Beautiful Design in Nature
"Just...WOW!"
Hillary's Review
Our River Song Cabin Est 2020 is the perfect Romantic Escape for couples (35sm)
Nestled in the tranquil embrace of the Mangaotaki Stream, Ripples Retreat awaits, surrounded by breathtaking rolling hills and dramatic limestone cliffs. We have poured our hearts into crafting two unique cabins that embody luxury and comfort, ensuring you feel cherished and pampered throughout your stay.
River Song, our enchanting couples' cabin, and Cascade, our spacious family retreat, both feature individually tailored designs that boast distinct and thoughtfully curated floor plans. Nestled in their own private riverbank havens, these cabins are 150 meters apart, separated by lush trees and paddocks with grazing sheep. Perfect for individual bookings—accommodating 5 and 6 guests respectively— or both cabins can also be reserved together for magical group getaways, as they are a leisurely 5-minute stroll apart.
At Ripples Retreat, you are invited to unwind, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your loved ones in a luxurious setting, all while basking in the natural beauty that surrounds you,
filling your holiday with joy and tranquility.
Our larger Cascade cabin features a larger deck and outdoor heater,
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Our Cascade cabin Est 2025 is larger and perfectly suited to families of up to 6 (50sm)
We have designed Ripples Retreat to be your "Out of this World" vacation haven, offering the freedom to engage in as much or as little as you desire. While there are numerous day trips to enjoy from our working Kiwi sheep and beef farm, many of our guests find it hard to leave, drawn in by the secluded ambiance and activities at our cabins.
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Experience Wild Swimming, Kayaking and Fishing, in your private river pools, Stargazing the Milky Way from the double outdoor, or farm walks with exclusive views. With hundreds of hours of thoughtful design, this romantic and sustainable getaway provides luxurious and unique accommodation you will never forget!
Where is Ripples Retreat?
Piopio, Waitomo NZ
You can easily spend two weeks at Ripples, and we recommend that international visitors fly into Auckland, rent a car, and discovering amazing day trips in every direction while returning home feeling rejuvenated and inspired by their authentic Kiwi holiday, without the exhaustion!
Our guests appreciate the peace, tranquility, and meticulous attention to detail;
it’s no wonder Peter Jackson chose to film The Hobbit here.
It truly is a magical place!
Holiday Destination
Ripples is situated on our 3rd generation family farm and it is the ideal central hub for your New Zealand getaway. Nestled in a peaceful countryside, it is the perfect escape for relaxation. For a limited time, enjoy complimentary farm tours when you stay four nights or more at Ripples Retreat.
Located less than three hours from Auckland Airport, our serene surroundings make for a refreshing holiday, but be warned many of our guests find themselves wanting to extend their stay. Discover how easily accessible we are from anywhere in the world on the images below.
Craft your holiday with various day trips: Day 1 features a scenic drive to the breathtaking West Coast Beaches; Day 2 offers caving tours or zipline adventures at Waitomo Caves. Days 3-4 can be spent in Raglan or exploring our farm track with views of Mount Ruapehu, followed by a visit to the picturesque Waitanguru Falls.
For Days 5-14, cycle the Timber Trail, embark on a jetboat trip to the Bridge to Nowhere, wander through Hamilton's renowned Botanical Gardens, or explore New Plymouth and Taranaki. The options are endless.
Don't forget to slot in a daytrip to Hobbiton!
Plan to spend as much time as you can at Ripples to fish, kayak, swim, stargaze, and unwind amidst nature's beauty. Just remember to book enough days — there's so much to experience from this wonderful location!
"What a perfect location for a workation. Stable Wi-fi, quiet surroundings and the ability to work both inside and out.
This is an amazing environment to get creative and have clarity of mind."
Our Waikato Retreat Accommodation near Waitomo Caves is under 3 hours from Auckland, halfway between Hamilton and New Plymouth and 15 minutes off State Highway 3. Approximately 2 hours drive from Taupo, Rotorua and Tauranga, so central to New Zealands North Island. It's beautiful accommodation to be used and enjoyed and we are so excited to share it with you!
Ripples is a central base for those that not only seek adventure in a beautiful destination, but also those that need a creative workcation with Wi-Fi and for those that need to unwind and heal in gorgeous, quiet surroundings that are warm and toasty in winter and refreshingly cool in summer - with a secluded swimmable river pools and quiet, nourishing countryside.
It's affordable luxury in a private location which is so good for your well-being.
Here you are surrounded by the healing power of nature and embraced in effortless style.
It's a designers paradise loving crafted from handmade and upcycled pieces, combined with high quality finishes. Ripples is completely unique and you won't find another like it!
"Our family have put a lot of love into creating our unique cabins and making them into our ultimate holiday retreats -
in the hope that they become yours too!"
"Ripples is our own ideal little slice of paradise & we can’t wait to have you stay!"
Trudy and Brendan Denize with Katie, Corban and Harley
What our Guests are Saying
"Unreal place. Hands down the best retreat across New Zealand. You have to go to experience as words won't do justice. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent there. Thanks for having us Trudy."