Last updated November 2026
The Ngarunui Track is a short walk near Raglan that starts at Bryant Memorial Reserve on Wainui Road and leads through coastal forest to Ngarunui Beach, Raglan’s main beach for swimming, surfing and picnicking. It is about 40 km from Hamilton, making it an easy add-on to a Raglan day trip.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) grades it as an easy to intermediate walking track, 800 m one way and 20 minutes. Steps lead down from the car park and again to the beach. Dogs are not allowed.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Ngarunui Track on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Car park beside the Bryant Home Children’s Bible Camp, Bryant Memorial Reserve, Wainui Road
- Other access
- 50 steps from Earles Place (limited parking)
- Distance from the city
- About 40 km from Hamilton
- Walking time
- 20 min one way
- Track length
- 800 m one way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate walking track
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Ngarunui Track
From the car park, steps lead down to a well-formed track through a small patch of coastal forest. DOC lists tree ferns, nīkau palms, kawakawa and kōwhai growing in abundance, so even this short walk has a lush, sheltered feel before the coast opens up.
A lookout platform once stood about a third of the way down, but DOC removed it. At the bottom, more steps take you onto Ngarunui Beach, also known as Wainui Beach and Ocean Beach.
From the beach you can walk along the shore to Wainui Reserve, which is run by Waikato District Council. DOC notes the surf patrol operates about 200 m from where the track meets the beach.
At 20 minutes on an easy to intermediate grade, it is a short forest approach to the beach. Remember the steps on the way back up.
Getting There
Access is from Wainui Road, along the coast south-west of Raglan, or from Earles Place, where 50 steps lead to the track and parking is limited. DOC says there are toilets at Wainui Reserve and at Manu Bay.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Ngarunui Track: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Waikato District Council: information on Wainui Reserve and Raglan’s beaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Ngarunui Track?
DOC gives 800 m one way, about 20 minutes.
How hard is it?
DOC grades it as an easy to intermediate walking track. There are steps at the start and down to the beach.
Where does it start?
At the car park beside the Bryant Home Children’s Bible Camp in Bryant Memorial Reserve, Wainui Road. There is also access via 50 steps from Earles Place.
Can I take my dog?
No. Dogs are not allowed.
Which beach does it lead to?
Ngarunui Beach, also called Wainui Beach and Ocean Beach, Raglan’s main beach for swimming, surfing and picnicking.
Are there toilets?
DOC says there are toilets at Wainui Reserve and at Manu Bay.
How far is it from Hamilton?
The track is about 40 km from Hamilton, on the coast south-west of Raglan.
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Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.