ABOUT RIPPLES RETREAT
A riverside escape, lovingly built by our family.
How Ripples Began
Ripples Retreat began as a family picnic spot by the river — a place we loved so much we wanted to share it.
We slowly designed and built two cabins to feel like a giant hug. Creating spaces that feel calm, private, and deeply connected to the land.
Most guests arrive for a short stay… and wish they had stayed longer.
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 and gas hot water keeps them comfortable year-round without air conditioning — ensuring the best possible comfort for our guests.
Life on our Farm
Ripples sits on our 3rd generation family farm in the Mangaotaki Valley near Waitomo.
Brendan grew up here, and now we share it with our children, our sheep, and the guests who come to stay awhile.
Guests staying longer are welcome to join our free private farm tour — meeting friendly sheep, feeding lambs from mid-August, and hearing stories of life on the land.
Filming History
The film crew for of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) camped on our site beside the Mangaotaki River.
Later, a Bud Lite commercial brought a crew of nearly 500 people to our valley for a week — turning our quiet paddocks into a little film village overnight.
Every few years, film crews return to our farm — roughly every 3–5 years — and it still feels just as exciting for our family. Guests can wander the same hills and riverbanks while enjoying a peaceful luxury riverside farmstay near Waitomo.
Stargazing at Ripples
The Milky Way is visible here from late summer through spring, but our clearest, brightest skies are in winter — especially June and July, when the nights are longest and the stars feel close enough to touch.
On clear nights we often step outside before bed — just to look up.
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.
Please bring you rod and a valid NZ fishing license.