Ripples Retreat is a luxury, handmade cabin nestled in a secluded and serene central North Island location. Surrounded by amazing views, with a stunning river in your front garden, it's the perfect place to holiday in bliss – it's just beautiful!
You will have exclusive access to walk up the scenic farm track to spectacular views over the Hobbit bluffs and back towards Mt Ruapehu - just imagine proposing to your loved one up here on Sunset!
Under 3hrs to Auckland airport on our 3rd generation family farm, Ripples is a great central hub to explore NZ and you and your loved ones can easily spend a week here - there is so much to do. We are surrounded by amazing day trips including the adventure wonderland of Waitomo Caves where you can take a glowworm tour, blackwater tube or experience the longest multi-line zipline in NZ. A day trip out to the beautiful West Coast beaches is highly recommended and you can loop back to Ripples via the Marokopa tunnel.
Cycle the Timber Trail, approximately 1 hour away, or take a jetboat tour down the Whanganui River to the Bridge to Nowhere. But once you reach Ripples many of our guests don't want to leave - here you can wild swim, kayak, fish for trout, laze on the sea biscuit, walk up the farm to amazing views of Mt Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe, enjoy the quaint village of Piopio with great seasonal food and local craft shops or take a 5-minute drive to the scenic Waitanguru Falls. Our luxury cabin is also full of games, puzzles and books - there's something for everyone.
Sleeping 5-6 people, our cabin features a stunning double outdoor bath, an inside double shower in a luxe black bathroom and a King size, 4-poster bed. There is also a separate double & single bunk in a cleverly designed shut-off nook just off the main cabin room and a large window seat which can be made up into an extra king single bed.
Prepare your meals in the fully equipped designer kitchen (kitchen designer is my 2nd job) and outdoor BBQ and choose where to dine, either el fresco at the large outdoor picnic table with farm views, on the covered-in deck with amazing river views or inside at our upcycled timber table. There's an espresso coffee machine and ground beans for your morning fix - nothing beats having a cappuccino in nature! Or treat yourself to our homemade Ice-cube tea infusions made with organic farm produce and award-winning honey, very healthy and tasty!
The cabin is nested in a bend in the Mangaotaki River with a stunning freshwater river swimming pool out in front of the cabin. This is completely viewable from the covered deck and has an abundance of trout for fishing from Oct -June for those with a valid NZ fishing license. For their safety, we only accept children over the age of 6. Sorry, no infants. Also, those with a risk of drowning must be supervised by a sober adult at all times.
Our retreat is an extension of a 3rd generation sheep and beef farm situated in the Heart of the Mangaotaki Valley, 45 minutes south of Waitomo Caves off SH 3. Opened in June 2020, this modern luxe cabin has an interior layered with handmade items and special details. It was crafted with couples and families in mind for your perfect holiday and it's sited where Gandolf's (Ian McKellen's) caravan was parked for the filming of The Hobbit in 2011. It has also been used as a film location for other movies and major commercials.
You can also work from this incredible location with free Wi-Fi and an indoor and outdoor table to spread out on. Or just relax and absorb nature in the outdoor bathtub, surrounded by native ferns and the lullaby of the nearby stream. There's also room to place everything on our sustainably upcycled vanity, large sunny window seat and open shelving. Store your bags under the conveniently designed handmade beds, every detail has been considered to enhance your stay.
Take a nap on our comfy outdoor loungers or the macramé double swing chair where you can snuggle up with cosy blankets under the radiant outdoor heater - perfect at night with the ambient garden lighting.
Grab that perfect pic on the rope swing hanging from the Paulownia tree and there's no need to worry about bringing water - save the planet from plastic as we have an unlimited supply of fresh filtered drinking water.
Get that Bali vibe on warm summer days with our timber ceiling fan which cools the cabin perfectly without the need for over-drying air-conditioning. There's a digital detox box as we like to encourage our guests to take time out away from technology to reconnect and just BE. The amazing views and vibe in the cabin are such that we do not have a TV as you won't need one.
There is a “two bar” cellphone reception on the Spark and Skinny networks (Vodafone would require a short drive to higher ground). Ripples is private with only the sounds of the rippling stream, native birds and distant farm dogs working sheep with the farmer.
CHECK IN 2 pm
CHECK OUT 10am
Free laundry at our house a short walk away (but you can't see us)
Guest access
Ripples is all yours when you book, you will have exclusive walking access to the river and we highly recommend walking or cycling along our quiet country road. We have a farm walk to amazing views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe, but we ask that you keep to the farm track as there are hazards and a low risk of dangerous animals. Your safety is our number one concern.
Other things to note
Our outdoor bath is run off gas, there are no fires to light just turn on the tap sit back and immerse yourself in warm water surrounded by nature. We have a cozy outdoor heater and lovely soft loungers with snuggly blankets on our large, covered deck, which makes it the perfect area to relax at any time of the day or night. Pile the throws up and enjoy!
