![]() ![]() So what is Solscape exactly? Turns out it’s many things, though all falling under the umbrella of being sustainable and in tune with the environment. Perched on top of a cliff overlooking the famous waves of Raglan below, Solscape also sits in the shadow of the forested, 756m Mt Karioi. As it stands, Solscape’s two Earth Domes blend a little more seamlessly into their environment.Īnd what an environment. With the right paint job, you’d be certain Papa Smurf or Smurfette were your neighbours. Or as Solscape calls them, “Earth Domes”. The location? Solscape in Raglan in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island.īefore you get too excited if you’re a fellow Smurf fan, this is far from a Smurf-themed resort, but amidst all of Solscape’s eco-friendly offerings are two Smurf-tastic mud huts. Well, fast-forward 25 years and I came pretty close, at least for a weekend. The pre-pubescent version of myself often thought how cool it would be to have my own human-sized Smurf house. I was even such a Smurf-geek as a kid that I’d set my weekday alarm early enough to watch the 6:30am episodes on TV2 before getting ready for school. Once you're in town, you can get into the eco vibe of the place by hiring a bike, and there's also a limited bus service and taxis.I always loved the Smurfs. Intercity buses run regularly from big cities like Auckland regularly, taking about 3-4 hours. From there, it's around 50 minutes by bus or hired car. If you're travelling to Raglan by plane, Hamilton Airport is your closest stop. The Wainui Reserve has 140 hectares of walking and hiking trails following the shore, which might just inspire you to get out on the water with a kayak tour between beaches. At Bridal Veil Falls, stand on a viewing platform and feel the mist from the cascades or walk along bridges deep in the countryside. Head down to Ngarunui Beach to find a local surf school, or if you're already a keen surfer you can catch more powerful, world famous waves at Manu Bay. Many people come to Raglan for the beaches, which are perfect for learning to surf. Nearby Makomako offers gorges, waterfalls, bays and forests. The beach here is just as good for surfing, and there's access to breathtaking hikes. To get off the beaten track, the farming community of Ruapuke is a little way beyond town and blissfully tranquil. In the centre you'll find galleries, local restaurants and of course, the beach. Raglan is a small town, so you're never far away from the goings-on wherever you stay. Look out for Raglan hostels with handy extras like laundry facilities so you can unload some washing, too. Post your surfing videos at a place with free Wi-Fi or chill out in common rooms designed for relaxing and meeting other travellers. There's a hostel within a 110-acre nature reserve if you want to wake up surrounded by songbirds and ferns. Stay on the waterfront at a lodge-style Raglan hostel or go for a stopover at a sustainable retreat. You can also learn about the region's Maori heritage, with museums and galleries on your doorstep. Step out on the black sands of famous Ngarunui Beach or get a higher perspective with a hike up the extinct volcano that watches over the town and the glittering Tasman Sea. ![]() You can spend your days riding the waves of its well-known surfing spots and wandering along sun-dappled walking trails. The coastal town of Raglan in New Zealand was made for nature lovers.
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