ABOUT RIPPLES RETREAT
“Beautiful, tranquil retreat, with a fascinating history"
Our Riverside Cabin Dream
I’m Trudy, and together with my family—Brendan, Katie, Corban, and Harley—we’ve created a truly special place to stay on our 3rd generation farm in the heart of the Waikato.
Our first cabin, River Song, was built in 2020 on our original picnic spot beside the river, where we’ve spent many happy years teaching our kids to swim, kayak and fish. It's also where the crew from the Hobbit spent their days whilst filming "An unexpected Journey" back in 2011. In 2025, we completed our second cabin, Cascade—our larger light-filled, sustainable, and beautiful cabin.
Using my 30 years of interior design experience, I've strived to combine the magic of glamping with modern comfort (double glazing, insulation, and gas hot water) with my unique hygge approach to cozy living. Perfect for couples, families, and groups, we’ve intentionally designed them with older kids in mind—creating space, comfort, and activities to keep them engaged and off devices.
This are is pumping with outdoor activities from the famous Waitomo Caves to stunning waterfall walks, we’ve explored everything we recommend, so you know you’re in for an unforgettable stay. And yes—Wi-Fi is included, but there’s no TV, so you can truly unplug.
River Run - Our Farm
Our Mission Statement
At our core we believe in crafting unforgettable holiday experiences where creative, sustainable design sits alongside beautiful nature, weaving together to form magical holidays that not only delight the senses but also deeply nourish your body and soul.
Creating memories that last a lifetime!
Ripples is nestled on our third-generation sheep and beef farm River Run, situated in the heart of the stunning Mangaotaki Valley. So you may hear in the distance the sounds of farm dogs working sheep or spot Brendan or Graeme riding along farm tracks, moving stock.
We farm 870Ha of steep to rolling hill country and have 3600 ewes, 5000 lambs in spring and 300 head of cattle. We have and continue to plant 100's of native trees to keep our farm sustainable for future generations, they help to retain our soils, provide shelter for our stock, improve the water quality and also add to the aesthetic quality of our land.
Our guests are welcome to walk our farm track and we offer free farm tours to those that book 4 days or more. During our authentic farm tours, you will be able to witness breathtaking views of our private farmland that is not accessible to the general public. You will also see beautiful ponds, waterfalls, and craggy bluffs. On a clear day, you will be able to enjoy stunning views of Mt. Ruapehu.
"The farm tour at Ripples was a highlight of our NZ Honeymoon"
"Our family farm, River Run, boasts stunning views of lakes, bluffs, and waterfalls, making it a truly picturesque location."
Stunning views of the Majestic Mangaotaki Valley and Mt Ruapehu.
Taking the girls home after shearing
Hobbit Film & Other Filming History
We've had a variety of films and Ads shot at Ripples. This is a scene from a Budlite ad for the Super Bowl
This pop up village was here for a month back in 2011
Lights, camera, action!
We've had a variety of films and Ads shot at Ripples. This is a scene from a Budlite ad for the Super Bowl
The cabin sits where Gandalf’s caravan was parked for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2011). For 10 days the farm became a village of 500 — and we’ve since hosted other film shoots, including a 2017 Super Bowl ad.
Fish for Rainbow and Brown trout right from both cabins, with exclusive access to the Taumangahau Stream on our private land, where you'll likely have the stream all to yourself. The fishing season is from October - June at the cabin and all year round 5 minutes downstream.
Sustainability
In the heart of the Waikato, our riverside cabins are crafted from eco-friendly, upcycled materials — cozy, indulgent, and truly one of a kind.
Solar-designed after a year studying the sun’s path, they capture winter light and summer shade, while modern electric power keeps them comfortable year-round without air conditioning — ensuring the best possible comfort for our guests.
