A 7.2-hectare bush reserve just outside Raglan, created from an old farm and planted up over the past 30 years by volunteers. There are several short loop tracks through the native bush, wooden bridges over streams, a picnic area with tables and a shelter, and access through to Ngarunui Beach. It’s quiet, well-maintained, and easy underfoot.
| Distance | Up to 3 km depending on route |
| Time | 45-60 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Start | Wainui Road car park, just before the Ngarunui Beach Road turnoff |
| Parking | Free, car park at the entrance, locked dusk to dawn |
| Dogs | Yes, on leash, but cannot cross the farm section to the beach with dogs |
| Pushchair-friendly | Lower section yes, beach access no |
| Toilets | Yes, near the entrance |
| Picnic area | Yes, tables and shelter |
| Cost | Free |
The lower section of the reserve is flat, with easy loop tracks through regenerating native bush crossing two streams on wooden bridges. This is the most accessible part and suitable for most people.
From here you can take the Bush to Beach track, which climbs through the bush reserve, crosses the ridge, then descends via a walkway over the dunes to Ngarunui Beach. There are steps on the beach access section, so leave pushchairs behind for this part.
There are several named tracks through the reserve including Betty’s Walk and Memorial Walk. The farm track up to the summit is the trickiest to navigate, follow the yellow arrows and pay attention as it can get confusing up top. The views from the ridge over the beach are worth it though.
Keep an eye on the memorial plaques along the tracks. Many of the trees were donated or planted in memory of people, and the plaques include the tree name and planting date. It’s one of those details that makes the place feel genuinely cared for, which it is.
The bush park was created in 1993 by a group of volunteers called the Friends of Wainui Reserve, who have put in around 1,000 hours a year since then planting trees, maintaining tracks and keeping pests and weeds under control. Around 15,000 trees have been planted. Worth knowing if you’re the kind of person who appreciates that sort of thing.
Take Wainui Road southwest out of Raglan. The Bush Park entrance and car park is on the left just before the Ngarunui Beach Road turnoff. Note the car park is locked at dusk, so don’t leave it too late.
You can also reach the reserve on foot from Raglan along the beach, about 6 km one way, though at spring high tides the beach section is impassable.
