Time to get out of Auckland and with ‘free’ petrol why wouldn’t you (I have unlimited petrol and a company car for a flat fee each month). Today we decided to head down to Raglan on the West Coast of the Waikato. As a wannabe surfer I am aware of Raglan from its appearance in the 1966 classic surf film ‘Endless Summer’ so this trip is inspired as much by that as by a desire to see as many parts of New Zealand as we can while we are here. 

Raglan is 2hrs south of Auckland, straight down state highway 1 through Rangiri (the site of the most costly battle in casualty terms between the British & New Zealand Colonial Forces and the Māori),  onto Huntly (and its mining history and coal fired-powered station) before turning right onto the Great South Road in Taupiri and onto Ngāruawāhia (the home of the Māori King Movement). From Whatawhata the road closely resembles the tightly twisting and turning road in ‘Endless Summers’ movie (except it is a now slightly wider and metalled).

We’ve pre-booked accommodation at the Karioi Lodge a back packers hostel close to Ngarunui beach a few kilometres out of town which I had taken special care to make sure has Sky sport so that we can watch the Wales v Australia game. At £40 for a room containing a double bed and a bunk beds its good value.

The hostel is a former council outdoor pursuits centre and is made up a higldy-pigldy set of huts from (I’m guessing) the 1950s. It has a zip-wire and high wire climbing along with pool (as in billiards not as in swimming) and table tennis etc so the kids should be very happy.

In the afternoon we head down to Ngarunui beach, as a birthday present Ruth bought me a surfing lesson (£30).  The surf board is very buoyant and I eventually stand-up after several attempts (but not for very long).

As it’s May (i.e. winter) the beach is deserted.

We pop over the Manu Bay where the surf is pumping. In the evening we cook supper in the communal kitchen and chat with the other people staying before taking a walk in the dark to view the glow worms that inhabit the area around the lodge. Depending on the species (and which website you read) the glow is to attract a mate or to attract food and, as Wikipedia says, ‘the chemical reaction in each case is very efficient; nearly 100% of the energy input is turned into light (compared to the best light-emitting diodes at just 22%)’. The area alongside the lane that leads to the lodge is studded with them.

Afterwards we put Ellie, Cari and Meg to bed before we return  to the communal lounge for a late night viewing of the Wales v Australia game. Despite leading 23-22 with two minutes on the clock Gareth Cooper, a replacement for Mike Phillips, crucially kicks the ball away loosely from an attacking scrum allowing the hosts to counter-attack which ultimately results in Stephen Hoiles scoring the  winning try. I cannot believe what I am watching unfold. Unbelievable ineptitude.

The next morning we call in Raglan for a mooch around. Raglan is a pretty one street town with nice cafes, independent shops and a its own radio station (which broadcasts from a shop on the main street). We have lunch in the Tongue and Groove Cafe (think wood work please !) Sleepy, rural but edgy with beautiful beaches and incredible surf.

We collectively decide that we love Raglan and the surrounding area and will be back.