Enjoy this blog post written by my adventurous pal Stacey.

It’s been years since I’ve been to Raglan, in fact my daughter was only 6 weeks old when we last went and is almost 6 years old now! I was super excited to be back! Raglan’s got a little bit of everything we love = surf, sand, shopping, cafes and some great walks.

Waireinga/Bridal Veil Falls is the perfect walk for any age and ability (It’s wheelchair/pushchair accessible to the top of the falls). My son first walked it at 2 years old and there was a preschool group doing the walk at the same time. It’s only 10 minutes to the top of the falls and another 10 minutes down the stairs to see the falls from the bottom.

There is a Maori carving and poem welcoming you as you start the walk. If your kids need a little more prompting to get out on a walk or like to do activities check the DOC/Toyota Kiwi Guardian website and do the Bridal Veil Falls activity to collect their medal. Find out more about it out here.

My almost 6 and 8 year old ran ahead down the track and I finally caught up with them at the first viewing platform. The view was impressive! Even though it hadn’t rained most of the summer there was still a significant flow of water falling a staggering 55m to the pool below. Then we started to make our way down to the bottom stopping at the platform midway to take in the view.

Once at the bottom my kids sat down next to each other mesmerized by the cascading water. We took our time taking it all in and then started the climb back up to the car.

It’s well worth the 15 minute drive from Raglan to do this walk with the whanau.

For the Department of Conservation info click here

Thanks Stacey, both Anita and I have taken our kids here and both agree it is a wonderful family adventure. My kids also spotted eels in the stream near the viewing platform.