend The Shack on the main street, then wander down to the water for a paddle board or just to watch, if like me you don’t want to get wet.
Browse the galleries, buy a little something to take home, then wave goodbye until next time.