Staying in the Overlander Train, Raglan

Raglan is located on State Highway 23, two hours south of Auckland, on the west coast of the Waikato region. Watched over by Mount Karioi, this surfing mecca offers breathtaking views, black sandy beaches and a superb choice of cafés. It’s said Manu Bay (The Point) has the longest, most accessible and consistent left-hand break in the world. If you have the skills, it’s possible to catch a wave and cruise for up to two kilometres! Alternatively, you can head over to Ngarunui Beach (Ocean Beach) for a swim where body boarding and surf lessons are also on offer. We were only in Raglan a couple of days so we opted to stay on foot but there was much to explore.

The town is a mix of cafés, bars and surf shops. There are a number of great walks in the area too with Bridal Veil Falls worth a look, or if you’re on the hunt for something more strenuous, there’s the top of Mount Karioi. The Te Toto Gorge Track is also worth checking out too or you can cycle the Pipiwharauroa Trail which gets you close to the 137m high wind turbines.

Situated a short walk from Manu Bay and Ngarunui Beach are the Solscape eco-lodgings where we stayed. Nestled in ten acres of land at the foot of Mount Karioi, it’s a great spot with breathtaking views across the Tasman Sea. Solscape is a welcoming place with an array of accommodation types available from recycled railway cabooses and earth domes to glamping in a Tipi Forest set in native bush. There’s also the Te Ao Whanga Eco Camp which provides tent and van sites with solar heated showers and an indoor-outdoor kitchen.

Their self-contained options have private facilities and are suitable for families, couples or small groups. There’s the Family Bach, situated at the highest point of Solscape, the Eco Bach, with its environmentally friendly design principles, a 1960’s Ivy Cottage and a Summer Studio with private lawn and patio.

The Overlander, where we stayed, is a recycled 17 metre railway carriage with its own bathroom facilities. We were due to relax at Solscape for two nights, before driving to Hamilton, but we’d arrived in New Zealand 24 hours later than anticipated which cut our trip short. We were on a tight schedule which meant we couldn’t extend our visit but we loved this place. The railway carriage has its original timber interior along with a comfortable queen bedroom and a single bed in the living area. There’s a well-equipped kitchen too along with a dinner table and chairs. We couldn’t have asked for anywhere better to spend a couple of days before continuing our trip southwards. Had we been there longer, we would have become a Solsurfer at the Scolscape Surf School or embarked on one of their tours. If you’re in North Island and looking for somewhere a bit different to stay, Solscape should certainly be on your list.