A STRAIGHT TALKING NEW ZEALAND LIFESTYLE BLOG

May 17, 2013

Bridal Veil Falls Raglan, Waikato, New Zealand

I’m pretty lucky…New Zealand is an awesome country to live in; the natural beauty is breathtaking and it’s something that I’m not taking for granted.  Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan is one of those spots…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…a 55 metre high waterfall that is rather magical, buried deep in the bush…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…but with viewing platforms at various levels to take in the views of the falls.

Bridal Veil Falls (Wairēinga Falls) is close to the surfing town of Raglan in the Waikato Region…one of my favourite regions in New Zealand if I’m honest…seriously remember how beautiful the Blue Springs walk was that we did for my birthdaythose stunning gardens in Hamiltonthe Miranda Bird Sanctuary and the not so hidden gem, Cathedral Cove.

As with any walk…I was properly prepared with appropriate footwear…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…slightly better then the folks wearing nothing at all…judge away.

You start the walk with a short walk through the New Zealand native bush…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…it’s all sign posted…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…to the first viewing platform so you have a chance to look down over Bridal Veil Falls…this is only a short and pretty easy 10 minute walk from the car park…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…and with views across farms in the distance.

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

^^Family photo time!

If you fancy losing some leg wobble then head down to the bottom of the falls…there is another viewing platform half way down…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

….with seating if you don’t fancy going any further…but if you keep going downnnnnn….

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…it feels like you’ve entered an enchanted forest as you’re surrounded by New Zealand native forest and a rather gorgeous waterfall.

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

It’s only a 10 minute walk from the top viewing platform to the bottom platform.

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

No swimming is allowed at these Waikato Falls as they’re considered tapu (sacred)…there are myths about fairies dancing in the pools…so please be respectful and don’t swim at the pools.  The water is also not deemed safe to swim in due to hygiene reasons…from farming apparently.

Raglan has become a favourite spot for Aucklanders wanting to escape the big smoke along with New Zealand celebrities…this little Kiwi town used to be famous for its surf (it still is) however it’s becoming a cool place to be seen in now.

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

We visited during April…the sun was still shining even though it was officially Autumn…we had a wander around town…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…taking in the Art Gallery…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…the tiny tiny bread shop..

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…the second hand bookshop which I’m really loving here in New Zealand…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…obviously we were getting closer to the water…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…Hi De Hi…water makes me feel happy and extremely calm!

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

We had a quick picnic by the waters edge…our family loves a good ol’ picnic, as you’ve probably come to realise from these posts here, here and here.  There is always a thermos of tea in the car on all road trips…this is compulsory!

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

^^Ma & Pa…plus a few seagulls!

After eating a picnic which included hot chips…we needed to walk off said hot chips along the boardwalk…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…it was the middle of the week so it was definitely a quiet time to enjoy the scenery in Raglan…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…the black sand beaches, the West Coast beaches are black sand…

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

…it’s a beautiful spot for a picnic and a wander with family or friends.

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

This was my last day in New Zealand before I headed back to England last year…so much has obviously changed in my life since this trip to Bridal Veil Fall and Raglan (including dropping a few necessary kilos) but the one thing that I don’t regret is moving home.

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

Travel Tips for Bridal Veil Falls and Raglan, Waikato

  • Bridal Veil Falls: The falls are signposted from State Highway 23, between Te Uku and Raglan.
  • You can find more information about Bridal Veil Falls Raglan on the Department of Conversation website
  • You don’t need full on walking boots and shoes to visit Bridal Veil Falls but make sure you’re dressed for the weather as there are a number of steps and these would become slippery after the rain.
  • There is easy parking on the road in Raglan however it is less busy during the weekend day and outside of the summer season
  • Check out the numerous little independent shops in the town and support them when you can.
  • There are picnic tables down on the waters edge for a picnic so don’t worry if you’ve forgotten your picnic blanket.
  • Looking for accommodation options in Raglan then check here and here for places to stay

New Zealand Travel InspirationBridal Veil Falls Raglan in the beautiful Waikato Region of New Zealand; a perfect day trip from Auckland. #newzealand #travel

xx

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